3 – Episode 3. Corrupted Ninja Village (2)
A night filled with ambitious plans when everyone is asleep.
The abandoned mine, where even the mana-powered lights are turned off, is pitch black.
I created a spacious area as if there were people under the blanket.
“Nin-nin.”
It’s an emergency, so I shout inwardly.
I quickly put away the clothes that might get in the way using the ninja’s method of undressing and stuffed them into the blanket.
If they’re at the instructor level, they might even hear the sound of a falling feather in the quiet night.
Assuming that I can do what others can’t, and starting without thorough preparation, is a recipe for disaster.
From doing my best to preparing for the worst, that’s what being a runaway ninja is about.
Swish-
The biggest peeping show of my life has just begun.
Like a snake sliding through the sand, it moved swiftly towards the entrance.
In the darkness like this, the true value of shadow techniques comes out. The art of moving without a trace.
Disguise is half skill and half situation.
First, half of the battle lies in assessing the situation.
Upon confirmation, I noticed that faint sounds of horses and dim light were seeping through the makeshift lodgings near the entrance.
Gathering together in the middle of the ambitious night?
In this situation, where important words are bound to be exchanged, it is a fact proven in Earth’s movies.
I made a small hole in the makeshift lodging made of wood and straw. A peephole, to be precise.
The moment I looked through it, I almost lost my mind.
– Tsk tsk tsk.
It’s an unbelievable sight. The instructors, these bastards, were having a late-night snack!
“As expected, the meal eaten in the early morning is special.”
The bald man laughed as he tore into a large, greasy smoked chicken leg.
“It’s the little things that bring happiness.”
Kakashi happily poured syrup all over the moist-looking pancakes.
“You have to eat like this occasionally for good mental health.”
“Now that this lifestyle is coming to an end, we should enjoy it.”
In addition, other miscellaneous instructors were tasting the food that was clearly brought from the nearby village.
Somehow, they never seemed to be seen when they were eating.
‘Oh, how I wish I could see them!’
Already, my soul and mind were leaping out and ruthlessly slaughtering them in chaos.
The disappearance of ninja trainees? Only those who couldn’t keep up with the training have vanished.
Since they’re no longer needed, there’s a high probability that they were quietly killed off to keep them silent, or sold off as suitable mercenaries or war slaves.
In the ruthless world of ninjas, this level of explanation is reasonable. It’s just one of the things that frequently happens in a corrupt ninja village.
But what about the instructors who secretly indulge in three meals a day, feasting on delicious food and even having midnight snacks?
This is reminiscent of the behavior of profiteering countries during World War II.
They’re no different from those who feast on chocolate while the hungry children of war-ravaged countries serve as a backdrop and suffer.
That damn Kakkashi is already on my personal SSS-level criminal list.
I guess I’ll have to expedite my escape plan.
***
And finally, the long-awaited escape day.
“Since today is the last practical training, pay attention.”
Kakkashi drew his ninja sword from his side and took a look around the abandoned mine.
It seems like he’s trying to make eye contact with the trainees, but as expected, the blind eyes don’t communicate through eye contact.
The ninja village’s education program ends today. From now on, the trainees will take the promotion exams and work in various regions.
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But I have no intention of taking the exam.
I finished preparing for my escape yesterday. Actually, the preparations were nothing special.
“When the time comes, it’s like this.”
Kakkashi is explaining with his skilled techniques and impressive ninja tools, but not a single word enters my ears.
One plan, and that ninja sword with a red snake drawn on the sheath is mine.
It’s said to have a mysterious supernatural power, but even in this world where the level of technology is only medieval, I’m confident that there are very few weapons as finely crafted as that.
There are no distinct visual features to the blade itself, so if I just erase the snake drawing on the sheath and change the handle, no one will notice.
Even if Kakashi comes with his fellow ninjas to find the sword, I am confident that I won’t flinch.
I have no special plans. Once the training is over, I will leave the abandoned mine anyway.
If there is an opportunity, I can just run into the mountains. I am confident that I won’t get tired even if I run all day.
My body has already been modified into a super ninja for a long time.
If I disappear into the shadows when I’m at a reasonable distance and escape effortlessly, no one can catch me.
“What are you thinking?”
“Nin-nin?”
568 called me in a very small voice.
It’s the last day, so the other instructors are just sitting outside the entrance, taking a break or something. Kakashi is absorbed in his explanation, so there’s no chance of getting caught for making a little noise.
“Do you remember what we talked about a few days ago? About wanting to leave?”
Shocked! 568 was also aiming to be a runaway ninja.
If there are two runaway ninjas in one ninja village, it’s not cool at all. I asked briefly, worried.
“Why?”
“Do you have a plan for everything? Can you take me with you? I can help if you need anything.”
“This isn’t some kind of group project or a free ride ninja.”
Even so, an instructor is an instructor.
They naturally have a lot of free time, are sharp in geography, and most importantly, they have more brains. If I don’t quickly outshine them, I’ll be at a disadvantage.
Taking someone who is clearly inferior to me in ability?
It would be faster for me to transform into a mass destruction ninja, kill all the instructors, and leave.
“Annoying. Troublesome.”
She visibly disappointed when I firmly declined.
It seemed like she was struggling to express her own inner turmoil, hesitating and stumbling over her words.
“…If I stay here, I won’t be able to do anything and I’ll die. I, I have things I need to do. I can’t die here. Please, help me.”
Her shoulders and hands trembled, and her dark circles deepened as she desperately tried to convey her feelings, even though her words lacked conviction.
Is she really trying to avenge her parents as a Yakusa Slayer? It’s a sad story.
If I help this gloomy girl, could it contribute to the birth of the Yakusa Slayer?
