The master spy or Puss in the boot adventures

book 5 , The way of the ninja 1, Part 93

"Our mission is complete," Mer-Mer declared as they stood on the edge of Twilight Valley, their cloaks billowing in the wind. "We have convinced Kira, the powerful black panther and princess Elara, to join us on our quest."Shadow-cat chuckled, "I bet if Ragnar saw her, he would fall in love immediately."

Mer-Mer smirked, "Ragnar falls in love with every woman he sees. But Elara is something special. Anyone who lays eyes on her will be drawn to her beauty and grace."

"Now that we have Kira with us," Shadow- Cat interjected, "we must find Mother Sinistra, the witch-cannibal, and the reclusive hermit who lives in the cave.But first," she said excitedly, "Kira will teach you the ways of a ninja."

"Really?" Mer-mer's eyes widened in surprise. "But I thought that was a secret only passed down from teacher to student."

Shadow cat  grinned mischievously, "Let's ask Kira. She'll reveal the secrets to those she deems worthy."

Kira stood silently, her dark fur rippling in the breeze as she regarded Mer-Mer with an inscrutable gaze. After a long moment, she spoke, her voice low and melodic. "The path of the ninja is not an easy one. It requires discipline, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to the art. Are you prepared to embark on this journey, Mer-Mer?"

Mer-Mer swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Kira's words settle upon her shoulders. She glanced at Shadow-Cat, who nodded encouragingly, before turning back to the majestic panther. "I am ready," she said, her voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in her stomach. "I will do whatever it takes to learn the ways of the ninja."

Kira's eyes gleamed with approval. "Very well. We shall begin your training at once. But first, we must find a suitable location, away from prying eyes and distractions."

Shadow-Cat stepped forward, a sly grin on her face. "I know just the place," she said. "There's a hidden glade deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and a babbling brook. It's the perfect spot for ninja training."

Kira nodded. "Lead the way, Shadow-Cat. We must make haste, for time is of the essence. The longer we delay, the stronger our enemies grow."

With that, the trio set off into the forest, their footsteps silent against the soft undergrowth. Mer-Mer's heart raced with anticipation and a touch of fear, but she pushed it aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. She knew that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges and dangers, but with Kira and Shadow-Cat by her side, she felt ready to face whatever lay in store.

As they walked, Mer-Mer's thoughts turned to Mother Sinistra and the hermit in the cave. She wondered what secrets they held, and how their knowledge might aid them in their quest. But for now, her focus was on learning the ways of the ninja, and becoming the warrior she knew she was meant to be.

...

For the next seven days, Kira would give Mer-mer a new task each morning. Today's was to find the hidden clearing in the forest. She explained that if he succeeded, she would teach him the skill of finding hidden things, enemies, traps, and even spells. As they set off into the dense woods, Mer-mer's heart raced with anticipation and determination to complete the task and impress his ninja master.

Kira's words echoed in Mer-mer's mind as he stood at the edge of the dense, overgrown forest. He could feel her piercing gaze on him, waiting for his response.

With determination, Mer-mer set off into the forest, scanning the trees and bushes for any sign of a hidden clearing. His eyes darted back and forth, searching for any clues that would lead him to his goal.

After what felt like hours of searching, Mer-mer finally spotted a glimmer of light peeking through the thick canopy above. With renewed energy, he pushed through brambles and branches until he emerged in a small, secluded clearing.

A sense of triumph washed over him as he turned to face Kira, ready to receive his first lesson in ninja skills...