Lord of the Time: I Can Reincarnate Infinitely

After the intense negotiations at the inn and the completion of their strenuous mission, Caleb sensed the need for some well-deserved downtime. Gathering his squad at a small, quiet tavern just a short walk from the inn, he initiated a conversation aimed at unwinding and relaxing.

"Alright, team, we should really take some time to rest," Caleb began, eyeing each of his teammates with a gentle, knowing smile. "We've been through a lot, and a break could do us all some good. And by the way, from now on, don't call me George. Call me Caleb."

"Huh? Why Caleb old man? Is that you're real name or what?" Markus, who was usually all about pushing forward and planning the next step, looked a bit taken aback by George's words but nodded in agreement. "You know, you're right. A little downtime might just be what we need to recharge."

'So this old man's real name is Caleb? Not George?' The squad members looked at each other.

Elina, always caring for the group's well-being, chimed in enthusiastically. "That sounds wonderful. It's been non-stop for a while now."

Caleb, seeing the positive response, decided to make the moment even more relaxing. "And what better way to relax than with a drink in hand? What do you guys want to drink? Any preferences?"

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Rolf, ever the spirited member of the group, was quick to respond. "How about some ale? Nothing beats a good ale after a day like today!"

Tomas, more reserved and thoughtful, suggested, "Maybe something a bit lighter for me. Do they have any cider?"

"Why not both?" Caleb proposed, pleased with the eagerness of his team. "We can order a variety, everyone gets what they like. How does that sound?"

The team agreed, and as Caleb ordered drinks for everyone, the casual atmosphere helped them all to finally feel the tension easing.

"So, when are we doing this again?" Rolf asked, a broad grin spreading across his face as he took a hearty swig of his ale.

Caleb laughed, "Let's not schedule anything too soon. Let's enjoy the peace while it lasts."

"Why the sudden interest in taking it slow, Caleb?" Elina asked curiously, sipping her cider.

Caleb leaned back, his eyes twinkling with a mix of wisdom and mischief. "Because sometimes, the best way to move forward is to take a step back and reflect. Plus, we've earned a little break, don't you think?"

The group laughed and agreed, the mood light and cheerful as they continued to chat about lighter topics, their drinks in hand serving as a small celebration of their recent hard-fought victories.

...

As the squad made their way home through a quiet, moonlit path, a sudden rustling from the bushes broke the serene silence of the night. Before they could react, four figures dressed in dark, sleek ninja attire emerged, their movements swift and precise. Each ninja wore a mask that covered their faces, leaving only their eyes visible, which glinted coldly in the moonlight.

Without a word, the ninjas launched their attack, a deadly combination of Wind and Water Ki Techniques. One ninja extended his hands, palms facing the squad, and a gust of sharp, cutting wind blasted out, swirling with such intensity that it seemed to slice through the air itself. Another ninja moved fluidly, his motions smooth and flowing, as he summoned a spiraling torrent of water from the moisture in the air, which whipped around the wind, creating a lethal vortex of ice shards and freezing gusts.

The squad was caught off guard, barely able to defend themselves against the sudden onslaught. Markus, the leader, managed to muster a shield of his own Ki, but the combined power of the elemental attack was overwhelming. As the dust settled, it was clear the squad had suffered gravely; all were down, and only Markus was barely conscious, suffering heavy injuries.

With labored breaths, Markus confronted the ninjas, who stood poised to leave. "Why? Why attack us?" he gasped out, his voice a mere whisper.

One ninja, slightly taller than the others, turned slightly, his voice muffled by his mask. "It's under the order of our boss. Because the old man, George, wouldn't vacate and hand over his room. That room... it's critical to our master's plans."

As Markus processed this, his anger and desperation surged. Ignoring his injuries, he gathered his remaining strength for one last counterattack. Raising his hand, he activated his Lightning Palm Ki Technique. His palm glowed with a crackling blue energy, electric currents dancing wildly around it. With a fierce cry, he thrust his palm forward, sending a bolt of lightning straight at the ninja's chest. The attack penetrated, but it was too little, too late.

Markus collapsed, succumbing to his wounds as the ninja staggered back, fatally injured but not alone in his fate. As the squad lay defeated, the ninjas, completing their dark task, vanished into the night, leaving behind the chaos they had wrought.

In the shadows of a nearby tree, a witness, hidden among the branches, watched in shock. His breath caught in his throat, eyes wide with fear and disbelief at the violent scene that had unfolded.

The witness, still hidden in the branches, slowly descended from the tree after the assailants had disappeared into the night. Approaching the bodies with trepidation, they confirmed the grim reality: all the squad members were indeed dead. Overwhelmed with a mix of fear and urgency, the witness knew he had to act fast. "T-they're all dead."

Using a Ki technique known as Eagle Summoning, the witness called upon a large, majestic eagle. The bird appeared almost instantly, materializing out of thin air with a sharp cry that pierced the silence of the night. The witness quickly scribbled a note explaining the situation and attached it to the eagle's leg. With another powerful screech, the eagle took off into the night sky, destined for the nearest police station.

Shortly after, the police arrived at the scene, their approach marked by the flashing lights and the low murmur of their discussions as they assessed the situation. A detective approached the witness, who was waiting by the roadside, visibly shaken but ready to recount what they had seen.

"Can you tell me exactly what happened here?" the detective asked, his voice steady, signaling the start of an official inquiry.

The witness nodded, and began to describe the ambush in minute detail. "There were four attackers, all dressed as ninjas, hiding in the bushes initially. They used a combination of Wind and Water Ki Techniques to overpower the squad. I saw one use what looked like an advanced form of the Lightning Palm to strike back, but it was too late."

The detective listened intently, occasionally interjecting with questions to clarify points or gather additional details. "Did you notice any distinctive features or hear any names mentioned?"

"No specific names," the witness replied. "But they mentioned their boss needed the room occupied by one of the victims, referring to him as 'the old man.' It seemed crucial for their plans."

The detective noted everything down meticulously, ensuring no detail was overlooked. The crime scene unit began their work, cordoning off the area and collecting evidence. Photographs were taken from multiple angles, and each body was examined carefully before being moved.

The detective reassured the witness, "Thank you for your cooperation. We'll handle it from here. Please, make sure to stay available for further questions as the investigation proceeds."