The squad escorted the merchant out of the gate.
Dante and Remi checked in with the guards, it was a part of the program to monitor the kids that would go out with ninja.
Once the were cleared, they quickly caught up to the group.
It was just the merchant and the squad.
Dante was initially confused, as to why the merchant didn't have a carriage.
Until he remembered, sealing scrolls.
With sealing scrolls, the merchant only had to make sure he was safe.
As long as he didn't get robbed or killed he would be able to continue his trade.
It was a part of the contract to not ask about the merchants business, but if they were attacked, the merchant would have to tell them what he was carrying.
After walking for an hour, Dante had an idea.
He signaled Remi to his side.
I have an idea.
Once we get close to Telen, you guys stay with the merchant and I'll go find the bandits.
If I find them, I'll take care of them.
Dante, that's a bad idea...
I can't allow that, you're still an academy student. If anything happens to you, we'll get in serious trouble.
Come on Remi, the merchant wants to return by four days, including today. So that gives us about two days to find the bandits and exterminate them.
We'll have to split up if we want to get both the missions done within the timeframe.
Besides, I can take out a few bandits.
I can't allow it Dante, what if there's a chunin level bandit amongst them? An rogue ninja.
I think I'll be fine as long as imthere isn't a jonin or multiple chunin .
Remi didn't know if she should believe him.
Dante, I'll admit the window of time we have to exterminate the bandits isn't ideal, and even though you say you can handle them.
I haven't seen your strength, so I can't be sure.
Once we get close to Telen, I'll have Issa scout for the bandits. If she finds them you and Kay stay with the merchant. Issa and I will handle the bandits.
Come on Remi, at least let me participate in the bandit extermination. Otherwise how will you know I'm capable of taking care of myself?
Besides, I'm faster than anyone in the squad.
Why do you think that?
Oh, that's simple.
You're squad works on teamwork. Manipulating the enemy into traps. Trying to get them with one of your clan jutsu.
I on the other hand do my best work solo.
At the academy, they trained us to rely on teamwork, but that never was my way of doing things.
To be honest, if I could skip being a genin, I would.
My jutsu aren't exactly team friendly. One wrong step and I could end up killing a teammate.
I realized that ever since the attack on the senju compound.
Your jutsu? What's your jutsu? Is it a fire release jutsu?
Didn't your clan head inform you?
No.... He just told me to do as you said yesterday and to report back to him.
Oh, and your brother didn't tell you?
No, he didn't say anything about you to me.
I see....
Well, since I'm joining your squad. I'll tell you a bit about my bloodline.
As you can see, my body's gone through a small change...
Remi looked up at him squinting her eyes.
Ok, fine. A big change.
It's part of my bloodline, as I mentioned before.
The other part of my blood line it's my Light Release.
Essentially, I shoot out light beams that burns through my targets. Skin, muscle and bones. Once my jutsu hit, they all disappear and there is no recovering what's been disintegrated.
At least no normal way or recovery.
Light Release.... Can you show me?
I can, but not here.
If word spreads about me outside the village. With my current power, I end up in the bingo book.
So I want to reduce the amount of time it'll take to spread outside of the village.
That makes sense...
Kay walked over.
We need to pick up the pace, we won't have enough time for the bandit extermination at this rate he said to Remi.
What do you mean Kay? We be at Telen by tomorrow evening at the latest.
That will give still leaves us two days to scout them out and exterminate them.
The client wants to get to Telen by tonight. What about the contract? I already mentioned it to him, but he said if we can get the mission done earlier, he'll give us a bonus.
Damnit Kay, don't tell me you already agreed...
Ok, I won't tell you, but we really need to get to Telen by tonight....
How are we supposed to do that? We'll have to run at full speed. Can the merchant keep up?
He's a regular civilian, no ninja training and didn't unlock his Chakra.
I can carry him, said Kay.
Kay, if you carry him. You won't be able to keep up, you're the slowest one already without extra weight.
Dante was listening to the conversation.
I can carry him said Dante.
Remi and Kay looked at him.
What? Kay already agreed to his request.
So we have to do it. Besides I can carry him and I won't fall behind.
