Chapter 25

Rock and a Hard Place

Ronin quickly returned to Tage's tent. Ronin sat at the table with Tage.

"Our woman is dead," Ronin said. Tage looked at Ronin surprised.

"You…" Tage started. Ronin nodded.

"But I got information beforehand, They are using this encampment as their hiring grounds. As long as they can keep the people down, they will remain here," Ronin explained. Tage nodded with a grim expression on his face.

"So what can be done?" Tage asked. Ronin mulled over some options.

"Diplomacy wouldn't work too well. I could try and take them. I'm still a shinobi after all. Tage looked at him disapprovingly.

"You couldn't possibly take them all on. We can find a better way," Tage suggested. Ronin shook his head.

"Do we have time for that?" Ronin questioned. "They'll find her body before we can find any other solutions. If anything, you need to get yourself and Retsuko out of here," Ronin said. "I can handle this." Tage looked conflicted, but nodded.

"Retsuko, pack a bag we have to go," Tage said. Retsuko wordlessly started gathering items. "Are you sure you don't need help?" Tage asked.

"I'm not gonna endanger these people. I'll manage," Ronin reassured. Tage nodded and proceeded to pack his things. Ronin patted Aki. "Tage, could you take Aki? She'd be safer in your hands."

"Of course. We'll keep her safe," Tage said, picking Aki up.

"Thank you. I'll find you when it's over," Ronin said. He left the tent and disappeared into the night.

By daybreak, Tage and Retsuko had evacuated and the bandits started to harass the inhabitants for the woman's killer. Ronin emerged from the forest and made his way to the center of the encampment. He waited for the bandits to notice his appearance, and when they did they surrounded him.

"You aren't terrorizing these people anymore! Either leave…" Ronin yelled, summoning necrofire in his hands. "Or die!" The bandits rushed Ronin from all sides. Ronin sent a wave of necrofire around himself, burning the frontrunners.

The bandits attacked Ronin from all sides. Ronin managed to avoid all the oncoming attacks. Ronin threw orbs of necrofire at the group. It exploded into a bluish grey flame, burning all who come in contact with it.

A bandit rushed Ronin, slashing at him with a tanto. The bandit slashed Ronin down his arm. Ronin quickly retaliated and punched the bandit with a burning fist. Ronin quickly made hand signs and summoned 4 clones.

Ronin's clones held off the on coming bandits. Ronin summoned his own wings, which were smaller and weaker than Infurgus', ascended to the sky. Ronin drew a sigil in the air.

"Begone!" Ronin said, whipping his hand forward casting forth an orange, blue, and black flame. "Reaper's Flame!" A blend of necrofire and regular fire flooded out of the sigil and washed over all the bandits. The clones disappeared under the flames and the bandits started dropping. Ronin flew overhead and watched as most of the bandits dropped. A couple of bandits still stood, barely standing.

"Come down here bastard…" One of the bandits said weakly. Ronin descended and watched the remaining bandits attempt to attack him. Ronin quickly finished them off. What remained were dwindling flames and a large amount of bodies. Before Ronin could rest, a person emerged from an alley. In their hand, they held a curved blade.

"You're finished…" They said quietly. Ronin stanced up and ignited his hands. The two rushed at each other, their killing intent boiling over.

(With the gang)

Naruto, Hinata, and Lana were with Kurenai, assessing the situation.

"So what's going to happen now?" Hinata asked. Kurenai shook her head.

"While we should go looking for him, we have to stay and help with village repairs," Kurenai said.

"So what? We wait for him to come back?" Naruto asked. Kurenai let out a sigh.

"It's all we can do," Kurenai replied.

"Maybe I could go after him," Lana suggested. "I can return to Hylia and track him down from the heavens."

"How can we trust you? Last time you showed up you were trying to kill him," Naruto started.

"Would you rather him not come back? If Hylia takes action, Ronin won't survive, especially since he doesn't have Infurgus," Lana explained. The three considered the options.

"He better come back alive, or none of us will rest until he's avenged," Hinata threatened. Lana nodded.

"Understood," Lana assured. "I'm off." Lana stepped away and opened a portal. "I'll bring him back, I promise." With that, Lana entered the portal and disappeared.

"Let's go. We have to meet with everyone else. We'll see you later, Sensei," Naruto said. He and Hinata walked off and Kurenai began making her way to the Hokage tower.

(With Ronin)

Ronin weaved around the man's blade, sparking flames at his attack. The man curved the blade around Ronin's neck and pulled. Ronin quickly performed a substitution justu and appeared over the man.

Ronin slammed his foot on top of the man's head, staggering the man. Ronin landed on the floor and lunged at the man. Ronin slammed his fist into the man and sent a flood of fire through the bandit's body. With a fiery punch, Ronin burned a hole through the man. Ronin felt his rage build. He blacked out and cursed fire erupted from Ronin's wings. As more bandits appeared from the forest, Ronin unleashed Infurgus' unending wrath onto his opponents.

The cursed flames enveloped all things around Ronin, scorching the earth and people around him. The flames washed over Ronin as well, burning his body along with those around him. He breathed streams of cursed fire onto the waves of bandits, burning their bodies and spirits. As the army of bandits died, so did the cursed flames. After all the bandits died, Ronin collapsed from the overwhelming fatigue. His wings disappeared in a dwindling flame, leaving two black marks on his back.

"Damn you…" Ronin whispered before he fell unconscious. After hours of calm, the camp inhabitants came to discover the battle and Ronin. The fire had cleared the area and the body, leaving Ronin surrounded by fire alone. They brought Ronin back to the camp and treated him the best they could. Days had gone by and eventually, Ronin woke up.

