9 Tsumate Village Bushi.

*Clang* *Clang*

With a cold gaze and eyeing every moment, I looked over the two figures sparring against each other with furious swings. During the last two days these nine Ronin has been staying in our village, and forcing myself to watch their every action.

Despite my futile attempts to reason with Asa and prevent these Ronin from staying in our village, even temporarily, I understood that there was reason in the decision she made.

After all, even though I'm a shinobi, I haven't been able to defend all the villagers in the past. The painful reminder on the face of every child left without a mother.

We were in desperate need of protection, or at least some sort of shield that could buy me enough time to kill any threat if such was the case.

And in these two days, these ronin proved to be quite useful for the village. Although they mostly stayed on the outermost houses near the road, they've been helping repairing some houses, building back the fences around the farms and even brought some animals to be used as livestock.

Their hideous and awful pet also proved to be useful as the kids were able to run around without having to worry about some stray and wild animals from attacking them.

And all they asked in exchange was information and help with their dirty clothes. Which was baffling to be honest but we didn't minded since it was pretty much welcomed. A cheap bargain.

Though what encumbered me the most from relaxing was their presence. Although they helped the village and already stated their business, I couldn't help but doubt if that was all they wanted.

Usually we would welcome travellers and people that could help with the earnings in the village, but the current situation was anything but normal and there were far more dangers in letting strangers stay on our village, than the advantages of their presence.

'I wasn't able to sleep well these days.' I thought to myself while yawning.

Since I put myself the duty on watching over them, my sleep hours were cut shortly in just a handful hours throughout these two days.

It didn't helped that they seemed to be able to feel my presence when I tried to pry more information while hearing their conversations on their leader hut.

They were extremely suspicious yet there wasn't anything that could potentially led me to point a finger into it. It was frustrating to say the least.

Feeling a presence approaching, I glanced back briefly and saw the figure of Ryuuji walking towards me. 'Great, now the person who I wanted to talk with the most.' I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh of stress.

"How'd you say they fare against some Shinobi?" I heard his deep voice asking with genuine interest.

Tearing my gaze away from the two combatants, I looked over his figure who loomed a couple inches taller than me. He wasn't wearing the white armour I was accustomed to see him these last days, and was only in a white kimono. His medium length black hair was weaving freely under the slight breeze. His young yet mature face holding curiosity as he eyed me back.

"I can see how you were able to defeat those bandits so easily, I say they would fare well and probably survive the encounter of one clan member... A novice or a kid to be more exactly." I said to him with honestly.

His face morphed into a grin and as he let out a chuckle while saying to me "Well, isn't that good? At least we can say we have the fighting power of a clan member ourselves."

I looked at him from head to toes while snorting under my breath "The only thing that made those kids able to call themselves shinobi's is the never ending lack of adult members in clans."

"Kids or not, they are considered as Shinobi, so I think it doesn't change my previous statement." He answered back shortly with an amused tone.

I decided to remain silent while keep looking at the figures that never stopped sparring until now. Trying to discern how the small figure of "Beep", as he called himself, was able to hold so easily his ground against the heavy attacks from his teammate.

However, someone else didn't wanted to keep watching the fight as I heard him saying "You know, I get the reason why you're so wary of us, though that doesn't explain your attitude every time some of us talk to you with normalcy."

His words made me recall the few interactions between us the last two days. Begrudgingly accepting that he had some reason.

Nonetheless I looked at his eyes and answered to him "My attitude is neutral to all of you, after all I don't know any of you and in a couple of days I wouldn't see your faces anymore. So I don't think there's a reason to act so friendly and amiably with you all."

It was my honest feeling about it.

"Well... that seems a pity to me, but it's okay if you think so." Ryuuji answered me with pity on his face, though I could swear I saw something else on his eyes while he eyed me before.

He quickly changed to a grin and said to me "What do you think of a sparring session between you and us? We'd like to see first hand how big is the difference between us."

I raised a brow at his request and I couldn't help but mutter "Are you serious?" Only to see him nodding eagerly.

I let out a sigh and tried to reason with him "Look, even if I'm not the best Shinobi out there, I can still seriously injure you all, I was trained to kill, not to spar with someone."

