Haikawa Port.
A bustling port city on the western edge of the Land of Water.
Its unique location near the Land of Fire made it the perfect hub for merchants from both nations. Wealthy traders settled here, throwing money at entertainment venues and fueling a booming nightlife. With rich politicians gathering as well, what had once been a small fishing village transformed into one of the Land of Water's most important gateways.
But where there is light, there is shadow.
The city center remained stable under official oversight, but the surrounding slums were a breeding ground for gangs and outlaws.
"Hey, old hag, where's that good stuff you promised me?"
A man with dyed blond hair, Bunpei Haruka, swaggered down the street. He wore a gaudy Yokosuka jacket, a toothpick dangling from his mouth. Hunched over, he showed off the blue tattoos curling across his arms, grinning wide enough to reveal a mouthful of yellow teeth.
The pedestrians shrank back in fear. Bunpei tilted his head higher, basking in their terror.
"At my shop, boss," said a gray-haired woman in plain clothes, bowing obsequiously. "She's beautiful, the finest quality, just like you wanted."
Bunpei snorted, unimpressed. "These slum rats don't know quality. Call it top-shelf all you want, it'll probably be bottom of the barrel."
He clicked his tongue, remembering the Flower Street in the city center, where the rich indulged themselves. Compared to those "top-class" women, the slums offered nothing. Still, he followed the woman, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
Soon they arrived at her ramen stall.
It was just past noon, the summer sun scorching overhead. Only one customer sat there.
"There she is, boss!"
Bunpei's eyes instantly locked on the girl.
Silver-gray hair spilled down her shoulders. A white cloak wrapped around her small frame. Seated, she wasn't even one and a half meters tall. Her delicate face was pale and flawless, her eyes covered with a strip of cloth. Even with only her nose and lips visible, she was breathtaking.
A rare silver-haired beauty, blindfold and all.
Perfect merchandise.
"Shame she's so young… and blind," the old woman muttered carefully.
"You don't know a damn thing!" Bunpei shoved her aside. His grin widened as he circled the girl like a wolf.
This was the jackpot. The big boss would pay handsomely for a girl like this.
"Boss lady, another bowl," the girl said cheerfully after slurping down the last of her noodles and gulping the broth. She patted her stomach, smiling like a kitten that had found a treat.
"My little sister, what's so good about ramen?" Bunpei crouched down, trying to sound friendly. "How about I treat you to some meat instead?"
"Oh, really? Sure!"
The girl's smile blossomed.
Bunpei nearly drooled. She even had a travel bag and a blind staff. Knock her out, stuff her in the sack, and she was his golden ticket.
"Boss, about this month's fee " the old woman ventured timidly.
"You've got three days," Bunpei snapped, grabbing the girl's staff and pulling her toward a nearby alley.
Once they were alone, he dropped the act and yanked harder.
The staff didn't budge.
Confused, he pulled again with all his strength. Still nothing.
The blindfolded girl just stood there, smiling.
His gut went cold.
Moments later, the alley echoed with the crack of wood against flesh, followed by screams that died away into silence.
Tap. Tap.
Konome Taketori stepped out, leaning on her now bloodstained staff. Behind her, the alley was painted red.
Information gathering always worked best with local thugs. Bunpei had been all too eager to spill everything he knew about Haikawa Port its streets, its factions, its dangerous figures.
This city was just a stopover. Her true destination was Konoha. Causing unnecessary trouble here was the last thing she wanted.
"Boss lady, another bowl," Konome said as she returned to the ramen stall.
The old woman looked up, smiling automatically then froze. Her face drained of blood as her eyes flicked from the crimson-tipped staff back toward the alley.
Her lips trembled. No words came out.
"Can you make it faster? I'm in a hurry," Konome prompted.
The woman flinched. Hastily, she cooked another bowl of noodles and set it before the girl with shaking hands.
"I… I won't tell anyone," she stammered, tears streaming down her face.
Konome slurped her noodles calmly, unfazed. In this world, survival often meant embracing cruelty. The old woman was no different.
"I killed him. If your tongue slips, I'll be in trouble."
The old woman fell to her knees, sobbing. In desperation, she bit her own tongue, blood spilling from her mouth. Her forehead slammed against the ground again and again until it split open, crimson soaking into the dirt.
Konome finished her meal, stood, and gathered her belongings.
"Cruel to others, cruel to yourself… If I ever return to the Land of Water, I'll come have ramen again."
Without another glance, she walked toward the inner city.
…
Flower Street.
The first floor of the Golden Radiance Casino glittered with wealth. Marble pillars gleamed, chandeliers sparkled overhead, and gamblers crowded around dice tables.
"Triplets! Triplets!"
"It hit! 150 times payout!"
"That's the third time!"
The croupier wiped sweat from his brow. His hands shook as he looked at the blind girl cloaked in white.
Three times in a row. Three bets, each with a 150-to-1 payout.
Her mountain of chips was already worth over two hundred million.
If the boss found out, the dealer would be shark food.
"Keep going! Roll again!"
The gamblers shouted, eager to follow her bets. They shoved forward with their chips, eyes gleaming green with greed.
But the dealer froze. He refused to touch the dice again.
Konome sipped her drink, savoring the sweet and sour flavor. It reminded her of a life long gone. She didn't blame the man. He was just another worker trying to survive.
Her Byakugan had already scanned the entire building. Only three weak chakra signatures lingered bodyguards, barely above civilians. This wasn't Kirigakure's ANBU. This wasn't a nest of elites.
Her thoughts broke as heavy footsteps echoed.
"Make way!"
Black-suited bodyguards pushed through the crowd. At their center waddled a rotund man with a broad, almost comical smile.
This was Nobukuma Kouryuu, the big boss of Haikawa Port.
He stopped when he saw the girl sitting alone at the dice table, feet dangling above the floor, sipping her juice. For the first time in years, he struggled for words.
"I don't like being called that," Konome said flatly, crushing her empty cup into the shape of a crow before setting it down.
Kouryuu glanced at his three shinobi bodyguards. They shook their heads. None of them could do what she just did.
"Apologies. My name is Nobukuma Kouryuu. How may I serve you?" His tone dripped with respect.
"Let's talk upstairs."
The girl hopped off her stool, her chips left behind as the bodyguards ushered her toward a private room.
…
In a second-floor chamber, Kouryuu bowed deeply across from her.
"Three things," Konome said, raising three fingers.
"First, exchange my chips for cash."
"Of course."
"Second, I need passage to the Land of Fire."
"There's only one safe and fast way: the Hope. It sails regularly between the two nations, with shinobi guards to fend off pirates."
"That one. Make it quick."
Kouryuu barked orders at his man, Yuta, who hurried off.
"Third, a place to stay for the night."
"The casino's third floor has a hotel. I'll prepare the best suite for you."
Konome nodded. "Deduct the costs from my winnings. Also, subtract an extra million."
"For what reason?"
"Today, I killed one of your men. Bunpei Haruka. Consider it his ransom."
Kouryuu blinked, then forced a smile. He had no idea who Bunpei was he had too many lackeys to keep track.
"It's no trouble," Konome said as she rose. "Better to tie up loose ends."
With her demands secured, she leaned on her staff and walked out.
The slums were full of loose tongues. She never trusted that desperate old woman to keep quiet.