Chapter 16: Tempest Mountain Range

That was the only case of assault they met until they reached the Land of Lightning. The other bandits' groups were intimidated by the armed forces and decided to not act.

Arrived at the destination, Hijiri received his compensation and then asked the merchant if he had some information about the Land of Lightning, the location of various ninja clans and danger zones.

(Merchant): "Not really, our merchant group only deals with the transport of goods between the Land of Fire and the one of Lightning. But I can indicate you in the right direction, for a price."

After being paid the merchant said: "There is a map shop that way, make my name and they will show you a map of the Land with all its forces. Of course, it will be quite expensive to buy. You may have to do some more jobs to afford it."

Hijiri thanked him and indeed found a map shop called 'Shocking Maps'. He entered.

Inside there was a big assortment of maps: city maps, region maps, and even a map of the Land of Lightning. Though it didn't have the location of the forces.

Seeing there wasn't anybody he decided to look around the region maps to memorize them in his mind.

As he was looking through them he sensed that the owner was nearing. So he put them down and he neared the counter. A middle-aged man entered through a side room and said: "Oh, hello. Can I help you?"

(Hijiri): "Yes, I heard from Po that you could have a more detailed map of the Land of Lightning. I would like to see it to confirm. I would like to purchase it in the future. Of course, I will pay for the service."

(Shop owner): "What a polite lad. Of course, I have what you need."

After taking Hijiri's money the shop owner went into the back of the shop. He emerged with a big scroll. It contained the map of the Land of Lightning with the disposition of the ninja clans, the cities, and the dangerous regions.

Hijiri watched it intently and, once he was sure he had memorized it, said goodbye and left.

After analyzing the memory of the map a bit, he decided to go toward one of the dangerous areas. But which one?

He decided to go to the nearest library to look for information.

In the end, he chose the Tempest Mountain Range. From what he gathered it was a very dangerous location full of fierce winds and powerful lightning all year around. It was also home to some lightning and wind ferocious beasts that could scare most ninjas.

(Hijiri): 'Luckily I am not most ninjas'

Hijiri traveled for a few days and arrived near the mountain range. Big dark clouds rotated around its peaks and fierce lightning bolts struck their sides from time to time.

(Hijiri): 'Okay, I have decided to stay here for a year. In the first five months, I will fight various ferocious beasts and learn their way of molding chakra while gaining precious battle experience. The last seven months will be dedicated to the observations of the lightning and the winds to improve my lightning and wind nature transformation.'

"Let's start! Even if I doubt I will meet my match here."

*****

Four months later

Hijiri met his match.