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Chapter 35 first steps in Rivers
🕑 Added 2025-06-09 02:00:05 +0000 UTCAs we sat by the fire, the crackling flames slowly drying my hair, I found my eyes drifting back to Koji. He hadn’t spoken in a while, just sat there, his broad shoulders hunched slightly, his gaze fixed on the flickering light. I wondered what he was thinking about, what worries were churning behind those sharp eyes of his.
But I didn’t ask. It wasn’t my place, and besides, I had my own thoughts to wrestle with. The cold night air crept into my skin despite the warmth of the fire, a reminder of the long, harsh nights ahead.
I glanced up, my eyes following the sparks as they twisted and danced into the dark sky above.
I still had much to do, so much I still needed to accomplish. My path was long and difficult, it was a grand road stretching out far before me. I knew that none would be able to follow me as I walked it.
It was destined to be a lonely walk; to once more ascend to godhood was a daunting task. And I desired far more of myself than when I first reached that far-off stage. This time, I wouldn’t just get great power, I would become truly powerful.
With my eyes filled with flames of determination, I gazed into the flames ahead. “Alright you big silly guy, enough of trying to steal my food.” I pushed Kuro out of my lap.
I leaned back, letting the warmth of the fire sink into my bones, and stretched my legs out, feeling the slight ache in my muscles from the day’s travel. Kuro let out a quiet huff as he flopped down beside me, his thick fur reflecting the firelight like polished obsidian. He gave me a reproachful look, as if offended by my rejection.
“Don’t give me that look,” I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’m sure Koji already fed you plenty of food, so don’t be so greedy for mine as well.”
He snorted, his long tail swishing once before settling around his paws, his head turning away in a dramatic show of indifference. I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. Despite his size and the sharp, predatory edge to his appearance, Kuro had the attitude of a spoiled housecat when he wanted to.
Koji stirred beside me at the mention of his name. “Yeah, what Yuki said.” He mumbled, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.
I cast one last look up at the starry sky, an enchanting view indeed. “Alright, if we want some sleep, it's time we get started, or we will be missing out.”
Koji gave a small grunt in response, and I couldn’t help but look at him, wondering just what had him so gone from the situation. Even his food had gone half-eaten. His tray is just resting on his lap.
“Hey, Koji? You even alive in there?” I couldn’t help but ask and waved a hand in front of his face.
Koji blinked, his dark eyes snapping back into focus as he looked at me, a bit of the fog clearing from his expression. For a moment, he just stared, as if struggling to drag himself back to the present, back to the crackling fire and the cold, biting air of the forest around us.
“Huh?” He let out a rough, half-hearted chuckle, scratching the back of his head as he straightened up a bit. “Yeah, yeah, I’m here. Just... thinking.”
“Thinking, huh?” I glanced down at his half-empty tray, the cooling scraps of meat and charred vegetables forgotten in the corner. It wasn’t like him to ignore his food. “You’ve been like this since we sat down. What’s got you so distracted?”
He hesitated, he glanced at me a few times, and it almost looked like he was about to say something multiple times. Yet in the end, he just shook his head. “I guess... it’s just everything, you know? This mission, the road ahead... all of it.”
I could tell it wasn’t true, but while I was curious, I wasn’t interested enough to ask when he clearly wasn’t willing to share.
“Well, Just try to get some rest alright? I mean, I know Kuro is the most important member of our team, but you are at least half as good, so I want you at your best.”
Koji snorted, a faint, genuine grin breaking through his earlier gloom. “Half as good, huh?” He leaned back, “I’ll take that as a compliment. Kuro’s got me beat in the looks department anyway.”
Kuro’s ears twitched as he barked happily before he jumped at me, licking me across the face. “Kuro! Behave!” I quickly shoved him off me as I pulled my yukata back up after Kuro’s large paws had shoved it down.
Thankfully, his large body also blocked the view of my bare chest. Well, Koji could see, but he was cool about it and quickly looked down at his meal. He really found it interesting, and he pushed his tray into his lap.
I let out a quiet sigh, brushing the damp spots Kuro’s eager tongue had left on my cheek. “You’re lucky you’re cute, you big mutt,” I muttered, reaching over to ruffle his thick fur. He let out a satisfied huff, his tail thumping against the ground as he settled back down, his sharp yellow eyes watching me with a mix of mischief and loyalty.
I stood up, making sure the Yukata was properly covering me as I bid them both goodnight, and headed off to the Kunoichi sleeping quarters.
