The mountains are surprisingly temperate. It’s something I had not expected since when the word "mountain" comes to mind, cold and freezing winds are what pop up. Of course that could be because of how movies portrayed mountains back on TV.

But I won’t complain about the nice weather while we have it. As what’s left of the caravan is currently resting, the animals, ranging from horses, mules, and an ox down below, are lying or eating the grain in bags they provided for them, with the workers who had survived the assault resting. They all had an edge that can be seen as they were tense. Likely waiting for when the next attack would come.

While they rested, I trained. 

Another rock sat before me as the glow of my blade raced towards it. The blade faced some resistance before sinking into the rock and made its way out the other side before the rock fell into two pieces. 

My skills have grown a great deal, but it is up in the air if it will be enough. I managed to handle someone like Yugito. Even if it started as a spar that almost turned into something far worse. 

But Zabuza was not going to be in a spar. Yes, ki gave me an advantage against his chakra, but if Pokémon had taught me anything, it was that a type advantage never guaranteed you a win.

It also didn’t help that if I had to use chakra, considering how draining using ki can be even for a brief period of time, my chakra after the fight with the monks had shown me it can get unbalanced. That’s all I could think of to explain my chakra struggling to interact with their chi compared to what I did with the abomination that tried to feed me to her children.

My chakra interacted and could do something against her chi. After I learned ki and trained physically for that brief period, it had to have affected my chakra. It is made from both physical and spiritual energy, so it is a combination of the two, but it wasn’t exactly the absolute strongest despite being a combination of the two. 

Like a clueless kid thinking he could combine the density of lead with a lightweight metal that was not durable. Just because you mixed the two together doesn’t mean it’s going to be better than the original two base materials.

Chakra was no different.

Chakra can still touch and interact with chi since it has that spiritual element to it. But after my time with Senjumaru, my chakra barely did anything against the monks' attacks. That’s not a coincidence.

So that’s another thing I have to keep in mind if I need one of the three and don’t have it readily usable, I am going to die.

Between Zabuza and Haku, I might be in for a difficult fight. Several rocks of various sizes were placed down before I struck several meters away, with some slight resistance each time the blade touched a rock before sliding through as if it were water. In one swing, each one fell clean in two with far smoother cuts compared to the ones from before when I had first begun sharpening my chakra blade.

“You have improved greatly with your technique, it may be time to start working on the other one.” Kojirou appeared beside me.

Nodding, I got into my stance with one of the other swords that I hadn't used yet. My hand hovered over the handle. Staring off towards the edge of the level ground of the mountain I and the caravan had taken a break on. Glancing off and seeing the section of the mountains we had been ambushed at and how far we have managed to get away from it.

Despite it being quite the distance we had traveled from there, it still wasn’t far enough.

With the warning that Zabuza Momochi may be with the group that attacked us despite Gamans' disbelief, he and Lord Yasu had enough sense to push that caravan to move faster lest they ambush us somewhere they will have an advantage, like they did on the bridge. 

Unlike Senjumaru, Gaman was more laid-back in some ways compared to the man that introduced me to ki. I had no idea if Gaman was going to be capable of handling Zabuza and the ronin together. He was an older samurai, so I would like to think he could, but he also was the protector of Lord Yasu. So if it came down to protecting his charge, he would likely choose him over everyone else.

One of the first things Yasu had done was signal for the crews that maintain the mountains while we were leaving the site of the battle and sealing the bodies in scrolls to warn them of what had happened and who was lurking within their country.

After verifying the blood and what we all had seen with a few headbands and other personal items that Gaman and the few other guards managed to take just as the battle had ended since the bodies of their enemies had been taken after they had decided to check and found no bodies or blood, surprisingly enough. 

But with what we had being proof enough and Yasu being a noble, despite how much others would like to see him dead, they send a warning to the capital and alert their forces that a foreign nation's forces are in their country attacking their people. 

Before leaving back to their stations, they said that the backup would get to us soon enough if we moved quick enough to them since they are nearer to the capital. I hope that it is not some random cannon fodder shinobi or samurai but someone capable enough. 

