Shanks glanced at Tomiko with a half-smile and said dryly, "Why ask a question when you already know the answer?"
He crouched beside the fire and checked the deer leg. The at was roasted through, the outer layer crisp and golden. He nodded with quiet satisfaction.
"It's done."
Tomiko stepped closer, worry still etched across her face.
"You can't go to Yu Village," she said firmly. "I don't know your full strength—and honestly, I don't want to guess—but going there is suicide. You'll be throwing your life away."
Shanks didn't respond right away. He reached for a small pouch, pulled out so seasoning, and lightly dusted the at with it. Then, glancing at Tomiko, he held a piece toward her.
"If you want, you can have so."
Tomiko's eyes lingered on the food longer than she ant to. Her stomach betrayed her before she could speak—grumbling loudly in protest. She hadn't eaten since the night before, too busy running for her life to even think about food. Now, just the sll of roasted at made her knees feel weak.
Flushed with embarrassnt, she crossed her arms and tried to deflect the attention.
"Are you even listening to ?" she snapped, cheeks burning. "I'm serious. I'm not exaggerating. If you go to Yu Village, you really might die!"
Shanks didn't flinch. Instead, he tore off a portion of the at and extended it again.
"Here. Take it. You clearly need it more than I do."
Then, with the sa calm tone, he added, "And yes, I'm listening. How could I not? You've been talking non-stop—even when I didn't ask. So I'm sure you'll tell plenty more... especially about why exactly I'm supposed to die if I set foot in Yu Village."
Tomiko hesitated only for a mont before accepting the at Shanks offered. Hunger won out over pride. She took the portion gratefully and started eating without a word. Every bite hit like a lifesaver. She hadn't realized just how drained she was until now.
By the ti she finished, the tension in her shoulders had eased, and her voice was steadier.
"I didn't an to insult your strength," she said, quieter now. "But you don't understand the situation. The Daimyo of the Land of Hot Water put a bounty on the heads of the Kirigakure forces. That brought in all kinds of people—independent ninjas, bounty hunters, even shinobi from the major villages looking to make so easy money."
She paused, then added, "To deal with that, Kirigakure sent one of the Seven Ninja Swordsn. Juzo Biwa—the wielder of Kubikiribōchō."
Shanks finally looked up from his al.
Tomiko continued, her tone more urgent. "He's not alone. There are around ten Jonins with him—well, nine now, since you killed one—and at least a hundred Chunins, maybe more. All of them are stationed in Yu Village. That place is crawling with Kirigakure's elite. Juzo alone is on another level, but with that kind of support… you can't just walk in there thinking you'll survive, let alone win."
Shanks paused mid-bite, his eyes thoughtful. Then slowly, a smile curved on his lips. Not a mocking smile—sothing closer to satisfaction.
Jackpot, he thought. If I can take out that entire force and collect the bounties, I won't have to worry about money for a long ti. The clan will be set.
Tomiko saw his expression shift and felt a chill.
"You're not still planning to go to Yu Village… are you?" she asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and concern.
Shanks glanced at her, then casually replied, "Where I go... I don't think I owe you an answer, do I?"
He stood, brushing ash from his fingers, then locked eyes with her.
"Now. Answer the question I asked earlier. Where is Yu Village?"
Tomiko let out a long sigh. Shanks's tone and expression made it clear—his mind was set. He was going to Yu Village, no matter what she said.
Still, she couldn't ignore the reality. He had saved her life, fought off deadly pursuers without hesitation, and asked for only one thing in return—an answer. Refusing that now would feel both ungrateful and pointless.
Besides, even if she kept silent, a man like him would find Yu Village eventually. He'd ask around, track clues, and get there one way or another. Hiding the location served no real purpose.
After finishing his al, Shanks stood and turned to her.
Tomiko rose as well, then pointed toward the northeast. "From here, head that way. Yu Village is about 30 miles out. Through the forest, past the twin stone ridges, then follow the river upstream. You'll see the outer watch posts once you're close."
Shanks gave a curt nod, silently committing the directions to mory. Thirty miles. Not close, but not too far either.
Then he raised his voice. "Frosty! Let's go—we're moving out!"
Tomiko blinked, confused. Frosty? she thought. Who's Frosty?
The answer ca with the sound of heavy footsteps—the crunch of leaves and the weight of sothing massive moving through the forest. Then, erging from between the trees, ca a white tiger. Towering—easily larger than a horse—with muscle-packed limbs and piercing eyes. Its presence radiated raw power. Even without a fight, Tomiko could tell: she stood no chance against this beast. It was far stronger than her.
(AI generated image in the comnt.)
Shanks jumped easily onto Frosty's back. Then, with a glance over his shoulder, he said,
"My na is Shanks Uzumaki—from the Uzumaki Clan. If fate's kind, maybe we'll et again."
And with that, he gave a gentle pat to Frosty's side.
"Let's go."
The white tiger responded imdiately, moving with surprising grace for sothing so massive. Within seconds, they were gone—disappearing into the trees like a ghostly blur.
Tomiko stood there, staring at the space where they'd vanished, the sound of their departure fading into silence. Her thoughts spun as she replayed what had just happened.
Shanks Uzumaki… she repeated in her mind.
----
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