The dawn broke, casting a golden glow over the aftermath of the intense battle in the depths of the forest.
Rihyon, still catching his breath, surveyed the scene where he had clashed with the young shinobi.
The air was thick with the metallic tint of blood.
*Urgh* * Bleurgh*
…
He puked.
"Killing someone is easier said than done, huh?"
'Still, judging from his fighting style and demeanor, I still couldn't believe that the world I transmigrated to would be Naruto.'
"I kinda know that this world is sort of fucked up, but…"
Once again, glance at the lifeless body lying on the forest floor.
'Feeling it yourself is an entirely different thing after all.'
He contemplated the events that had unfolded. The smell of blood now mixed with the crisp morning air, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
"In a world like this, what actions should I take for my future?"
Rihyon pondered, with a shadow of concern clouding his expression.
With a heavy sigh, he decides to throw it to the back of his head for now.
He then begins to scavenge the corpse, hoping to find something useful.
As he scavenged through the belongings, he now knew the name of the kid he just killed was Kitamura Kyohei. He also discovered 1200 ryo, ninja pills, shuriken, kunai, and a scroll.
Curious about the content inside, he start looking through the scroll. The scroll is surprisingly easy to open.
"It seems that the sealing Techniques aren't that widespread yet, so the early days of Konoha or before that."
Mumbles as he continues reading the contents of the scroll.
In summary, the Kitamura clan is now having a border conflict with the Nagai clan.
Kyohei's mission is to deliver a message to the clan leader because the Nagai clan is starting to show signs of escalation.
'Hmm. Clan conflict. So, it's the warring state era, maybe?'
'But I don't know at which point.'
Rihyon mulled as he sat down to rest and bandage the wound caused by the previous battle.
He also ate some ninja pills, as he had not eaten anything for many hours.
After he finished recuperating, he packed all the important things in his freshly looted ninja bag.
He then starts a fire to destroy any traces or evidence of the event that unfolded here, including the scroll.
He won't keep it, as he's not sure if the ninja has any way of tracking it or not. Better be safe than sorry.
Rihyon then continued on his way to find a human settlement or at least a road.
As he walked forward carefully as the rustling of leaves and every snap of a twig felt like a potential threat.
The previous event urged him to stay vigilant. His eyes scanned the surroundings for any sign of any movement.
After god knows how long, Rihyon sees a road far away in the distance.
The road stretched before him like a … patch of dirt.
To call it 'road' is somewhat of an overstatement. It's more like a trek way you see in a mountain village or something.
Nevertheless, a sense of relief washed over him as he approached the 'road'.
Rihyon decides to walk along the road, hoping to encounter a caravan or someone traveling, leaving the murmur of the forest behind.
As he traveled, he tried to remember the plot during this time.
'There aren't many things that happened in this period mentioned in anime other than the Senju and Uchiha clan rivalry in Hashirama and Madara's past.'
'I should stay low-key, train myself, and gather more information before taking the next course of action.'
…
*Thud* *Thud* *Thud*
After a considerable trek, Rihyon snapped out of his pondering because of sound coming ahead.
A distant silhouette of a caravan emerged on the horizon. The caravan, guarded by armed escorts that appeared to be samurai, rumbled steadily toward me.
As they drew closer, Rihyon stood in front, blocking the way of their convoy.
The convoy stops as a samurai steps forward to question him.
"What is your intention to block the road? A thief?"
The samurai said as he had his hand on the sword handle.
"Sorry for blocking your way, sir. I just want to tag along with your caravan on the road."
The samurai looked up and down at Rihyon's appearance with scrutinized eyes. Just as the atmosphere gradually becomes subtle.
"Hey Hideki! What's going on?"
Suddenly, a voice comes from one of the carriages. The caravan leader, a seasoned merchant with weathered features and a shrewd gaze, emerges from the carriage.
"There someone blocking the road, chief."
The merchant turns his face to Rihyon's side with squinted eyes.
"Hello, sir. I just want to tag along with your caravan on the road. I'm lost, you see."
Rihyon said as he offered a sum of money.
"Well, you can follow behind the convoy."
The merchant nods reluctantly.
The caravan continues as Rihyon follows behind.
…
"So, what are you doing around here?"
Asked one of the bored guard.
"Ah, I got lost after finishing some 'business' you see. By the way, is there any town near us?"
Replied Rihyon with a subtle hint that he is a ninja, trying to convey that he is not to be trifled with.
"Town? Nah. But there's a small village ahead. We're about to reach it soon."
Rihyon grinned at the news.
It seemed like the perfect place to gather more information about this unfamiliar world he found himself in.
…
Dilapidated structures emerged in the distance.
Rihyon observed the simple yet picturesque surroundings as the caravan approached the village.
The village seemed to be nestled between rolling hills, with thatched-roof houses dotting the landscape. Smoke rises from chimneys, adding to the charm.
The caravan rolled into the village, drawing curious glances from the villagers. Rihyon, keeping a low profile, followed closely behind.
Once the caravan came to a halt, Rihyon took a glance around at the village.
The village was modest, with villagers going about their daily routines. A small marketplace displayed various goods, and children played in the dusty streets.
The caravan's guard approached Rihyon.
"You're free to go your way from here. We're making a brief stop for supplies, but we won't be staying long."
"Thank you for allowing me to tag along."
Rihyon replied, handing a small pouch of coins as a token of appreciation.
As the caravan dispersed, Rihyon decided to explore the village.
He strolled through the narrow lanes amidst the villagers' curious glances. It wasn't every day that a stranger arrived in their village.
Rihyon approached a local vendor, hoping to strike up a conversation.
"Hello, uncle. What's going on lately? How's the business doing recently?"
The vendor, a friendly middle-aged man, smiled warmly.
"Ah, you must be with the caravan. Our village is but a small, rural village. There's nothing here except the scenery, which is quite good."
"The business is okay. But it would be better if you buy some of my apples. I pick them myself, you know?"
Answer the vendor as he rubs his hands together.
"I'll take one then. How much is it?"
"Well, that would be 18 ryo, young man."
The uncle nodded as a smile bloomed on his face.
"Where's the village leader's house? I've something he might be able to help with."
Rihyon pays him as he asks.
"Village leader house? If you're looking for him, just go to the well. His house is around there."
The vendor replied as he counting the money.
Rihyon shrugged, then turned around and started looking for the village leader's house.
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(A/N: Should I use a Japanese or English name for words like Kekkai Genkai and Bloodline Limit, for example? 1 ryo = 10 yen btw)