Let's just give it a try. If I get tired or start falling behind, Kay can take over.
Ok... Fine. Responded Remi.
Here Kay, carry my swords.
Dante walked up to the merchant and explained what was happening. The merchant was a little freaked out over Dantes appearance, but he wasn't too bothered by it and he didn't have a problem being carried.
The merchant jumped on Dantes back and once everyone was ready, they started running.
Dante was slowed down a bit by the merchant but Everytime he fell behind he would body Flicker ahead.
Everyone was surprised. Especially the merchant, he didn't expect the sudden burst of speed.
After a couple hours, the sun was starting to set.
Dante was staring to get tired, but he kept going. Everyone followed close behind.
Another hour later, Dante stopped.
He put the merchant down.
They were close to Telen, they could see the village houses and the small walls.
Dante was breathing a bit heavy.
Dante, are you alright? Asked Remi.
Yeah, I just need to catch my breath.
Look we made it, Telen is just up ahead. Dante said as he pointed towards the village.
Remi, Issa and Kay all looked over.
Alright let's walk the rest of the way, Dante try to recover by the time we reach the gate.
Here Dante, Kay said as he handed him the swords.
Dante took them and strapped them to his back.
Then they all walked towards the gate.
The merchant looked pleased, they had actually made it to Telen early.
At the gate, Dante noticed the guards. They were normal people, with very little chakra.
They wielded basic spears.
The merchant went up to them presented identification. The guards looked at Dante and the rest. When their eyes landed on the leaf headbands, they let them all in.
Dante was let in too, only because he was with leaf ninja.
Alright, merchant. Where are we staying tonight?
There is an inn this way, we'll all stay there for tonight and tomorrow.
They followed the merchant to an inn. Inside the merchant payed for two rooms. One for himself and one for Dante and the others.
They walked to the rooms, they were next to each other.
Remi, Dante, Issa and Kay all walked into the room provided for them.
Inside, Dante layed on a bed.
There were two beds in the room.
Remi then spoke up.
Ok, so we have until tomorrow night to find and kill the bandits.
So, we'll rest tonight and tomorrow Issa and I will go out and search for them. Dante and Kay, you two stay by the merchant and try to get some info about the bandits from the villagers.
Dante didn't like the orders, but he had to follow them.
After all Remi is the leader of the squad, disobeying orders will get you in some serious trouble.
We'll take turns keeping watch, I'll keep watch first said Remi.
After me it will be Issa then Kay and Dante last.
After Remi was done giving orders Dante directly fell asleep on the bed he was on.
Issa and Kay had to share the other bed, Dante was taking up most the bed and Issa didn't want to be near him because of what happened earlier.
The night continued.
Once it was Dante's turn, he was woken up by Kay.
Hey, Dante wake up. Kay shoved Dante a little bit to wake him up.
Dante was waking up, he was still half asleep and turned over.
When he did, he grabbed on to something.
After a couple seconds, he woke up. Opening his eyes, he saw the back of someone's head, they had blonde hair.
Dante's eyes went wide. He then noticed he was hugging this person.
There was only one person here with blonde hair.
Dante sprang up off the bed. Remi didn't wake up, she just turned over.
Kay, watched on amused.
Dante then heard Kay whisper.
Hey Dante, why did you jump off so fast?
Haven't you been enjoying each other's company all night.....
I was just surprised, is all.
Oh, I think she would be too Kay said, while he signaled Dante to look down.
Dante looked down, and quickly tried to cover himself with his hand.
Relax kid, I've been through that phase already. Your body's reaction is natural. Just sit here and keep watch. Issa and Remi will wake up in about two hours, they will leave early to scout for the bandits.
After two hours, Issa woke up.
Dante was amazed, her internal clock was on point.
Upon waking up Issa put her vest and sandals on.
She then went over to Remi and woke her up.
Once they were both ready, they greeted Dante and left.
Dante waited another hour before waking up Kay.
They stepped outside and waited for the merchant.
They didn't wait long, the merchant stepped out five minutes later and they went outside.