Yet it seemed that my words only incensed him more, a larger grin appeared on his face and said to me "And I didn't expect less from you, c'mon, it's just a few rounds of sparring, see it as a personal request from me in exchange for my silence." He winked at me.

"And how exactly would you keep my secret by showcasing my Taijutsu abilities against you all?" I couldn't help but point out the flaw on his request.

His grin seemed to froze for a moment, only to let a sigh. He then tried to grab the sleeve of my kimono as I moved my hand hastily while raising a brow at him, questioning what he was doing.

Seeing my expression he looked me dead in the eye and just grabbed my sleeve while carrying me towards the direction of Masaru and Beep.

"Guys hold on a minute! We're going to spar with Mrs. Hatsune!"

I let out a groan of annoyance though I didn't stopped him once, 'Maybe I can let out some steam this way while also making sure to give them the message to don't try anything funny.' I reckoned to myself.

Both figures that were in the middle of a hard fight stopped short and looked towards our direction.

However, Beep used this distraction and without any compunction or hesitation placed his katana on Masaru's neck while saying with his familiar tone "Beep won! BEEP WON FOR THE FIRST TIME! BEEP IS THE STRONGEST SWORDSMAN BEEEEEEEEP"

For his part, Masaru only watched his companion for a few moments until a little anger overflowed from his composure.

"It's dishonorable to say you've won when the boss asked us to stop." As he said that, he quickly sheathed his greatsword, premeditatedly slamming the tip into the abdomen of Beep, who was luckily wearing upper body armor.

Beep fell to the floor while seemingly trying to gasp for air.

"That was shameless of you, Beep. At least have the decency to knock Masaru unconscious before trying to boast your victory." Ryuuji reprimanded him with a smile on his face as he let out my sleeve.

He then continue "Since you both were fighting, I'm going first here." He turned towards me and explained "You can choose to rest after each fight, we will only use wooden weapons since it could get dangerous."

As he finished that, he went towards the wall of the house one of their members were staying, a table was left there with various wooden weapons and other kind of stuff that I've never saw before.

I saw him grabbing a katana and a wakizashi and then eyeing me while asking "What's your weapon of choice?"

Although my weapon of choice was the kusarigama, I wasn't able to spot it on the table, so I went with the next thing I was accustomed that was on the table, "The ninjato would do it."

He nodded his head and with a swift motion, passed me the wooden ninjato. I didn't play with it like Ryuuji did and just waited for him on the middle of the "sparring ground".

As he made his way towards me, he said loudly for the few spectators that were around, mainly children's and a couple of elders that were crafting a few baskets while sitting on their houses.

"The first to disable or attack vital areas wins. Everything is allowed." And just a he finished that, he throws at me a pieces of dirt towards my face.

I just squirmed my eyes at his feint while maintaining my position.

With a decent speed, I saw him closing the distance, clearly not trying to have a tactical fight and going for a show. 'He's not taking it seriously.' I thought to myself while letting out a slight smile.

Resting his body on his left, then right legs, he tried to attack me. While I was about to prepare to simply block his attack, the playful smirk on his face vanished and with a complete change in his movements he stopped in two feet always from me.

Both his katana and wakizashi covering his posture.

A bit perplexed by the situation, I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and ask him "Why don't you attack me? I'm giving you first strike advantage."

He didn't answer me back with words but with small proving movements with his wakizashi. Though I didn't responded to them and just evade his efforts.

Just when I was about to try and attack him, I saw him moving his katana with a swift motion. While with his wakizashi he tried to force my movement into a position that would put me in a compromising position, his katana intended to finish me off.

Yet I looked through it and with a side step, I used my Taijutsu and appeared on his side, vanishing from my previous position and surprising him with my speed.

But his surprise didn't last long, I immediately attacked the side of his belly with a side kick, leaving him gasping for air and sending his body flying a few meters.

Although I tried to go easy on him, my kick carried enough force to incapacitate him completely. With a small hint of worry I said to him "Sorry, that was a little bit too much."

And tried to approach him. Yet he seemed to have enough force to raise his hand and motion me to stop.

