The silence that followed was deafening, punctuated only by the fading echoes of the battle above and the persistent rain outside. We waited, breaths held, listening for any sign that the intruders had returned. I even try to feel their aura through observation haki, but apparently, I don't have that kind of power, yet.
But it's different with Konan, she actually manages to perceive something from the silence above. Her eyes widened and she tightened her grip on my hand. "They're gone," she whispered, her relief palpable.
We slowly emerged from our leafy cocoon, brushing off the dampness and dust. Ame, ever the curious one, was the first to ascend the stairs, her tail high and alert. We followed, our senses heightened as we stepped into the house. The once warm and cozy space now felt eerie and violated.
"Wait here, I'll check outside," I murmured to Konan, my eyes scanning the dimly lit room for any immediate threats. She nodded, her grip on my hand loosening slightly as I slowly climbed the stairs, my heart hammering in my chest. The house was a mess, with shattered pots and furniture overturned. Ame mewed softly from the doorway, her tail flicking back and forth.
I stepped out into the rain-soaked street, my eyes searching for any signs of the intruders. The battle's aftermath was clear; the once serene village was now scarred with destruction. The acrid scent of smoke filled the air, mixing with the ever-present scent of rain. The buildings around us bore the marks of combat, their wooden exteriors marred by deep gouges and burns. It was a reminder that our peaceful existence was no longer a guarantee.
I see the body of a fallen shinobi in the distance, the symbol on his forehead was Sunagakure. It seems like we're not the only ones with troubles today.
And there's Konoha's symbol, I think to myself, as I spot another body.
Iwa too? It's three way?
There's a lot bodies here, "don't look at their eyes." I murmured to myself, it's a rule that I picked up from some manga I read. I don't know if it's true, but it feels right in this grim moment.
I trying to loot the bodies, I mean, gathering intel.
"...." Nodding my head.
I check each body carefully, avoiding their eyes, searching for anything good. My stomach give some unpleasant feelings at the sight of the carnage, but I know we need the goods, I mean information. Each scroll, each weapon, could be the key to our survival.
---|||---
I didn't know for how long I had been looting, but my hands were shaking. The village was eerily quiet, except for the sound of the rain. The bodies of shinobi from various lands lay scattered, a grim reminder of the chaos that had descended upon us.
Scroll, kunai, shuriken, some wire and explosive tags.
I store all of it in my inventory and of course, copy all of it.
A billion explosives tags? couldn't go wrong with that.
Well, with the scroll, I've placing it back to the dead bodies. I have the copy, so I don't really care, it's just if these original scrolls is lost, and it turns out that it contains some dangerous information that we shouldn't have, it will lead trouble to us, especially with me who looting these guys.
Let's get done with this grim task, I think to myself, steeling my resolve. I finish looting the bodies, storing any useful items in my inventory, and placing the original scrolls back where they were found. We need to be smart, not greedy. I take one last look around, the rain washing away the evidence of the battle. It's time to get back to Konan.
---|||---
When I enter the house, she's waiting by the fireplace, her eyes met mine, then she threw herself into my arms. "You're okay?" she whispers into my ear, her voice muffled. I hug her back, feeling the warmth of her body seep into mine, chasing away the cold from the rain and the horror from outside. Ame, seemingly understanding the gravity of the situation, jumps onto my shoulder and purrs comfortingly.
"I'm okay," I murmur, stroking her hair. "We're safe for now." We stand there for a moment, our hearts slowly returning to their normal rhythm. The warmth of the fireplace feels like a sanctuary amidst the chaos.
"How far your perceive ability can reach?" I ask her.
Konan pulls back slightly, a look of concentration crossing her features. "I don't sense anyone nearby." She replied, her voice still low.
The relief washed over me like a wave, but it was short-lived.
"I don't know how far my perceive ability can reach," she said softly.
"...."
Move out? That was the question that lingered in the air as we held each other. Our sanctuary had been breached, the illusion of safety shattered by the brutal reality of the shinobi world. The crackling fire was no longer a source of comfort but a beacon that could draw in more danger.
