KARMA

The Valley was quiet that morning

A narrow trail cut through the mountains,winding between towering cliffs of stone and patches of dry earth .The wind moved gently through the valley. Somewhere far above us ,a bird called once and the silence returned .Four figures walked along the trail.

I am the first.I am a 56 year old man my name is Shekhar I am a teacher of ninjutsu.I teach in a small village on the outskirts of Igagakure although I am the head of village i prefered to be called Master.Not because I consider myself superior to other ,but because that is what my students insist on calling me .Igagakure the great city where shinobi from across the surrounding lands gather .It is a place where ninjutsu is not merely a skill passed down through generation .It is the way of life.

And following the same path as mine so are my students .

The first walked several steps behind me .Akaru he is 18 years old even among my students he is different .He is  also well known as Akku among my other students .His black hair moved slightly with every step while his striking red eyes remained fixed on the path ahead .He possessed a natural strength that I had rarely encountered in someone of his age .In fact ,Akku is stronger than every students I had taught before him .That fact worried me more than it impressed me.

Behind Akku walked my second student Daichi he is one year younger than Akku .Daichi is not particularly remarkable in terms of physical strength .Against Akku there is hardly a comparison to be made .But his greatest weapon is his mind .He noticed things others overlooked.He questioned everything .While Akku relied on instinct and power .Daichi relied on observation and strategy. If Akku was the fist ,Daichi was the mind behind it

And then there is my third student a girl  her name is Rin ,she is a year older than Akku .Well she wasn't particularly obsessed with becoming stronger .She isn't constantly studying techniques and unlike other two she didn't seem to have some grand ambition burning inside her . Sometimes I wonder if she had joined my training because she genuinely wanted to become a shinobi?Anyway she is my student and that is enough .The four of us were returning from earth town .We had gone there to collect several clay pots and supplies for our village .We were almost home .At the time I thought it was going to be nothing more than an ordinary journey.

I was wrong.

I walked ahead of the others listening to the sound of our footsteps against the rocky ground .Then I noticed something a shadow it passed over the ground in front of us I stopped .Akku noticed it too we both look upward at first ,there was nothing but the rocky cliffs and the pale sky above us .Then I saw him a figure with white hairs ,blue eyes and a familiar face "Ice" ,I called out the figure looked at me

Ice is another one of my students he is as same age as Akku .Ice is a quite boy .He is also rather shy which made his habit of silently watching people from above somewhat amusing .But there was something else about Ice that made him different he was brilliant .His natural ability was comparable to Akku's and I had always believed that ,with enough training and focus . Ice could eventually become even more stronger than Akku .I shouted " What are you doing up there? ".He looked down at me " I was watching for enemies", I started at him for a moment.I sighed "Get down here".

Without arguing Ice climbed down from the rocks and joined us .He took his place among the group and continued walking .For a few moments , everything seemed normal again .Then Akku stopped he looked ahead then he looked behind us . Something isn't right Ice was walking in front of us . Akku's eyes narrowed then he looked upwards his expression changed immediately "Master" I followed his gaze .There were shadows moving across the rocks above us not one but several .Five figures stood on the ridge overlooking the valley .They were armed their clothing and weapons made their identity obvious they were the Samurais .Four of them stood openly ,watching us from above but the fifth was different he stood slightly behind others .His face was hidden beneath a mask .I looked at them in silence .Five Samurai and five of us .For a moment nobody moved .Well you see there are two groups of people who inhabited this world .

The first are the Ninjas .We believed that nature itself possessed a power that could be understood and respected .Through training and discipline ,ninjas learned to draw upon the forces of nature and use them to perform ninjutsu.The Samurai followed a different path they relied upon physical strength, weapons and tactics .They trained their bodies to become weapons and trusted their skills to overcome the enemies .Our ideals are different our methods are different .Despites our differences we had learned to live alongside one another .Neither side attacked the other without reasons .There were boundaries agreements and uneasy peace between our people so it's very strange that five Samurai had entered an area used by ninjas and they had been watching us .