I glanced towards Masaru and Beep who were silently watching everything without moving an inch, then glanced back at the figure of Ryuuji who could only let out groans and gasps.

A few moments laters he was able to voice out with a groan "...Don't worry, that's- huff-, exactly what I was looking for." He then gave me goofy smile and said "I guess that's your win, I would've be dead if that was a serious fight."

Closing my lips, I gulped down and snorted a little bit and said to him "I guess it is, I thought you would... Pose a little bit more of a fight, but I'm glad you're okay."

Ryuuji didn't seems to mind my words, and even nodded at them while saying "Well, I thought the same, guess there's still a gap left for me before I can even stand ground against you."

We then heard the chuckle from the side and Masaru said with a boisterous tone "Boss you should first try to beat me before saying such things hehehe"

Both Ryuuji and I turned and glanced towards him and Beep, with the latter nodding his head at his companion's words.

"Well, let's see how you'll fare against her in that case Masaru, how about it?" Ryuuji seemed unfazed at his words while a toothy grin adorned his face.

Masaru didn't answer him back and just went to grab a big sword from the table.

Meanwhile I recalled his fights these two days, when he clearly defeated Ryuuji in a couple of movements.

'Physically he seems to be very strong, Ryuuji and the others never tried to block his attacks.' I thought to myself as I watched as he approached my position.

Trying to shake off the achievements I saw these guys doing the past two days, I nodded to him and prepared myself once again for a fight.

'I hope he doesn't play around like his boss.' I thought to myself before seeing the tall figure stomp towards my position with extreme speed that didn't seemed to fit his burly figure.

Stepping aside I evaded his slash while quickly aimed an attack towards his back. Only to be blocked by the same sword that previously attacked me. Using the failed attack momentum to defend.

Not minding it, I quickly kicked his supporting feet while retrieving back my ninjato. Yet when my feet touched his leg it felt like it was a tree, surprising me a little bit by the nature of it.

However, I quickly had to raise my arms to defend myself, his free hand slamming into my shoulder.

Sending me to fly a few meters and surprising me by the force behind said attack.

'His physical strength has nothing to envy to that of a Shinobi.' I made a note in my mind, while with a turn in the air, I settled down and once I touched the ground, I launched myself towards Masaru once again.

This time I was quick enough to not only land a knee to his abdomen, but use the same movement to kick him below the neck, avoiding the strange horn protruding from his mask and effectively sending him flying.

"That must hurt." I heard Ryuuji's voice saying on the side.

Masaru then fall flat to the floor, a groan escaping his lips and both hands clutching his abdomen.

It took a couple of seconds for him to recover him and sit on his position.

Yet just when I was about to ask him if he was okay he jumped on his feet and with extreme fervour said to me "Again!"

Launching himself once more to the attack. Yet this time I didn't waste more time now knowing his strength and speed and using Taijutsu once again to knock him off his feet.

This time with a kick on his face, yet after a few moments to recover himself he launched to his feet once again while saying "Again!"

After the third time defeating him and seeing him getting on his feet again, I couldn't help but be a little bit surprise at not only his resilience, but his will to fight.

Time and time again I was able to defeat him, yet I saw him getting on his feet and said "Again." Each time

Letting myself go, I decided to entertain this fellow while also trying to come up with new ways to knock him off, as the man itself was improving each time, not only on his reaction time, but his steps and attacks.

Unbeknownst to us, what was once a couple of people watching us, slowly became a crowd that was looking at the "Masochist display" of Masaru as Ryuuji later call it.

•••••

Although Minami wasn't having a 'good time' with Ryuuji's squad, the same couldn't be said for the rest of the villagers.

While there was still an understandable sense of apprehension in the face of the so-called 'Bushi' or group of samurai warriors. The villagers had no reservations when it came to following their talk.

With their labor helping at home, women and the elderly saw these warriors in a better light, who seemed to have the same curiosity about the world as their children's.

Even when most of them only saw the eyes of these warriors amidst their armor and masks, they managed to see genuine curiosity in them, but more than anything, a sense of relief.

The fact that after two days they have not seen the face or appearance outside of their armor, did not bother them at all. Even more so when Asa explained the reason behind it.

