"My story begins like any other."

BLAM BLAM BLAM

RUKKA RUKKA RUKKA

"KILL THAT BITCH! I WANT HER DEAD!"

Here's a quick run down of events beforehand: I accepted a mission to retrieve a briefcase. The briefcase is in a warehouse that I just broke into. Unfortunately said warehouse is heavily guarded and I happened to land right in the middle of an important meeting held the Yakuza. Basically, a group of organized thugs evolved into terrorists. Just as I get my hands on the briefcase, the lights cut off. Leaving me blind in a room full of blood thirsty criminals.

Instantly, my ears pick up the sounds of cocking guns and unsheathing katanas. I clutch the briefcase close to my chest when a lone beam of light reflects off of the briefcase and glimmer on metal bars leading up the scaffolding. I had no idea how high or where it went, but it's way better than being on the ground floor. I scrambled for it and scaled all the way to the top. Bullets traveled mere milliseconds behind my scampering feet. Up at the top I rolled into cardboard boxes that covered my position, but the moment they start shooting up here; I'm a goner. "Just what's so important in this briefcase that they're willing to kill for it?"

The guards below swarmed the warehouse floor accompanied by a few climbed their way up carrying jack knifes clenched in their teeth. I quickly gather my breath. My options, as limited as they were, are key to survival. Given by how dark the warehouse is, I have very little frame of reference on how far down the floor is. The guards on the ground floor are reloading their guns, whispering to aim up high.

The inner muscles of my stomach clenched. Sweat pooled around my palm holding the briefcase. In this daring escape, there are few right answers and so many wrong choices.

"Looks like I'll take a guess."

I jumped forward again and again until my foot grazed against a piece of metal. Then I dove forward and downward into the darkness of the warehouse. I struck the goldmine of luck when I prepped my landing just enough to not destroy my knees. The criminals barely spotted me and filled the air with loud gunfire. My momentum converted horizontally then I exploded forth, elbowing any goon in my way until my shoulder rammed into the exit door.

I scaled my way onto rooftops where I made my grand escape. Leaping and bounding across the city while the golden glow of the rising sun painted the landscape. Sharp wind whipped through my hair as I continued at a reckless speed. Passing over the waking population of pleasant businessmen, careless school children and happy retired elders.

The temptation to stop and stare at the beautiful surroundings inflated the more I took in the sight. As usual, I had to deflate it upon the ever so looming mission time limit. "Shoot! Only a few minutes left!" I flipped my movement and ran away from the heart of the city and into the natural forestation where I shot in front of an oncoming school bus and dove into a thicket of bamboo trees which I shoved my way through.

I was home.

The Glade of Ninjas is almost opposite to the city it's so closely located to. Almost completely devoid of technology and untouched by time save for a few handheld devices and modern-day appliances. It came to fruition many years ago after being claimed by the village elders. Despite being so old, the Glade is a place of beauty. Strong trees line the village and surround the old-timey buildings where some have made farms, businesses, and even homes.

"There she is!" A voice called to my attention, "I was starting to get worried you got killed or something." Yuta, one of my good friends and training partner of six years hugged me. "Would you lay off it! I know what I'm doing!" I pushed him from the embrace.

He wagged his finger, "Well, you better get it turned in before time is up."

"Crap! You're right!" I ran off in a hurry, still white knuckling the briefcase, "Meet me in the tavern in fifteen."

Seconds later, I kneeled before the Master on both knees. To his right, a high-ranking ninja took the briefcase from my possession. "Very well done, Ibuki." He spoke with a billow of smoke escaping his withered lips. "You keep doing very well. Going up and above our expectations." He inspected the briefcase, "Not even a single scratch is on the surface and you seem untouched as well." A pause when he took a long drag from the pipe. "Expect to see us again shortly. This time for a mission of high-caliber."

I was a little disappointed that he didn't reveal what's inside. I did risk my life for it after all. Must be very top secret.

"Understood."

At the Tavern, Yuta and I conducted business as usual; Drinking and talking.

"Swear I'm gonna fall apart one of these days." I threw back a shot of gin and prepared myself for the bitter aftershock. "The calls feel like they're getting closer and closer each mission." Yuta scoffed, tipping back on the bar stool, "You think that's close? Have I ever told you the story of how I sneezed and dodged a bullet going straight for my head?"

"Only about a hundred times," I rolled my eyes. Every time Yuta runs off on a mission he's got some daring tall tale to tell. Except for the bullet story, they all turn out to be massive snooze fests. That doesn't stop Yuta from trying to 'WOW' others with his sub-par storytelling.

