"I'll go too."
Takumi immediately followed her jump.
Anko still wanted to catch the enemy.
But underwater was the enemy's territory… not only were they faster, but they could also hide more easily.
She chased for a bit but to no avail.
Right then…
Whoosh!
A figure sped past her.
She couldn't help but widen her eyes.
Startled, she opened her mouth, letting out a stream of bubbles.
She quickly closed her mouth again.
Anko covered her mouth with both hands, staring in disbelief as Takumi darted around like a torpedo.
That speed was incredible!
After being stunned for a moment, because she had exhaled the air she was holding, she had to surface again.
However, she didn't notice that in the distance underwater, a slender figure was observing the situation.
This figure hesitated to approach because the Shinobi fighting Takumi and the others were targeting her.
If she appeared, it would be walking into a trap.
But Takumi had just saved her earlier.
If she didn't help now...
That's why she quietly appeared here, knowing those Shinobi would likely attack and blame everything on the Sea Demon.
What she didn't expect was Takumi's strength.
Those two Shinobi she feared were no match for Takumi at all.
Seeing there was nothing she could do, she quietly swam away without alerting anyone.
However, she didn't know that Takumi had already noticed her.
'Poor child. Experimented on since childhood, tormented by Orochimaru.'
Takumi looked at the girl's departing figure. 'But it's okay, lost lamb. I will save you.'
A mysterious smile played on his lips, and a hint of anticipation flickered in his eyes.
The Shinobi who attacked them had escaped. Under the cover of night, even he found it hard to spot their hidden whereabouts.
"They got away."
Takumi said helplessly after surfacing.
"What a pity."
Anko sounded regretful. "They might know what the Sea Demon is. They might even be the so-called Sea Demon."
"If they really are the Sea Demon, we'll definitely encounter them again later."
Takumi said nonchalantly. "Next time, I won't let them escape."
By morning, they finally reached Mother Island.
"I'll leave meeting the client to you, Anko-senpai."
Takumi, remembering he had something to do, said, "I just remembered something I need to take care of."
"Huh? Takumi-kun, you're not coming with us?"
Ino immediately protested, grabbing Takumi's arm to stop him.
"I'll handle it."
Anko looked deeply at Takumi for a moment, then said straightforwardly.
"But..."
Ino looked left and right. Knowing this wasn't the place for her to be willful, she reluctantly let go of Takumi and followed Anko away, looking back every few steps.
After watching the others leave, the smile vanished from Takumi's face.
'Let me think, where does she live again?'
Takumi frowned in thought.
A villager passed by him.
The moment the villager passed, Takumi's figure had already disappeared.
When Takumi found the girl named Isaribi, she was being bullied by the village brats.
"Get out of here! You jinx! You're not welcome here!"
A brat picked up a fist-sized rock and threw it.
Isaribi didn't dodge, letting the rock hit her.
But the pain she expected didn't come.
Her lowered head sensed something blocking the light.
Something seemed to be shielding her.
She looked up in surprise to find a not-so-broad back.
"Throwing such a big rock at someone. Quite well-mannered, aren't you?"
Takumi tossed the rock in his hand and casually threw it aside, then walked up to the brat.
"Wh-what do you want?"
The brat instinctively felt afraid, but his mischievous, defiant nature wouldn't let him run away easily.
"Are you alone?"
Takumi looked down at him, his stern face full of coldness.
"S-so what if I am?! If you hit me, I'll tell…"
Smack! Smack!
Takumi casually slapped him twice.
Not only did it stun the child, but Isaribi was also shocked.
"…"
The brat stared blankly up at Takumi, tears welling in his eyes.
Usually, he would have called for his parents with a high-pitched scream to get justice.
But now, looking at Takumi's utterly cold eyes, he didn't dare make a sound.
It was as if making noise would lead to something very bad.
"I hate brats like you the most."
Takumi raised his chin slightly, his face showing undisguised disgust. "No manners, always bullying others, crying as soon as an adult scolds you. Utterly shameless."
"Not leaving yet? Want more?"
