ARTHUR MOVED SWIFTLY after leaving the estate. He knew the country's storage facilities were vital, especially given the recent disruptions. Without food reserves, the people would suffer, and that could destabilize the entire region.
So he headed straight for the storage yard, which was not far from the estate. The place was a mix of raised granaries and underground pits, designed to protect their crops and foodstuffs from pests and the weather. It was a typical setup, straightforward but functional.
Already he began a quiet scan of the area. The storage was well-maintained, divided into sections for rice, grains, and preserved foods. This made sense considering what time period he was in.
As he took in the scene, he noticed a worker sitting at a nearby table, seemingly lost in thought. This was perhaps the one in charge. After finding a needful object close by, Arthur knew that this was his opportunity to strike. So he snuck into where the main food storage was located.
'Black lightning: drilling hand of sage lightning…'
A crackling noise quickly filled the air as a bolt of energy surged from Arthur's hand and pierced the unit nearby.
The worker jumped up, startled and confused. Chaos erupted suddenly. Flames burst from the storage units, billowing smoke into the sky. The worker's eyes widened in shock, and he bolted outside, shouting for help. The villagers nearby also rushed over, but none of them had the ability to control chakra. Their skills were limited to basic tools and manual effort.
Some tried to beat out the flames with buckets of water, but it was clear they had no chance. The fire spread quickly, consuming the stored food, and the crowd grew frantic.
"We need help from the emperor!" one of the villagers yelled.
"Call the monks quick!"
Another responded, "I shall!" He ran off, leaving the others to try and contain the fire with what little they had. But it was no use. It would take at least half an hour for any trained monk or chakra user to arrive—if they arrived at all.
The villagers watched in horror as more than forty percent of their stored food was consumed by flames.
Arthur observed the scene quietly, but inwardly, he was calculating. The chaos was, in a way, deliberate. He had created the fire as a catalyst: an act of order out of chaos. It was problem, reaction, solution—the same method secret governments used to control the masses on earth.
The villagers' panic was predictable, and their inability to control chakra left them helpless. The delay in help was also predictable. This was simply all a calculated move, designed to push the authorities into a corner and allow Arthur to be their only hope.
As the villagers trembled, some wept quietly, fearing the repercussions. The loss of food meant potential starvation, and they knew the emperor's judgment could be harsh if they failed to protect their supplies.
Just then, Arthur stepped forward in his normal form. His face was expressionless as he performed a technique.
'Water style: water waves…'
His chakra surged, causing a stream of water to erupt from his mouth before shooting out like a jet. The water hit the flames directly and smothered them rapidly. And before anyone knew it, the fire was extinguished in moments, leaving only smoke and charred remains.
The crowd erupted into cheers and voices full of gratitude.
"Thank you, oh thank you, kind child!" someone called out, bowing deeply.
Others nodded or clapped since they were relieved that the disaster had been averted. Arthur himself remained still as he watched them. The real significance of his actions wouldn't be apparent yet, so he waited.
About thirty minutes later, two monks finally arrived at the scene. The one in charge of the facility hurried to them.
"I am truly sorry," he said, bowing deeply. "A fire appeared out of nowhere. We have no idea how it started." He then looked at Arthur. "If not for this child's quick action, much of our stored food would have been lost. We would have faced famine."
The monks were amazed upon hearing this fact. Few children in this land could use ninshū, much less with such skill. They were clearly interested in him and what techniques he knew.
"We wish to speak with him," one of the monks said.
As such, the worker led them to where Arthur was standing outside the storage yard. When the monks saw that Arthur was indeed a child, they looked at each other with surprise. Then their questions poured out: how he learned to use ninshū, where he came from, and what powers he possessed.
Arthur answered straightforwardly by explaining that he was a wanderer and that he had learned some techniques along the way. His tone was unassuming, and his words carried weight. Even the monks' respect grew with each answer.
If they had known Arthur's entire background, they might have been terrified or even tried to imprison him. Instead, they only saw a child who had saved their food supplies and many from a potential famine. Needless to say, they were in awe.
One of the monks finally spoke, "We must report this to the emperor. He needs to know what has happened here and who you are."
He then instructed Arthur to wait as they sent a messenger bird. The bird quickly took flight, searching for the emperor. The wait was tense. No one spoke much as they tried to discover the root cause of the fire. And to their surprise, they discovered an oil lamp by their largest containment—the needful object planted by Arthur prior.
Thirty minutes later, the messenger bird returned. The reply was clear: the emperor himself wished to see Arthur. That was the result Arthur had been hoping for. His plan had worked without shedding any blood. Now, he had the opportunity to speak directly with Ardian, the ruler of this land.
As the monks prepared to escort him, he was already considering what questions would be asked and how to answer them.