Hard to say since those in power don’t like the idea of Yasu living. 

Dropping all of those thoughts and focusing solely on my training as I take my blade, pulling it free in the blink of an eye. A gust of wind shot forward as it carved a shallow trench into the ground and flew for some distance from the edge of the mountain before dissipating.

“It is able to go much further compared to what you were capable of doing before. Good.”

It’s not enough.

“Have faith in yourself, Andrew. You managed to beat someone who managed to turn the tables on you, if you can do that, you can do much more since you are still growing and improving.”

I only managed to do that by taking advantage of how she wasn’t thinking clearly and was acting more on her instincts. That and using her own momentum against her since that cloak of energy was stopping most of my attacks against her.

As we go back and forth, I send more and more wind blades into the air, adjusting the amount of chakra to up the speed of my quick draws as the speed and destructive capabilities of the wind blades increase. I even tried adjusting the shape of them, but that proved elusive so far, along with trying to achieve the same level of power without drawing it.

Huffing as the last one moved well past the distance of the first wind blade by almost double before trying out a variant of the move. Putting the sword away and taking my broken blade, but unlike the chakra blades from before, where the blade matched the sword's shape, I instead adjusted and changed the energy being used to help shape it.

It takes a significant amount of ki out of me to do so. While ki isn’t nearly as malleable as chi or chakra is, it can be changed and altered. The lightning samurai with his two students proved it when he became a Diet Coke Super Saiyan. I doubt it will be anytime soon I replicate what he did, but there are other things I should be capable of.

While ki is less malleable, I know it can be done. And if not… Kojirou’s autistic nature when it came to a sword would see that it did. Focusing on the lavender-colored energy that spread from my hands into the handle and then the blade. Unlike chi that was hard to see and almost like gas in its nature, ki was far more solid, easily seen by anyone with eyes to witness it.

It spread out quickly, forming into a simple blade before, with a flex, feeling the drain on me increase by a significant amount as the blade grew in size. It grew not only in length, but the edge of it also began to become wider with a curved edge, appearing like an animal's fang.

Once fully formed, I marvel at what looked almost like the Tessaiga. Without any hesitation as more ki was supplied to my arms. The sword was held at my waist before it was swung with everything I currently had. 

The mass of ki, despite looking heavier, was the opposite. It was as light as a feather and responded faster than it had before, oddly enough. Faster than the blink of an eye, the weapon sent not a gust of razor-sharp wind but more like an avalanche with the power of a hurricane backing it up.

It doesn’t so much rip the rock and dirt apart as it all but crushed and obliterated what lay before it before flying off and taking part of the edge of the mountain with it like a hellish blender.

It almost reached a nearby pathway on a mountain before stopping much to my relief. I didn’t mean for it to go that far and would rather not have to explain to anyone why one of their mountain paths just got leveled. None of the debris that was taken with the attack had stayed solid since it was ground into small rocks and dust.

Seeing another avenue for training, a small grin adorned my face. Would this be enough to handle Zabuza? Maybe. Maybe not. But whatever gives me an edge I will take. 

Kojirou softly chuckled, “Let it never be said that you do not lack creativity, Andrew. I think it is time you and I start sparring. You will need the practice.” 

A sword formed in his hands that was far longer than a conventional katana. “Do not worry, the blade cannot harm you anymore than I can physically. You and I will clash, and your goal is to ensure I do not land a single lethal blow.” 

Shouldn’t it be about not getting hit at all?

Kojirou simply shook his head in amusement at my question. “That will come when you are much better. As you are now there is no conceivable way for you to accomplish such a thing.”

I initially denied that such a gap still existed but then memories of all of Kojirou's skill and experience came to mind and realized that as things stood I would be better off going with the ground rules he had established. 

Getting into a stance with the great sword made from ki held at the ready while Kojirou had his sword resting in his hand, the tip brushing against the ground. Kojirou looked calm and serene with not a care in the world. Stepping forward and swinging the weapon as its length increased mid swing fast enough to catch most people unaware but Kojirou calmly stepped back just enough for the weapon to pass by harmlessly.