I looked at the masked samurai he simply stared at me .For some reason I couldn't shake the feeling that he already knew exactly who I was and I knew this isn't a coincidence .And whatever the reason is I was certain it wasn't going to end peacefully .Four of the samurais were grown men but the fifth was much younger he is more like a teenager boy than a man .He wore a red samurai outfit and at his side hung a katana .The other four samurai stood behind him each carrying a different weapon.

One held a pair of nunchaku,two short stick connected by a chain . Another carried a long spear it's blade catching the light as he shifted the grip .The third held two short blades resembling kunai one in each hand .The fourth wore metal claw ,like blades around his hands and wrists weapons designed to turn every punch into a strike .Five samurai five different weapons . And five of us .I looked at my students Akku had already understood what is happening the others had taken their positions as well .Then the masked boy stepped forward "ATTACK".

The four adult samurai moved immediately .The man carrying the nunchaku rushed towards Daichi .The spear wielding samurai charged towards Rin .The man with the blades hand weapons moved towards Ice .The samurai carrying the two kunai came straight for Akku .And the masked boy he walked towards me I tightened my grip .So this is how they wanted to begin .Five samurai against five ninjas .For a moment everything became strangely quiet .Then I realised something .They had come prepared to fight .But the question remained ,Why?.

The order was given the valley erupted into motion .The first samurai charged towards Daichi he wielded a pair of nunchaku , swinging them with frightening speed .Daichi barely had time to react before the first strike knocked him off balance he fell hard onto the ground .The samurai didn't give him a moment to recover .Daichi raised his arms and blocked the attack as best as he could but he was clearly struggling .On the other side of the valley Rin faced the spear wielding samurai the difference in experience was obvious .The old warrior moved with precision thrusting his spear forward again and again .She dodged the first attack .Then the second she twisted away from another thrust but the shaft of the spear struck her shoulder .She stumbled backward still she refused to fall .She steadied herself and raised her guard .

Ice was having a very different battle .The samurai with the bladed hand weapons charged on him Ice stepped backward .A blade passed inches from his face .He immediately moved to the side another punch Ice blocked it .The force pushed him several steps backwards ,but he remained standing .He was young compared to his opponents but he wasn't helpless .His movements were controlled his eyes remained focused every attack the samurai threw at him was met with either a dodge or a block .For the first time the old warrior seemed surprised Ice isn't simply surviving he was keeping up .

Then there was Akku .The samurai carrying the two kunai was already waiting for him .Unlike the others this warrior didn't rush blindly into battle .He watched Akku .Akku watched him .Then samurai lunged .Akku immediately stepped aside .One kunai sliced through the space where his body had been a moments earlier .Akku countered with a strike of his own the samurai blocked .Akku pushed forward the samurai twisted away and attacked again with both the kunai .Akku ducked beneath one strike and caught the second one his guard this fight was different from the others .Neither warrior had gained a clear advantage Akku's strength was extraordinary but his opponents experience and technique allowed him to match him .For the first time since the fight began ,Akku had found an opponent who could stand against him .

And then there is me the masked guy stood several steps away .He slowly drew him katana the sound of the blade leaving the scabbard echoed through the valley .He is  young much younger than me he isn't nervous he isn't hesitating he was waiting .I reached for my own weapon .If this boy wanted a duel then I would give him one I drew my blade .The masked samurai lowered himself into a fighting stance I did the same .For a moment neither of us moved .The masked boy took his first step towards me .His hand moved toward the hilt of his katana .I tightened my grip around my weapon a long heavy wooden pole that I had carried with me for years .Then he drew his katana I froze for half a second there was something wrong .Not wrong but familiar .The way he drew that sword wasn't the way an ordinary samurai would .It was a ninjas technique .The movements were too precise ,too controlled the blade came out in one smooth motion almost as if the katana and the boy's body were moving as one .And for some reason ,that movement reminded me of someone .Someone from my past .A face I hadn't seen in years a memory I had burried deep within myself.I pushed the thought away whatever connection I had imagined could wait .Right now ,I had to fight to deal with .The masked boy suddenly rushed towards me his katana came down I raised my pole and blocked the strike .The force of the impact pushed me backward .Before I could counter he twisted his blade and attempted to knock my weapon aside .