"We can't stay here," I said, my voice heavy with the weight of our new reality. "We need to find a new place."
Konan nodded, her eyes reflecting the sadness. "I know," she whispered. "But where can we go?"
The rain outside had turned into a downpour, the drops hitting the roof like a mournful symphony. We couldn't stay here, not after what had happened.
"We need to find somewhere safe," I said, my voice firm despite the doubt in my heart. "Somewhere hidden, away from all of this."
To the North? Maybe to the East?
"...."
Let's go to the North, I decide, breaking the silence. "We've made a home here, but we can't stay," I said. "The North might be our best bet. Fewer people, less conflict." Or more people, and a lot conflict?
I don't even have the Map.
"Let's go, Konan," I said, the urgency in my voice cutting through the thick silence. "We need to move quickly and quietly." We grabbed our gear and headed for the door, Ame following closely. The rain had turned into a deafening symphony, which worked to our advantage as we slipped out.
Konan take a look for the last time at the house we called home. Her eyes filled with sadness, but she nodded in agreement.
If I can bring this house too, I would, but it's not a tent.
"...."
Wait... This, the house is inanimate objects right? Can't i store it in my inventory?
"...."
Let's try that.
I placing my hand to the side of the house, imagining that, the house disappear and store it inside my inventory. I'm surprised when the house actually vanished. I glance at Konan, who looked at me with a mix of awe and disbelief.
"With this, we don't have to worry about home," I said with a hint of a smile, trying to lighten the mood. The house now rested in my inventory. "Let's move out."
She didn't ask how, she just nodded and smiles at me, together we set off into the storm. The rain was our shield, obscuring us from any potential threats that might still lurk. We moved quickly, sticking to the shadows and using the downpour to muffle our footsteps. Ame stayed close, her instincts as sharp as ever.
---|||---
Our journey to the North was fraught with tension. Every snap of a twig, every rustle of a leaf sent our hearts racing. But with each step, our bond grew stronger. We relied on each other's senses, our trust unshakable. Our only landmark was the distant mountain range that loomed like a promise of shelter.
The days passed in a blur. We encountered remnants of battles, but no signs of life. The North grew closer, a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. The mountain range grew more defined with each passing hour, its jagged peaks piercing the low-hanging clouds.
In our way, we found a cave that could serve as our temporary shelter. It was small, but it was dry and concealed, the perfect place to rest and regroup. We quickly set up camp, lighting a small fire and cooking the food. Ame curled up by the fire, purring contentedly as we ate.
As we sat there, I think about my inventory, the power that has become a part of me.
A house that I can store in my inventory, how about the living beings inside? Such as mice and insects, do they inside inventory too? Or their been forced out?
"...."
I take out an empty box from my inventory and place it in front of me, "Ame, can you get into this box?" I said to Ame. She looks at me with curiosity, meowing me and then jumps into the box.
I close the box and imagine it into my inventory. The box disappear, but not with Ame, she looks at me surprised. I immediately retrieve the box, the box appears where Ame staying, then I open the box, and there she was inside the box looking around in confusion.
"I'm sorry, Ame," I apologize, she jumps out and immediately lick her fur. It's clear that she didn't enjoy the experience. She looking at me and meowing again.
Well, maybe she forgave me, right?
"...."
So, it's like that huh? How about inside the building, and there's people, can I store that building?
If I retrieve the item exactly where the people stand still, can I immobilize them? Or even incapacitate them?
Wait, I just realized, I can take the items to inventory without touching the items.
Is it an item that I have stored, doesn't need to touch it again to take it?
How so?
"...."
I look at the small stone near cave entrance, and imagining it that the small stone get inside my inventory.
"...." Nothing happen.
I walk to the small stone and pick it up with my hand, I store it in my inventory and then retrieve it on my hand.
I throwing the small stone outside the cave with a little force, so that I still can see the small stone.