Just the thought of 568 wielding a throat sword and avenging the Yakusa makes my heart swell.
Thinking like this, I suddenly find myself drawn in.
“I can’t give you anything right now, but if there’s anything I can do, I’ll do it. I-“
“Ah, you’ve finally arrived. Everyone, the class ends here.”
Just in time, the voices of the instructors could be heard from the entrance.
I got lucky. I was about to get too caught up thinking about the Yakusa Slayer.
This is why men’s fantasies are so dangerous, they say.
Were these the sentiments of those who reluctantly chose such sh*tty options?
Looking towards the entrance, I saw unfamiliar instructors (they all wore the same clothes) setting up some carriages and carrying luggage.
The bald instructor who had previously escorted us was struggling alone, carrying four incense burners the size of a child’s body.
“Damn, how strong is this guy?”
That bastard should have been a blacksmith, not a ninja. A classic example of a wrong career choice.
A woman in a robe-like garment stepped out of the carriage. Surprisingly, she was bald.
“Nin nin…!”
There is only one reason why ninjas shave their heads.
It’s not because they’re bald like a bald-headed officer, but to save time on grooming and focus on training.
Even I couldn’t help but be amazed.
Even I couldn’t give up my hair, but she is truly exceptional.
The bald woman, or rather the masked woman, sat down on a chair as wide as an installed desk.
Large incense burners were placed on either side of the chair, and officers, including bald-headed ones, stood by the burners, assuming their positions.
“Stand at attention, you will receive your masks.”
Even the bald-headed officer, who usually controls his anger, seemed unusually serious today.
Are they not having a surprise party, but planning a killing party?
The bald-headed officer, who had handed out all the masks, lit the incense burner.
Green smoke spread like fog. The event turned into a religious ceremony in an instant.
“Did you understand roughly? Kill each other from now on,” could be said without any awkwardness in the atmosphere.
“You’ve survived the most this year.”
Finally, the masked woman spoke amidst the silence filled with cold sweat.
A different atmosphere from the principal’s speech.
Her low and solemn voice, filled with mana, created a sense of oppression that surrounded the coal mine.
She has no intention of hiding her abilities; she is definitely the strongest of the Sakhalin.
At this level, we can lightly overlook about 1.5 kakashi.
“Put on the masks.”
All the instructors were already wearing masks.
Naturally, none of the candidates resisted.
Seeing me trembling at 568, they glanced at me and put on their masks. Watching them put on one by one, I followed the trend.
“The moment you put on this mask, you cease to be human.”
I was startled by the sudden declaration of becoming inhuman and almost screamed.
The masks contained the magic of wicked spirits!
“So, do not waver. Do not shed tears. Do not think. Do not hesitate.”
What a sh*tty metaphorical expression.
Upon further reflection, even in this otherworldly place, it’s too deceitful to infect us in such a short time.
“It means becoming the tail of a snake and a scorpion.”
Before the words were finished, the instructors brought people with their hands and feet bound and threw them in front of the candidates.
“Choose one and stand in front of them.”
The candidates, hesitating at the order of the bald leader, looked at each other and selected someone.
There was no explanation, but they all already knew in their heads.
The person they choose now will be the first victim I kill.
Though the candidates’ bodies and minds were broken from the brutal training, they have not yet crossed the final line.
Murder.
Today was the day when all the candidates would become killers.
“Ugh…”
A strange moan emanated from both the candidates and the victims.
The victims appeared in various states. People of all ages and genders gathered, looking at me with fearful eyes.
I calmly observed everything about them.
The man’s body was hardened from labor, while the young girl’s skinny arms and bloated belly were the result of starvation.
Saliva continuously dripped from the toothless old man’s mouth, and there were wet stains on the woman’s clothes.
They are not yakuza, samurai, or yokai. They are all innocent people I must protect.
“Do they look like ordinary people?”
The masked woman spoke again in the silence. 568 closed their eyes quietly.
I could hear the sound of her teeth clenching from here.
“The people who abandoned you were also ordinary people.”
Now, the green fog completely dominated the space, with the ingredients that made one’s mind foggy permeating the air.
The eyes of the candidates and the people who were brought here slowly regained clarity.
“Everything has a beginning. Don’t worry.”
While the masked woman continued her speech, Kakashi took out a dagger from the iron basket and handed it to the candidates.
A strange fervor could be felt in the eyes of the candidates as they hesitated before finally grabbing the dagger under the influence of drugs that eliminated their resistance to murder and injected pleasure.
A despicable scheme to transform the candidates into bloodthirsty killers by removing their aversion to murder with drugs and injecting pleasure.
“You’ll start enjoying it. And when you enjoy it, you’ll become good at it. And when you become good at it… you’ll be proud.”
I could no longer hear the speech. I only had one thought in mind: breaking the tail of the executioner who was killing innocent people. That’s all I could think about since earlier.
“567. Haven’t you chosen your ‘offering’ yet? But it’s always good to be cautious. The first button is always the most important, no matter what.”
Even now, Kakashi still believed I was cautious as they handed me the dagger and whispered quietly.
The influence of the drug fog was evident in her voice, unable to hide her joy.
“I personally have high expectations. In a little while, I’ll become strong enough to be your partner. I guarantee it.”
The trash ninja Kakkashi chuckled softly, wondering what was so amusing.
That woman was nothing more than a murderer. Even the respect I had left for her has completely disappeared.
Now, she’s so arrogant that she doesn’t even bother saying “ninja”.
A tail of the inhumane ninja organization, Sagar, who cultivates third-rate ninjas and commits ruthless civilian killings.
Escape? That’s not enough. This organization must face more than that in retribution.
To you, who have lost your duty, purpose, and sanity, I have only one judgment to pass.
The annihilation of ninjas.