Dante and Kay followed him all day. They would ask random passerbys about the bandits. Some said they had a base ten minutes to the north, others said their base was to the west. They even said they were ninja from another village.
No one was very helpful. Everyone said something different about the bandits but no one denied their existence.
Once the merchant was done for the day, the sun was setting.
They escorted the merchant back to the inn.
Dante and Kay walked inside their room, inside Issa and Remi were already there and they were injured.
What the fuck!! Kay quickly dashed toward them.
He went into his pouch and took out bandages.
What happened asked Kay.
We were ambushed. The bandit group has five high level chunin.
We managed to find their base. It's about thirty minutes from this town. It's a cave surrounded by a make shift fortress.
We were gathering Intel from two hundred feet away and after a couple hours, we were attacked.
They set up all around us, everywhere we went someone was already there.
We killed a few of them but then the five chunin arrived.
We retreated, but we were surrounded and the chunin weren't weak.
We tried to lose them in the forest, but in the end all we ended up doing was getting injuries.
They followed us to the village gates, attacking us at every opportunity.
Issa was passed out, she was bleeding from what looked like everywhere.
There wasn't a spot on her that wasn't bloody.
Remi looked the same, but she was still conscious.
Just as Kay was about to help Remi out of her flak jacket.
Take care of Issa first....
Kay paused for a second and just as he was going to Issa.
A light green glow came from Remi and Issa.
Kay quickly took out his kunai and assumed a fighting stance.
Relax Kay, we aren't under attack.
I just used my special jutsu on them, they should be healed soon.
Just as Dante was done speaking.
*Crash*Bang*
The window shattered and the door was broken through.
Two people entered through the door and two from the window.
Dante, Kay and Remi were all caught off guard.
Shuriken and kunai flew towards them, Kay reacted quicker than everyone else.
He quickly stepped in front of Remi.
He was hit with two shuriken to the chest, he blocked one kunai aimed at his head and another kunai stabbed into his stomach.
He managed to block the shuriken and kunai aimed at Remi.
Dante didn't react as fast.
One shuriken managed to cut his throat, one stuck into his chest above his heart.
One kunai aimed at his head bounced off his left horn and the last kunai stuck into the right side of his chest.
Before he knew it he had a sword going through his stomach as well.
He was stunned. In the moment he was stunned, he looked over at Kay.
Kay was fighting off one of the people.
They didn't wear a headband, so they weren't ninja.
The only possible explanation was bandits.
Remi was up on her feet fighting the other ninja.
Just as the last ninja was about to behead Dante.
He snapped out of it.
He angled his head down at the last moment.
*Ding*
The bandits sword bounced off Dantes left horn, it chipped his horn.
The bandit with his sword in Dantes stomach went for another slash with his second sword.
He aimed at Dantes right side, just above his hip, aiming to cut him in half.
Dante didn't have time to react. All he could think at the moment was to block.
Before the bandits sword cut Dante.
*Floosh*
It sounded like a bird had flapped its wings.
Dante's wings had appeared, his right wing moved to his right side faster than the sword was moving.
The bandits sword hit his wing, it cut into it with ease.
Dante yelled out in pain, no amount of adrenaline could supress the amount of pain breaking his wing caused.
He didn't harden it, he didn't have any time to think, all he could think was "block".
The two bandits were surprised for a second, they didn't expect to see someone grow wings in an instant.
Dante took the opportunity.
Light Release: Light bullet.
He shot a light bullet at the bandit with his sword in Dantes stomach.
The bandit didn't react in time, the light bullet traveled through his chest.
He coughed up blood instantly.
Keto!
The other bandit shouted.
The bandit "Keto" looked down and saw a bloody hole in his chest, then he collapsed.
Dante didn't wait after he shot the first shot.
He shot the other light bullet at the bandit fighting Remi.
Just before she was about to get stabbed through the throat.
Dantes light bullet appeared and hit the bandit on his shoulder.
Ughah!
Dante was aiming for his head but he moved before the light bullet made contact.
His sword moved past Remi's throat and dug into the floor.
Remi quickly kicked upward, hitting the bandit and pushing him back.
She managed to give herself some space.
