Reborn in the Shinobi World with an Arceus Inside

"Sir, this village is called Komorebi Village. Before the war, there were 45 households with 148 people. Now… there are probably only a little over 20 households left."

The chief of Komorebi Village, a man named Kono Taisei, had invited Kaito into his home and was giving him a simple report on the village's situation. His wife and a son, who was about Kaito's age, stood nervously to the side.

As he spoke of their current plight, their expressions turned grim.

Kono Taisei knew full well that if Kaito hadn't appeared, Komorebi Village would sooner or later be reduced to ruins as the war dragged on, with its villagers facing almost certain death. That was why he had to grasp onto Kaito, this last straw of hope.

"Sigh. War truly brings nothing but suffering," Kaito lamented, then continued, "But you don't have to be afraid anymore. The Rain ninja have already promised me they won't enter the village. The Sand ninja are still far away and can't reach here. And Konoha has always prided itself on its righteousness; they won't go out of their way to trouble civilians."

"To put it bluntly, in their eyes, you're probably like ants on the side of the road. Whether you live or die is of no concern to them. The casualties you've suffered so far were just… accidental."

"Heh heh, accidental, you say?" Kono Taisei gave a bitter smile.

His son, Kono Jisei, couldn't help but clench his fists, his face filled with indignation.

"It's alright. I'm here now," Kaito said, his spirits high. "As long as I persuade the Konoha ninja who come near the village to turn back, their battles won't spill over to you. You'll be safe."

"But… wouldn't that be very dangerous for you, sir?"

"There's some danger, but not much. Don't let my age fool you; I'm actually very strong. To defeat me, they'd have to send at least a few dozen men. Once they realize I'm a tough nut to crack, Konoha won't waste their time and energy on a civilian village like this."

"Whew." Hearing Kaito's analysis, Kono Taisei finally felt at ease. "Then we'll be counting on you, sir."

"No problem." Kaito lifted his teacup, took a sip of hot water, and said, "We've dealt with the external threat, but there are still internal problems. Your food supplies… I imagine they're running low."

"Yes!" A worried expression returned to Kono Taisei's face. "My family is one of the better-off ones. We stockpiled a fair amount beforehand. If we eat sparingly, we should be able to last a month. But many of the other villagers are already going hungry and have no choice but to go outside to look for food. It's so dangerous out there; once they leave, it's easy for them to never come back."

"Sir, do you have a way to solve our food problem?" Three pairs of expectant eyes fell upon Kaito.

"Of course, there's a way. I'll just need your cooperation, Chief."

"No problem! Please, just give us your orders, sir!"

"Is there a relatively large indoor space in the village?" Kaito held up a finger. "First, I'd like you to gather all the villagers. I want to talk to them about how to better survive in these chaotic times."

"Yes, there is! Behind the village, there's an abandoned warehouse. It's big enough to hold all of us," Kono Taisei replied quickly. "I'll have someone clean out the clutter, and it'll be ready to use. As for the villagers, I'll do everything I can to persuade them to go there and listen to your instructions, sir."

"Good. Very good. I'll be waiting for your good news." Kaito stood up. "When you have an answer, come find me at the village entrance."

"Sir, you could stay at my house."

"No need. The village entrance faces the Land of Fire, so it's more likely to be where Konoha ninja appear. I'll feel more at ease if I stand guard there."

"Sir!" Kono Taisei's eyes welled up with tears, deeply moved.

"I'm off. I look forward to your good news."

"Yes!"

Back at the village entrance, the diligent Yamabiko Yuto had already constructed a new spire-shaped earthen house for Kaito.

"Not bad. Very efficient." Kaito nodded repeatedly. After inspecting it, he said, "I just have a few more requirements. It's too short right now; it would be best to make it three stories. The first floor… let's put a large stove there, with good ventilation. The second floor can be your bedroom. The third floor will be my resting place. Also…"

As he listened, Yamabiko Yuto's face turned pale. He stammered, "Sir, my injuries haven't fully healed, and I'm almost out of chakra. I'm afraid I won't be able to finish it that quickly."

"Relax. I'm not some kind of demon. I would never make you finish it all today."

"Phew. You are wise, sir." Yuto had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Kaito's next words.

"But it can't be too late, either. So let's say tomorrow. Try to have it all done before we go to sleep tomorrow night."

"...Yes, sir!"

Of course, Kaito wasn't really a demon. After teasing him a bit, he went to help him, and together they worked on their "new home."

By nightfall, they had roughly finished the building's framework.

In high spirits, Kaito went to the river and caught a few large fish. He skewered them and roasted them inside, and after drizzling them with his special sauce, they were so delicious that Yamabiko Yuto nearly bit off his own tongue.

The familiar aroma drifted through the village, drawing envious and longing glances from many.

In one of the houses, a thin little girl finished gnawing on a small piece of bread. Smelling the aroma of fish drifting in from the window, she couldn't help but swallow, her stomach rumbling.

"Mommy, I'm still not full."

"Be good, Konan. Daddy has gone to find food for you. He'll be back soon." A woman with slightly hollow cheeks gently stroked the girl's blue-violet hair, comforting her in a soft voice. But her eyes betrayed a deep sorrow and despair.

Two days ago, her husband had gone out to find food and had not returned.

Perhaps he would never return.

Hugging her daughter tightly, she bit her lip and made a decision.

"Konan, Mommy is a little hungry, too. I'm going to go find us something to eat, and I'll look for Daddy while I'm out. So, you have to be a good girl and stay at home, okay? Don't open the door for strangers. Mommy will be back very soon."

"Okay," Konan nodded obediently.

After watching her mother leave, she tucked her head into her shoulder and curled up into a ball on the sofa, not looking up for a long, long time.

"Please, I'm begging you. Please give me some food."

The woman visited her neighbors one by one, only to be met with disappointing answers. Some didn't even open their doors.

After being rejected yet again, one villager saw her desperate expression and couldn't bear it. "Go try asking Lord Kaito at the village entrance," the villager said. "He's a good person. Maybe he'll be willing to help you."

"The village entrance?" The woman thought of the source of the delicious smells from the past few days and nodded emphatically. "Okay, thank you so much!"

She tightened her raincoat and, braving the cold rain, trudged to the village entrance. She knelt directly in front of the earthen tower.

"Sir, I'm begging you, please give me some food."

"Get up first, then we'll talk." Kaito came to the door and reached out a hand to help her up.

The woman was surprised by Kaito's youth, but her gaze quickly shifted to the fish in his hand, her eyes filled with longing. "I have money. Can I buy a little bit of fish? If you don't want money, I can trade other things for it. Anything, as long as it's something I have."

"Please," she pleaded, "I have a four-year-old child at home. She hasn't had a full meal in a long time. I've begged everywhere, but no one is willing to help me. That's why I've shamelessly come to you, sir."

"..." Yamabiko Yuto stood to the side, his expression complicated.

"I won't give you this leftover fish," Kaito said, pursing his lips. "It's already cold and doesn't taste good anymore. So, how about I go to your house and make you a fresh, hot meal instead?"

That single sentence felt like being lifted from hell to heaven. The woman nodded frantically. "Yes, yes!"

"Hmm, all I have left is one fish and some mushrooms. You don't mind, do you?"

"Not at all! Anything is fine, as long as it can fill our stomachs."

"Alright, then. I'll bring it all." Kaito turned to Yamabiko Yuto. "I'm heading out for a bit. I'll be back soon. If anything happens, make some noise."

"Yes, sir!"