C12 The Law of the Jungle

Two ninja silhouettes darted through the branches of the vast, primeval forest. It was none other than Ye Fenng and Ms. Kurenai.

"Ms. Kurenai, traveling like this is incredibly dull," Ye Fenng remarked with a hint of complaint.

Back when he watched anime in his previous life, he never thought much of it, but now that he was actually living the experience, he understood the feeling all too well. Constantly on the move, always vigilant for ninja ambushes, his mind was perpetually on edge. Time seemed to stretch on endlessly in boredom.

"A true ninja must endure what ordinary people cannot," Ms. Kurenai responded, glancing at the young man. "Consider it part of your mental fortitude training."

Since they were on a mission, she was determined to properly mentor Ye Fenng, without cutting him any slack.

Ye Fenng simply shook his head and fell silent once more. The quiet settled back in as they pressed on with their journey, the soft whistle of the wind the only sound accompanying them.

As evening approached, they finally halted beside a river. Ms. Kurenai expertly retrieved two small tents and some rations from a spatial scroll.

"This is dinner?" Ye Fenng asked, eyeing the biscuits and water Ms. Kurenai had produced, his voice laced with resignation.

"What else?" she replied, turning to face her young apprentice with a teasing smile.

He clearly still had much to learn; even his eating habits were fussy, hardly befitting a ninja. Ms. Kurenai silently lamented this fact.

"I really don't want to eat just this," Ye Fenng muttered, shaking his head in protest.

Without another word, he stripped down to his undergarments and plunged into the river. A quick glance had revealed plenty of fish—ideal for a more satisfying meal.

Watching the boy's form cutting through the water, Ms. Kurenai couldn't suppress a chuckle. To think a ninja on a mission would still be keen on catching fish for dinner—it was amusing and somewhat endearing.

Time passed, and a small campfire began to crackle, sending up curls of smoke. Ye Fenng expertly threaded the cleaned fish onto skewers.

"Just a little longer, Ms. Kurenai," he called out, signaling that dinner would soon be ready.

Ye Fenng offered a slight smile, speaking in a gentle voice, "Okay."

Ms. Kurenai responded softly.

As she gazed at Ye Fenng's earnest profile, she found herself momentarily entranced.

Sigh, though he was still quite youthful, his face was truly captivating.

How could there be such a beautiful... boy in this world?

After a short pause, he said, "Here, Ms. Kurenai, this skewer is for you. It's been a while, but I think the flavor should still be good."

Ye Fenng murmured quietly to himself. Back in the orphanage, to improve his meals, he often fished in the river.

Cursed system, not granting any newbie benefits.

Life in Kunoha had been incredibly frugal.

"Mmm, this is really tasty," Ms. Kurenai commented, her eyes narrowing slightly in pleasure.

The fish was perfectly smooth and tender, its aroma enticing, rich yet not oily.

"Fenng, did you catch fish often?" Ms. Kurenai inquired gently, propping her head on one hand while holding the grilled fish with the other, casually reclining on the ground.

"Yes," Ye Fenng replied softly, taking another bite of fish.

"Did your mother teach you? You're quite adept."

Ms. Kurenai asked offhandedly.

"A family member? No, not that," Ye Fenng paused, then added with a touch of self-mockery, "Ms. Kurenai, I was raised in an orphanage."

His voice was devoid of both happiness and sadness.

Ms. Kurenai turned to look at him.

A complex emotion flickered through her blood-red eyes as she observed the boy's stoic expression.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

She extended her hand as if to tousle his hair but hesitated, leaving it hanging in the air.

"Don't worry, Ms. Kurenai," Ye Fenng reassured her with a carefree smile, gently grasping her suspended hand. "I've long since adapted. It's really nothing."

"I'm living a happy life," he continued, "with goals to strive for and people to protect. There's no reason for sadness."

Holding Ms. Kurenai's soft hand, Ye Fenng spoke as if to himself, while in the soft glow of the firelight, Ms. Kurenai remained silent, lost in thought.

"Do you want the last skewer?"

"Thank you, Fenng."

...

It was tedious.

The monotonous week of travel finally came to an end.

Ye Fenng and Ms. Kurenai at last reached the Fallen Leaf Village on the border of the Fire Country.

Though it was a village, it paled in comparison to Kunoha.

The entire village had just over a hundred households, with houses that looked like relics from centuries past, dilapidated and crumbling.

"Lord Ninja, you must save us!"

"Those heartless people have already killed more than fifty of our villagers..."

The elderly village chief said, his face streaked with tears and mucus.

Seeing Ye Fenng and Ms. Kurenai, adorned with Kunoha forehead protectors, the villagers wept and nearly fell to their knees in gratitude.

"Enough with the tears," Ye Fenng said bluntly. "We're here for the bounty, not out of pity for you."

He felt no compassion for the plight of the village.

In any world, the survival of the fittest was an inescapable truth.

Before long, Ye Fenng and Ms. Kurenai set out to locate the thieves' hideout.

"Fenng, you were quite harsh with the villagers earlier," Ms. Kurenai whispered, gazing at the young man's stoic profile.

"Don't start, Ms. Kurenai," Ye Fenng cut her off, gesturing dismissively. "Kunoha's indoctrination doesn't work on me."

His voice was steady, betraying no emotion.

"Every disadvantage in this world stems from one's own weakness," he continued. "It's the same for Fallen Leaf Village as it is for Kunoha. Isn't the perpetual war in the Ninja Realm due to this very fact? The strong ninja villages always come first, while the weaker ones are left at the mercy of others. The law of the jungle is an unalterable truth."

Ye Fenng spoke with a detachment that left Ms. Kurenai without a retort.

Could such piercing insights truly come from someone so young? Ms. Kurenai wondered silently, her expression a mix of emotions.

She watched Ye Fenng's retreating figure, her brows knit together in thought.

Ms. Kurenai had truly underestimated her disciple.

Ye Fenng, also known as Uesugi Fenng.

Soon, the entire Ninja Realm would tremble at the mention of this young man's name.