"I'm sorry… I had no choice. I tried many things and found that you fear tears the most. To keep you from leaving Nanmo Country and being hunted outside, I had to do that…"
"I knew it!" Shigeo flicked her forehead. "Strange… are women made of water? When you cry, it shakes heaven and earth, terrifies even ghosts. And think, if I truly wanted to leave, who could stop me? Idiot!"
Wuqianling's eyes widened. "So you didn't stay because of me?"
"Right."
"Then when you grow up, will you marry me?"
"No."
"Brother Shigeo…"
…
The camp location was fifty li south of the island, on a tall mountain. Scenic beauty surrounded them: sea on one side, mountains on the other, streams trickling down, birds singing in the trees.
This time, besides the thirty-six newly promoted jōnin, Wu Mang also came. Grandma Chen and Xiaoming joined too, along with two doctors collecting medicinal herbs and four or five villagers.
When they arrived, some pitched tents and built fire pits. Others went into the forest to help the doctors.
Shigeo stood atop the mountain, gazing over the tidal flats stretching endlessly below.
"Grandma Chen, what's for dinner?" Honglin asked.
Among the thirty-six, he had the best results and the strongest ability.
Grandma Chen and Xiaoming had always cared for the group. During training, they pushed carts to bring them water and food, and later visited them in the hospital.
If Shigeo was a smiling terror, these two were their gentle comfort.
"Honglin-nii, this season's crabs are delicious! There's a tidal flat down there with lots of them. Let's catch crabs!" Xiaoming suggested.
"Alright, we'll help too!" a few ninja volunteered.
"Good! Bring them back and I'll cook. I brought plenty of spices." Grandma Chen smiled.
She had prepared other food too. For more than fifty people, she needed to make sure all ate well.
When they reached the flats, they saw Shigeo already standing in the mud, facing the sea breeze. The sunset gilded his figure with golden light.
"Shigeo-dono?" Honglin called.
Shigeo turned slowly, smiling faintly.
Some shivered. "Why… every time he smiles like that, I feel scared."
"Me too…" others nodded nervously.
"Catching crabs? There, and there. Plenty of holes. Get moving."
He leapt to them, carefully removing his new clothes and folding them on a clean branch. His feet had not even touched the mud.
Together they worked, soon catching over a hundred crabs. Later, more joined, filling two full baskets.
Back at camp, tents were set up. Wu Mang had hunted game, now cut into meat chunks and boiled in a large pot.
Grandma Chen roasted vegetables, fish, and meat—dozens of plates.
Wu Mang also brought two barrels of rice wine, brewed himself, which he usually hoarded, but today he shared.
Everyone sat around the fire, eating and drinking, joy overflowing.
Shigeo sat with two villagers, chatting as they ate.
"Harvest time soon. Looks like the crops will be good this year," he said to Brother Wu.
"Yes, no problem with grain, but other goods are still lacking."
Shigeo nodded. Xiaoming handed him grilled meat.
"Shigeo-dono, have some."
"Thanks." Looking at the meat, Shigeo thought of the many Nanmo folk who rarely even tasted oil in a year.
A new land, a new country. To protect themselves, they had closed borders. An island with limited resources, relying on one trade route—not enough.
No wonder rogue ninja envied the Five Great Villages. In resources, weapons, land, they were stronger.
"We must expand maritime transport somehow." Shigeo drank rice wine.
Brother Wu agreed. "Yes. Our seas are rich, but with barriers blocking routes, much goes to waste. Still, these two years are better, thanks to you."
"No, it's everyone's effort."
Suddenly, music rang. Someone played an erxian lute, matched with wooden drums.
"Let's dance!" Wuqianling cried, pulling Grandma Chen into song and dance. Wu Mang joined, Xiaoming dragged ninja up, soon all were dancing.
The erxian's gentle notes, lively steps, delicious food, and starry sky wove a night of joy.
Laughter and play lasted deep into the night before they slept. The next morning, after breakfast, Shigeo gave an order that stunned the thirty-six ninja.
"What? Village chief, you want us to turn that whole tidal flat into farmland?"
"Yes. We're ninja, blades of the nation, warriors on the front lines. But I want you to be people first. To understand hardship, to care for others. You've been here a hundred days—you've seen it. The people need land. They need us. So… I ask you to help. No matter how small or large the task, give it your all."
They all stared at Shigeo, standing on a rock. Only twelve or thirteen, but every word he spoke pierced their hearts.
(End of Chapter)
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