Chapter 6

As night fell and mist crept through the Snakewoods, he walked alone, accompanied only by a man holding a flickering torch. The light danced among the tree branches, but the woods were mostly quiet, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the soft thud of his footsteps. Even the man with the torch felt distant, barely giving away his presence.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted, and one by one, his shinobi appeared, emerging from the shadows as if summoned by his presence. They moved with ghost-like grace, their figures clad in dark, close-fitting garments that absorbed the faint light. Loose hoods concealed their faces, leaving only the glint of their eyes visible, reflecting the torchlight like distant stars in a night sky.

He glanced at the shinobi beside him and noticed their weapons—a short, straight ninjatō made for quick, silent strikes. Other tools were tucked away, ready for use.

They moved in perfect harmony with him, matching each of his steps as if they were part of him.

After a while, the trees opened up into a dimly lit clearing, where more torches flickered, casting a warm glow. He glanced at his men surrounding him, noting that none of his shinobi appeared alert or cautious. Feeling safe, he moved forward.

In the clearing, over two hundred shinobi awaited, kneeling in perfect rows. Their heads bowed low, hands resting on their thighs, they embodied a silent, respectful posture. This sight filled him with excitement, and he took a moment to appreciate the scene before him.

With calm confidence, he said, "Arise.".

In one smooth movement, they stood up, their eyes locked on him, ready for his command. In that moment, he felt the power in his hands. A feeling reserved for rulers, all at his fingertips, waiting for him to shape it. 

He gripped his arms, his fingers digging into his skin as he steadied his breathing, allowing the moment to sink in. His gaze swept over the assembled shinobi, their faces largely obscured in the dim light of the torches. The darkness made it difficult to gauge their exact numbers, but their presence was undeniable.

Turning his gaze, he scanned the faces to his side, searching for someone he knew well, someone who had always stood by him. It didn't take long before one shinobi stepped forward, as if reading the silent call. The man bowed slightly before speaking, his voice respectful. "Master.".

He met the shinobi's gaze gaze with a brief, steady look, "From now on," he said, his voice calm, "Kartiga, that was your master's name.".

The shinobi nodded, acknowledging the name with a quiet, "Yes, Master.".

Kartiga smiled. For the past month, they had all used common names, but that time was gonna change. Now, they needed to know his real name. Even though this would be just one of the few names he would have in the future, it felt important.

He murmured to himself, "Kartiga, am I?" His gaze turned to the sky as he thought of his old name, feeling uncertainty. But when he looked back at the gathered shinobi, he thought of something else.

He eyed them closely, considering the vast number that now stood ready to follow him. It was a force that could be wielded effectively, but he recognized the need for structure. While they were well-coordinated in their actions, he understood that without a clear command, their potential could easily dissipate. Thus, he made a decision: he would assign a captain among them.

This captain would serve as a bridge between him and the ranks, someone who could lead them more effectively, utilizing their strengths and managing their weaknesses. He instructed, his tone clear and expectant, "Choose a captain among yourselves.".

Silence remain over the group, and no one stepped forward. Only the shinobi who had spoken with him earlier remained steady, his calm gaze meeting Kartiga's without flinching. 

Kartiga failed to hide his surprise. He had interacted with this man more than the others, and now it seemed he was the hidden captain among them, a fact that intrigued him. Kartiga nodded approvingly, recognizing the quiet strength in the shinobi's demeanor.

Kartiga nodded with approval. "Good," he said, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "From now on, you'll be known as Kai." He paused for a moment. "And you will serve me closely."

Kai bowed respectfully. "Understood, Master," he replied. 

Kartiga took a deep breath. The decision was made, but now it was time to deal with the real reason he was called out here tonight. The cold air bit at him, and vapor escaped his mouth with each breath. He wasn't going to stay in these woods for long.

"Now then," he said, his face calm, trying to hide the growing irritation about cold. "What's the urgent matter?"

Kai wasted no time, his voice steady and direct, "We need to leave Heart's Home."

Kartiga's complexion changed instantly. He hadn't been planning to leave their current home so soon, let alone abandon it entirely. He had expected something else—perhaps news of tribes or a anything else—but not this.

"Why?" Kartiga asked, confused.

Kai's kept his gaze. "Tribes have formed alliances among themselves. They are aware of our existence, even though they don't know who we are or what our motives are."

Kartiga's mouth opened slightly in disbelief. "How would they know?" he muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.

Kai's voice lowered, almost a whisper, as if admitting a failure. "We lost the element of secrecy, Master. We left behind witnesses.".

Kartiga cursed under his breath, "Fu*k," and quickly covered his mouth, realizing he'd spoken out loud. He took a step forward, shaking off his frustration. "Why are we leaving then?" he asked, his tone more controlled.

Kai followed him, speaking calmly. "They've been raiding villages. It won't be long before they raid Heart's Home."

Kartiga ran a hand through his hair, his thoughts spinning. His kindness had backfired. Now, because of his choice, more innocent people would be dragged into this conflict. It made him sick.

He stopped, kicking a rock away in frustration. His mind wandered to the raiders—the savages who had been attacking nearby villages. He had stayed in Heart's Home for over a month, trying to keep it peaceful, but now he couldn't even imagine the villagers being attacked, their homes burned. He couldn't let that happen.

He thought about the Lords of the Vale. They wouldn't stay quiet, he believed. They would act to protect their land.

With a sharp turn, he asked Kai, his voice urgent, "What has been the nobles' response?"

Kai's face remained impassive as he answered, "There is another matter, Master."

Kartiga raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Kai hesitated before speaking. "Lord Arryn is dead."

Kartiga's eyes widened for a moment before his lips curled into a bitter smile. "Great," he muttered, a touch of sarcasm in his tone. "Just what we need.".

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Guys, I was curious about how the MC would deal with this situation. What do you think?

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