I quickly stepped away he followed another slash I blocked .Then I saw a opening I swing my pole towards his head .The masked samurai raised his katana just in time .My pole struck his blade he absorbed the impact and immediately responded with a kick .I moved my arm in front of me and blocked it .He was fast very fast I stepped forward and returned the kick with one of my own my foot struck him .The force sent him flying several feet across the ground .He rolled once before catching himself .When he stood ,I noticed a small cut on his forehead a thin line of blood appeared beneath his mask he touched it .Then he looked at the blood on his fingers "You're quite strong, old man.". I smiled slightly "Of course I need to be." I rested my pole against my shoulder .I couldn't afford to be weak I had people depending on me .I had students depending on me and I am supposed to be the strongest person among them. The masked boy tilted his head .

"Perhaps."

His eyes moved past me.

"But your students aren't as strong as you."

My expression changed I turned my head he is right .Daichi is barely able to defend himself against the nunchaku wielding samurai. And Rin is being pushed back again and again by the spear weilder. Ice is still standing but barely .And Akku is giving his opponent a real fight, but the samurai he faced was older more experienced and clearly had years of combat behind him .My students were struggling and I had been standing here fighting this boy I looked back at the masked samurai for the first time, I understood .He isn't simply trying to defeat me .He was testing me and then he attacked .

His katana flashed towards me .I barely had time to react but before the katana could reach me .Another sword intercepted it. I stared Akku stood between us he had abandoned his own opponent for just long enough to protect me .The masked boy stepped backward Akku raised his sword .

"Master."

I looked at him in surprise he had just stopped an attack that I hadn't been expecting.

"Akku..."

But there was no time to speak the samurai who been fighting Akku saw his opportunity. He charged from behind I moved instantly. I kicked the samurai away before he could strike he staggered backward .I followed him my pole was still in my hand ,but I didn't use it instead I drew my own sword .One strike the samurai stumbled I followed with a second .He collapsed to the ground two strikes that was all it took .The fight was over .I turned back towards Akku the masked samurai is already standing in front of him Akku tightened his grip around his sword .The masked boy raised his katana neither of them spoke then they moved .Their swords collided Akku swing the masked guy blocked .The masked boy countered Akku blocked .They moved across the valley exchanging strikes with remarkable speed .Neither gave the other an easy opening I watched them carefully something about the fight felt strange .The way Akku beld his sword the way the masked boy moved their footwork ,their timings, their defensive movements. They weren't fighting like two warriors who had simply learned to use swords .They were fighting as if they had been taught by someone who understood the same principles .Almost as if they had been learned from the same kind of master I narrowed my eyes .Who exactly is this masked boy? And why did his fighting style feel soo familiar?.

The clash between Akku and the masked samurai continued their blades moved faster now .Neither is  willing to give ground but I couldn't simply stand there and watch .My students were fighting I turned towards Daichi .The samurai wielding the nunchaku had him pinned down , relentlessly swinging the chanied weapon toward him . Daichi raised his arms to protect himself I rushed towards them the samurai noticed me and swing his nunchaku in my direction .I caught the weapon with my pole the chain wrapped around it .With one sharp movement, I twisted my weapon and pulled .The samurai lost his grip his nunchaku flew across the valley and landed several feet away he stared at his empty hands I didn't give him time to recover .I stepped forward and struck him with my pole the samurai stumbled backward Daichi pushed himself off the ground and watched

"That's it,Master."he shouted."Give him what he deserves!"

I didn't need any encouragement the samurai tried to rush me with his fists I sidestepped his attack and struck him again he fell to the ground. Then I heard a cry from the other side of the valley .It was Rin I turned the spear wielding samurai had driven her almost to the edge of the rocky path .She was exhausted, desperately trying to avoid another thrust .I moved The samurai thrust his spear towards her I stepped between them my pole struck the shaft of this spear with enough force to knock it of from his hands .The spear flew away the samurai stared at me I swing my pole he barely blocked .I struck again and again the man tried to retreat ,but I kept advancing until one final strike sent him crashing to the ground .Rin stood behind me, breathing heavily .

Rin said ,"Thank you, Master."

"Stay with the others." ,I said .

