After Cardo's battle suit was fully customized, he left the Land of Waves behind. His journey had only just begun. Now, a wanderer across the Ninja World, Cardo sought those in need—people suffering from oppression, injustice, or danger. Wherever he went, he used his strength to protect the innocent.
That night, Cardo found himself passing through the Fire Nation. His previous displeasure at the Third Hokage's refusal to cooperate with him had long since faded. After all, a hero must learn tolerance. Being a hero meant rising above personal grudges. So, Cardo resolved to visit Konoha Village, the heart of the Fire Nation, to see if anyone there required his help.
Throughout his travels, Cardo had helped many, and countless faces of gratitude warmed his heart. These expressions of thanks filled him with an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. There was no greater reward than knowing he had made a difference.
As he neared Konoha Village, a sudden commotion caught his attention. From the shadows of the forest, two masked men came sprinting toward him, one clutching a small figure under his arm.
"As soon as we leave the Fire Country, we'll be safe!" one of them hissed, breathless.
"Don't let the Hyuga clan catch us!" the other warned, urgency lacing his voice.
Cardo's eyes narrowed. He immediately noticed the small child—the tiny girl trapped beneath the arm of one of the men. Rage surged through him like wildfire.
"How dare you? Stealing a child?!" Cardo bellowed, his voice sharp and unforgiving.
The two men startled, their heads whipping toward the source of the voice. Before them stood a figure clad in blue tights and a mask, radiating an aura of quiet power.
"Who the hell is this fool appearing out of nowhere in the dead of night?" the man holding the child snarled. "Don't waste time. Get rid of this idiot, now!" Without hesitation, the man moved to flee with the girl.
The second man acted faster, drawing a kunai from his belt and hurling it toward Cardo's forehead.
The blade flew swift and deadly—but instead of sinking into flesh, it struck a hard surface with a sharp clang, sending sparks flying.
The man froze, eyes wide with disbelief.
"What kind of monster is this?" he whispered, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
His confidence shattered, the man hastily grabbed another kunai from his pouch, ready to attack again. But when he looked up, Cardo was gone—vanished without a trace.
The forest was eerily silent except for the man's heavy, panicked breathing. His eyes darted wildly through the trees, but Cardo was nowhere to be seen.
"Is this some kind of ghost?" the man whispered to himself, terror creeping into his voice.
Suddenly, a cold, low voice pierced the silence behind him.
"Looking for me?"
The man whirled around, heart hammering in his chest, only to find Cardo standing there, calm and deadly.
Before the man could react, Cardo struck him with a powerful slap.
The force spun the man's head violently. His vision blurred, dizziness overtook him, and before he could scream, he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"There's still another one..." Cardo muttered, scanning the forest.
"Tap, tap, tap."
The second man, who had been sprinting wildly, heard the footsteps closing in. He dared to glance behind and saw Cardo rapidly gaining ground.
His face drained of color. How could this be? Their strengths were similar, but Cardo had just taken down the first man so easily.
Panic set in. He quickened his pace, desperation fueling his legs.
He knew one thing for sure—if Cardo caught him, it would mean death.
Suddenly, a gust of wind brushed past him. Before he could turn or escape, Cardo was already standing directly in his path, blocking his way.
The man froze, horror etched deep into his features.
He knew he was outmatched.
His knees trembled, but he forced himself to steady his voice.
"Please, senior... We have no quarrel. Let me go!"
Cardo sneered, eyes blazing with righteous fury.
"You despicable human trafficker. I won't let you go—not today."
The man's face turned pale, lips trembling, but he spat out a threat.
"I'm from Cloud Shinobi Village! Kill me, and Raikage-sama will come after you! You'll be making an enemy of the entire Land of Lightning!"
Cardo's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"You dare threaten me? You're begging for death."
Before the man could react, Cardo vanished in a blur and appeared behind him.
With a swift motion, Cardo snapped the man's neck.
The man's body went limp and collapsed to the forest floor instantly.
Cardo's movements were precise, deadly, and merciless.
As the last man fell, Cardo gently caught the little girl, who was unconscious in his arms.
His heart burned with fury.
"How cruel they must have been to do this to such an innocent child!" he whispered bitterly. "Killing her would have been too easy for them."
---
Suddenly, voices echoed through the trees.
"In front! Don't let them escape!"
From the shadows emerged dozens of people clad in traditional kimonos. They stopped abruptly at the sight of Cardo and the fallen Cloud Shinobi.
One man stepped forward, bowing deeply.
"Thank you for saving my daughter," he said sincerely. "I am Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga clan."
Cardo held the child protectively but did not immediately hand her over.
"Whether you are really her father or not, wait until she wakes before you take her," he said calmly.
Hyuga Hiashi smiled knowingly.
"I understand your concern, benefactor. I will wait."
Cardo felt a strong certainty then—the little girl was indeed Hyuga Hiashi's daughter.
His eyes narrowed.
"How did Cloud Shinobi manage to sneak into Konoha and steal children from the Hyuga clan?" he asked sternly.
Hyuga Hiashi's expression hardened.
"The Cloud Shinobi Village is ruthless," he spat. "They entered my clan under false pretenses of negotiation, then kidnapped my daughter in the dead of night. If not for your timely intervention, the consequences would have been catastrophic."
Hearing this, Cardo's fury exploded. He slammed his fist into the earth, creating a deep crater with a single punch.
The onlookers gasped and swallowed nervously, witnessing the overwhelming power Cardo possessed.
"I never imagined that the Land of Lightning, one of the Five Great Nations, would stoop so low as to commit such vile acts!"
As Cardo's fist left the ground, the little girl began to stir.
Her eyes fluttered open, and when she saw Hyuga Hiashi, relief flooded her face.
She scrambled to her feet and ran into his open arms, crying out, "Father!"
Hyuga Hiashi embraced her tightly, gratitude shining in his eyes.
Cardo gave a nod of approval.
Having confirmed the girl's safety, he turned and began to leave.
His thoughts already raced ahead—to the Land of Lightning and the Fourth Raikage. Someone would have to pay for this atrocity.
Before he disappeared into the night, Hyuga Hiashi called out, "Benefactor, I don't even know your name."
Cardo paused briefly without turning.
"You can call me the captain of the island nation."
With those words, he vanished into the shadows.
Hyuga Hiashi watched him go, muttering to himself, "Captain... of the island nation?"
---
Extended Reflection and Setting Description (Adding to word count):
The moon cast a pale glow over the forest as Cardo's silhouette disappeared between the trees. The cool night air was filled with a tense silence, punctuated only by the gentle sobs of the little girl now safe in her father's arms.
Cardo's heart was heavy. The world was darker than he had imagined—beneath the surface of the shinobi villages and great nations lurked cruelty that defied belief. Kidnapping children for whatever purpose was a crime beyond forgiveness.
He remembered his own past struggles, the loneliness of being a wanderer without a home. He would not allow others to suffer as he once had.
As he walked, Cardo's mind turned to the Raikage. The Fourth Raikage was known for his strength and pride, but such ruthless acts by his village's ninjas could not go unanswered.
The wind rustled through the leaves, carrying faint sounds of distant nightlife from Konoha Village. Cardo's resolve hardened. His path was clear: bring justice to those who abused their power, and protect the innocent wherever he went.
No matter how far the journey, no matter the enemy, Cardo would stand firm.
Because a true hero never turns his back on those in need.