A platter of glasses slid onto our table, Ms. Miyamo looked at us with a smile that's somehow disapproving, "Here are the rest of the shots you ordered." I smiled weakly and thanked her. It's not really the best feeling to look like a drunk in front of the elders. As much as Yuta and I wanted to go someplace more modern to drink, the Tavern is just too close (and not to mention cheap) to pass up. It's an old wooden building that reeks of musty wood. Just like the other buildings in the glade. Not to make it seem bad, as much as I did gush earlier. The locations around this place have got an old charm that people like. Although, a little updating is more than desired.

"How did your mission go?"

Yuta lurched forward, nearly spitting out his drink, "Have I not told you yet? This guy isn't remotely ordinary. For the few weeks I've been gathering information he always wears this-this metal mask and walks around like Frankenstein." There's quite a lot of mysterious figures we've been told to go after. Some zanier than others, "Guess that means you have nothing on his identity, huh?"

"Haven't bothered to engage. The dude's mad creepy and powerful. He busted down a triple layer steel door with his bare hands." I cringed down another shot from the glass, "Yuta. If you're going to tell a fake story like that you need better delivery than that." Yuta choked on his drink, the third beer that he's had today. "But I'm telling the truth! People have been enjoying my story on the 'Yellow Man'. It's really taken off-Uh oh".

We both turned to see The Handler coming our way. The Handler, for a lack of kinder words, is one of the most despised members of our close-knit family. He's responsible for dishing out the task scrolls The Master creates for fellow ninjas.

It isn't the most pleasant thing in the world to see his wrinkled, smiling face knowing that he's sending you out to face death under a time limit. The Handler also has a strange way of being able to find anyone, anywhere…especially when you don't need him to.

He walked past a duo of fellow elders and nodded their way. Nothing for them. Their time passed long ago. He kept walking. Getting closer and closer. Yuta remained frozen in his seat, like his butt was glued to the chair. I sat back sipping on my shot with a smirk, "Looks like you're gonna have a new story to tell. Make it a good one this time, will ya?"

The moment he stopped talking a small waft of air passed by me. It smelled like The Master's smoke. The Handler placed the scroll down on our table and walked out just as slow as he walked in. Yuta exchanged his look of worry for determination. He quickly unraveled the scroll and read the inscription. "Hmm. Doesn't seem so…wait this is for you!" Yuta the tossed the scroll in my hands, chuckling too much to say another word. I read the inscription and breathed deeply, "FFFuck me!"

And as my luck would have it, I find myself kneeling before The Master again. Getting briefed on another mission, "I take it you read the scroll that was provided to you?" he asked. "Yes. The…information on the 'Yellow Man'," I refrained from rolling my eyes. How could The Master fall for such a stupid story? I had to say something before I'm thrown on a weeklong goose chase. "If I may, erm, speak about this. I don't think he's real. You see, Yuta has been telling all sorts of made up stories and- "

His wrinkled, veiny fists pounded the arms of his chair, "SILENCE." I shut my jaw so fast I nearly chipped a few teeth. Even his right-hand ninja shook in his stance. "This 'Yellow Man' seems like a fable. Yes. But it's been speculated that there have been run-ins with this fellow. He's a very powerful figure. A wielder of fearsome power through many years of perfecting his craft. One who conveniently lives close by. I want to test him Ibuki, which is why I'm sending one of our best to combat him."

He means me! He thinks I'm one of the glade's best ninjas? I don't know whether to feel honored by his words or be worried for the future of the glade. Either way, I had a mission to accept.

"I won't let you down!"

Later in my house.

"Supplies? Check. Clothing? Can't leave without it. Kunai's? Sharp and ready to go."

I brushed Don-chan gently on the head, his little paws reached out for me. "Please don't give Yuta a hard time while I'm gone. You know how he gets." I set out on my mission, much less enthusiastically than times before. No doubt my definite exhaustion plays a huge factor in this. The alcohol certainly didn't put any pep in my step. Before I had a chance to step out of the village, a familiar voice called for me, "Ibuki! Wait!" Yuta ran quickly, kicking up a cloud of dust from behind, "They actually sent you to find him?"

"I don't know. Neither does anybody else, but a few trusted sources thanks to your bullshit! You better hope this 'Yellow Man' is actually real or god so help me I'll- ", I stepped forward, Yuta however, seemed a little distraught. "They sent you to find THE Yellow Man?" Yuta elbowed the tree he leaned on, "Damn it! Why is it that I get stuck with errand boy missions and you get to go against a master of martial arts! It's not fair!" And there's the other half of Yuta. Cool dude one minute. Emotional about the way others perceive him the next, "Look, if it were up to me, I'd trade you this job no problem." He shyly kicked up a bit of village outskirt dirt, "Whatever."

"I've got four days to finish the mission. Hopefully it'll only take two. Keep watch after Don-chan, okay? Only feed him three times a day. No matter how much he begs." I set off, walking across the bridge leading toward the mountains.

"No problem."