"Uhhgg" Ronin groaned as he sat up. He felt burning all over his body. He was bandaged from his waist up. "Are they…"

"Dead," A medic replied. "You somehow managed to defeat them all." Ronin took a sharp breath and tried to stand.

"I wouldn't recommend doing that," A second medic said. Ronin groaned and relaxed his body.

"How bad is the damage?" Ronin asked. The first medic shook their head.

"It'll be permanent, to say the least, but you'll be back to normal in a couple of weeks," The first medic explained.

"Oh…" Ronin sighed. "Alright. First off, we need to find Tage and Retsuko. I had them evacuate for obvious reasons.

"No worries. We found them days ago," The second medic replied. Ronin looked at them confused.

"Days ago?" Ronin asked. They nodded.

"Yes, you've been out for a couple of days," The second medic said. Ronin laid his head back and sighed.

"Alright then." Ronin said. "I guess I'll stay here during the meantime."

"That would be for the best," The first medic said. Both medics then left the room. Leaving Ronin to recover quietly. Ronin took a deep breath and tried to rest. Without Infurgus' active healing factor, Ronin had to recover naturally.

On the dawn of the next day, Tage and Retsuko visited Ronin in the medical tent, Aki in tow. Aki climbed onto the bed and nuzzled against the bandaged Ronin.

"Ronin…" Tage began, a look of guilt on his face. "I'm sorry that you had to do this." Ronin shook his head. Ronin invited them to sit.

"Everyone is safe?" Ronin asked. Retsuko nodded.

"And it's all thanks to you!" Retsuko replied cheerfully. Ronin smiled.

"Yes. We are already making plans to start construction of a proper town," Tage explained. "We are sending out requests for materials and protection to the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

"Good. As long as everything is being brought to order," Ronin said. "I'll have to be moving on soon." Retsuko looked confused.

"How? You couldn't possibly travel in your condition," Retsuko said. Ronin nodded.

"Very true, but someone is coming for me. I feel them already," Ronin replied.

"Is there anything we can do before they arrive?" Tage asked. Ronin shook his head.

"Just establish yourselves. I'm glad that everyone is making a foothold here," Ronin said. "Go and do what you must. I'll be fine." Tage and Retsuko nodded and left the tent. Ronin moved his hand and pet Aki.

"Were you a good girl?" Ronin asked. The wolf pup looked up curiously at him. Ronin laughed. "Of course you were." Ronin rested his body and fell asleep.

(With Lana)

Lana had arrived at Hylia's domain and had learned of Ronin's location. She was struggling with her options. She had a duty to the Goddess and an obligation to her target's family. Lana decided to make a stop by Farone's domain for consul. Lana made her way to the domain gateway and teleported to Farone's domain. When Lana arrived, she noticed that Farone's domain was different from Lana's last visit. There were more flowers and the area was in full bloom. Lana made her way to Farone's chamber. When Lana entered, she bowed to the Goddess.

"Lady Farone, I require your immediate and private consul," Lana said. The goddess was intrigued at the abruptness of one of Hylia's angels. Farone sent away her quiet angels and moved her attention to Lana.

"Yes, young one?" Farone greeted.

"I need your help with making a choice," Lana admitted. "Hylia wants me to execute a person who is guilty of no wrong. I feel her judgement is clouded, but I do not know whether to obey her or spare the person," Lana explained.

"Hylia is my superior and my sister. Asking me to support your doubt is treason against her," Farone began. Lana immediately became tense and stared at the ground. "But my sister is rash when she believes order is at jeopardy. Bring them to me and I will act as a third voice in your decision."

"Thank you my lady," Lana said in relief. Lana left Farone's chamber as Farone's angels flooded back into the room. Lana felt relieved and returned to the domain gateway. Lana teleported to Ronin's encampment. When she made her way in she felt Ronin's presence. It was severely weakened.

Lana took a direct route and entered a medical tent. Aki perked up and made a small woof. Ronin shifted at the sound and awoke. He faced the entrance and saw Lana.

"You're here," Ronin said. He smiled a bit. "Before you do what you have to, can I say goodbye?" Ronin asked. Lana looked surprised.

"Say goodbye? You've only disappeared for a couple of weeks," Lana said. Ronin nodded.

"And despite that, I owe people a goodbye," Ronin struggled and stood up. "They're not far," Ronin and Aki left the tent and walked towards Tage's tent. Lana followed slowly and they both entered the tent.

"Tage…" Ronin said weakly.

"Ronin. You're up," Tage said. Ronin nodded.

"I can't be long. I have to go soon," Ronin said, gesturing to Lana. Tage nodded and Retsuko's eyes watered a bit.

"Well, just know that we all owe you a great deal of gratitude," Tage said. Lana observed in surprise.

"You don't owe me anything. I'm glad to have helped," Ronin said. "You take care of these people. I know that this will be a thriving town soon."

"Yes," Tage stood up and offered his hand. Ronin took it and shook.

"Take care Tage," Ronin said. Retsuko softly hugged Ronin. "And you too, Retsuko. Can I ask one more thing of you?" Tage nodded.

"Of course," Tage replied. Ronin gestured to Aki. "Take care of Aki for me," Retsuko picked Aki up and nodded.

"Goodbye Aki," Ronin said softly, petting her. Ronin faced Lana. "I'm ready."

"Ok, let's go," Lana said. Ronin and Lana walked out of the tent. Lana drew a sigil and summoned a portal directly to Farone's chamber. Both entered the portal. Ronin looked to see the Goddess of Wisdom instead of the High Goddess. He looked down defeated.

"A third and final judgement. I am ready,' Ronin said simply.