He took advantage and stepped into my personal space as his sword tried to spear one of my eyes as it was barely blocked in time after shrinking the blade down to better guard against the man. Instead of backing away Kojirou sent out an absurd number of strikes with such speed and grace that only his arms moved and I struggled under his onslaught.

Several of his attacks had managed to get past my sword as I was forced to back away while he pressed me giving me no reprieve. Any and all openings he found and exploited. Having had enough I took a risk and see an opening while he aimed for my side and I went for his arm. 

Big mistake. He danced around my strike like I am a rock while he is a flowing river moving around and past me. The attack went wide while his sword lashed out in the blink of an eye going through my neck and he stepped back as I took a moment to realize what he had done with how fast it had all occurred. 

“This Zabuza as capable as he is from what you know would fall before someone like myself. Power and speed are good, but one must never forget that those things matter little to those who have far greater skill. Skill more often than not will triumph over such things for one well placed strike and their strength means nothing.” 

After that we continued to spar as any outside observers would only see me going through an intense fight against an imaginary enemy. All throughout the spar I struggled against Kojirou and it’s not because he was faster or stronger, but simply far more skilled.

I tried going on the offensive and he simply matched that aggression by going for my head or throat every time. Any opening no matter how small he would exploit and it would be a death blow. Going on the defensive on the other hand was slightly better but he would pressure me far more than he would when I went on the offensive.

It forced me to tighten my defense and be more conservative with every move I made. At first every move he made I would react to, and that’s something he took advantage of as I wasted so much stamina when it was all a distraction or a feint that was never meant to be a finishing move but a prelude to several moves that led to me losing.

I breathed heavily and sweat poured off of me as Kojirou looked unphased. Nodding to himself as he looked pleased, “Your stamina has grown, and you are learning well that remaining defensive at times seems like a good idea, but as you have learned, it is more often necessary to match another’s aggression and ferocity with your own. Your hesitation to harm and kill is holding you back, Andrew.”

My body stilled at this as I questioned the part about me hesitating. 

“After Gaman said what he did, it was either you fleeing and leaving everyone to die or you fighting and killing those men to protect those that can be saved. Your hand was forced in that situation, and seeing what they were capable of and willing to do, they needed to die. I cannot stress this enough, Andrew. You need to be more inclined to kill others. If you wish to see this—” His hand gestured at the headband wrapped around my arm, somehow not getting dirtied by all the training and sweat, and it would never remain covered or hidden, “—come to an end and the madness it brings with it, then you will have to kill. Even if the person does not deserve it, if they are coming for you with the intent of taking it, then you will do what you must and not what you want.”

Closing my eyes as I rested and thought over Kojirou’s words. Despite how much it went against what I believed in life, in the end he is right. But it doesn’t make it any easier. After killing the young student of the samurai, killing others has gotten easier and easier with each life I take as I continue on. 

But that doesn’t mean I have the desire to continue killing or immediately going to fight everyone that crossed my path. The two monks are one such example of a fight that might have been possible to avoid.

“That was reliant on one of them being hesitant to harm you since they were from a sect of monks that may have been pacifistic or only acted in self-defense. That one is an exception, and you should not always assume such things. You must be active and not simply react to what is happening.”

I know that, if someone is going to kill me, then I will do what I must…

“You think that someone will make their intentions known from the beginning, and those are the ones who you are aware of. What of those that would ambush you? Andrew, you will have to start getting more aggressive. You cannot give everyone a chance when your life hangs on by a thread. You could give an opening to an enemy that otherwise would never have one to begin with. I don’t expect you to change your mindset that you have had since you could walk and think—that would be foolish on my part. You are already beginning to learn to compromise your beliefs with reality, in time you will come to see things as I do.”

That’s if I make it that far. I don’t know if I can take Zabuza as I am now. I am much stronger than I was when this had begun, but it is looking to me that it is more than likely going to be in Zabuza’s favor, especially if Haku steps in. After all, the ice user was never far behind Zabuza acting as his shadow. 

That’s not taking into account the ronin backing them up.

