10: The First Real Threat
The village of Konoha was stirring under the morning sun. Birds chirped softly, merchants opened stalls, and shinobi walked the streets preparing for the day. Yet for Kanro Sasho, there was no peace.
The visions had grown stronger. Every night, the mark on his chest pulsed with a strange warmth, whispering words he could barely hear. "Trial… Danger… Path."
And last night's vision haunted him still: the battlefield, the cloaked figure with the mark, and the word "Trial."
Kanro felt a heaviness in his chest—a warning that danger was closer than ever.
---
The Warning Arrives
During morning training at the Ninja Academy, Instructor Yamato called Kanro aside. His expression was grave.
"Kanro… something unusual is happening near the village outskirts. Reports speak of strange chakra readings… and attacks by unknown shinobi."
Kanro frowned. "Do you think it's connected to the visions?"
Yamato didn't answer directly. "I want you to be careful. This may not be a normal mission. You need to be ready."
Kanro nodded, though inside he felt a mixture of anticipation and dread.
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The Mission
That evening, Kanro, Airi, and a small team of academy students were assigned to investigate the outskirts of Konoha.
The forest beyond the village was thick, filled with ancient trees whose roots curled like living things. Shadows moved strangely here, as if the trees themselves whispered secrets.
Kanro stayed close to Airi, his senses heightened. Every step felt heavy with unseen presence.
Suddenly, the team was ambushed. From the shadows, three cloaked figures emerged—silent, swift, and armed with glowing kunai.
Yamato shouted orders. "Defensive positions!"
But Kanro stepped forward, his Seer Path flaring. His vision expanded, threads of chakra and fate weaving around his mind like a map of the battle yet to come.
He moved first. A kunai came at him from the left. Kanro sidestepped before the strike began, countering with a kick that sent the attacker stumbling back. Another lunged at Airi—Kanro pushed her aside, blocking the blow and launching a swift counterattack.
The clash was fierce. Kanro moved like water—predicting, striking, avoiding. His Seer Path allowed him to see not just the movements of his enemies but the intent behind them.
But then… something shifted.
One of the attackers—taller, cloaked in darker fabric—stepped forward. The air around him seemed to thicken. His eyes glowed faint gold, and Kanro's chest burned where the mark lay.
The man spoke softly, but his voice carried a weight that seemed to echo in Kanro's mind.
"You walk a dangerous path, Kanro Sasho. The Paths awaken… and so do the watchers."
Before Kanro could react, the man vanished into shadow, leaving behind only a faint echo:
"Trial… begins."
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The Aftermath
The ambush ended quickly, but the team was shaken. Yamato gathered everyone.
"This wasn't random," he said grimly. "That was an organized attack. We need to find who's behind it."
Kanro stood silently, his mind racing. The man's words haunted him. The watchers… the trial.
Airi came to his side, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder.
"We'll face it together," she said softly.
Kanro glanced at her, a faint warmth rising in his chest despite the tension.
"Yes," he replied quietly. "Together."
---
A Growing Threat
That night, Kanro sat alone under the stars, the mark glowing faint gold. His thoughts were heavy.
The Path was awakening faster than he expected. And now, an enemy knew of it.
Somewhere far away, cloaked figures gathered in shadow, whispering together.
"The Seer walks forward. Let the trial begin."
Kanro clenched his fists. Deep down, he knew this was not the end—it was only the beginning of something far greater, far darker.