She lunged towards the bandit with kunai's in hand.
The bandits sword was still in the ground, he had lost his grip when he took the light bullet to the shoulder.
He took out kunai's of his own, his right arm wasn't as responsive as his left.
Then he also lunged towards Remi.
They began another clash.
Dante didn't stop moving. After his light bullet hit the bandit fighting Remi, he drew his swords and retracted his wings.
His right wing didn't disappear, probably because it was broken.
The bandit regained his composure after he saw "Keto" die.
He swung his sword frantically.
Dante already had his swords drawn, parried the swing with his left sword.
He then stabbed with his right sword.
The bandit used the momentum from the parry and disengaged before he could get stabbed.
He jumped back outside of the door.
Dante followed him.
Kay was still fighting the bandit that attacked him.
He was getting slower the more the fight progressed.
He was bleeding profusely. The shuriken and kunai were still imbedded in him.
The bandit disengaged and looked around.
He saw one of his companions laying on the floor and another one fighting a losing kunai fight.
He saw Dante chasing another one of his companions outside the room.
He assessed the situation in a second.
They would have to retreat or go all out.
Just as he was about to make a decision.
Ahhh!
He heard someone scream, then.
Aggghhh.
Another scream, he looked over and saw the female ninja had stabbed her opponent.
The other scream sounded like it came from outside.
Just as he glance towards the door, something came flying in.
Or rather someone.
Dante and his opponent were outside.
All that was heard from their fight was metal hitting metal.
Although Dante had two swords, the bandit was much better with swords than him.
The bandit easily dodged and parried all of Dantes attacks.
He often found openings and counter attacked Dante.
Dante had cuts and stabs that weren't there whenever they were still in the room.
He was obviously outmatched and he knew it.
I'll have to catch him off guard somehow, then hit him with a light bullet.
Dante was trying to think of a plan mid combat.
The bandit saw an opportunity and cut Dante diagonally across his chest, then kicked Dante as hard as he could.
Dante screamed out in pain from being cut and was sent flying back into the room.
As Dante flew into the room, Remi's bandit opponent made a decision.
He threw his kunai and a couple shuriken at Remi.
Wind style: wind blade!
He shot out a wind blade at the incoming Dante.
Dante took the wind blade to the back.
Ahhh!
Remi dodged and blocked the kunai and shuriken thrown her way and looked over at Dante.
She saw the wind blade cut Dantes back open.
She quickly ran over to him.
The bandit called for a retreat, he picked up the fallen bandit and jumped out the window.
The other two bandits also fled.
The battle had ended.
Dante hit the floor and quickly tried to get up but he faltered.
Moving was painful, he looked around and saw the bandits really had fled.
He quickly took out the kunai and shuriken from his body and used Regen.
Then he took out the sword from his stomach.
Urraahhh.... Fuck!
Fucking shit...
Dante cursed as he pulled the blade out.
He looked around, Kay was on the ground.
He was injured in the surprise attack and after sustained more injuries from the bandit.
Remi looked tired, as if she would collapse at any moment.
Issa was still on the bed, her chest was moving so she was alright.
Remi, Kay.... I'll heal you guys up.
Take soldier pills, grab Issa and the merchant....and leave for the leaf tonight.
As Dante spoke, Remi collapsed on her knees and Kay was pulling out the kunai and shuriken.
Dante used his Regen on Remi, Kay, Issa and himself.
Regen didn't do anything about energy, if anything it would drain it.
After a round of Regen and some rest, Remi spoke up.
I agree, let's take soldier pills... Those bandits were strong...
Yea, only if you believe them to be bandits said Kay.
Dante used another round of Regen on everyone.
Then stood up.
His wing wasn't fully healed, broken bones took longer to heal.
Ahhhggg, fuck...
He tried moving it.
Kay stood up, his wounds were healed, no longer bleeding.
He reached in his pouch and took out soldier pills.
Here Dante, we have a long way to get home.
I'm not going with you all....
Remi stood up.
What are you saying? It was you who suggested we leave tonight.
It wasn't a suggestion, it's the only option.
We won't survive the night. They attacked us in the village...and no guards have shown up.
