The Beasts of the Land of Hot Water?

"Awake so early?"

Stretching his limbs, Senju Fujima turned his head and smiled slightly at Tie Kui.

"Mm."

Tie Kui's face flushed slightly, and she gave a small nod.

"Wash up; it's about time we set off."

"Don't push yourself so hard in the future."

Senju Fujima nodded slightly, then retrieved a few rice balls from his storage space and tossed them to Tie Kui.

"Th-thank you."

Tie Kui caught the rice balls, looked down at them in her hands, and paused for a moment before speaking softly.

"It's nothing. We need to get moving once you've finished eating."

Senju Fujima said indifferently before walking away, paying no mind to Tie Kui's expression.

"What a strange person."

"But these rice balls... they're actually quite good."

"They taste a lot like the ones my mother used to make."

Tie Kui unwrapped a rice ball and took a bite. It tasted delicious, and she suddenly found herself missing her mother.

"Wood Release: Wooden Basin Technique."

"Water Release: Face-Washing Water."

After walking away, Senju Fujima conjured a wooden basin and released a small amount of Water Release.

"Splash!"

"Mm, washing my face first thing in the morning is quite refreshing."

After washing his face, Senju Fujima smiled faintly.

Following this, Senju Fujima took Tie Kui and headed toward the Land of Hot Water.

Since the Land of Hot Water was located out at sea, situated between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water, the two of them ran across the ocean the entire way.

Before long, Senju Fujima arrived in the Land of Hot Water with Tie Kui.

"Have you heard? Many of the fishermen who went out to sea from the north haven't returned for no reason at all."

"Haven't returned? I didn't know that. I haven't been out to sea lately; what happened?"

"I heard there's a massive monster on the sea that eats people, swallowing entire ships whole."

"What monster? What nonsense are you spouting? Where would we have monsters around here?"

"Believe it or not, I saw a giant mountain moving through the water just a while ago!"

"A mountain that moves? Why don't you say your house is flying, too?"

"Hahaha...!"

Just as Senju Fujima entered the Land of Hot Water, he passed by the entrance of a casino and heard a group of gamblers laughing and chatting inside.

"Hm?"

"A monster? A mountain?"

"Could it be the Three-Tails?"

"It couldn't be that coincidental, could it? Giving me the Three-Tails the moment I arrive?"

Upon hearing their conversation, Senju Fujima's brow furrowed as he thought of that giant 'turtle,' the Three-Tails.

"Come, let's go ask them."

With that, Senju Fujima grabbed Tie Kui's hand and walked straight into the casino.

"You? Let go of my hand."

Seeing Senju Fujima holding her hand, Tie Kui's face turned crimson, and she tried to struggle.

However, Senju Fujima's grip was incredibly firm, giving her no chance to resist. No matter how she struggled, she couldn't break free and was forced to be led along, albeit reluctantly.

"This isn't a place for kids. Shoo, shoo, go find somewhere cool to hang out."

As soon as they entered the casino, a guard watching the door saw the two of them and arrogantly blocked their path.

"Move."

Senju Fujima's brows knitted together as he spoke coldly.

"Oh? You brat, you're pretty cocky, aren't you?"

"Boss, this kid is actually being this arrogant, acting wild on our turf. Let's teach him a lesson."

"Yeah! Boss, let me handle it; I'm going to hack him to pieces."

Seeing Senju Fujima's arrogance, the group of guards couldn't hold back any longer and reached for their swords, ready to strike.

Because Senju Fujima found it troublesome, he had removed his Konoha forehead protector, not wanting to be recognized or bothered by others anymore.

Consequently, these people had no idea that the Senju Fujima standing before them was a ninja from Konoha.

"Kid, this isn't a place for children."

"However, if you have money, I suppose I could let you in."

The samurai addressed as the boss said indifferently, looking at Senju Fujima and Tie Kui.

"I'll count to three. If you don't get lost,"

"I'll throw you out myself."

Senju Fujima frowned; the incessant chatter just to enter a casino was becoming a nuisance.

"Kid, I've already been very polite to you."

"Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."

The lead boss furrowed his brows, feeling somewhat displeased upon hearing Senju Fujima's words.

"Three."

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Just as the lead boss was about to say something more, Senju Fujima had already lunged forward in an instant, knocking them all away in a few swift moves.

"Ah!"

"Thud."

"You damn brat, are you looking to die?"

After being sent flying, the group of samurai felt their rage ignite. They drew their katanas, their expressions turning vicious as they glared at Senju Fujima with hostile intent.

"Troublesome."

Tie Kui frowned, pulled her hand free from Senju Fujima's grip, and drew her blade with her right hand.

"Clang, clang, clang...!"

No one saw Tie Kui move, but the katanas in the hands of the several samurai had already been sliced in two.

"Huh?"

"So—so terrifying! Quick, run!"

"Oh my god! This little girl is so strong, let's go, let's go!"

"Boss, don't run! Wait for us!"

"If we don't leave now, it'll be too late. Wait for you? Am I an idiot?"

The samurai, who had been so arrogant just moments ago, now wished they had grown an extra pair of legs, running faster than anyone else the moment they saw their blades snapped in two.

Once the group of samurai had been driven off, everyone present felt a sense of dread, and even the casino owner felt a flicker of panic.

"Slap...!"

"What was that about a monster on the sea that you were talking about earlier?"

"Do you know where it is? Or can you take me there?"

"I'll give you one hundred thousand ryo. Whoever can lead me to the monster you mentioned,"

"This one hundred thousand ryo will be yours."

Senju Fujima took out one hundred thousand ryo and slammed it onto the gambling table, looking at the crowd as he asked.

"One—one hundred thousand ryo?"

"I—I know! I'll take you, I'll take you!"

The man who had initially claimed to have seen a mountain moving immediately grew greedy at the sight of the money and shouted loudly.

"I know too, I know too! I'll take you, I'll take you!"

"I know as well! I'll take you, don't listen to them, they don't know anything."

"They're all lying, they haven't seen anything at all. They only know because I told them."

"Stop arguing, all of us will go together and split the hundred thousand, how about that?"

These people were all gamblers, and it was perfectly normal for them to be blinded by greed, leading to a cacophony of conflicting claims.

"Enough. You, come with me."

"If you dare to deceive me, then there will be no need for you to exist."

Senju Fujima frowned as he listened to the chaotic chatter, unable to tell who was actually telling the truth.

He then pointed randomly at one person and spoke.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"This young—er, this lord, both of you lords, follow me, follow me."

A man, seeing that Senju Fujima had chosen him, felt overjoyed and quickly stood up, ready to lead the way.