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The faint, silvery light of dawn filtered through the thin paper walls of the kunoichi sleeping quarters, casting long, soft shadows across the makeshift wooden floor. I slowly blinked my eyes open, my body still heavy with the remnants of sleep.
For a moment, I simply lay there, staring up at the rafters above, letting my mind drift in the gentle, quiet stillness of the early morning. Enjoying as much of the bed as I could before I wouldn’t be seeing one for a while.
Around me, other kunoichi were already stirring around. Some were waking up for the morning, and others, who had been on the night watch were getting ready to get some sleep.
I took a slow, deep breath, feeling the cool, damp air fill my lungs, sharpening my senses and clearing the last fog of sleep from my mind. Today, my team would cross into the Land of Rivers, the true start of our mission.
I shifted my legs out from beneath the thin, worn blanket, the cool floorboards sending a small shiver up my spine as my bare feet touched the rough wood. I moved quietly, careful not to disturb the others as I reached for my neatly folded clothes.
I had managed to get someone to clean my clothes during the night. Meaning I could go out in clean clothes, and not have to waste one of the precious few changes of clothes just yet.
As I brushed a hand through my long hair, smoothing the tangled strands as best I could without water, I caught my reflection in the small mirror.
Over the years I had grown used to my new body, it had many traits in common with my true body. Like the Byakugan and the long white hair. Though it lacked the horns that had given me the name rabbit goddess.
And rather than the Rinne Sharingan, it was the caged bird seal that sat on my smooth forehead. I slowly ran a finger over the seal, feeling my own chakra hidden just underneath it. My way of escaping the fate of the Branch family.
I shook my head and lightly patted my cheeks as I finished preparing for the day. Then, I tied the forehead protector around my arm. Honestly, I don’t get why people wear it on their heads… it looks terrible.
The camp around me was already stirring, low voices and the quiet rustle of equipment filling the air as my teammates prepared for the day.
Haruto was by the fire pit, carefully pouring himself a cup of steaming tea.
Arata sat nearby, eating a bowl of hot soup and bread, a better breakfast than we would have for a long while.
I spotted Koji leaning against a fence, and Kuro stretched out beside him. Koji’s sharp eyes met mine as I approached, his lips twitching into a small, crooked grin.
“Morning, Yuki,” he said, his voice still rough from sleep. “Ready for the march?”
“Always, just going to get myself a bit to eat, then we can set out, so if you need to go anything last minute, now is the time.” I said as I adjusted my vest.
I made my way to the small cooking station set up beside the dying embers of last night’s fire, where a few other shinobi were already grabbing their breakfast.
Life as a shinobi was rarely pleasant, so I had to take whatever pleasure I could get when given the chance, and a hot meal for breakfast was up there with the best things after the superpowers.
After a quick snack, I was ready, and looking around, the other three were ready as well.
“Alright,” I said, my voice cutting through the low morning chatter, “Time to focus now, we will be in hostile territory from here on out, everything will want to kill us, and we them.”
They all turned their attention to me, the light banter and casual movements fading into sharp, focused readiness. Even Kuro’s ears perked up, his sharp yellow eyes locking onto mine as if he understood the gravity of my words.
Which he likely did.
“Koji, you and Kuro in front, from now on, you will lead us around, we are in your care, so be careful.” I looked at him, and he straightened up and nodded. “Understood!”
“I’m gonna be next, with Arata behind me, and Haruto, you will take the rear. Once we encounter the enemy, Arata, you take charge once the enemy is pointed out.” I quickly reminded everyone of the game plan.
Arata gave a quick nod. Haruto simply tightened his gloves, his expression as unreadable as ever. He was the quiet, steady type, the kind you could rely on to keep his head in a fight.
“Alright, let’s move out,” I said, rolling my shoulders and adjusting the straps of my vest one final time.
Koji grinned and got to work, with Kuro right behind, the two already filled with energy despite the early hour.
We moved quickly, the dense forest of the Land of Fire gradually giving way to the thicker, more chaotic undergrowth of the Land of Rivers. The air grew damper, the ground softer beneath our feet, each step sinking slightly into the moss-covered soil.
Koji and Kuro took the lead, moving with a practiced, fluid precision, their every step light and careful, their senses sharp and alert. I followed close behind, my Byakugan activating at irregular intervals to scan the area.
While I could keep it active for much longer, I didn’t want to waste chakra. This was war, and chakra was our most potent weapon and precious resource.
So It was important to keep enough for a fight. And honestly, given that I could see anything within a few kilometres around us, there was little change of anything slipping by me in the downtime between activations.
No, better to let Koji and Kuro’s noses handle it, those didn’t take chakra.
