Certain You Won't Regret It

Natsuki saw that Captain Hong was no longer on the deck. After frowning slightly, he headed inside.

"Naruto, follow me."

"Yes, Master." Naruto rubbed his hands together, ready for a big fight.

Natsuki had just sent Hinata and Sasuke out, clearly having discovered enemies.

But when Naruto followed Natsuki into the cabin, the situation was somewhat different from what he had imagined.

Natsuki made a silencing gesture, and Naruto quietly followed behind him.

Although Naruto was not particularly skilled at stealth, he was more than capable of hiding from Hong and Gantetsu below deck.

Natsuki and Naruto concealed themselves as they entered, only to discover that Hong seemed to know the imprisoned Gantetsu.

Hong stared coldly at Gantetsu, his eyes filled with immense hatred.

Natsuki signaled to Naruto, who began observing.

Hong stood before the iron cage holding Gantetsu, his gaze fixed tightly on him.

He recalled how, years ago, his home had been ransacked and his entire family killed.

His younger brother Akio had also been silenced by Gantetsu and perished in the sea of flames.

He had trained day and night so that one day, he could avenge his family.

Hong gasped heavily, jolting awake from the memories of that time.

His face was filled with hatred and struggle. "Damn it!"

His current duty was to escort Gantetsu back to the Land of Trees, but once he delivered Gantetsu there, he would have no way to take revenge.

No! Absolutely not!

He saw the pendant hanging from his sword. It was his younger brother's keepsake.

Hong's expression hardened, as though he had made a decision.

Then he drew his sword.

But rather awkwardly, when he pulled it out, only half of it came free.

His sword was broken.

He had merely shoved it back into the sheath in