I looked across the valley Ice was still fighting Daichi is  safe and Rin is safe ,that left Akku and the masked samurai .I turned towards them .Their swords collided again the masked boy was losing ground but he refused to stop .I could see it now .He knew he was outmatched yet he kept fighting I started walking towards them then I saw the masked samurai suddenly changed his stance .He lunged at Akku .Akku blocked the impact drove him backward until his back nearly hit the rocks the masked boy raised his katana .Akku had nowhere to go the blade came down .Akku blocked it at the last possible moment. But the force of the attack forced him down onto one knee the masked samurai raised his sword again . Akku's hand moved towards his pouch a flash of metal appeared a kunai he threw it straight at the masked boy's face .The masked samurai reacted instantly he twisted his head aside the kunai missed him by inches  but it didn't miss his mask the kunai tore through the fabric half of the mask fell away .I stopped I knew that face my heart seemed to stop for a moment those eyes ,that expression,that face belonged to someone i hadn't seen in years someone from my past .The masked boy slowly reached up and touched the torn remains of his mask .Then he pulled it away completely he looked directly at me and smiled .

"Long time no see, Master."

I couldn't speak my grip loosened around my weapon.For years ,I had wondered where he had gone I had wondered whether he was still alive .And now he is standing in front of me wearing the armor of my enemy holding a samurai sword .But using the movements of a ninja .My students looked at me, confused by my reaction I stared at the boy there was only one question running through my mind

Why was my former student standing among the samurai?

I stared at the boy standing before me .Gim my former student a samurai for a moment, I couldn't process what I was seeing .Akku looked at me in confusion.

"You trained him?"

I didn't answer .I couldn't before I could say anything ,Gim spoke .

"You haven't changed,Master Shekhar .Not even a little."

I finally found my voice ."Gim..."

I looked at him carefully.

"I never expected to see you again."

He smiled beneath the remaining piece of his mask. His eyes moved towards my students .

"You always are good at recognising potential in people.That white haired boy,for example."

I glanced towards Ice .Gim continued .

"You knew exactly how strong he is .And yet you still decided to come here and fight me alongside your other students."

He shook his head slightly.

"You haven't changed ,Master."

Then his expression hardened .But there is one thing you failed to consider .I narrowed my eyes .Gim smiled he looked towards Ice.

"But you forgot about Flash Step."

My expression changed.

"Gim..."

Too late chi began to gather around his legs .The energy courses through his body .Then Gim disappeared from where he stood not teleportation .He was simply moving at a speed far beyond what the others could follow .In an instant,he was beside Ice .Ice barely had time to turn .Gim's katana was already drawn the blade stopped against Ice's neck .Ice froze everyone else stopped as well. Gim looked directly to me .

"Master you know me better than anyone ,you know I wouldn't have come here without a reason."

His katana pressed slightly closer against Ice's neck. Gim continued.

"You wouldn't give me what I want simply because I asked.But I also know something else."

His eyes narrowed.

"You don't care much about your own life.But your students that's different."

Gim looked back at me .

"So Master.. give me the scroll."

Silence filled the valley.

"Or lose one of your most talented students."

Akku stepped forward.

"You bastard! Attacking someone from behind? That's not the way of a ninja!"

Gim looked at him then he laughed softly.

"Who said I was a ninja?"

Akku froze .I stared at Gim and suddenly everything made sense.

"That's why you came here the scroll."

My students looked at me "What scroll?" Daichi asked.Even Ice looked confused none of them knew what I was talking about.None of them knew what Gim wanted only I and Gim understood . Gim's eyes remained fixed on me .I took a breath .

"If you're here for the scroll.. I'm sorry .I don't have it it's in the village .If u want it, go there and take it."

Gim shook his head .

"Don't try to fool me ,Master. I've already searched your entire village there is no scroll there."

Gim continued.

"So either you tell me where it is or you lose one of your students."

Ice remained silent .Akku tightened his grip around his sword Daichi looked between Gim and me ,clearly trying to understand what was happening .Rin stood frozen in place nobody knew why Gim wanted it nobody knew except me and Gim .Gim stared into my eyes.

"Master.."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"I'm not joking."

He raised the sword slightly.

"Give me the scroll or Ice dies..."