 

With my eyes closed to my shock, Kojirou appeared in the darkness standing before me. Opening my eyes in surprise and taking a moment when I do not see him standing before me. How? How could I see him when my eyes were closed yet he is not here when they are open?

“It would seem you have grown enough for this to happen.”

For what to happen? What does that have to do with anything?

“As you grow more accustomed to my template, certain things will become possible. In this case you could say we have bonded enough that you may train with me without needing to move your body.”

Feeling so confused on what that means exactly, Kojirou only sighed softly before continuing, “When you are simply walking, resting, or even sleeping, you and I may continue our sparring sessions among other things.”

Why didn’t you tell me this before?

“You would have prioritized trying to get more accustomed to my skills when what you were doing was enough to do so in the first place. It would have distracted you away from what you needed to train to stay alive. It’s not something you can force, it comes in time through trial and tribulation alongside training.”

Still a little miffed at not being told about something that could help me get stronger even faster without wasting so much time but I let it go. Besides the revelation his advice wasn’t bad. The problem is it’s easy to say to someone that a person deserved to die or for them to kill a person who may deserve it. It’s another thing to be the one that has to execute them.

A step drew my attention away from Kojirou's advice and the revelation he just dropped on me. Seeing the form of Gaman coming over to my secluded spot as he looked across the field and looked just a bit longer at the ledge where my new attack had made its mark.

“You do well for yourself training hard like this Kojirou, but I would recommend not pushing yourself too hard. You need to pace yourself and ensure you have energy and strength to spare should you need it and if you are too tired to hold your blade then you will be in trouble.”

I nodded my head at him, acknowledging his advice and with the new information I won’t need to push myself as hard. “You are right and apologies if I startled anyone with that move…” 

After trailing off Gaman only shook his head and chuckled, “Oh you did far more than startle them. I for a moment believed Lord Yasu would die on the spot when that wave of wind ripped the edge of the mountain above us off. I for a moment believed the Suna fan users were attacking myself. What did you do to accomplish that?”

Pulling out my sword and once more the massive blade of ki took form as I panted at the exertion. Gaman's hand rubbed his chin as he looked the weapon over. 

“You have good control and skill with ki. How many years have you trained with it?”

“I have only been using it since I learned it in the land of Hotsprings and that was at least two to three weeks ago.”

Gaman at that reveal froze as he looked me dead in the eyes. “You're telling the truth… Kojirou, do you know how long it takes to get to that level you have achieved with that technique for an average samurai with a teacher?”

Simply shaking my head now curious where this is going.

“I will tell you. It can take years to do what you have managed to do with it. Most samurai do not bother attempting to get that far with it when they have better alternatives as a means of fighting and killing. It is if anything used as a foundational technique to get a better grip on controlling one’s ki and not many bother with such things when they have… alternatives.”

He stepped closer holding up his arm and to my astonishment a yellow cloak of ki formed across it to go from a blank canvas of aura to solid looking samurai armor with his arm and clothes still visible beneath it. 

Raising his fist laced in the ki as he slammed it into the ground making it crack and splinter as a crater formed where his hand struck. The mountain itself shook enough that I almost lost my balance. His hand was pulled out of it trailing dirt and rock off of it yet the armor looked fine without even a scratch on it.

The ki armor dispersed as he flexed his hand seeing it equally unscathed. “Most younger samurai and ronin view ki as something that is best used as a means to increase their power with a blade, and extending its reach and anything else that could be gained is not worth the time invested nor the ki needed to do so. My family has taken the time to further improve upon the basic technique and made it our own by creating a powerful armor that you just witnessed.”

“So that’s why you don’t have the armor I have seen other samurai wear.” It explained a lot. Why bother with armor when you could form solid ki outside of your body that could handle most physical threats.

Gaman just gave me a funny look. “Kojirou… How much did your sensei teach you about the fundamentals of the samurai?”

Just when I opened my mouth to speak he held his hand to stop me. “I’m not talking about footwork, using a sword, simple things that even a peasant would know. I’m talking about things that should be common knowledge, especially when it comes to the various ranks and stages of training samurai undergo.”

“I know nothing.” Was all I could say. 