What's more, a good amount of them started warming up to them, seeing that they were just another group of people struggling in this world.

More importantly, most of the children followed them like puppies. Impressed by the armor and the imposing figure of the warriors. That held little or nothing resemblance with those who took their parents.

The most impressionable of the bunch, even starting to act like the warriors, using branches as katanas and copying all their actions.

The one that was enjoying the most the attention of the kids and their starry eyes, was without a doubt Seto.

She put on herself the 'task' of teaching those kids how to act and tried to coax her companion's to do the same. Although unfortunately for Seto, her companions did not seem to have the same vision as her and her alleged 'task'. Just having the support of Syntax and Beep.

However, this did not discourage the Shek princess, who was currently teaching the children about Krall's greatness and how any self called strong and honorable warrior would only use great swords.

"It doesn't matter if you can use your sword at first, just being able to do one slash is enough to call yourselves strong warriors, as is the will, not the strength that it matters at the end of all, what's the use of physical strength if your will doesn't match it?" She eyed the various children from ages of 3 to 7 that were looking at her with awe expression on their faces.

She then pointed out at a scrawny girl and said "You, come here"

The girl seemed to crap her pants out, and looked around while stuttering with a meek voice "m-me?"

Seto nodded and said to her "Yes! You! Come here."

The girl flinched at the loud tone of voice from Seto and raised on her feet, walking towards the Shek position.

Once the girl was beside her, Seto unclasped her great sword with it's scabbard and motioned to the girl to grab it "Try to raise it." She said to her while looking at her with expectant eyes.

The girl looked at the sword that was heavier and bigger than her and could only watch dumbfounded at Seto, who quickly frowned and with her free hand grasped the hands of the little girl and said to her "Shake that meekness out of you and grab it."

Feeling the heavy sword, the little girl quickly tried to grab it with both hands as she said with a frighting tone "I- I can't! It's too heavy"

Yet Seto didn't mind her words one bit and just completely dropped the sword to the girl while eyeing the rest of the kids, that now were looking at the scene with fear on their eyes.

"See that? Maybe some of you would have outright refuse to grab that sword, but what it's worth is trying! Just look at her!" She pointed at the little girl, that was now red as tomato while struggling to just hold the sword.

"She clearly doesn't have the strength to wield it! But that doesn't matter, what's important is her will and conviction, since these are the ones that will lead you one day not only to have the strength to use these swords, but also to wield them according to your will, to the will of strong warriors." Her voices seemed to make the various kids to reach an enlightenment, as they saw the struggling girl with a new light.

The girl had not only heard her words, but was vehemently trying to hold the heavy greatsword with all she had. However, her lack of food and poor physical condition forced the girl to throw the sword to one side in a desperate act, as she paled and almost passed out.

Yet Seto smiled at her actions and the look on the girl face and said to her while she hold the girls shoulders so she didn't fell.

"Remember the strength you used to hold it and throw it, one day you'll have the same strength to use it against those that aggrieve you. I Seto, declare you a warrior on this day and place." She announced to not only the girl, but the children to heard.

"Warrior, what is your name?" She asked the little girl.

Who loudly gasped and looked back at her and answered with what she hoped was a firm tone "My name is Kurumi, Seto-sama."

Seto didn't minded the shy tone on the girl voice and smiled at her, although no one was able to see it.

"I shall remember your name Kurumi, and I hope you one day can attest to my claim today, since you'll have a tittle to live up with from this day onwards." She patted the girl shoulder and continue with her teachings regarding the Shek culture to the kids.

Who after seeing how one of them was acclaimed as a warrior, by none other than a samurai like Seto, they were eager to listen and maybe have the opportunity to have the same luck as Kurumi, the Warrior.

Meanwhile Syntax was looking at the scene with his utmost attention. Although from different reasons than Seto.

All he saw in these kids was seedings for the future of their squads, maybe fearsome warriors like the Sheks, but with abilities like the shinobi's.

His mind, or better said, his circuits were once again running wild with his plans and ambition. Knowing that they were starting from the scratch here, he dare to dream in greatness for his companions.

He more than anyone was acutely aware of the almost impossible task of returning back to their homeworld, because not only would they need to find their current position of his old star chart, but also seek a viable way to travel back.