The journey to the palace was swift. Arthur and the monks moved along a well-maintained path. And when they finally arrived, he was led to a small courtyard where the emperor awaited.
The yard was filled with other monarchs, the chamberlain, the treasurer, and the chancellor of the country. Four monks also stood nearby, standing straight and alert—acting more as guards than servants. Arthur kept his head lowered, respecting the customs. It was the simplest way to show humility and respect, and he knew that even in this time period, such gestures mattered.
The emperor greeted him with a calm smile, addressing him as "the brave child who saved our food stores." Arthur responded with a nod, acknowledging the title.
"Are you aware of how many lives you have saved?"
"Nay, your majesty, for I was simply doing my duties."
Such a response caused the emperor's smile to deepen. Even the other monarchs could see how much approval was in his eyes. Then he said, "Your actions have earned you much favour. I wish to show my gratitude. Please, speak your request, and I will use all of my power to grant it."
Arthur looked up, meeting Ardian's gaze. He kept his tone respectful as he said, "If the emperor insists, I request the right to dig beneath the land freely."
There were quick murmurs as Ardian's expression slightly shifted.
"Why do you seek to dig under our land?" he carefully asked.
"There are many reasons, but I prefer not to trouble your court with details."
In truth, Arthur's reason was simple: since he found no remnants of the tree above ground, he intended to look further beneath the surface. Of course, he could have buried without permission, but that would invite unwanted attention; he preferred to dig undisturbed.
Ardian's face grew pale.
"That is a difficult request," he said. "Our land is sacred, and I cannot grant such permission lightly. Doing so would dishonour our ancestors' wishes, for the ground beneath our feet is tied to the vows of our forefathers."
At that, the head monk stepped forward and asked, "What is your true motive, wanderer? Why does a child seek to disturb the sacred grounds?"
Arthur met the monk's gaze and simply replied, "Although I be a child, I enjoy hunting treasure. I search for items of value—artifacts, relics, anything that might help me understand this world better. I do not mean harm, as I only seek to find what is hidden beneath."
The monk's eyes narrowed slightly, but Ardian raised a hand to stop him. Then the emperor looked at Arthur with a thoughtful expression and declared, "Head monk, Jigen, please do not press our guest further. His heroic act has already saved us from famine. Without him, our land would have suffered greatly."
At those words, Jigen retreated his steps. The moment was over, and Arthur's mind turned inward, repeating the name. Jigen. The head monk. The name didn't ring a bell, and he felt no particular sense of familiarity to it; yet, something about him seemed important, even dangerous.
Ardian's voice broke his train of thought. "Since I cannot grant you access to our sacred grounds, I will offer you something else. There were treasures left behind by those who once helped heal this land. I will give you that instead."
Arthur's interest sharpened. He guessed the emperor was referring to the legendary figures who had contributed to their past. Such as Asura Ōtsutsuki. The idea of receiving something from such a character almost seemed tempting.
How could Arthur not say no?
As Ardian gestured to Jigen, the monk casually walked to his side. The conversation between the two was brief but purposeful. And when it ended, Jigen's role was clear: he was to escort Arthur to a hidden chamber beneath the estate where an underground vault held Arthur's reward.
Ardian was the first to depart, allowing everyone else in the courtyard to do the same.
Arthur followed silently behind Jigen as he considered things. He could have honestly manipulated or deceived his way into gaining access—using illusions, threats, or violence—but that wasn't always the best method. To gain here, he needed understanding, influence, and control.
The emperor's offer was a step in that direction.
"The emperor has also instructed me to teach you," Jigen said as he led Arthur through a series of corridors.
"Has he now?" Arthur asked with a little amusement in his tone.
"Indeed… Your majesty has taken a liking to you, and he wishes for you to become part of his guards."
Flattery was always a tool, and Arthur knew well enough how to read behind the words.
"Why would the emperor want a child like me to join his guards?" Arthur probed.
"Because he sees potential in you. A child possessing ninshū, while doable, is rare in these parts. Your majesty also values strength and loyalty—qualities you have shown. Perchance he believes you could serve his land well, or maybe he simply wishes to keep you close."
Arthur did consider this, but he knew that getting too close to the emperor this early would not benefit him much. He wasn't about to accept or reject so quickly; he was here to play the long game.
"Allow me to think on this matter," he replied.
"Very well," Jigen said, respecting the decision as the two passed by a hidden passage. "We're almost there."
It wasn't long until they reached a concealed door carved into the stone. Jigen approached and placed a hand on the seal that covered the vault. No wonder Arthur hadn't detected it earlier. Such seals were only accessible to those with knowledge of their creation.
Truly, those with chakra in this time period were quite cunning.