What are you saying Dante? You wanna stay behind?
We can't allow that, you're just a kid not even graduated yet.... We can out run them..
We can't Remi! Not with the merchant! And we can't abandon the mission!
Dante is right Remi, I agree.
Kay!! Despite his looks, he's still just a kid!!
I'm not saying we leave him, I'm saying I'll stay here and buy you guys as much time as I can... My wife, my daughter... Watch over them for me Remi...
You won't buy us enough time, there are too many of them and the strongest one amongst them didn't participate in the attack.
And what makes you think you can buy us time?
You're just a kid...
There isn't much time... We need to leave...
Dante looked at the soldier pill Kay had given him...
Give me more soldier pills... Issa won't be needing them.
Dante! You aren't staying!
I'm the squad leader, this is a direct order.
You will come with us, we will abandon both missions and report to the leaf!!
Remi... I already told you.. I'm not abandoning the missions...
Dante stared at Remi.
Kay, grab Issa and take your soldier pill.
Remi, take your pill too.
I'll go complete the bandit extermination mission and meet you at the leaf.
Dante used a Regen on issa one last time and then on himself.
He then started walking out, swords back onto his back.
Wait Dante, Kay spoke up.
.... Here... Take them.
We'll meet at the village, if you're not there by tomorrow... We'll come find you...
Dante took the pills.
Kay, what are you saying...
He's... He's... just a kid... Remi struggled speaking.
Her eyes were pouring out tears and her throat felt as though it was blocking up.
Dante kept walking out...
You'll be a great teacher... I know it...
Then Dante stopped just before he stepped outside of the room.
One more thing... Tell the old man.. the hokage, looks like I was all talk in the end. Haha.
And Remi...
You'll be a great teacher... I know it...
Remi and Kay watched Dante walk out.
They heard his foot steps slowly getting fainter, until they disappeared...
After a few seconds, Kay moved.
Remi, go get the merchant.
I'll carry Issa.
Remi stood there, tears still falling from her eyes.
Then, she moved.
She stepped outside.
As she was about to knock on the merchants door, it opened.
Alright, I'm ready.
No need to waste time on word, I heard the fight and the plan.
Kay then walked out with Issa on his back.
Remi spoke up. Let's go...
She then took a soldier pill and started running out, Kay and the merchant following behind.
As they ran past the gate, they saw dead guards, kunai and shuriken all over their bodies.
Once outside, they saw even more dead bodies. Only these looked like they were cut through...and there was hardly any blood around. Their wounds look to be cauterized.
Then, they heard faint noises in the distance.
Explosions and metal hitting metal.
Remi sped up.
The Kay yelled out, Remi!
Keep the pace, if you speed up the client won't be able to keep up.
Remi gritted her teeth and slowed down.
...
Once Dante was outside, he quickly ran to the gates.
There he saw dead guards. He quickly ran outside.
His wing was still healing, but he took out his other wing.
Once outside the gate.
He was met with a flurry of kunai and shuriken.
He quickly used his good wing and wrapped himself.
Ding Ding Ding
The shuriken and kunai bounced off as if they were hitting metal.
The bandits stopped the assault, confused by the sound.
Then... They saw a bright wave of light.
Light release: light wave
Some bandits tried to dodge, but they weren't ninja. These bandits were regular people.
Dante stood amongst all the bisected bandits, he heard screams. Some were still alive.
Then he ran into the forest.
After running for a minute.
He stopped abruptly and drew his swords.
Two bandits ambushed him from the top of a tree and another from behind him.
Using his good wing he blocked the two attacking from above and spun around and blocked the other bandit behind him.
After he blocked them all, he felt the earth shift beneath his feet.
He quickly jumped to his right.
The ground beneath where he was just at collapsed and a bandit jumped out.
As he saw the bandit coming out of the ground, he saw lights behind the bandit.
Then, a shuriken stuck into the ground, just missing his foot.
Shit, there are more.
Quickly getting up and dashing, escaping from the onslaught of kunai and shuriken.
Dante closed in on the enemy.
The two bandits that attacked from the top were surprised, Dantes wings were hard this time.