My journey started off with a walk along the path after the bridge. It curved behind a waterfall dumping thousands of gallons of water onto the nearby lake. This went on, until I made it to the forest. Back then it was summer, so the leaves are still in full bloom. Looking as strong and green as ever. A mile ahead, the trees stopped looking lively and I started walking through a path of fallen leaves and dying trees that I approached the summit of the mountain. A tall, hardly standing decoration perched in the earth hung overhead. On the other side of the clearing, a small shack barely maintained to stay upright.

"This must be it. That wasn't so hard."

I planted my feet firmly right outside the door of the shack and stood tall, waiting for the 'Yellow Man' to answer. I waited for an hour, yet nothing happened. Not even a stirring from the inside, "Alright, what gives?" I raised my hand and before my knuckle made solid contact with the door, the whole structure collapsed on itself.

"Oh crap! Oh crap! I didn't mean to, huh, there's a note." From the debris, I plucked out a piece of paper marked on with careless scribbles.

If have found this note and are somehow able to comprehend my awful penmanship, then I have done well to test your patience. Now comes for an even greater test. A test of endurance and survival. You will find me at the summit of the mountain. Please come up and say hi.

"Up the-WAH?" Directly behind the shack was the foot of a mountain that scaled just inches below the clouds. My throat clenched at the sight. I looked back at the path behind me and sighed, "Here goes nothing."

Scaling the mountain proved to be no ordinary task. Every single rock felt jagged to the point, stabbing every inch of skin that touched it. Every move I made meant another small prick into my hands and feet. My dougi became worn and tattered from the sharp, rubble. If that wasn't bad enough, there were mountain lions that aggressively chased me up the mountain until I was just out of reach. Methods of stealth and cunning offense kept a few close calls from being the end.

Finally, after hours of climbing, my hands felt a smooth surface. The summit of the mountain! However, my relief was short lived as mother nature had other plans. Harsh winds and dark brooding clouds met me in the face. The adrenaline pumping through my veins pushed my weary legs forward. Step by step as the wind continued to blow.

I trudged before the mouth of the cave. A big, gaping hole at the summit of the mountain. It showed no sign of other presence nor did I have that feeling like someone was around. Thin lines of blood that trickled down my sore arms and legs blew along the wind. After a long time I finally had reason to open my mouth, "I knew it. Yuta is going to get a serious ass kicking."

"Ahem." From behind a boulder, rolled out a red blanket. It unraveled to show a figure with yellow skin. Obviously, this figure is the 'Yellow Man'. The 'Yellow Man' rubbed the sleep from his glowing red eyes. His skin, despite his title, is more tinted gold than yellow. No doubt due to the overbearing age thanks to time. He opened his wrinkled old mouth and flapped his loose lips, "I know why you're here." The Yellow Man must've had thousands of wrinkles slathered on his face. Each crease had their own origin story to tell. His face twisted into seriousness. I tensed, ready for the first strike.

"You must want to ask me out on a date!"

"What? Ew. No disrespect, but you're a couple hundred years too old for me." My rejection was met by a snaggle toothed grin. "Age is nothin' but a number, sweetie." He responded with a dusty cackle. I threw up my hands, "Okay, um, maybe I caught you at a bad time."

He held up an open palm, "Relax. I can see that you are a little weary from the travel. The climb up here is a treacherous one. I will admit." The Yellow Man gestured toward the cave, "Please, welcome yourself into my home." His home, as it strangely turned out, wasn't a cold, desolate cave that it looked like. The interior presented a beautiful mixture of stalactites and stalagmites, all coated in the pleasing light green glow reflecting from the light outside. Oro had his own campsite set between two stalagmites and right above it was a sleeping bag dangling from the roof.

Was this man raised by bats?

Oro sat down and poured two bowls full of soup from a heating pot. He held one out to me, "Here. My special dinner will help you get your strength back. It's special soup. Brewed with bear meat, seasonings, and rocks."

"Rocks?" Upon closer inspection, I see that this man indeed cooked rocks into the soup. "Why rocks? Are they for taste or something?" I hope he wasn't annoyed by my questioning, but anybody would feel skeptical. Personally, I was starting to feel like this guy's brain had more holes than swiss cheese.

"The seasoning. Knowing your way around a spice is the key to creating a tasty dish." He gave a gaped smile.

"...Then what are the rocks for?"

"Plating."

Genius.

He slurped down the last of his soup and poured himself a second helping, "So tell me, warrior. What do you go by?"

"Ibuki. I come from the Ninja Glade where I was-"

"Ah ah. Don't give me your whole life story. I'm an old man." So, I just repeated my name. He, however, took at as ammo to hit on me further, "Ibuki. Hm? Such a beautiful name. Meaning bravery and ordinary."

"…um thanks? What's your name?"

