Dawn arrived with a gentle golden glow filtering through the trees. Akihiro, still awake, watched the scene with a certain weariness. He had spent the night on guard, always vigint, and was far from his best state.

  —Should I wake the others? —Hiroshi asked, his voice heavy and his face showing exhaustion, as if he might colpse at any moment from accumuted fatigue.

  —Do it —Akihiro replied, stretching and loosening his stiff muscles. He gnced toward the carriage, where the target still slept soundly.

  Hiroshi approached and began waking Miyuki and Aiko. Aiko took a bit longer to get up, while Miyuki rose without trouble, efficiently organizing the equipment and preparing to resume the mission. Akihiro joined her, helping check the gear, while Hiroshi struggled to stay upright. The group worked quickly, and in no time, everything was ready. It was then that Aiko approached with a smile.

  —I brought food —they said, handing out some rice rations. Even though the food was simple, Akihiro felt grateful; at that moment, it was the best they could hope for.

  They sat in a circle and ate together. When they finished, Miyuki got the group’s attention.

  —Remember —she said seriously—, we’re outside the vilge. Keep your eyes open and don’t separate.

  Everyone nodded, taking the warning very seriously. As ninjas, they knew the dangers lurking beyond the vilges: rogue ninjas, chakra beasts, and even worse threats. Staying together was essential to return alive.

  With their stomachs full and some energy recovered, the group packed up and prepared to move out again.

  —Ready? —Miyuki asked, taking the lead to guide the way.

  —Ready —they replied in unison. They set off, venturing deeper into the forest, where the path narrowed and became harder to navigate. Akihiro tried to stay alert, attentive to every shadow and strange sound.

  The main road was in poor condition, full of obstacles and natural traps. Suddenly, Miyuki raised a hand in a signal to stop. The eyes of Aiko, Akihiro, and Hiroshi sharpened, preparing for any threat, and they continued cautiously.

  At that very moment, three figures emerged from the trees: bandits with covered faces, armed with knives. The leader, a burly man, stepped forward with a sneering grin.

  —Hand over what you’re carrying, and maybe we’ll let you go!

  Without wasting time, Miyuki drew a kunai and threw it precisely at the leader, piercing his forehead and taking him down instantly. The two remaining bandits cried out in arm at the cruel fate of their boss.

  —Shit, they’re ninjas! Everyone, attack! —one of them yelled, and immediately, a rain of arrows came down on the group.

  Miyuki reacted swiftly, performing a series of hand signs.

  —Wind Style: Defensive Gale Jutsu! —she shouted, creating a gust of wind that deflected all the arrows.

  —A wind ninjutsu… —Hiroshi murmured, drawing a kunai.

  Without pausing, Miyuki made a final sign and vanished in a fsh.

  —Body Flicker Jutsu? —Aiko whispered, amazed at the almost instantaneous speed of the jutsu.

  The sound of cshing weapons and cries of pain echoed through the forest. Akihiro, still in shock, noticed that the two remaining bandits were charging at them.

  —No matter how good these ninjas are! In the end, they’re just stupid kids. Let’s capture them and get that brat! —one of the bandits roared, as the other also prepared to attack.

  Akihiro felt a cold sweat run down his back, but despite his nerves, he managed to grip his kunai and ready himself. Aiko, already holding a kunai, took a defensive stance. Hiroshi, despite his exhaustion, stood firm, determined to fight.

  —Aiko, watch out! —Akihiro shouted as one of the bandits lunged at them with a raised knife.

  Aiko reacted quickly, dodging the attack with an agile move and countering with a kick to the bandit’s stomach, making him fall to his knees with a groan of pain. Without losing a second, Akihiro faced the other bandit. They had likely underestimated Aiko because of their appearance, assuming they were the weakest.

  With swift and precise movements, Akihiro blocked the bandit’s strikes with his kunai, aiming to disarm his opponent. He had trained countless times with Miyuki and his companions, and facing a bandit without ninja skills wasn’t a major challenge.

  —Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu! —Hiroshi performed the signs and unleashed a jutsu, sending a fireball that nded near his enemy. Despite being mentally and physically drained, his talent for fire ninjutsu was impressive, and the attack managed to divert the bandit’s attention.

  Taking advantage of the opportunity, Akihiro sshed the bandit’s arm holding the weapon, who let out a scream of pain before receiving a strong punch to the stomach, knocking them unconscious. Miyuki reappeared just then, having taken down the hidden enemies.

  —You all did well. But this isn’t over yet. Tie up the surviving bandits —she ordered, handing them some ropes.

  The group quickly split up and tied up the remaining bandits. Now that the immediate danger had passed, they noticed the enemy group was rge: at least twenty bandits, with only five surviving.

  With the bandits captured and the immediate threat dissipated, the forest fell into a tense silence, broken only by the group's heavy breathing. Akihiro dropped to his knees, feeling the tension leave his body. Aiko wiped the sweat from their brow, while Hiroshi, with trembling hands, sat down on the ground.

  Miyuki inspected the perimeter one st time before returning.

  —Good job, everyone. You did quite well for your first real fight —she said with a slight smile.

  Akihiro looked up.

  —Thanks… We couldn’t have done it if you hadn’t kept the hidden bandits at bay.

  She shook her head.

  —Don’t worry about it. In the end, I’m your protector. But we need to stay alert. There could be more groups of bandits.

  Aiko took a deep breath upon hearing this. Although the battle hadn’t been physically draining, it had been mentally exhausting.

  —Yes, but… can we take a moment? —Hiroshi managed a smile—. Just a moment. I don’t want to go another night without sleep.

  They ughed briefly, relieved. After ensuring no one was injured, they picked up their weapons and finished packing. Akihiro looked at the captured bandits.

  —What will we do with them?

  —We’ll hand them over to one of the cities, and the Daimyo will take care of everything. We just have to focus on our mission —Miyuki answered. —Ready to move on?

  —We barely got any rest… —Hiroshi muttered as he stood up.

  Luckily, they weren’t attacked for the rest of the day.