Chapter 138: The Ninja Village
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 138: The Ninja Village
The trip to the ninja village was decided in a flash.
"Aren't you wandering around too much lately?"
When I told my mother I was going somewhere with a school senior over the weekend, she said that worriedly, but I reassured her by saying I was just going to the countryside to help out on a farm.
Anyway, after barely convincing my mother, I spent the next few days hitting the gym hard to make up for my missed workouts.
Finally, the day of our appointment arrived.
"Kim Yoo-Sung! Over here!"
I met Fuma-senpai at the Shibuya Express Bus Terminal, a place I remembered visiting recently.
"Oh."
Hearing the familiar voice, I turned my head and was momentarily at a loss for words.
Sensing something was off, Fuma-senpai stopped approaching with a happy expression and asked, "What's wrong?"
"No, it's just... I don't think I've ever seen you with your hair down before."
I'd only ever seen her with a ponytail, so this felt different.
Fuma-senpai chuckled, "Hmph," and said proudly, "I decided to change up my image for the first time in a while. It's been half a year since I've been back home, so I have to show them I'm doing well."
"I see."
My gaze drifted down to her healthy thighs, clearly visible thanks to her short hot pants, and I was grateful I'd worn sunglasses today.
"Speaking of which, Kim Yoo-Sung, you've gotten quite a tan. Looks like you went to the beach during the break?"
"Huh? Ah, yes. I went a little while ago."
"It's good to have fun while you're young. When you get older, you can't even if you want to."
Despite being only a year older than me, she spoke like someone who had mastered the ways of the world as she held out a ticket.
"What's this?"
"I bought the bus tickets before you got here. You just need to show up."
"But... you're always broke..."
"I'm the one inviting you to my village for personal reasons, so of course I should pay for this. Besides, this is what I earn money for."
Grrrrowl!
Just as Fuma-senpai was striking a cool pose, her stomach rumbled, and her face turned bright red.
"Th-That was!"
Holding the tickets, I glanced at the boarding time and patted Fuma-senpai on the shoulder.
"We still have time before the bus leaves. Let's get something to eat. You bought the tickets, so I'll get the food."
"...Thanks."
*
We filled our stomachs at a restaurant near the terminal and then boarded the express bus on time.
Fuma-senpai said her hometown was a nearly seven-to-eight-hour trip from Tokyo.
When I asked if it was that far, she explained that not only was it distant, but we'd also have to transfer buses several times, and the village itself was deep in the mountains, making it even harder to reach.
We left the Shibuya Express Bus Terminal at 10 AM and arrived in Minamiashigara City in Kanagawa Prefecture around 1 PM.
Kanagawa Prefecture is located at the edge of the Kanto region, and unlike Chiba, which is mostly plains, the majority of the prefecture is mountainous.
A quick Google search showed there was even a national park nearby.
Anyway, after arriving in Minamiashigara, we got off, had a simple lunch of udon, and then took a local bus.
Even here, most of the buildings were low, giving off a strong countryside vibe, but it seemed we had to go even deeper.
After about two hours on the local bus, we got off at a stop in front of an old station.
I looked at the bus stop sign; it read 'Yamakita' (山北).
I looked around at the scenery, which was no different from a remote country village, and asked, "Is this your hometown, senpai?"
A sharp reply came back.
"No."
"Huh?"
"Our village is deeper in from here."
As she said this, Fuma-senpai pointed to the mountainous area behind the village.
The trees were so dense you couldn't see an inch in front of you.
"...Don't tell me we have to climb the mountain?"
"That's right."
...You've got to be kidding me.
As much as I like working out, this was a bit much.
*
The saying 'leaving home is the start of hardship' definitely exists for a reason.
"The village is just a little further, so hang in there."
"...I think that's the fifth time I've heard you say that."
I grumbled but didn't stop moving my feet.
The unkempt mountain path was clearly not meant for people.
But Fuma-senpai climbed the mountain with light steps, as if she were out for a stroll.
It was a good thing I wore comfortable shoes, sensing we'd be walking for a while. If I'd worn a snug pair, I'd definitely be covered in blisters.
