Tomiko stood still for a moment, watching the last rustle of trees where Shanks had vanished.
It's not entirely my fault if he heads to Yu Village… but still, she thought. I should follow him.
She clenched her fists, then nodded to herself.
A few years ago, I heard about the fall of the Uzumaki Clan—wiped out, scattered. Only a few survivors made it out alive. He must be one of them. But I've never heard of a powerful shinobi named Shanks Uzumaki.
Her brow furrowed.
No matter. Even if I don't know him, I can't let him face this alone. If he's wounded or forced to retreat, I can at least back him up. And anyway, I have my own mission in Yu Village. My clan members are planning to rendezvous with me there.
With that thought solidified, her hesitation vanished. She took off, sprinting in the direction Shanks had gone.
Meanwhile, over a hundred meters ahead, Shanks continued riding Frosty at a steady pace. He wasn't pushing the beast's speed—on purpose. In a direct fight, Frosty could be a huge asset. He didn't want to risk tiring the tiger out before reaching Yu Village.
Suddenly, within the radius of his observation Haki, he sensed movement behind him. Fast. Familiar chakra.
Tomiko? he thought, confused. Why is she following me?
He didn't slow down. Moments later, Tomiko emerged from the trees, keeping pace alongside Frosty, her breathing steady despite the effort.
Shanks turned slightly, giving her a glance. "Why are you following me?"
Tomiko didn't miss a step. "Because you're heading to Yu Village, even knowing Juzo is there. That means you've got some kind of confidence—or a plan. If you can defeat Juzo, that gives me a chance to finish what I started."
Shanks gave a silent nod. He didn't question her any further, nor did he offer a response. His eyes shifted back to the road ahead, his expression unreadable.
They traveled like that for nearly ten minutes—Shanks riding calmly on Frosty, Tomiko running beside them in silence.
Tomiko cast a quick glance at him, sweat glistening on her brow.
What a cold guy, she thought bitterly. Can't he see I'm running on foot? Not even a word, not even a gesture to offer me a ride…
She gritted her teeth, half-expecting him to say something. He didn't. His focus stayed forward, locked onto the path ahead, unwavering.
----
Nearly two hours later, deep within Yu Village, Juzo Biwa sat at the head of a makeshift war table inside a hall. Around him were several Jonin from Kirigakure, their faces marked by fatigue and calculation. The room smelled of ink, damp stone, and the faint metallic trace of blood—coming from these Jonins.
(Fig: AI-generated. Ignore the giant sword in the back.)
One of the Jonin broke the silence, reading from a scroll.
"So far, we've collected close to four million in ryo and about ten million worth in grain, medicine, and other supplies."
Juzo nodded, leaning back slightly in his seat. His massive blade, Kubikiribōchō, rested beside him like a silent threat.
"Then Yu Village has outlived its usefulness," he said flatly. "We've stripped it of everything of value. And now the people are starving, growing restless. Some are already whispering about rebellion."
He narrowed his eyes.
"We could crush them easily, of course—wipe them out like insects—but doing that would draw unnecessary attention. The Daimyo of the Land of Hot Water is already under pressure. If we push too hard, he might appeal to the Fire Country for help."
He paused, his voice growing sharper.
"And if Konoha gets involved, we're looking at a real war front. One we can't afford—not while we're still tied up in conflict with Kumogakure."
The others around the table exchanged grim looks and nodded in agreement. They understood. Fighting on two fronts, especially against a giant like Konoha, wasn't just risky—it was suicide.
Then another Jonin leaned forward. "Riko still hasn't reported back. He left hours ago to track that Uchiha girl. He should've been back by now."
A brief silence followed.
Juzo exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing.
"Hmph. So either he got sloppy… or someone else stepped in."
He looked up, voice low and deliberate.
"If Konoha's already sent reinforcements—especially from the Uchiha clan—then it means our time here is running short."
The room fell into a heavy silence. Everyone present understood what the mention of the Uchiha Clan truly meant.
If the Uchiha were involved, this wasn't just a bounty issue anymore—it was political, and it was dangerous. The Fire Country wouldn't sit still. If the Uchiha had been dispatched, then the Hidden Leaf was watching, and Kirigakure's presence in the Land of Hot Water had just crossed a line.
Juzo's tone turned resolute. "We stay in Yu Village for tonight—no longer. At first light, we begin our withdrawal."
He looked toward two of the seated Jonin. "If Riko hasn't returned by then, Siho and Ryu—you each take a team. Search for him. Confirm whether he's dead or alive."
The two men stood simultaneously. "Understood."
Just then, the door swung open. A Chunin burst into the room, breathing hard, his eyes wide with panic. His dress slightly different, marked him as part of the sensory unit.
Juzo recognized him immediately—and frowned. "What is it? Why the panic?"
The Chunin quickly bowed and spoke, his voice tight with urgency.
"Lord Juzo! I just detected three chakra signatures approaching—fast. They're less than one kilometer from the village."
Juzo's eyes sharpened. "Three?"
The Chunin nodded. "One of them is definitely the Uchiha girl. No doubt. But… there's no trace of Riko-san. His chakra is gone."
A low murmur rippled through the room.
Juzo's gaze darkened. "So she made it out… and she didn't come back alone. Riko likely met his end. Fine. But that still doesn't explain the look on your face."
He took a step forward, voice colder. "You look terrified. Why?"
The sensory Chunin hesitated, then swallowed hard before answering.
"Because, my lord… one of those three—his chakra is… massive. Easily more than five times your own."
The room froze.
Juzo's face went rigid with disbelief. "What?"
He shot to his feet, the chair behind him scraping against the stone. His hand instinctively rested on the hilt of Kubikiribōchō.
A chakra level five times his own? That wasn't just an elite shinobi. That was something else entirely.
----
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