Chapter 5: The old women
The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long, jagged shadows across the dense forest as Kai hurried through the trees, his breath coming in short, uneven bursts.
The air grew cooler with each passing minute, and a thick mist began to roll in, clinging to the ground and obscuring his vision.
He knew he needed to find shelter soon—somewhere safe to rest, eat, and gather his thoughts. The encounter with the bandits earlier that day, coupled with the fleeting glimpse of the ninja who had been tracking him, had left him on edge.
His instincts screamed at him to keep moving, to stay alert, but exhaustion was beginning to take its toll.
After what felt like hours of aimless wandering, just as the last rays of sunlight were fading into a deep indigo twilight, Kai stumbled upon a small clearing.
The sight that greeted him was almost surreal: an old woman with a weathered face and kind eyes stood beneath a gnarled tree, her hands deftly plucking ripe fruits and placing them into a woven basket.
She moved slowly, deliberately, as if time itself had no hold on her. When she noticed Kai, she paused, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him.
Then, with a gentle smile that seemed to soften the lines of her face, she gestured for him to come closer.
Kai hesitated, his hand instinctively drifting toward the kunai hidden in his sleeve. The woman didn't appear threatening, but he had learned the hard way that appearances could be deceiving.
Still, his desperation outweighed his caution, and he approached her slowly, his every step measured and deliberate.
"Are you lost, child?" the old woman asked, her voice soft but laced with genuine concern. Her words carried a warmth that made Kai's guard waver, if only for a moment.
Kai's mind raced as he weighed his options. He needed a story—something believable, something that wouldn't raise suspicion. "Yes," he replied, his voice tinged with feigned exhaustion. "The caravan I was traveling with was attacked by bandits. I managed to escape, but… I don't know where I am."
The old woman's expression softened, and she nodded sympathetically. "Bandits, you say? Those scoundrels have no shame. They've brought nothing but misery to folks around here." She sighed, her gaze drifting to the basket of fruits in her hands. "You look like you could use a warm meal and a place to rest. Come, you can stay at my home for the night."
Kai hesitated again, his instincts warring with his need for shelter. But the woman's kindness seemed genuine, and he couldn't afford to turn down her offer. "Thank you," he said quietly, bowing his head slightly in gratitude.
The old woman led him through the forest, her steps steady despite her age. Soon, they arrived at a small village nestled in a valley.
It was a humble place, with no more than a hundred villagers, their homes simple but well-kept. The old woman's house stood on the outskirts, a modest wooden structure with a thatched roof.
She paused, offering a gentle smile. "My name is Rumiko, by the way. I've lived in this village for as long as I can remember. It's not much, but it's home, and you're welcome to share in what little I have." Her eyes twinkled with a warmth that made her words feel like a comforting embrace. "Now, let's get you inside before the chill sets in."
As they entered, Kai couldn't help but notice the absence of any other inhabitants. She lived alone.
"You live by yourself?" Kai asked cautiously as they sat down to a simple dinner of stew and bread.
Rumiko's smile faltered for a moment, and she looked down at her hands. "Yes," she said quietly. "My husband and son… they were killed by bandits many years ago. Since then, it's just been me." She looked up at Kai, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and resolve. "But I manage. And you're welcome to stay here as long as you need. I've got the room, and it's not often I have company."
Kai nodded, feeling a pang of guilt for prying. "Thank you," he said again, his voice sincere. "I won't trouble you for long."
After dinner, Kai retreated to the small room the old woman had prepared for him. It was sparse, with just a futon and a small wooden chest, but it was more than enough.
He sat on the edge of the futon, his mind racing as he began to formulate a plan for the next day.
First, he needed to explore the village and its surroundings. He had to familiarize himself with the area, assess what resources were available, and identify any potential threats. The village seemed peaceful, but he couldn't afford to assume it was safe.
Second, he needed information. He had to learn more about this world—its politics, its power structures, and its dangers. The old woman might be a good source of knowledge, but he'd have to be careful not to arouse her suspicion.
Third, he needed to train. He had been so focused on survival that he hadn't taken the time to fully adapt to his new body or the changes the system had brought.
His stats had improved slightly after absorbing the bandits' strength and speed, but he needed to push himself further. He needed to train his body, sharpen his reflexes, and prepare for the challenges ahead.
As he sat there, lost in thought, he realized something else. The system had given him a unique advantage, but it wasn't enough to rely on it alone.
He needed to learn how to fight, how to use weapons, and how to harness whatever chakra was. If he was going to survive in this world, he couldn't just rely on stealing stats—he had to become stronger on his own.
Kai lay back on the futon, staring at the ceiling as the sounds of the village settling down for the night filled the air. He felt a strange mix of determination and unease.
This world was dangerous, but it was also full of opportunity. He had a chance to start over, to become someone powerful. And he wasn't going to waste it.
Tomorrow, he would begin his training. He would explore the village, gather information, and start pushing his body to its limits. He didn't know what the future held, but he was ready to face it—one step at a time.
As sleep finally claimed him, Kai's last thought was a silent vow: 'I won't just survive. I'll thrive.'