Takumi glared. The brat finally snapped out of it, turned, and ran, crying loudly as he went.
"Y-you... why?"
Isaribi looked at Takumi hesitantly and with surprise. "Why help me?"
"Because you look pitiful."
A gentle smile appeared on Takumi's face, completely different from when he was scolding the brat.
"But, I..."
Isaribi didn't know how to say it. "I'm different."
"I know you're different."
Takumi placed his hands on her shoulders and said softly, "I know. You're a mermaid who escaped from one of Orochimaru's experimental bases."
"!"
Isaribi's eyes widened, her body tensing.
But looking into Takumi's gentle eyes, her tense nerves relaxed.
Her stiff body softened, her gaze becoming uncertain.
"H-how do you know?"
Isaribi hadn't expected her secret to be so easily discovered by a stranger.
She thought she had hidden it well.
"Actually, to perfect his Cursed Seal, Orochimaru has experimental bases in remote areas of various small countries. There are quite a few people like you who were subjected to various experiments from childhood."
Takumi slowly explained the reason he had prepared. "Some were lucky to survive, gaining what ordinary people see as great power."
"But others died in those cruel experiments."
"You're among the lucky ones. At least you're alive."
Takumi's words made Isaribi press her lips together. "Looking like this... can you call it lucky? I'm not human anymore. I'm a monster!"
"A monster?"
Takumi chuckled. "You seem to misunderstand what a monster is. You just look scary. Far from a monster."
"If you knew what real monsters are like, you'd definitely think you're just a harmless little girl."
Compared to real monsters, like Biju, Isaribi was too insignificant.
"What?"
Isaribi stared blankly at Takumi.
"Besides, your current form wasn't by choice. You're a victim too."
Takumi said softly. "The real culprit is Orochimaru. He wantonly experimented on you all, disregarding your lives."
"And you've never done anything bad, right?"
"Last night, I saw you nearby. Weren't you thinking of saving us if things got dangerous?"
"You're a kind-hearted girl. Don't worry about your appearance. What matters most is the heart."
His words slowly entered the girl's heart, gradually opening her sealed inner self.
"Actually, being a mermaid isn't so bad. I can turn into one too. Want to see?"
The most powerful bomb was saved for last.
Takumi looked at the girl with a smile, watching her eyes widen slowly in surprise.
"You... you're an experimental subject too?"
Isaribi misunderstood.
"No, mine is different from yours, but the appearance is similar."
Takumi quickly waved his hands. "Besides, Orochimaru is no match for me. He's lost to me several times."
"Really?"
Isaribi's eyes immediately sparkled.
Her childhood experiences left a deep impression: Orochimaru was an invincible presence.
But now this teenager before her said he had defeated Orochimaru, more than once.
Isaribi was definitely very interested.
"That..."
Isaribi suddenly became bashful, her tone filled with nervousness.
Her legs rubbed together, her hands fidgeting.
"Um... would you like to... come inside to talk?"
Her eyes held cautious hope.
With a look of longing like a young bird's, how could Takumi bear to refuse?
"Alright."
Hearing his answer, the girl's eyes immediately shone brightly.
"Do you want to hear my story first, or see me turn into a mermaid?"
Takumi walked with her as he spoke.
They soon entered the dilapidated house covered with various graffiti.
"Um... first, the mermaid, then..."
Isaribi was too nervous, even stuttering.
"Relax, don't be afraid."
Takumi comforted her softly, gently patting her back as they entered the room.
"Wow!"
Inside the room, Isaribi's exclamation could be heard.
Clearly, Takumi had shown her his mermaid form.
Then, Takumi began to share some of his experiences.
Especially the battles with Orochimaru.
He described them vividly, and Isaribi listened with shining eyes.
She had never felt so relaxed, both physically and mentally.
In that moment, she deeply understood what happiness was.
But this happiness was short-lived.
The noise outside interrupted Takumi's story.
"Come out! Which bastard made my son cry?!"
"Damn Sea Demon! Are you the Sea Demon's companions? They all deserve to die!"
"Get out of here! You jinxes!"