Gaman let out a long tired sigh. “Truly a shame. Your sensei has much to answer for. While I understand your plight with that headband, that is no excuse to not teach you things that are common knowledge amongst even new ashigaru would know of. Especially someone like yourself that has such great potential.” Gaman looked off into the distance, a scowl on his face and he spoke like he was spitting something disgusting off of his tongue.

“That… armor as you call it isn’t really armor. It can serve as protection, but that is more of a byproduct of its true purpose.” 

What?

“The suits you saw were meant to aid in training more than anything else. Tell me, when you train in ki, have you noticed how physical labor tends to help with it?”

A bob of my head was all he needed to continue. “Good. Ki is life energy, the best and easiest way for us to cultivate it is by extreme physical training. So long as it can make you struggle, you will find your ki grow in abundance. That armor is given to those who have gained the rank of Hanshi as a means to help them break through the physical plateau they have found themselves stuck at.”

“So the suits are training weights?” I said aloud in disbelief. Knowing what Senjumaru could do with that thing on him, just how dangerous would he be when he took it off?

“Correct. Not all samurai can afford the tenjū, nor is it handed out like a common blade. It takes time and much effort to create even a single one of them. Inspiration was taken from the weight one ancient suit that had been discovered a long time ago when an ancient samurai sought to find other means to help himself train and decided to don the armor.”

“Then that’s why you don’t need it, because you’ve already gone through all of that training then…”

He nodded slowly, pleased at my conclusion. “Yes, I had long since moved past any gains to be had from my old armor. It’s more ceremonial now than it is anything for me.”

“And using your ki in such a way practically makes you invincible. At least to anyone that wasn’t on your level of power.” 

If he and his master decided to turn on me for the headband or some other reason they could kill me. It hit me like a freight train. Why have me go along with them if he was this powerful on his own?!

The man nodded with a small smile, “I haven’t cut loose like that in a long time. It was nice even if I wished the circumstances were different. Kojirou, whoever your teacher is, he is a lucky man to have you as his student. You are the most talented young man I have ever witnessed, I pray that you live long enough to reach your full potential. It always saddens me to watch someone gifted like yourself cut short before reaching the greatest of heights.” He said this quietly with a melancholy I couldn’t quite place. His gaze held an intensity to it that made me freeze up and feel a little uncomfortable.

“Then why hire me on this mission and the others? If you're this powerful, and I have seen another samurai move fast with the armor on, you could have gotten Lord Yasu to the capital on your own.”

“Because I wish to die on my own terms.”

I paused at that comment. Gaman stared off into the distance as a small breeze blew past both of us.

“I am old Kojirou, far older than you would believe. I have seen much, and done a lot. Some I regret, others not so much. I feel that I may be nearing the end of my life, and I wish to end it in the one thing I did enjoy… a good fight. That is why I am here with Lord Yasu. Besides of course, his father wished for him to have someone capable of protecting him. It is why we hired all of you, for despite my own desires I keep them in check when faced with my duty.

He got up and walked past me and after a bit turned around and said, “Also I would like you to join me and Lord Yasu for lunch.”

Knowing that it wasn’t a request I sighed before catching up with the man and deciding to ask the question in my mind and move past the surprisingly dark topic of him wanting to die in a blaze of glory. “Why show me your clan's technique?”

Gaman looked at me from the corner of his eye as we calmly walked back to the rest of the caravan. “To show you that I mean well and that I wish for you to trust me. Couldn’t think of anything other than showing you my clan's revered technique. If you think we will inevitably fight you will have an idea of what you are up against. It’s not something I normally show unless it is to end an enemy.”

“I see… well the gesture was appreciated. Rather surprised you would want to foster trust after what I did with Lord Yasu.”

“When I was your age I would have stiffed him even more.” 

I almost tripped on my next step, having not expected what he said. “But isn’t he your master?”

“Yes. But that doesn’t mean I agree with everything he has done. I understand why he did what he did with the others he had hired you included. As I said before I am old Kojirou. How old do you think I am?”

As we walked down the small path that led to the part of the mountain I had been training I thought over his question. “Forty three.”

“Hah! You are fifty years off. I am ninety three years old.” 

