Ch33: Ninja Graduation Test

As Yasuke inspected the scars on the leopard's white fur, his mind plunged into the past, imagining the numerous confrontations the animal must have faced to obtain those marks. Each scar told a story of survival in the unforgiving Forest of Death, where every day was a struggle for life.

Examining a large scarred wound on the leopard's back, Yasuke noticed that it had a distinctive, claw-like shape. It was evident that this injury had been caused by another forest predator, in a confrontation that must have been fierce and vicious.

After making sure that the wound was well healed and showed no signs of infection or complications, Yasuke continued his inspection. He paused for a moment to observe the leopard's fur, noting the softness of its white, sparse dark spots, which were barely distinguishable among the prevailing whiteness.

Carefully, Yasuke checked every inch of the leopard's body, looking for any sign of injury or discomfort. As his expert hands explored the animal's fur, his mind remained alert, aware of the dangers lurking in the shadows of the forest.

Finally, finding no other significant wounds, Yasuke was relieved. It appeared that the albino leopard had survived his previous encounters and was in good health, despite the recent injury to his shoulder.

As Yasuke continued to inspect the leopard, his attention turned to the animal's belly region. Carefully and without making any sudden movements, he leaned down to examine that area more closely. However, before he could reach his target, a paw of the leopard suddenly reached up and forcefully pushed him away.

Yasuke was startled by the animal's sudden movement, feeling the pressure of the paw pushing him away. He looked up quickly to meet the leopard's menacing gaze, which seemed to be warning him not to come any closer.

Although he did not yet know the exact reason behind the leopard's threatening gesture, Yasuke sensed a note of fear in its behavior. While inspecting the animal's body, he noticed that it avoided certain areas, particularly the belly region.

Realizing this, Yasuke realized that there was something else behind the leopard's reaction. It could be that the animal was protecting something, something precious to him. Although he wasn't sure what it could be, he decided to respect the leopard's will and not insist on investigating that area further.

As he continued his work, Yasuke reflected on the complex relationship he was developing with the beast. Although they had had a rocky start, they were now finding a way to communicate and understand each other. Yasuke was determined to continue to care for and protect the albino leopard as they faced the challenges of the Forest of Death together.

Yasuke, having finished treating the leopard, prepared to leave the hollow log. He decided to leave the shelter to the animal so that it could rest and recover properly. He was slowly moving towards the exit when he suddenly felt his body become languid, his strength diminished and the wobbling in his body intensified to the point where he could no longer stand upright.

His heart filled with bewilderment, Yasuke watched the exit recede further and further away as he struggled to stand. Finally, his body gave in to weakness and he fell backwards with all his might, waiting for the hard impact against the ground.

Instead of feeling pain, however, a comforting softness greeted him. He found himself enveloped in an indescribable sense of comfort as his eyes slowly closed. Before plunging completely into darkness, he caught a glimpse of white fur surrounding him, offering him a sense of security and protection that reassured him.

With gentle movements, the animal examined Yasuke, making sure he was comfortable and protected. The leopard's white fur contrasted with the darkness of the forest, creating a surreal image of calm and serenity. The serenity of the forest enveloped the moment, as if nature itself was watching over them in that instant of need.

After waking up hours later, Yasuke noticed the softness of the fur he was lying on. Looking up, he saw the owner of that fur and reached out his hand to him. The animal, with a gentle gesture, rested its forehead under Yasuke's hand, as if seeking comfort in his touch.

Yasuke gently stroked the animal, feeling a special connection in that quiet moment. However, the harmony was interrupted by the hungry growl of its stomach, breaking the calm with rawness. The animal, seemingly embarrassed by the interruption, looked away, but Yasuke could only smile at the situation.

With a small smile, Yasuke stood up and headed for the exit, sensing the animal's presence behind him. Before leaving, he stopped and turned to the animal.

-It looks like we're both hungry. What do you say we find something to eat together? - Yasuke proposed, offering an opportunity for collaboration and companionship. The animal, understanding Yasuke's words, got up and followed him eagerly.

In the dark forest night, silence enveloped the surroundings, making the task of hunting even more difficult. Yasuke, accustomed to searching for prey during the day, felt uncomfortable in that nocturnal environment. Despite trying to move as stealthily as possible, his footsteps still alerted the small animals that inhabited the forest.

Frustrated by his lack of night hunting skills, Yasuke paused for a moment to regain his composure. However, his attention was quickly caught by the majestic figure of his new hunting companion. The albino leopard stood before him, proudly holding a bird between its fangs.

The gleam in the leopard's eyes seemed to tell Yasuke that there was no need to worry about hunting, as the animal had managed to catch a kill on its own. With a smug expression, the leopard looked at Yasuke, as if saying, "Don't worry, I'm here."

Despite his initial frustration, Yasuke refused to give up. He decided to try several more times, moving cautiously through the trees in search of prey. However, each attempt resulted in more frustration, as he failed to catch any prey.

