I love this story already, so deeply.

I love this chapter.

A year and nine months of training later

"Totosai?" Nate muttered, reading the scroll before him. It was one of over a thousand present, and he had read a huge chunk of them as he studied magic, mysticism and more. He was pretty pleased with what he had learned but this was the best he had found so far. "A master of magic and enchantment, he has crafted a great many blades of potency such as the Legendary Tessagia, used by the equally legendary Toga. It is rumored he crafted a blade that could... this can't be right... it could resurrect the dead? That kind of power, of magic... I must have it.

I am done with my training, there really isn't much I can learn through Naomi... I think it's time I take my leave. Explore the world, act as a warrior priest, a healer..." Smirking, Nate turned and placed the scrolls away, hurrying to speak with Naomi. The man, his Master, was mostly bedbound these days. It was a sad fate but one he could understand the man was nearly a hundred.

He found his master in bed, as he expected, the man was looking outside. "Nate, how are you feeling?"

"Sad and happy, all at once." He smiled, kneeling to his master. "I worry for you, of course, but I also am looking to my future."

"Is it time for you to leave?"

"Sadly so... I feel it is time to visit the world, and live in it. I am ready, You said I am a skill priest, even if my powers are not exceptional, I am good with magic and the blade. I am an exceptional healer and great with sutras and barriers. It is time to make a mark on the world, to heal and help others."

The man nodded, pleased. "I am happy that you feel ready... go my son, with my blessing."

Hugging his master once, he stood. "I will leave in the hour, once I prepare myself... I will miss you, once you depart, Master."

"As will I, from my place in the afterlife."

After a quick goodbye to his sister disciples, he left the shrine and made his way to the last known location of Totosai. The documents stated that he was commonly found in volcanoes, where he worked as a smithy for demons. Nate was sure he could find him, though it would not be easy. He would not search for incredible power, but refined presence. That is what would be needed to create such potent blades...

For three days all was well. He slept with barrier sutras around him, his blade never far away. He fished his food, part of his training, and generally enjoyed his time alone...

And then, at the peak of the Third day, a demon attacked him. It was a random moment, a vicious spider demon that literally flung itself at him. It looked almost human, only with skin a greenish color and face contorted by fangs and eyes. It screeched, hunger in it's eyes.

Nate rolled away from it, yanking out his blade, he shot a burst of power into it, slicing across his skin with a horrible hiss that made the creature screech in agony. Blocking a punch, he twisted the fist and kicked out it's knees before he sliced it's head off in one slice. It's body shriveled into nothing afterwards.

The fight was over in less than a minute, and Nate smiled as he huffed.

"Thank you, Naomi, for the amazing training... it was weak, but who knows how it would have killed without my training." Offering a prayer, he cleaned himself and his blade before settling in for camp, determined not to die or be caught unawares ever...

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.