Looking at him incredulously his smile grew. “I get it more than you would think, but yes I am old. I got the position with Lord Yasu when he was much younger for my long service to the country and my clans standing in the eyes of the daimyos court. It was seen as a way to reward me and keep me on retainer should they need me. Most samurai or ronin rarely make it to my age especially when they go from conflict to conflict as I had.” His tone at the part of his reward became more bitter.

“You don’t like the quiet and rest you have been given?” 

The man shook his head before his hand cut through the air, his eyes taking an edge to them, “Everyone needs rest every now and then. I have rested enough. As horrific as it is to say this, I am glad we were attacked. I have not felt so alive for a long time, even if the shinobi and ronin were not at an acceptable level for me. Being set aside and collecting dust is no way for a samurai like myself to live. I am a warrior. It’s like having a sword sit on a display. It is an insult to its very existence.” His hand held before his face as he clenched and unclenched it as a blood thirsty grin appeared before quickly vanishing as if it was never there.

“I understand you do not think as I do. You are young and when you grow old like me you will understand. But back to the topic of Lord Yasu. I do not hold it against you considering he brought it upon himself. But I ask you to not hold it against him either. Despite how he may have appeared to you, the stress of the situation which has only gotten worse over time has gotten to him.”

I remained silent letting the man continue. “He is unaccustomed to people constantly trying to kill him, especially being on the run in his own country. He had no intention of the research he had funded to be used for military purposes but other nations care little for such excuses. So those in power threw him out to die to save their own skin and keep our country from entering another war all the while knowing they took the research for themselves to hold onto.”

My thoughts could only think of how the hell they get anything done in this country if they have such corruption and cowards in the nation's government. 

“So he is breaking under the stress and the fear that grips his heart. He is trying to get to the capital as it would be one of the safer places for him to go and to meet with the daimyo to make this stop.” Gaman could only shake his head at this as if it was a bad idea. 

“Is the daimyo even capable of doing such a thing?” I now felt kind of bad for the kid. 

I don’t agree with lying to the guards and myself along with the others who had been killed because of him but I am not much different with my own situation with the headband and all that comes with it. I guess it makes me better suited to understand the situation he is in. 

“I do not know. Maybe. Maybe not. The stories I have heard of other nations throwing nobles out or notable scholars for their research into the relics of the past has been bloody and violent. The times they have had led to many countries ensuring that the research and tests are brought to an end. Sometimes outright war depending on the nature of the research and how much of an advantage it would give the nation. The bridges and paths may not be as devastating as the small communication devices to an enemy nation but it would give our nation far more flexibility when deploying our armies and for logistics. That is enough to warrant him being put in the bingo book.” 

“... Alright, I don’t hold it against him as much as I did before that.” I relented and let go of some of the resentment I had on the kid. Hypocritical to do so I know, but emotions rarely ever care about such things.

“That is all I can ask. The last thing this journey needs is you holding ill will against him when our lives are on the line. With that settled I look forward to tonight! You are an incredibly gifted musician and singer Kojirou.” He praised me for helping relax the others by playing every now and again when the workers brought out some instruments to pass the time.

“Thank you Gaman. You are too kind.” I said with a smile and waved him off as a small blush was creeping onto my cheeks at the praise.

“Nonsense. Your music is wonderful, most artists should if anything do more of what you do. You sing about things that get me in the mood to strike down my enemies, making me feel like I did back in my youth or things that make me feel at peace and think of things that I had never thought to think about.” He said wistfully as his gaze took on a faraway look as we made it to the rest of the camp that was now much smaller compared to what it was before with how fewer men were left.

Several of the workers and the guards glanced at the two of us and a few nodded at me and I nodded in return having helped a few of them get their carts ready to leave several times when they struggled. Whether it was because of the lack of workers after the attack or they simply were still grieving. Several of them had brothers or cousins who helped them with their business. 

Walking to the carriage we even saw the young lord sitting upon a sheet of soft earth as rice and vegetables with meat were sat before him. Gaman and I both bowed and took our seats upon the soft sheet.

