It was the early hours of the morning.
The night was still deep.
The torrential rain had finally eased, replaced by an ever-thickening blanket of mist.
A massive black ship slowly emerged from the fog and came to a stop at the harbor.
The woman on night watch merely glanced at it from afar.
Recognizing its owner, she smiled casually.
Without stepping forward to question or inspect it, she waved it through without hesitation.
Just as she was about to leave, however, someone called out from the ship.
“Zhuyu!” The woman known as Zhuyu stopped in her tracks and turned toward the approaching figures.
Especially when she saw the tiny girl running toward her on her little legs…
She instinctively opened her arms.
“Auntie Zhuyu!
Hug!” Puff!
Little Shigure threw herself into the woman’s embrace, rubbing her face happily against the woman’s soft chest as she spoke in a childish voice.
“Ehehe!
Little Shigure?” A warm smile spread across Zhuyu’s face.
Looking up at Meiyu approaching behind the girl, she asked in surprise, “Mr.
Meiyu, weren’t you supposed to be buying supplies?
Why are you back so soon?” Meiyu stopped beside her and scratched the back of his head with his usual honest smile.
“We ran into a group of river pirates on the way.” “Pretty bad luck.” He casually sat down beside her before sighing with envy.
“That said…
your life really does seem peaceful.” The woman covered her mouth with a laugh.
“A woman nobody wants can only muddle through life like this.” Though she sounded as if she were joking about herself…
The way she looked at Meiyu carried a trace of quiet resentment.
“…Do you have some time?” Meiyu scratched his head again.
After hesitating for a long moment…
He finally made up his mind.
“Would you like to have a drink together?” “I’m friends with the owner of that new izakaya over there.” “The food and sake are both excellent.” Zhuyu raised an eyebrow.
She seemed genuinely surprised by how proactive he was being today.
“Is today some kind of holiday?” “If I remember correctly…” “Neither your birthday nor Little Shigure’s is today.” “I just got scolded.” Meiyu sighed.
His thoughts drifted back to the conversation aboard the ship.
“Forgive me for being presumptuous, but if I remember correctly…
your wife passed away three years ago.” Unkawa’s voice had been full of sympathy.
“I don’t know what happened, but Little Shigure had a nightmare last night.” “She kept crying for her mother.” “I woke her up, held her in my arms, and told her a story before she finally fell asleep.” “You don’t need to thank me.” “Little Shigure is adorable.” “She’s such a good, considerate child.” “I like her very much.” “But sometimes…” “She’s so mature that it breaks my heart.” “If I’m not mistaken…” “She’s only three years old.” “So…
your wife was killed by river pirates.” “What a tragedy.” “Although it may be presumptuous of me…” “For Little Shigure’s sake…” “I still hope you’ll move forward.” “…Wait.” “What exactly do you think I am?” “Don’t make me sound like someone who deserves to be hanged from a lamppost.” “I’d like to think I’m a leader with integrity who genuinely cares about his people.” “I’ve told all of you many times.” “As long as it doesn’t affect the bigger picture…” “You’re free to choose your own life.” “Of course…” “When I truly need you, I won’t hesitate to call.” “So you’d better be prepared to be dragged out of your warm, peaceful life by me.” “I just hope you won’t resent me when that day comes.” Unkawa’s troubled expression still lingered vividly in Meiyu’s mind.
He couldn’t help chuckling to himself.
Returning to reality, he looked at the woman before him.
The woman…
Who had waited for him every single day for the past three years.
Waiting for him at this harbor.
Morning after morning.
Night after night.
He had always known the answer.
Hadn’t he?
“Oh no…” “I’ve really been seen through.” Meiyu laughed awkwardly while scratching his head.
Looking at the bewildered woman before him…
He reached out and gently took her hand.
“I’m sorry…” “I’ve kept you waiting far too long.” Zhuyu froze.
A moment later…
Color slowly spread across her pale cheeks.
“S-So even the dense Mr.
Meiyu can say something so bold…” She instinctively teased him.
Yet…
She never pulled her hand away.
The two gazed quietly into each other’s eyes.
The atmosphere gradually grew warmer.
Until…
A tiny giggle sounded between them.
Zhuyu snapped back to reality.
Blushing furiously, she withdrew her hand before looking down at the little girl in her arms.
“Does that mean…” Little Shigure blinked innocently.
“I can call you something different now?” “Auntie Zhuyu…” “No…” “…Mom.” The woman’s face instantly turned even redder.
Putting on a fierce expression, she pinched Little Shigure’s chubby cheeks.
“That’s right!” “I’m going to be your wicked stepmother!” “You’d better prepare yourself!” Then she turned toward Meiyu.
Trying to sound composed, she said, “Mr.
Meiyu…” “I’ll take Little Shigure to change into some clean clothes.” “Please excuse me for a while.” She had only taken a few steps before suddenly stopping.
Without turning around, she spoke in a voice barely louder than a whisper.
“If possible…” “Please thank Lord Unkawa for me.” “Otherwise…” “I don’t know how much longer I would have had to wait…” “…before hearing those words from you.” Watching the two figures disappear into the distance…
Meiyu subconsciously took out a rolled cigarette from his pocket.
The smile on his face slowly faded.
Replacing it…
Was solemn resolve.
“The Land of Rain…” “The Land of Wind…” “The Land of Earth…” “The Land of Water…” “The Land of Fire…” “The Land of Whirlpools…” “The Land of Lightning…” “War…” “That hateful war…” “…is coming again.” He was old.
Too old to continue working on the front lines.
His only daughter possessed no talent whatsoever for becoming a shinobi.
“Lord Unkawa has given us the freedom to choose the lives most suitable for ourselves.” “And I truly don’t want my daughter risking her life on the front lines.” “But…” He sighed softly.
“When I think about growing old peacefully in bed…” “…instead of dying while pursuing peace…” “And knowing my daughter can’t inherit my responsibilities…” “I can’t help feeling a little unwilling.” As he pondered…
Large raindrops struck the fingers holding his cigarette.
Meiyu slowly came back to his senses.
He looked up at the cloud-filled night sky.
Then toward the room where laughter and cheerful voices drifted into the rainy night.
After a long silence…
He put the cigarette back into his pocket.
A smile once again appeared on his face.
Yes.
War.
That hateful war.
Yet…
To protect everything they had struggled so hard to obtain…
They had no choice but to keep moving forward.
Otherwise…
They would simply relive what had happened three years ago.
Forced to watch helplessly as everything precious was stolen from them.
As their happy families were torn apart.
So that their children would one day have the freedom to choose their own lives…
For the sake of the noblest goal imaginable…
He and his companions were willing to employ the vilest methods.
Even if those methods…
Were the very wars they despised.
Meiyu believed every one of the old companions gathered around Lord Unkawa possessed the same resolve.
“Oh, right…” “Come to think of it…” “Lord Unkawa once brought back another red-haired kid.” A vivid flash of crimson hair surfaced in his memory.
Narrowing his eyes, Meiyu murmured to himself, “I wonder…” “Will the children he brought back this time…” “…be able to match that little fellow’s talent?” The boy whose aptitude for both ninjutsu…
And assassination…
Was so extraordinary that it inspired envy…
Even jealousy.
The red-haired boy…
Who had been fortunate enough to receive a family name from Lord Unkawa.
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