Judging from the intel gathered so far, the bandit group seemed to be hiding deep within the mountains and ancient forests. There were even rumors they had agents planted in nearby towns and cities...
"Tch. My head's starting to hurt just thinking about it," Fenghuo muttered, rubbing his temple.
"Isn't it just a bunch of bandits? Why waste so many brain cells?"
He stepped forward, walking toward the townspeople gathered in the square and raised his voice:
"I'm going to exterminate the bandits. I need a guide. Who's coming with me?"
The crowd exchanged nervous glances, backing away in unison. Their faces were etched with fear, suspicion, and quiet dread.
Even though Fenghuo wore a Konoha forehead protector, their fear of the bandits ran deeper than any symbol of shinobi protection.
Just then, a middle-aged man with a scruffy goatee rolled his eyes dramatically and stepped forward, puffing his chest out.
"Respected Lord Ninja! I'll be your guide!" he declared with exaggerated fervor.
He turned to the crowd and raised his voice, full of theatrical resolve:
"Even if I must risk my life, I will help bring justice to those villains!"
His voice trembled with fake sincerity, a bit of spittle flying as he spoke. His wide, emotional eyes gave the whole performance an absurd flair.
Some townspeople were taken in by the act. They clapped and cheered, a few even tossing paper money at his feet.
The goatee twitched.
"...Can't even act with dignity," Fenghuo muttered under his breath, though his lips curved into a smile.
He'd already suspected this man was in contact with the bandits. The eagerness to volunteer was all the confirmation he needed.
There was no way this guy was clean.
"Alright, let's go," Fenghuo said plainly.
The townspeople parted, calling out encouragement.
"Please, be careful, Shinobi-sama!"
"Those bandits must pay for what they've done!"
The town mayor arranged two old horses for travel. Fenghuo didn't object—Goatee was just a civilian, and the mission would take twice as long if they walked.
As they rode into the fading light, Goatee began chatting nervously.
"My lord, those bandits... they're no joke. Two, maybe three dozen of them. Big guys, all muscle. They carry massive blades. Real killers."
"You speak like you know them well," Fenghuo said without looking back, the corners of his mouth curling. "Almost like you're their inside man."
"Huh?! What?! Me? A bandit? I was born and raised in that town—I'm no criminal!" the man blurted, going pale.
"Heh. Just a joke. Why so nervous?" Fenghuo replied coolly.
Goatee let out a wheezing breath and kept quiet after that.
Soon, they reached the mountain road—just below the hill where the townsfolk had been ambushed.
"My lord, this is where it happened. The bandits came down from that hill over there," Goatee said, pointing nervously.
Fenghuo surveyed the scene. There were scattered footprints, hooves, and wheel marks in the dirt. Fresh.
He squinted up at the ridge.
Unbeknownst to him, several pairs of eyes were already watching from above.
"Boss! That's Goatee down there!"
"Let's jump 'em!"
"Hold it, idiots!" the bandit leader snapped. "He hasn't signaled yet. You wanna get killed? A Konoha ninja could be with him!"
"You think that brat is the ninja?"
"Hah! That little punk? I could knock him out with one finger!"
"I could take five like him!"
"Pfft, I could take ten!"
The bandits laughed and bragged among themselves.
Just then, two more bandits, known as Lao Qi and Lao Ba, returned from the nearby market, arms full of ryo from selling stolen goods.
Seeing the cash, the group let out low whistles and hoots.
"Quiet, you morons!" the boss hissed. "Keep it up and I'll slice your tongues out!"
The hilltop fell into silence.
Back on the trail, Goatee wiped his brow, voice trembling.
"M-my lord, I-I don't think the bandits are here right now. How about we head back and return tomorrow morning?"
Fenghuo gave him a flat look. "That's not going to work. I need to return to Konoha by tomorrow evening."
A glimmer of joy flashed in Goatee's eyes—but he quickly masked it, pretending concern.
"But, my lord, the mountain's too dangerous at night. Bandits aside, there are man-eating beasts out there!"
"No beast is more dangerous than a man who hides behind lies and pretends to be human. Wouldn't you agree?" Fenghuo said with a half-smile, finally turning to face him.
As he spoke, he discreetly cast a Genjutsu—an illusion technique. Goatee's eyes clouded for a moment. He slumped in his saddle, half-dazed, and then slowly pulled out a small mirror. He angled it upward, flashing sunlight toward the hill.
"Boss, look! Goatee's signaling!"
"Haha! Must be some rich brat with him! Let's clean up!"
Temptation overtook caution. The bandits rushed downhill, howling like beasts.
Their leader clicked his tongue. "Tch... no choice now. CHARGE!"
Soon, Fenghuo and the entranced Goatee were surrounded.
The bandits slowed when they noticed something odd: the goatee man sat like a statue on his horse, eyes blank, holding a mirror as if frozen.
And the kid? He looked… calm. Too calm.
He didn't even raise his eyes to acknowledge them.
Was he… looking down on them?
A younger bandit growled and charged with a massive cleaver.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"
Fenghuo formed hand seals in a flash. A blazing fireball roared from his mouth, rapidly expanding as it shot forward.
WHOOSH!
The air sizzled. Several bandits screamed as their hair and clothes caught fire.
"It's a ninja! RUN!"
"Scatter!"
Some dropped weapons, some dropped comrades. They bolted like frightened dogs.
BOOM!
The fireball exploded with a thunderous roar, engulfing several of them in flames. Seven or eight fell on the spot.
Fenghuo vanished and reappeared with the Body Flicker Technique, cutting through five more with thrown shuriken.
Then came kunai and hand-to-hand—bandits who dared approach were disarmed, flipped, and knocked senseless.
A few brave ones charged, swinging machetes, only to be launched skyward by well-placed kicks and finished with quick kunai strikes.
By the time the dust settled, only three bandits remained: their leader, Lao Qi, and Lao Ba.
"You two, go! I'll hold him off!" the boss shouted.
Lao Qi ran forward—only to be neatly slashed across the throat by a flick of Fenghuo's wrist.
The boss turned pale. "Lao Ba, move it! Now!"
Lao Ba turned slowly, revealing a strange smile.
Instead of fleeing, he raised his blade and cleaved the boss in half.
Blood and entrails spilled across the ground.
"Now that the useless ones are gone… they won't get in the way anymore," Lao Ba said softly. His voice was low, resonant—wrong.
The very air around him changed, chilling with subtle pressure.
Fenghuo's eyes narrowed.
"...You're not just a bandit, are you?"
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