"You're up early."
After stretching, Senju Fujima turned and smiled faintly at Tie Kui.
"Mm."
Tie Kui's cheeks flushed slightly as she nodded.
"Wash up. We should get going soon."
"Don't push yourself so hard from now on."
Senju Fujima nodded, then took a few rice balls from his storage space and tossed them to Tie Kui.
"Th-thank you."
Tie Kui caught the rice balls, lowered her head, and stared at them for a moment before speaking softly.
"It's nothing. We need to get moving once you've eaten."
Senju Fujima said casually, then walked away without paying attention to Tie Kui's expression.
"What a strange person."
"But these rice balls are pretty good."
"They taste a lot like the ones Mom used to make."
Tie Kui took out a rice ball and bit into it. It tasted good, and she suddenly found herself missing her mother.
"Wood Release: Wooden Basin Technique."
"Water Release: Face-Washing Water."
After walking away, Senju Fujima created a wooden washbasin and used a little Water Release.
"Splish, splash!"
"Mm, washing your face after getting up in the morning feels pretty nice."
After washing his face, Senju Fujima smiled faintly.
Then Senju Fujima set off with Tie Kui for the Land of Hot Water.
Since the Land of Hot Water lay on the sea, between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water, the two traveled there by running across the sea.
Soon, Senju Fujima and Tie Kui arrived in the Land of Hot Water.
"Have you heard? Lots of people who went out fishing in the north have been disappearing without a trace."
"Disappearing? I haven't heard anything. I haven't been out to sea lately. What happened?"
"I heard there's a huge monster out on the sea that eats people. It swallowed all those boats whole."
"What monster? What nonsense are you talking about? There aren't any monsters around here!"
"Don't be so sure. I saw a huge mountain before, and it was moving through the sea!"
"A mountain that moves? Why don't you say your house can fly, too?"
"Hahaha!"
As Senju Fujima entered the Land of Hot Water, he passed a casino and suddenly heard a group of gamblers joking around inside.
"Hmm?"
"Monster? Mountain?"
"Could it be the Three-Tails?"
"Could I really be that lucky? I show up, and the Three-Tails comes right to me?"
After hearing their conversation, Senju Fujima furrowed his brows. Then he thought of the Three-Tails, the gigantic "turtle."
"Come on, let's ask them."
Senju Fujima took Tie Kui by the hand and went straight into the casino.
"You—let go of my hand."
Tie Kui saw Senju Fujima holding her hand, blushed, and tried to pull free.
But Senju Fujima's grip was so strong that he gave her no chance to resist. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't break free, and could only let him lead her along, unwillingly.
"This isn't a place for kids. Shoo, go find somewhere else to hang out."
As soon as they entered the casino, a samurai on guard spotted Senju Fujima and Tie Kui and arrogantly blocked their way.
"Move."
Senju Fujima furrowed his brows and spoke coldly.
"Oh? You've got some nerve, kid."
"Boss, this brat's got a lot of nerve, causing trouble on our turf. Let's teach him a lesson."
"Yeah, boss! Let me at him. I'll cut him down!"
Seeing how brazen Senju Fujima was, the samurai couldn't hold back. One by one, they reached for their swords, eager to cut someone down.
"Kid, this isn't a place for children."
"But if you've got money, I can take you inside."
The samurai they called Boss looked at Senju Fujima and Tie Kui and spoke casually.
"I'll count to three. If you don't get lost..."
"Then I'll throw you all out."
Senju Fujima furrowed his brows. They were making a fuss over him simply entering a casino, and he was getting fed up.
"Kid, I've already been very polite to you."
"Don't push your luck."
The leader furrowed his brows, displeased by Senju Fujima's words.
"Three."
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
Before the leader could say anything else, Senju Fujima rushed forward in an instant and knocked them all flying in a matter of seconds.
"Ah!"
"Thump."
"Damn brat, you're asking for it!"
After being sent flying, the samurai seethed with rage. They all drew their swords, glaring viciously at Senju Fujima.
"Such a pain."
Tie Kui furrowed her brows, pulled her hand free from Senju Fujima's grip, and drew her sword with her right hand.
"Clang, clang, clang!"
No one saw Tie Kui move, but the samurai's swords had already been cut in half.
"Huh?"
"Th-that swordsmanship is terrifying! Quick, run!"
"Oh my god! That little girl's so strong! Run, run!"
"Boss, don't run! Wait for us!"
"If we don't leave now, it'll be too late! Wait for you? What am I, an idiot?"
The samurai had been acting tough just moments ago, but when they saw their swords instantly cut in half, they wished they had an extra pair of legs so they could run even faster.
After the samurai fled, everyone in the casino felt afraid. Even the owner was visibly shaken.
"Smack!"
"What was that monster at sea you were talking about?"
"Do you know where it is? Or can you take me there?"
"I'll give you a hundred thousand ryo. Whoever can help me find the monster you mentioned..."
"The hundred thousand ryo is yours."
Senju Fujima took out a hundred thousand ryo and slapped it down on the gambling table as he asked everyone.
"A-a hundred thousand ryo?"
"I-I know! I'll take you there! I'll take you!"
The man who had first said he'd seen a huge moving mountain immediately cried out, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the money.
"I know, too! I'll take you there! 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 making things up. They've never seen it. They only know about it because I told them."
"Stop arguing. How about we all go together and split the hundred thousand?"
They were all gamblers; of course they were eager for money. Everyone started talking at once.
"Enough. You're coming with me."
"If you dare lie to me, then you won't need to exist anymore."
Hearing everyone talk over one another, Senju Fujima furrowed his brows. He couldn't tell which of them actually knew anything.
So he simply pointed to one of them at random.
"Okay, okay."
"Sir—uh, I mean, sirs, follow me. Come with me."
Before you continue