“I take it whatever that was happened to be your doing Kojirou?” Yasu asked after swallowing some rice with a piece of potato and some meat from an animal one of the guards managed to kill for the caravan. 

“Yes. Apologies Lord Yasu, I needed to train harder than before with what happened.” I said before taking a pair of offered chopsticks and bringing a clump of rice with a few diced carrots and the succulent piece of meat. I savored the taste, closing my eyes. 

As bad as it is knowing we are being hunted, at least if I die then I can at least do it after enjoying a good meal. 

The kid stopped mid bite as he stared at me, his gaze having a hint of fear before he schooled his features before swallowing his food. “Understandable and I am glad you are taking the situation seriously. But next time please do so without startling the workers, they had for a second believed we were under attack again.”

“I understand and will exercise more control next time. This food is wonderful your lordship.” My praise earned me a wane smile from the kid as Gaman chuckled as I popped another piece of meat into my mouth struggling to hold myself back from just scarfing it all down. 

“If you think this is good you would be in ecstasy at meals you could get in the capital.” He said with a cocky smirk as Gaman nodded enthusiastically. 

“When we get to the capital we will have to treat you to a proper meal fit for an emperor! After this arduous journey nothing less would be worthy at the end of it.” Gaman smiled warmly. 

My smile widened at the idea of even better food. Oh how I will never take for granted a good meal again! Anyone roughing it in the country without a roof over your head and constantly being on the run will be wanting a good warm meal. 

After a moment of silence as we ate our meals before breaking the silence asking a question that had interested me since getting into the mountains. “Lord Yasu, do you know who built the ancient bridges and pathways?” 

My question caught him off guard but he actually looked interested, maybe even excited that I had asked. 

“Of course, that would be what I and others have referred to as the Kokuhō, one of the ancient civilizations of the world. Not much is known of them besides the relics like the bridges and paths or the ruins left over after the great cataclysms that occurred in the past.” 

I am utterly baffled by what I was just told. “One? There were more? And what about great cataclysms?” 

Yasu chuckled before responding, “Oh yes there are many different ancient civilisations. Some are from the same era with them being rival nations, and others from even earlier eras before them just as mysterious as they are to us now. Numerous wars and conflicts had brought an end to many of them and natural or unnatural disasters leading to the end of the others.” 

That… is a lot to unpack. So the Naruto series had numerous ancient civilizations and they all had collapsed at one point or another like a stack of dominoes across time. I don’t think the original series ever showed and or talked about anything like this so what the hell is going on? Is this still the Naruto world or is it something that is wearing a thin skin deep disguise?

“How many ancient civilizations existed?” I asked without thinking as it just confused me knowing that all these treasures and relics were from advanced civilizations. That might explain Naruto’s weird schizo tech that was all over the place in the original series.

“We don’t know!” He said with a smile while looking excited. 

“Even to this day we are still uncovering previously undiscovered ancient societies. To date we know that there were at least three different eras to different civilizations that had settled in the Land of Lightning building off of the old. Our capital city itself happens to be one of those old sites, with differing architecture that matches up with the different civilizations telling us that they each had lived and built upon the older foundations.” He was getting faster and faster as Gaman now looked nervous with one eye twitching while I on the other hand felt excited at the notion of exploring ancient ruins! 

“How did the Kokuhō develop the pathways and bridges? I am by no means an architect or fluent in construction but even I know those pillars alone wouldn’t be enough to keep them up in the air.”

“We have theories as to what they did to construct them and we believe it also ties into how they can remain standing the way they are as well as how they have remained intact for so long with no maintenance. However, to date we have nothing to explain how they did it. One theory is they used some unknown material whether it is natural or artificial. Another is that they are a product of some advanced technique. Or they could be a product of all of them or none at all.” 

The kid just got more and more excited while Gaman looked like he would rather be anywhere but here.  I guess scholarly pursuits were not his thing.

I always enjoyed talking a little about history. Not my favorite thing, but it was nice to pass the time talking about it. As the conversation goes on I see the clouds building in the distance growing much darker than they already normally were in this land of perpetual clouds. The crack of thunder acting like the tolling of a bell.