*Thud*
The stone is outside the cave, and then I try to take it inside my inventory.
"!" The small stone disappear, and there's it inside my inventory.
How about, I throw it far away?
I take out the small stone and throwing it with full force.
*Swoosh*
"...." I can't see the small stone that I threw.
I imagining the small stone that I threw get inside my inventory.
"...." Nothing.
If I can mark the items, perhaps I can store it remotely.
"...."
Is it my thoughts triggering something? Well like this inventory skill, I have to think specific things, right? Can I have an upgraded inventory? Or marking options on items, perhaps?
"...." Let's check it out, I open my inventory interface and trying to see the options menu.
I blinking my eyes, "Arceus bless Ame." There's something added in the options menu.
Copy, paste, delete and mark.
Eager to try the new options, I marked the small stone that i have copied, and then throwing it with full force outside the cave.
*Swoosh*
Let see... Oh there's something new again in my inventory interface, there's a new menu, item marked, inside these menu, there is the small stone that I marked and there's an option to retrieve it in my hand or store it inside my inventory remotely.
What a blessing, I nodded my head.
"...."
---|||---
Right now, I'm trying to test how far the distance to retrieve the items far from me, if I can bombard anyone with many buildings, it will be good trump card. Of course If I can bombard them from long distance, but if it's not, and close enough to me, i might be affected too.
I trying to retrieve the empty box, above my head, the empty box appear then fall down to my head.
Fortunately, there's no boost on the gravity force of the items when I retrieve it, the box landed with a soft thud. I sigh in relief, that's a good start.
How about I retrieve the mountain above someone head? That would be a good trick.
Putting that aside, can I store the mountain inside my inventory?
"...."
It's not that I don't want to try it, but I can't, the mountain was a place for many creatures and lives, even if it's just a small part of it. To copy and paste the items, I need to store it inside my inventory, if I store the mountain, copy it and then put it back on the original place, how about the creatures that will incapacitate or even die?
Ame situation was safe, perhaps. Cause inside the box is empty and there's a room, an empty room, how about mountain? Probably Inside the mountain will be solid soil or rocks, that was enough to make it dangerous for any living creatures.
But, you can say that, I'm hypocrite. I thought about bombarding people with mountain but afraid to kill an animals.
What a great morale disparity, but I don't care actually, I just feel like, understanding the animals like what we have experienced.
The animals didn't know anything but get affected badly by humans behaviour, it's same like us, we didn't participate in this war, but the war affected us.
It's not like I'm a good person either, if I could say, if I'm not weak, I didn't have to care about being affected by a mere war, maybe I'm the one who instigate them to have a war, you could say, my peace is their war.
Whose wrong or right? I didn't know and I don't want to know, cause I'm not someone who wise enough to be called sage or something, or someone who want to seek a peace, or even to become a saviour to this world, no.
As long as human still alive, no, as long as there are living being in this world, problems are always there.
So, what I want? I want to make a good place for us and live leisurely. Maybe it's selfish, but I can't change that, no I won't change that.
Well, what could I say? Selfish is a part of human, which is cannot be separated.
Thinking too much makes me hungry, let's cook something before I sleep.
I glance over at Konan and Ame, who's fell asleep, the warmth of the flame dancing on their faces. Their peacefulness is heartwarming, at least for me.
I decided to cook something simple, a soup with a lot meat.
I eat my soup quietly, the warmth spreading through my body, bringing comfort amidst the cold.
I look outside the cave, dark clouds and the rain, witness to life, the moon hiding behind the clouds, the lights cannot reach the people who in need, leaving them blind, their eyes and their hearts, shrouded in darkness, don't know where to go, don't know who to trust, alone in the midst of darkness.
"...."
I think, I have to sleep. I whispered to myself as I finish the soup. I stored the pot and the remaining soup inside my inventory. I don't want to waste food. And inside my inventory, the soup will remain warm.
