Chapter 295: When Does the Ship Depart?
"Yes, what is it, kid?" asked the old man, his voice sounding heavy and hoarse, yet still patient.
Aoki swallowed, inhaling the salty sea air, then said, "Do you know where to buy tickets for a ship to the Land of Water?"
Upon hearing this, the old man let out a short laugh—a sound more like a grunt. He spat to the side and then looked at Aoki again with a scrutinizing gaze. "Hmm? You know, kid? The Land of Fire and the Land of Water are at war. Even though the ninjas from Kirigakure have been pushed back, the sea route there is still like baiting your own hook. The waters are full of patrols, and pirates are crazier than usual. If you want to drown, you're in the right place."
The old man's tone wasn't very loud, but it was enough to make Aoki straighten his shoulders. From behind, Mei looked at Aoki with a hint of anxiety, her fingers gripping the edge of her clothing. Tetsu and Ajisai stood not far away, exchanging glances without a word, only the sound of their breaths filling the silence.
Aoki looked up slightly, trying to meet the old man's eyes without blinking. "I know, sir. But this... isn't for me. There's someone. This girl lost her family because of the war, and her only hope is to go to Kirigakure... to meet distant relatives who are still alive there."
The lie slipped out smoothly, Aoki's tone sounding heavy, his eyes dimming as if holding back sorrow. The old man studied Aoki, observing the boy's dark eyes, trying to assess whether he was hearing a mere fabrication or a real tragedy. The sound of a hammer striking a nail on the ship's deck accompanied the brief silence between them.
Finally, the old man took a deep breath, the stale scent of tobacco carried by the wind. "Is that so? So where is this person?"
Aoki slowly turned, pointing towards Mei, Tetsu, and Ajisai. Mei stared at the old man without flinching, her chin slightly raised—not in arrogance, but more in caution. Tetsu looked down, his gaze dim, while Ajisai quietly nibbled on the remnants of her dango.
The old man watched them in silence for a few seconds, his gaze dim yet sharp, as he took a long breath, his hunched shoulders rising slowly, then falling again like an old boat resigned to the waves.
"Well then... you're lucky, kid," the old man murmured, his hoarse voice swallowed by the salty wind from the sea behind him. "As it happens, I will be sailing to Kirigakure. I'm bringing along some traders who are crazy enough to keep trading in the midst of war. No other ships are willing to take passengers there. If you want to come, come with me."
Aoki let out a silent sigh of relief. He looked at Mei as if seeking her approval. Mei met his gaze, her eyes softening, the corners of her lips lifting slightly—a subtle nod that needed no words. Behind Mei, Ajisai shifted her feet restlessly, while Tetsu remained quiet and calm.
Aoki stepped closer to the old man. The sound of the waves crashing against the dock pillars beneath their feet filled the air. "Sir, if I may ask... when does the ship depart?"
"Tomorrow. Before the sun rises too high. The sea breeze is friendliest when the dew is still fresh," the old man replied softly.
Aoki nodded slowly. "Then... how much is the ticket, sir?"
The old man squinted, looking at Aoki's face as if still unsure that such a small child had real money. "35,000 Ryo per head. If there are four of you... well, you can do the math."
Upon hearing this, Aoki reached into the cloth pouch at his waist, feeling the touch of paper money in his palm. The sea wind blew fiercely, sending salt dust to Aoki's cheek.
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