Once Nathan made up his mind to go to Death God Valley, there was no room left for hesitation. Mitsuhide had to be dealt with, and Genzo had to be brought back. Everything else could wait.
For now, there was a brief truce with Norihiro. Uneasy, fragile, and built on mutual necessity more than trust, but a truce all the same. As proof of that, Norihiro had sent Shiina to accompany him.
Nathan had accepted her help in the end. He did not trust the arrangement, but he understood its value.
He stopped just before the road bent toward the outer district and looked at her. "Wait for me at the entrance gates. I will join you there."
Shiina slowed and turned back, one brow lifting. "Fine. But do not you dare leave without me, all right?"
A faint smile touched Nathan's face. "It would be a mistake to head there without a weapon like you."
That earned him a wide grin. "Exactly."
