Three days later, Chiya arrived at the coast.
He was already far from the Land of Fire. There were fewer and fewer trees along the road, and the wind was thick with the smell of salt. In the distance lay a gray-blue sea. Waves crashed against the reefs with a roar, shattered into spray, and quickly receded.
Chiya walked along the coast for a while before entering a small town.
The town had only one main street, lined with fish stalls. The ground was wet, fish swam in wooden tubs, and whenever one flicked its tail, water splashed out with a smack.
Chiya had only intended to ask whether there were any ships heading near the Land of Water. But as soon as he reached the entrance of an apothecary, he suddenly stopped.
Someone was standing inside the apothecary.
White clothes, black hair.
The man was selecting medicine with his head lowered, holding a small packet of hemostatic herbs. Even when speaking to the shopkeeper, his voice was soft.
Chiya watched him for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
"Haku?"
The man froze.
He turned around, and the moment he saw Chiya, his eyes lit up.
"Chiya?"
Haku hurried out and looked him over from head to toe, as if checking whether he was injured.
"How did you end up here?"
Chiya raised a hand and adjusted his conical hat.
"Passing through."
Haku looked at the hat, the gray outer robe, and the long oilcloth-wrapped object on his back. He did not press further, merely saying softly,
"Zabuza is nearby. Would you like to see him?"
Chiya paused.
"He's here too?"
Haku nodded.
Chiya thought for a moment, then smiled. "Sure. Let's see whether he's dead yet."
Haku was briefly stunned, then could not help laughing.
The two left the town