The disengaged and went back up on the trees hiding.
The bandit who attacked Dante from behind also disengaged after being blocked and ran behind a tree.
The bandit that jumped out of the ground had just landed as he saw Dante sprinting towards him.
Sword in hand, the bandit grinned, then laughed.
Hahahah, didn't you learn from our earlier clash? You're out matched, hahaha.
Dante didn't speak, he just attacked.
Swinging his sword.
Every one of his swings was parried and blocked.
The bandit was laughing and mocking Dante.
Hahaha, come on is this all you got? Man, leaf ninja sure are weak. Hahahah.
As he finished his mocking.
He parried Dantes swords, knocking them out of his hands.
Haha, I got you!!
Dantes swords were in the air as the bandits sword was stabbing towards his forehead.
Dante quickly ducked down arms outward.
The bandit saw the stance, Dante was going in for a grapple.
The bandit quickly shot up his knee.
Ahhhhhrrrrr!!!
The bandits leg was pierced through.
Dante had used his wing to pierce through the bandits leg.
From his knee, through his thigh up to his stomach.
The other bandits looked on from hiding.
As they saw Dante losing his swords and then Dante ducking, they expected to see his head kicked off.
Instead they saw their comrade getting pierced through and then they heard him scram in pain.
Wind style: wind blade
Eart release: rock bullet
Wind release: wind bullet
The bandits quickly cast jutsu, aiming at Dante.
Dante quickly jumped backwards, the wind bullet was the first to arrive, hitting the ground were he was just at.
The wind blade and the rock bullet were heading towards him, the bandits anticipated him jumping back.
Dante quickly ducked the wind blade mid air, just as the wind blade passed over his head.
He used his wings to block the rock bullet.
Thud!
The rock bullet hit Dantes wings mid air, sending him flying.
Dante hit a tree, bouncing off it.
He used his hand to quickly catch himself and launch himself further away.
The three bandits, gave chase as they saw Dante Dodge backwards.
One of them threw a kunaiand shuriken.
Earth style: rock bullet
Wind style: wind blade
As Dante launched himself backwards, he threw kunai and shuriken.
Ding
Ding
Ding
The kunai and shuriken were colliding mid air.
Dante Dodged the wind blades and the rock bullets.
Just as he landed on his feet.
Earth style: earth wall
He hit a wall behind him, as a wind blade headed his way.
At the same time, he saw a bandit out of the corner of his eye.
He had caught up to Dante.
Launching himself off a tree, he stabbed at Dante with two kunai in his hands.
*Triple cast*
Light style: light bullet
Dante shot a light bullet at the bandit closing in on him.
Then two more at the wind blade.
The bandit had felt that jutsu before, his shoulder still still had a hole in it.
He quickly kicked the ground, spinning to his left.
The light bullet passed by him.
He was still headed towards Dante.
The wind blade was cancelled by the light bullets, one bullet still heading towards the wind style user.
Thud
The bandit successfully stabbed Dante.
Dante reached out and grabbed one of the bandits hands, the other stabbing into his chest.
Dantes other hand was already in motion as he caught the bandits hand.
The bandit, being caught, tried kicking off of Dante, but his grip was too strong.
Dantes free hand came down on top of the bandits head.
The bandit blacked out.
Earth style: earth spikes
Huff Huff
The earth style bandit was breathing hard.
Dante pushed himself off the earth wall as spikes came out of it, before any of the spikes could hit him.
He used the unconscious bandit he was holding as a shield.
The spikes tore into the bandit, killing him.
The earth style bandit looked on as Dante used his comrade as a shield.
He looked over, to his other comrade.
The wind style user dropped to the floor, there was a hole in his head.
Just as the earth style bandit was about to flee.
*Gurgle* Gurgle*
Dante had appeared in front of him.
As Dante abandoned the bandit, being skewered by Earth spikes.
He body flickered towards the earth style bandit, appearing in front of him in an instant, he stabbed the bandit in the throat with a kunai.
He watched as the bandit suffocated to death on his own blood.
The bandit died with a surprised look on his face.
....
....