"My Uncle Kaiza's persistent efforts have finally paid off! The shipping company's boss, Kado, said he would consider opening the shipping routes. We've finally won!" Inari eagerly shared the breakthrough in tonight's negotiations with Hanabi.
"That's amazing," Hanabi clapped her hands.
Inari didn't notice Hanabi's perfunctory response. Instead, he took her applause as genuine approval, which only fueled his excitement.
He spoke with the enthusiasm of a missionary, recounting how his Uncle Kaiza's bravery, wisdom, and exceptional charisma had convinced the shipping company boss, Kado, to agree to the Land of Waves' demands.
Hanabi grew impatient and replied, "He only said he'd consider it. That doesn't mean he's really going to open the routes."
Inari was taken aback. Seeing everyone return with smiles on their faces had made him optimistic. He believed that Kado's promise to "consider" their demands was just a small hurdle that they could easily overcome with a little more effort. He thought Hanabi was pouring cold water on their efforts and tarnishing his Uncle Kaiza's heroic image, which made him angry.
"That will happen eventually! My Uncle Kaiza is so amazing, Kado will definitely agree!!"
"How amazing is he?" Hanabi questioned, "Can he use ninjutsu?"
"Uncle Kaiza isn't a ninja, but he's even better than a ninja!!" Inari shouted.
Hanabi scoffed, "A regular person can't beat a ninja. Are you an idiot, Inari?""It's not about who can beat whom… My uncle can persuade Kado to open the routes. Can a ninja do that? No, right?" Inari retorted, feeling his logic becoming clearer in his anger.
"Why not? I could put a kunai to Kado's throat, and he would agree. He's only bullying you because you can't hire powerful ninjas," Hanabi said confidently. "And your uncle hasn't actually persuaded him. You said Kado only said he'd ‘consider' it."
"I misspoke. Kado already agreed to open the routes the day after tomorrow!" Inari, desperate to win the argument, began to ignore the facts.
Hanabi looked at him skeptically, then shook her head. "Even if that's true, he's definitely lying to you."
"Impossible!!" Inari shouted.
"Why not? You don't have the power to oppose Kado, so why should he care about what you think?" Hanabi asked, seeing Inari turn red with anger. She sighed softly and said earnestly, "My brother said begging won't bring peace. Power is everything."
"Your brother is full of crap!"
"What did you say?!" Hanabi erupted in anger, kicking Inari to the ground.
"What? It's okay for you to insult my uncle, but I can't insult your brother!!" Inari, now scared, didn't dare get up but still shouted defiantly.
"That's right, you can't!!" Hanabi declared fiercely. After hitting Inari twice, she threatened, "If you insult my brother again, I'll beat you up!"
Inari got up from the ground, but he didn't dare to say, "If you insult my uncle, I'll beat you up." Instead, he glared at Hanabi with all his might before wisely and angrily leaving the yard, forgetting even to take his dog, Pochi.
With his departure, the yard fell silent, save for the gentle sound of rain hitting the windows.
Pochi licked Hanabi's fingers, but she ignored it. She took a deep breath, hugging her small frame as she sat on the ground, still feeling angry and wronged by Inari's words.
She wanted to talk to Neji about it, but the entrance to the basement was locked. Hanabi didn't know what Neji was doing inside, but she understood that she couldn't disturb him.
Hanabi sighed softly. Despite her young age, she felt burdened with big worries.
She spent two hours practicing her Gentle Fist in the newly built training area, which slightly improved her mood. However, there was still no sign of activity in the basement, so Hanabi went to the kitchen and baked some bread.
She prepared three servings: one for Neji, one for herself, and one for Pochi.
But as night fell and she dozed off at the dining table, Neji's portion of the bread remained untouched beside her.
When Inari returned home, he found his stepfather, Kaiza, missing.
Kaiza, known as the hero of the Land of Waves, was a paragon of virtue. He rarely stayed out all night, but if he did, he always informed the family in advance to put their minds at ease.
But this time, there was no word from him.
Tazuna speculated that the heavy rain might have delayed Kaiza, or perhaps he was at a friend's house discussing the next day's negotiations with Kado. Although these explanations seemed unlikely, they slightly eased Inari's worries.
Before going to bed, Inari remembered Hanabi's words and shook his head.
"Someone as great as Uncle Kaiza can't be in trouble, right?"
He reassured himself and hugged the toy Kaiza had given him on his birthday, falling asleep until the next morning.
He couldn't recall his dreams, but when he woke up, he found himself alone in the house.
Unfinished milk and bread were on the dining table, the front door was wide open, and the wind was blowing in, making a mess of the house.
Inari stared blankly at the scene.
Where was everyone?
He stepped outside and noticed that the neighbors were also absent.
It felt like he was still dreaming.
What had happened?
Inari didn't know.
Suddenly, he froze.
"Begging won't bring peace."
Hanabi's words echoed in his mind.
He thought of Kaiza, who had disappeared the night before.
He thought of the people who had vanished.
His breathing quickened.
He ran toward the dock, starting with a walk, then a jog, and finally a full sprint. As he approached, the truth of the situation began to unfold before him.
"People!"
A crowd had gathered at the dock. They were indeed there!!
"Everyone—"
Inari wanted to say something, but everyone turned to look at him with expressions of deep sorrow.
He wanted to ask something, but the crowd silently pushed him to the front.
"You…"
The scene opens before him, but his voice is caught in his throat, and he is unable to speak.
Ahead, Kado's voice rang out:
"This is what happens to terrorists!!"
"This is the fate of those who defy Kado Company!!"
Crack!
With each crack of the whip.
The hero of the Land of Waves, Kaiza, hung from a wooden pole, his body covered in bloody welts.
Crack!
Kaiza hung his head, grunting in pain with each lash.
Crack!
Inari felt a chill in his limbs as he looked around at the terrified faces of the people.
Crack!
It felt like something inside him was breaking apart completely.
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