"My name isn't important."

If he doesn't give me his name or something then I'm screwed for this mission! What does he look like? A 'Sean'? I bet his name is Sean.

"Although, I have had people call me the 'Yellow Man'." He looked at his own skin wearing a wretched expression, "Guess it has been a while since I've had a proper bath".

"Ew."

"Ahem. Now that you've had a full meal and a little rest..." He stood above the fire. His stature, although short, irradiated unimaginable power. For the first time, his gap tooth smile disappeared, replaced by an expression of seriousness, "And seeing that I'm bored. Let's fight!"

We made our way back onto the exposed summit of the mountain where the storm subsided. A beautiful sunset stung my eyes as we walked amongst the stretched shadows of rocks onto the field. Admittedly, I was getting nervous. Oro is supposed to be a man capable of great feats from training for however long he's been alive. Even with his old stature, it'd be embarrassing to underestimate him off the bat. And here I am, a ninja with eight years of training under her belt about to test his strength.

Was I ready?

We stood a good distance apart we're the 'Yellow Man' turned to me with an earth-shaking stomp. One arm of his had become bound in his red tunic. He stuck out a long bony finger and charged a quick of energy towards me. Quickly, I ducked under the ball of energy and ran towards him at blazing speed. "I quick one I see. Just as a ninja should be." He said, firming his stance.

I slid over the ground with my leg out toward him, aiming for an easy leg sweep, but his reflexes were fast. He grabbed me by the ankle, swung me into the air, and slammed me face first into the ground. Had to admit, that hurt a lot. "Can we please commence with the battle? I'm falling asleep here." The 'Yellow Man' yawned.

"Fine!" I swung myself up and carefully approached toward him again. He shot more energy spheres that I carefully sidestepped across. Once I came into close quarters, I grabbed his wrist and held it as tight as I could. Before I thought about throwing a punch, a strange blue swirling energy surrounded his arm and exploded.

"Wha-what the hell was that?" I looked back at him to see him shaking off the excess heat form the blast, "That Ibuki is you becoming a better warrior."

"I-I won?"

The Old Man laughed, "No. I simply decided to end the match. You did something that no one whose challenged me has done before. Bring something new to the table. And THAT is new! I even thought about using my other arm! I haven't done that in centuries!"

"C-Centuries?"

"Everyone who's approached to challenge me puts up a good fight. But they don't fight to learn. Like you did. There are even great warriors whom I denied to fight. But you, Ibuki. I sensed something within you." I followed him toward the edge of the summit. Together, we looked down at the descending mass of clouds clinging to the mountain. Not as chaotic as they were before. They changed back to their friendly color and swirled peacefully, "You don't want to follow the way they want you to do you? You desire a carefree life, yes?"

I stood dumbfounded for a moment. This guy had read me like a book in a matter of hours. "I…still don't know."

Upon my answer the Yellow Man closed his eyes and spoke words of wisdom, "I will not tell you what path in life to follow. That I could never do. But, I must tell you that you must make a decision for yourself or life will do it for you. Do you understand?" I kind of did understand. But when he said that life would make a decision for me, he threw me through a loop.

"I understand."

Moments passed before he finally turned to me, "By the by. My name is Oro. The next time you'll see me, I'll have a beautiful lady around my arm." He waved goodbye then started walking away. I couldn't comprehend how I managed to, by my definition, win a fight against a great fabled martial artist. And I have no way of capturing the proof!

Unless…

"WAIT! Can we take a selfie?"

Afterward, my tale of how I combatted against the 'Yellow Man' became popular with the village. I was eager to show everyone the new technique that I learned. The Master himself became so impressed with me! Ironically, Yuta didn't believe a single word I said.

"And that's pretty much it."

Makoto sat motionless. Obviously busy processing the awesome story that I just told her. Maybe I'll start earning a little respect from now on.

Makoto slowly rose to her feet and jumped into my face, "The 'Yellow Man'. You know him?!" I could see her eyes shaking by a mixture of emotions, "Uhh-well, erm, uh, yeah. Oro. He's pretty cool once you get to know him. A bit hard to look at-".

Makoto grabbed my shoulders tightly. Her face twisted into a million different emotions that I couldn't even begin to distinguish. Our eyes met. Her chocolate brown eyes, for the first time I saw, were Misty "Oro…he…you have to take me to him now!"

"It's midnight and we have to catch fish in the morning. Remember? Besides it would be dishonorable to do that."

"Fuck the fish!" Makoto's grip tightened even more as she shook, "Where's the mountain you climbed up?!"

"…What? Why?"

"ORO! The 'Yellow Man'...humbled my father-and-and-and-" Her grip weakened, she sank her head down into my shoulder. I could feel the droplets of tears staining my clothes, "And caused the death of my father!"