Which with their current lack of technology and most importantly, resources was guaranteed to be impossible for a long time.

So he was now following the previous plan laid by Ryuuji, although with slight differences. Like for example these kids and their brainwashing into the Shek culture.

"She's again at it?" Suddenly the voice of Ruka threw him out of his thoughts as he answered her almost automatically.

"Yes, she's been doing for a while now, she even named that girl over there as a warrior in front of all these kids." He pointed at Kurumi while saying this "I'll have to give it to her, she's quite good on impressing the children."

He let out his honest thought of the Shek princess.

Meanwhile Ruka eyed the kids with curiosity, yet she quickly shook her head and asked to Syntax "Have you seen boss? I just came back from patrolling and wanted to talk with him about something."

Syntax looked at her briefly, only him knowing what was passing through his lens eyes, and after a brief moment answered to her "Last time I checked he was watching over the sparring between Beep and Masaru."

Ruka nodded her head in acknowledge and just when she was a out to thank him, they heard the exclamation of a villager as she mentioned something to another one "Hatsune-san is battling against those warriors! You have to see it Reina-san!"

Yet they didn't bothered hear more about it and quickly both made their way in the same direction of the villagers while Syntax didn't forget to about at Seto.

"Hey Seto! There's a fight going on." He didn't need to say more than that as the later excused herself quickly, grabbed her sword and bolted towards them.

A predatory glint on her eyes could be seen as they made their way towards the house of Beep and Manin.

The three of them prepared themselves for whatever the situation might be, Syntax thinking of ways to call for Masaru, Kang and Manin in case there was a threat.

Still, nothing could prepare the trio for the moment they saw the situation in the sparring ground. The rest of their companions, with the exception of Manin who was watching from the sidelines and waved at them, was battling against the sole figure of Minami.

Yet what's left them speechless was the various dents on the armor of the Sheks, and the bruises and blood on Ryuuji's skin.

His white kimono tathered in rags around his belt and black pants.

"What the hell is going on here?" Syntax couldn't help but exclaim with bewilderment.

Yet Manin answered him amidst the murmurs around them "They've been sparring from a while and it seemed that not even once they were able to defeat that woman!"

When both Ruka and Seto heard his words, both opened their eyes and battle lust exuded from. Which was further incensed when they saw the five figures of their companions being thrown away like ragged dolls.

Without thinking further both Sheks launched themselves without saying too much and quickly followed their companions in defeat.

Yet they didn't seemed to be affected by the beating as they keep rushing back again and again.

Syntax could only rub his tin head and mutter in a tired tone ""...What did I get myself into?.."

Sadly for him, the sparring only ended when all of his squad members were put to sleep for good after thirty more minutes.

Him and Manin being the two responsable for taking care of them.

'Such is life.' was all that Syntax could say into the matter.

_________________________×________________________

I hope the chapter was of your liking!

I'm here to announce something that I'll probably regret, and that's are the goals for the novel!

I've seen other novels having a little bit more of support than this, so I decided to give you something in exchange for not only stones, but reviews, honest reviews and not spam.

Please just don't be unreasonable since these long as chapters take usually between two to four hours each. (I'm probably going to burn all of my savings chapters this way.)

Without further crap, here's the deal!;

- Once we reach 100 power stones there's an extra chapter!

- Once we reach 150 power stones, another extra.

- Same with 200.

- In the case we reach 250 or 300, I'll be releasing another one but not after that.

with the reviews is the same;

- Once we reach 25 reviews, [HONEST REVIEWS NOT SPAM] I'll be releasing an extra chapter.

- 50 = another extra chapter.

and last but not least 75 reviews will be a other milestone for you all to reach for another extra chapter.

I won't compromise myself with more than ten chapters in advance since I won't be having the enough time to write them.

If I take the average time it takes me to write just one, just ten chapters in advance would take me more than 30 hours of continue writing!

And although I would love to pump those chapters as If they were candies, I have a child and a wife to be responsable of.

And a work too, but I'm not going to put it on the same statement as my family.

so yeah, that's all, I hope my story is from your liking and keep receiving your support!