Thinking this was the longest I'd hiked a mountain since my military service, I silently followed Fuma-senpai's back until I noticed she had stopped. I tilted my head.
"Fuma-senpai?"
Startled, Fuma-senpai turned her head, her face filled with emotion, and said, "We're finally here."
Hearing that, I hurried to her side.
Just moments ago, the trees had obstructed the view, but now it opened up as if by magic.
"Whoa..."
I couldn't help but marvel at the scenery unfolding before me.
And for good reason. Fuma-senpai's hometown looked as if time had stood still.
The summer flowers in full bloom, the green pine trees, the river winding around the village, and even the heads of barley in the fields.
It was like seeing a paradise straight out of a novel.
My feet, which had been aching just moments before, felt light as a feather upon seeing the village.
"Let's go, Kim Yoo-Sung."
"Ah, yes."
I awkwardly followed Fuma-senpai's small back down the slope as she led the way toward the village.
As Fuma-senpai walked on with excited, brisk steps, I asked her, "So this is your hometown, Fuma-senpai?"
"That's right. Our ancestors built this place long ago."
"Your ancestors?"
"During the Sengoku period, our ancestors served the Hojo clan, who were the daimyo of the Kanto region. But then a man named Kousaka Jinnai betrayed them, revealing their base. The shogunate executed most of the villagers, and the few survivors fled deep into these mountains where no one could find them and built a new village."
"I see."
It fit perfectly with the vague image of a ninja village I'd had in my mind.
Anyway, as I entered the village with Fuma-senpai, I felt eyes on me from all directions.
At first, I couldn't tell what they were, but I soon found out.
"Yukika-nuna!"
"Yukika-unni!"
Kids popped out from behind buildings, from inside bushes, or from behind trees, calling Fuma-senpai's name as they ran toward her.
"Everyone!!"
Even Fuma-senpai, who usually wore a stern expression, couldn't help but greet them with a bright smile.
"Are you finally back?!"
"Where are the other unnis?"
"What about presents?!"
Hearing that, Fuma-senpai chuckled, opened the bag on her back, and showed them what was inside.
The children's faces lit up instantly.
"Wow! Toys!"
"There are spinning tops and dolls!"
Unlike the children of today, who have lost the innocence of the analog era due to the rapid development of digital culture, these village kids were overjoyed with simple toy gifts, as if they'd been given the world.
This must make giving gifts feel rewarding, I thought, watching quietly from behind.
Just then, one of the kids, who was gleefully holding toys in both hands, looked at me and asked quizzically, "Yukika-nuna, who's this mister?"
Fuma-senpai glanced my way, then gently stroked the kid's head and replied, "He's an important guest of our village."
"An important guest? You mean... Yukika-unni's husband?!"
"Wow! Yukika-unni brought a man back from Tokyo!"
"I-It's not like that!"
Fuma-senpai's face showed visible panic.
Ignoring her completely, the girls ran off, shouting, "Waaaaah!"
"...Sorry about that, Kim Yoo-Sung. The kids don't mean any harm."
"I know. They're just joking around."
Still, to use an expression like 'brought a man back'... maybe they aren't so innocent after all?
I silently followed Fuma-senpai's back, pondering this question.
After walking through the village for about ten minutes, Fuma-senpai stopped in front of the largest mansion in the village.
It was a bit smaller than Karen's house, but its old-fashioned charm was second to none.
"Let's go in."
"Ah, yes."
Creeak!
The gate wasn't latched, and as I opened the light door and stepped inside, a huge estate came into view.
And in the middle of the estate, ninjas in black attire—men and women, young and old—were engaged in a realistic sparring session.
It was like a scene from a movie.
An old man standing at the front, who seemed to be their instructor, struck the ground with his staff and shouted, "Stop!"
Everyone stopped at once.
Presently, the old man walked over and spoke to Fuma-senpai in a gentle voice.
"It's been a long time, Yukika."
Fuma-senpai bowed her head slightly and replied, "I've just returned from Tokyo, Grandfather."
It seemed the two were grandfather and granddaughter.
"Hello."
Standing behind her, I awkwardly bowed along with Fuma-senpai.
The old man stroked his long beard and said, "Welcome to the village of our Kazama clan."