With his spirits getting lower and lower, Yasuke stopped for a moment to catch his breath. It was then that he realized that his leopard companion had once again succeeded in the hunt. This time, the animal had another prey in its teeth, once again demonstrating its skill and prowess in the forest.

Yasuke couldn't help but feel a mixture of admiration and envy towards the leopard. Although he was grateful for his new companion's help, he was also a bit frustrated by his own inability to catch prey. However, he decided not to let frustration get the better of him and instead focused on learning from the leopard's hunting ability.

Yasuke closely watched the leopard's every move as it hunted. He noticed how the animal, despite its hulking body, seemed to move with surprising grace and agility. Each step of the leopard was calculated, minimizing noise and maintaining perfect balance in its body.

Impressed by the leopard's natural ability, Yasuke decided to learn from his companion. He approached the animal carefully, watching closely how it placed its weight strategically to avoid making noise. He noticed how the leopard distributed its weight evenly on its legs, maintaining perfect balance even on difficult terrain.

With determination, Yasuke tried to imitate the leopard's movements. With each step, he strove to place his weight in a similar manner, trying to maintain his balance and minimize any noise that might alert prey. Although he found it difficult at first, he gradually began to grasp the basic principles of silent hunting.

Just when he thought he had mastered the technique, Yasuke attempted to hunt a small bird resting on a branch of a log. Leaping from branch to branch, using what he had learned from the leopard, he approached at a relatively close distance, reducing the distance to about 5 meters. He was about to take the final leap when he began to imagine the satisfaction of his victory in the hunt.

However, just at the crucial moment, he momentarily lost his concentration. A slight carelessness caused him to step incorrectly, unbalancing himself and slipping sharply on the rounded surface of a branch.

The pain of the fall echoed throughout his body as Yasuke cursed his bad luck. However, his frustration was eclipsed by embarrassment when he noticed a white shadow trembling in the nearby bushes. As he focused more on the figure, he realized it was the albino leopard, which now seemed to be laughing and taunting him with its beady eyes.

A mixture of irritation and amusement came over Yasuke as he realized that his companion had witnessed his clumsiness. Although he was initially embarrassed by his mistake, a smile soon formed on his face as he realized the irony of the situation.

- Does it amuse you to see me fall, partner? -Yasuke asked with a restrained laugh as he stood up and dusted off his clothes.

The albino leopard, with a mischievous expression on his face, let out a soft grunt that sounded like a chuckle. He seemed to enjoy the show more than Yasuke would have imagined.

- Okay, okay, I guess I deserve it for my arrogance," Yasuke admitted with a smile, humbly accepting the lesson.

With a knowing gesture between them, Yasuke and the leopard continued their hunt, this time with Yasuke more aware of the importance of maintaining focus and balance at all times. Although his pride had been wounded, he was determined to learn from his mistakes and move forward with his hunting partner in the Forest of Death.

In the darkness of the forest, Yasuke watched in awe the movements of the albino leopard as they advanced through the trees. Each step of the animal was a lesson in stealth and dexterity, as if it were dancing in harmony with nature itself. Yasuke strove to capture every detail, every fluid movement that the leopard executed with mastery.

With a heart full of admiration, Yasuke noticed how the leopard distributed its weight carefully, making sure not to make a sound as it stepped on the dry leaves of the forest floor. His movements were precise and graceful, as if he was following an invisible choreography, as he slipped through the shadows with astonishing ease.

As they progressed, Yasuke began to understand the importance of the connection between the leopard and its environment. The animal seemed to read the movements of the forest, anticipating every obstacle and adjusting its trajectory accordingly. Each time they approached potential prey, the leopard would adopt a cautious stance, watching its target closely before pouncing with a swift and precise movement.

Yasuke marveled at the leopard's ability to disappear into the darkness, as if it were part of the forest itself. His keen senses and knowledge of the terrain made him a formidable hunter, able to stalk his prey undetected. It was a lesson in survival in its purest form, and Yasuke was determined to learn all he could from his new companion.

As they progressed in their night hunt, Yasuke began to notice a pattern in the leopard's behavior. The animal seemed aware of Yasuke's presence at its side, adjusting its movements to make them more visible and understandable to the young ninja. It seemed as if the leopard was teaching Yasuke, guiding him in the art of hunting with infinite patience and ancient wisdom.

With each step they took together, the connection between Yasuke and the leopard grew stronger. Although they could not communicate with words, they shared a mutual understanding that transcended language barriers. It was a silent dance in which the leopard was the master and Yasuke his apprentice, each teaching the other valuable lessons about life in the forest.

As the night progressed and the moon shone overhead, Yasuke realized that this experience was much more than a simple hunt. He was witnessing something extraordinary, a profound connection between two beings who had been brought together by fate in the heart of the Forest of Death.

To be continued...