The path we took led us deeper into unfamiliar territory. We moved away from the remnants of our past and further from Konoha's looming shadow, taking a new route through dense forests and across rivers that cut through the landscape like veins. The terrain was rough, but the villagers trudged forward, their steps heavy with exhaustion but laced with hope.
As dusk began to paint the sky with streaks of red and purple, we crested a hill and caught sight of a small village nestled in a valley. It was surrounded by a makeshift palisade, the wood splintered and rotting in places. Smoke from a few scattered fires curled upward into the sky, and a sense of unease settled over me. This wasn't a peaceful place; it was controlled, dominated.
Bandits.
I glanced back at the group, their eyes weary but alert, waiting for me to guide them. "Stay here," I said, my voice low and steady. "I'll handle this."
Kenta stepped forward, eyes filled with a mix of determination and worry. "Are you sure, Darius?"
I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. "I won't be long."
....
The village gate was guarded by two men, their armor a ragtag collection of stolen gear and mismatched pieces. One of them spotted me as I approached, and his sneer was as sharp as the blade on his belt.
"Well, well, what do we have here? A little lost kid?" He laughed, the sound grating.
I didn't respond. Instead, I locked eyes with him, my expression cold and unreadable. The laughter died in his throat as he realized too late that I wasn't a lost child.
With a sudden burst of chakra, I used [Flash Step], appearing in front of him in an instant. My fist met his jaw with a sickening crack, sending him sprawling to the ground. The other guard reached for his weapon, but I was already there, disarming him with a swift movement before knocking him out with a chop to the neck.
The commotion had drawn the attention of others. A group of bandits rushed out from the nearest building, weapons drawn and faces twisted in anger. There were more of them than I expected, but that didn't matter. I drew Tsumetai Kinzoku from my waist, the blade gleaming with a cold, dark light.
"Get him!" one of them shouted, charging toward me.
They were fast, but I was faster. I moved fluidly, my katana a blur as it cut through the air. Each strike was precise, each movement calculated. The first two bandits fell before they even registered the pain, their bodies crumpling to the ground. The others hesitated, fear flickering in their eyes.
"You have one chance to surrender," I said, my voice carrying over the sound of their ragged breathing.
One of the bandits, larger and more scarred than the rest, stepped forward, brandishing an axe. "You think you can take us all on, boy?" He charged, the ground trembling beneath his heavy steps.
I sidestepped, the axe missing me by a breath. With a swift motion, I sent a surge of chakra down my arm and swung my sword in a horizontal arc. The bandit's eyes widened as the dark blade cut clean through his weapon and into his chest, felling him instantly.
The rest of them dropped their weapons, hands raised in surrender.
....
By the time the moon was high, the bandits had been dealt with, either subdued or driven out. The villagers I'd left behind joined me in the center of the captured village, their eyes wide as they took in the scene. The people who had been living under the bandits' rule began to emerge from their homes, faces pale with fear and curiosity.
"Gather everyone in the square," I said to Kenta, who nodded and set off to organize the task.
Within the hour, the square was filled with villagers, both those who had followed me and those who had been oppressed here. They stood together, a mix of old and young, each face reflecting hope, confusion, and a glimmer of fear.
I stepped onto a raised platform, sheathing my sword as I looked out over them. "Listen to me," I began, my voice steady and strong. "This place, this village, is no longer under the control of bandits. From now on, it belongs to us. It's a place where you will be safe, where you will rebuild and live without fear."
Murmurs of disbelief rippled through the crowd. Hiroshi stepped forward, Aiko at his side, and nodded. "We'll follow you, Darius. You've given us hope when we had none."
Goro, though still unable to speak, placed a hand over his heart and bowed his head in agreement. Kenta's eyes gleamed with determination, and the villagers from the bandit-controlled village began to exchange uncertain but hopeful glances.
"Everyone has a role," I continued. "We will clean this village, fortify it, and make it our own. The strong will protect, the skilled will build, and together, we will thrive."
One of the older men from the bandit-ruled village stepped forward, his face lined with years of hardship. "And what of those who cannot fight?" he asked, his voice wavering.
"No one is left behind," I said, meeting his eyes. "Everyone contributes in their own way. This is not a place for only the strong. It's a place for everyone."
There was silence, then a small voice piped up from the crowd. "Does this mean we're free now?" A young girl with wide eyes and tangled hair stepped forward, clutching a ragged doll to her chest.
I smiled, the first genuine one in days. "Yes," I said softly. "You're free."
A cheer broke out, hesitant at first, but it grew, fueled by the realization that hope had returned. The villagers moved with renewed energy, beginning to clean the square, sweep away the remnants of the bandits' rule, and rebuild.
As the night deepened, I stood at the edge of the square, watching the people work together. This was just the beginning, but it was a start. We had a village now, a place to call our own. And with it, we had a future to fight for.
But I knew this peace was fragile. Konoha and other forces would take notice sooner or later. We had to be ready. For now, though, we would build. For now, we would heal.
----
Let's begin with the kingdom building!
I have work so i will mostly update in bulk on Patreon, so don't freet if i don't post for some days, you will get your money worth!