The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow over the outskirts of the village. Kūga stood before Hashirama and Madara, the two clan leaders prepared to bid him farewell. The atmosphere was filled with good vibes, but an undercurrent of melancholy lingered as the trio prepared to part ways.
"I can't believe it's already time," Hashirama said, scratching the back of his head, a warm smile on his face. "It feels like just yesterday we were training together."
Kūga, dressed in a black button-down shirt, a black vest, a white fur collar, black pants, and a silver earring, chuckled, "Yeah, well, time flies when you're getting stronger."
Madara crossed his arms, an amused smirk playing on his lips. "Just remember, we'll be here waiting. Who knows, maybe we'll see you with a wife and three kids when you return…"
Kūga blinked in disbelief, his eyes wide. "Hey, it's only a year! A baby does not just pop out of the womb after nine months!"
Hashirama joined in the laughter, leaning against a nearby tree. "We don't know… you could have triplets!" he teased, his eyes sparkling with mirth.
Kūga rolled his eyes, a grin spreading across his face. "You two are ridiculous. I'm not even thinking about that! I'm just going to focus on my journey."
"Sure, sure," Madara replied, a knowing look in his eyes. "But don't be surprised if we hear wedding bells when you get back."
Kūga shook his head, laughter still bubbling between them. "You both are going to make me regret this trip!"
As the laughter subsided, a moment of silence enveloped them, the weight of the impending farewell settling in. Kūga took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I'll miss you guys. Take care of the village while I'm gone."
"Just keep your head on straight out there," Hashirama said, his expression turning serious for a moment. "You're stronger than you think, but don't let that cloud your judgment."
"Yeah," Madara added, his tone softer. "Stay safe. We'll be waiting for your return."
Kūga nodded, a warm feeling swelling in his chest. He stepped back, creating space between them, and began to gather Aether, the energy swirling around him in a brilliant display of light.
He could feel its power coursing through him, invigorating and reassuring.
"Don't forget to write!" Hashirama called out, a playful smile returning to his face.
"Yeah, or at least send a smoke signal!" Madara added, his usual stoicism softened by the humor of the moment.
Kūga laughed, his heart feeling light despite the bittersweetness of the moment. "I'll do my best!"
With a final burst of Aether, Kūga took to the skies, flying high above the village. As he ascended, he glanced back at Hashirama and Madara, who stood together, watching him with expressions of surprise and admiration.
"Every time, I'm still shocked by his power," Hashirama said, shaking his head in disbelief.
Madara nodded, a rare smile gracing his lips. "It's… impressive."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Kūga soared through the sky, the wind rushed past him, and the vast landscape unfurled below. He adjusted his speed to a comfortable glide, relishing the breathtaking views.
Thoughts flitted through his mind like the clouds around him. Where would he go first? The Land of Rivers came to mind...a place known for its flowing waters and serene beauty, a haven of peace that might harbor secrets worth discovering.
Then, the Land of Wind appeared in his thoughts.
Its dry and hot temperature was intriguing, and he'd heard rumors of a few individuals with unique abilities residing there. Perhaps he might encounter someone else who possessed Aether, someone who could help him learn more about his powers or even share in the same journey of discovery.
The proximity of these lands to the Land of Fire made them ideal starting points for his exploration.
Just as he contemplated his route, an echo pierced through the tranquility... a desperate female scream for help that resonated through the air. Kūga felt a jolt of surprise and concern at the strength and urgency of the voice.
Without a second thought, he adjusted his course, following the sound.
He descended rapidly, heart pounding, and soon spotted the source of the commotion. Below, a group of bandits surrounded a horse-drawn carriage, the farmers and a girl trapped inside seemingly at their mercy. The sight ignited a fire within him.
Kūga took note of the scene: eight bandits were actively confronting the occupants, while six more were hidden in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to pounce. Their faces were rough, hardened by a life of crime, and the air was thick with tension.
He felt a surge of urgency. Just as a bandit raised a dagger to strike the girl who had cried for help, Kūga canceled his flight, landing with a thunderous sonic boom that shook the ground beneath him.
The impact caused the bandits to jump back in surprise, their attention drawn to the newcomer. Dust settled around him, and he stood tall, a formidable presence against the backdrop of the unfolding chaos.
"Who the hell are you?" one of the bandits shouted, his bravado wavering as he took a step back. The others shared nervous glances, unsure of what to make of the figure before them.
Kūga walks to the the girl while the bandit holding the dagger pissed his pants after seeing Kūga's tall height coming close, unfazed by their uncertainty, looked at the frightened girl and the farmer in the carriage. "Are you all right?" he called out, his voice steady and commanding.
The bandits, realizing that this newcomer posed a threat, began to huddle closer, their weapons drawn and ready for a confrontation. Whispers floated among them, speculating about his power and where he had come from.
"Get him!" one of the braver bandits shouted, pointing a trembling finger at Kūga, a mix of fear and anger in his eyes.