I lay down beside Konan, I settled into a more comfortable position. Ame who open her eyes and then looking at me, who trying to sleep, jumped up onto my chest, curling into a ball and purring softly. Her warmth and weight was comforting, a living blanket.
"Good night," I whispered to them, stroking Ame's back.
Tomorrow was a new day, and we had a long journey ahead. I needed to be well-rested and focused. As I closed my eyes, I fell into a deep sleep, the steady rhythm of the rain and Ame's purrs lulling me into a peaceful oblivion.
---|||---
When I woke up, the rain still there, along with the dark clouds that shrouded us. Ame was already awake, playing with a small mouse she had caught. She looked up at me, her eyes gleaming with excitement. I couldn't help but pray for the poor mouse's soul.
"Good morning," she said, her voice a gentle melody amidst the persistent rain. Ame looked up from her play, tail flicking with curiosity.
"Morning," I replied, stretching my sore muscles. "Looks like we're still in for a wet one today."
"It's looks like it," she said with a soft smile.
"Well, the rain won't stop us from breakfast," I said, getting up and make small fire. I pulled out the soup that I had stored from last night and placed it over the fire to warm up a little bit. The smell of the meat filled the cave, making my stomach growl in anticipation.
Konan joined me. I handed her a bowl of soup, and she took it with a small nod. We ate in silence, the rain outside providing a live music to our meal.
After breakfast, we packed our things and prepared to leave the cave. I looked at Ame, who had finished her bowl of soup. We stepped out into the cold embrace of the rain.
The journey was difficult, but we pushed on, the rain an unrelenting force that try to slow down our way. But we keep going, each step we took was a step closer to the whatever place we heading.
---|||---
On the fifth day of our journey, we Made it to the foothills of the mountain range.
The North had been cruel, but it had also been kind. The dense forests had provided us with ample cover and resources, but the rain had made traveling a never-ending challenge. Our raincoats were getting hit by constant rain, and our spirits tested with each passing mile.
As we move through the mountain foothills, the rain shows no signs of letting up. The trek is arduous, but the sight of the towering peaks ahead gives us a glimmer of hope.
We come across a narrow, winding path that seems to lead deeper into the mountain range. It's risky, but it's our best bet for shelter and safety.
"Let's follow this path," I suggest, pointing towards the mountain.
Konan nods in agreement, her eyes reflecting the determination. We walk through the mud, the sound of our footsteps echoing through the quiet forest. Ame, ever the trooper, keeps pace with us, her fur soaked but her spirits high.
As we ascend, the vegetation grows denser, and the rain seems to come down harder. We're forced to stop frequently to catch our breath and to allow Ame to rest.
The path grew steeper, the air thinner. The rain had turned into a cold mist that clung to our raincoats and chilled us to the bone. I take out a lot cloths from my inventory and wrap them around us, sharing the warmth.
Finally, we reached a small clearing. Exhaustion etched on our faces, we shared a knowing look. We can even see the small village in the distance, this place is not that high, but enough to see the landscape clearly.
"Look, Haruto," Konan said, pointing to the village, her voice barely audible over the rain.
"Yeah, I see it too," I reply, my voice barely a murmur. The village looked small.
The village looked abandoned, with no lights or signs of life.
Maybe they inside their house, I thought. Or it's just like our house, abandoned.
"Would you like, to place our house there?" I asked, pointing at the village.
Konan looked at me, she think for a moment, "I don't know, but... I think this place here," she pointing where we stand, "this might be a good spot."
I nodded, understanding her concern. We needed to be careful, to not draw attention to ourselves. I marked the spot where we could place our house.
Abandoned village or not, this place was really good indeed.
There's a small waterfall with a natural pond beside it, the water cascading down the rocks with a soothing rhythm.
"Let's place our house here." I said with a nod.
The spot that I want to place is indeed very good, with the trees in front of this spot, it will make the house hidden from the sight.
Then, I take out the house from my inventory and placed it on the spot that I marked. The house looked out of place in the middle of the wilderness, but it was ours.
Home, sweet home.