The Stealthy Ninja

    By Amber Monroe

    The Stealthy Ninja cover image

    26 May, 2024

    a boy in a room with toys and a wall with pictures on it and a teddy bear on the floor, sots art, a storybook illustration, Diego Gisbert Llorens, 2 d game art

    Every night, after his bedtime story, the young boy would dream of being a ninja. His room, a training ground, filled with the soft hum of his quiet determination.

    a man holding a baby in a room with toys on the floor and a wall with pictures on it, context art, a storybook illustration, Dustin Nguyen, official art

    His father, knowing his son's ambitions, always played along. He would pretend to be a guard while the boy tried to sneak past him into the parents' bedroom.

    a cartoon of a boy in a kimono in a hallway with a door open and a sign on the wall, sots art, a manga drawing, Baiōken Eishun, official art

    The boy would tiptoe through the hallway, trying to be as silent as possible. But his father, with his keen hearing, would always catch him and say, 'If you want to be a ninja, I shouldn't be able to hear ya!'

    a cartoon of a man in a kimono walking down a hallway with another man in the background behind him, sots art, a comic book panel, Baiōken Eishun, graphic novel

    The boy took his father's words to heart. Every night, he would practice moving as quietly as possible, like a shadow dancing across the room.

    a man holding a child in a room with pictures on the wall and a rug on the floor in front of him, private press, a comic book panel, Adam Manyoki, official art

    Despite repeated failures, the boy's spirit remained unbroken. His father was amazed at his son's unwavering determination and began to secretly cheer for him.

    a boy in a karate stance in a room with a desk and a computer monitor on it, with a window behind him, dau-al-set, a comic book panel, Dai Jin, official art

    The boy studied the art of stealth, how to control his breathing, how to step lightly. He was getting better, and he knew it.

    a boy in a bedroom with a bed and a dresser and a window with curtains and a bed in the background, sots art, a character portrait, Dai Jin, character portrait

    Tonight was the night. The boy felt confident. He slipped off his bed and began his journey towards the parents' room, moving like a wisp of wind.

    a man and a boy walking down a hallway in pajamas and robes, with a doorway in the background, private press, a comic book panel, Asaf Hanuka, graphic novel

    His father, waiting as usual, suddenly realized he didn't hear his son's usual tiny footsteps. He looked down the hall and saw no one. Could it be?

    a family sitting on a bed in front of a full moon with a night sky background and stars and a lamp, space art, a storybook illustration, Asaf Hanuka, moon

    The boy managed to sneak into the room without making a sound, waking his parents with a triumphant whisper. 'I did it!' His mother, hearing the excitement in his voice, woke up with a start.

    a man and a child sitting on a bed in a bedroom with a window in the background and a picture of a man and a child on the bed, dau-al-set, a comic book panel, Adam Manyoki, graphic novel

    His father was overjoyed and proud. 'You did it, son! You're a real ninja now.' The boy beamed with pride. His mother, still half asleep, chuckled at their antics.

    a boy in a blue shirt standing in a bedroom with a full moon in the background and a teddy bear on the bed, space art, a comic book panel, Arthur Pan, moon

    The boy was elated. He had proven himself, and he felt invincible. He knew that he could achieve anything he set his mind to, and he was ready for his next challenge.

    a man and two children are sitting on a bed in front of a full moon and stars night sky, ukiyo-e, a storybook illustration, Adam Manyoki, official art

    With their hearts full of love and admiration, his parents tucked their little ninja back into bed. The boy drifted off to sleep, dreaming of his next adventure. The house returned to its peaceful quiet, awaiting the next night's mission.