Kūga remained calm, sensing the atmosphere charged with tension. He could feel the weight of their hostility, but the resolve to protect the innocent burned brightly within him.
"It looks like you're in quite a predicament," he said with a slight grin, the challenge igniting a thrill within him. "This is my first time encountering bandits, let's see what you got."
Three of the bandits, fueled by adrenaline and bravado, charged at Kūga, weapons raised and shouts of aggression escaping their lips. But before they could reach him, he casually plucked his nose and flicked it toward them with surprising precision.
In an instant, a powerful wave of force erupted from the flick, hitting the three bandits squarely in the chest. They were sent soaring backward, crashing into the ground with a bone-jarring thud, their bodies skidding across the dirt.
The remaining bandits stared in disbelief, their jaws dropping in shock. "W-What just happened?" one stammered, eyes wide as he pointed at the scene.
The leader of the bandits, a rough-looking man with scars lining his face, watched in horror as his men were sent flying with such ease.
"Get up, you useless fools!" he barked, trying to maintain his composure despite the fear creeping into his voice. "You're not dead yet! Attack him again, or I'll—" he paused, glancing at the fresh hell unfolding before them, "I'll make sure you wish you were!"
But the fear had taken root in the hearts of the remaining bandits. Their legs trembled as they shifted uneasily, glancing at one another, unsure of how to proceed.
Kūga, sensing their hesitation, decided to offer them a chance. "Come on, I won't move. I promise," he said with a hint of amusement, raising his hands in mock surrender.
With a hesitant nod from their leader, the bandits surged forward in a wave of desperation, all aiming for Kūga.
They swung their weapons with all their might, targeting his heart, neck, and head, as well as every vulnerable spot they could imagine.
One even tried to bite his shoulder, teeth bared in a futile act of aggression.
Kūga sighed, rolling his eyes at the absurdity of it all. "Is this really all you've got?" he muttered, clearly bored.
With a flick of his finger, he sent the closest bandit—who had lunged at him with a dagger—flying backward as if struck by an invisible force. The bandit landed with a groan, leaving his comrades stunned.
Kūga then conjured a black circle beneath the remaining bandits, including the leader and the hidden ones who had been waiting for the right moment to strike.
The ground seemed to warp and twist, pulling them toward its center. "Oh my Kami! What is happening?!" one of the farmers exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief.
As the bandits struggled against the gravitational pull, they exchanged terrified glances. "No! Get away!" the leader shouted, but his cries fell on deaf ears as he and his men were dragged helplessly into the circle, the very air thick with panic.
Once they were all gathered, Kūga manipulated Aether, summoning a series of glowing ropes that snaked out from the circle and tied themselves around the bandits. "Welp, I'll just leave you here..." he said, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Don't waste your energy on cutting the rope, though. You won't be able to."
The farmers stared wide-eyed, a mixture of fear and awe flooding their expressions. They had witnessed a display of power they never thought possible, and they felt a strange sense of relief washing over them, knowing that this man stood between them and their captors.
The bandits squirmed against the ropes, grunting and straining to break free, but it was all in vain. The Aether bindings held firm, leaving them trapped in a tangled mess of their own making.
Kūga couldn't help but smile at their futile attempts. He then turned his attention to the farmers, concern etching his features. "Is everyone okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.
The farmers, still in shock, remained huddled together, their eyes wide with disbelief. One of them, a middle-aged man with dirt-streaked clothes, managed to find his voice and shouted, "Thank you! Thank you so much!" He bowed deeply, almost touching his forehead to the ground.
Kūga chuckled lightly. "No need to bow. I'm just a good Samaritan," he replied with a wave of his hand.
The farmer straightened, a confused look crossing his face. "Samaritan? I'm sorry, I don't understand…"
"Never mind," Kūga laughed, brushing off the question. "I'm just doing what anyone would do."
As his words sank in, the other farmers began to gather around him, expressions of gratitude lighting their faces. One girl, tears streaming down her cheeks, stepped forward but stumbled, her legs giving out beneath her.
She fell to her knees and cried out in thanks, "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Kūga knelt down beside her, a reassuring smile on his lips. "What's your name?" he asked softly.
"Lina," she sniffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Well, Lina, you're okay now," he said, patting her head gently. She looked up at him, her eyes shining with a mixture of relief and admiration.
Kūga stood back up, his expression shifting to one of mild regret. "As much as I want to stay with you, I must go now." He began to slowly float off the ground, rising about a meter into the air.
The people shouts his name, "Thank you Hero-sama!" making Kūga sweat drop, 'I ain't no hero...'
"Stay safe, all of you!" he called out, beaming down at the group. "And the bandits? They're all yours. Beat them up before turning them in!" With a wink, he lifted his hand in a playful wave and took off in the direction of the Land of Rivers, his form becoming a distant silhouette against the sky.