"Lord Ayame, reconnaissance soldiers report that the tracks five li ahead are clear, with no signs of Kabane activity."
"The western valley has been scouted, no threats found."
"The rear is secure, with clear visibility."
The reports came in one after another, all with a long-lost sense of relief.
This "overly" safe state had continued for three full days.
Ever since that blond young man appeared on the Kōtetsujō, as he said, the journey had been peaceful.
A samurai suddenly asked with worry, "Lord Ayame, could all this be the calm before the storm?"
"That's right, it's too abnormal, too strange. There are no Kabane in the outside world at all."
"Could the Hayajiro and Ekijō have always been products of lies? Have we all been deceived?"
"Impossible! You all saw the fall of Aragane Station. Kabane—those terrifying monsters—really exist! It can't be a lie!"
"The outside world has long since fallen, occupied by Kabane."
"Actually, I suspect someone cleared the Kabane along the railway line in advance, which is why it creates the illusion that there are no Kabane outside."
Several samurai began to discuss heatedly.
Ayame remained silent, her slender fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes.
She remembered Naruto's promise.
The young man had guaranteed with an incredibly certain tone that he could ensure the Kōtetsujō would arrive safely at Kongo Fortress.
But—it was too clean.
Unnaturally clean.
Several abandoned stations they passed along the way, which should have been hotspots infested with Kabane, now only had countless Kabane remains with their heart cores cleanly and thoroughly shattered.
The method of destruction of those remains was not steam penetration wounds, nor was it the slashes of a samurai sword. It was more like the core had been instantly pulverized and annihilated by some extremely violent force!
Moreover, the samurai reported that occasionally, in the mist of dawn or dusk, they would see several identical orange figures flashing like ghosts in the distant wilderness. Wherever they passed, the roars of the Kabane would abruptly cease.
"Was it him?"
"How did he do it?"
Ayame's heart involuntarily quickened.
She turned around, her gaze passing through the busy carriage, landing on the blond young man who was surrounded by a group of children, gesticulating as he told the story of "Black Zetsu's Search for His Mother."
His smile was still bright, his eyes clear, as if he were just an ordinary, energetic older brother next door.
But Ayame knew he wasn't.
He was the being who could instantly kill monsters.
This power, which traversed the wilderness and carved out an absolutely safe passage for the Kōtetsujō—who else could it be but him?
An indescribable warmth and deep gratitude surged into Ayame's heart, making her eyes well up slightly.
She straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, and walked towards Naruto.
"Mr. Naruto."
Ayame's voice was gentle and solemn, attracting the attention of those around her.
Naruto paused his story, looked at Ayame, and gave a bright smile: "Miss Ayame? Is something wrong?"
Ayame walked in front of Naruto, and under the curious gazes of those around them, she bowed deeply and very formally to Naruto.
Her dark hair fell, her posture elegant and full of sincerity.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Naruto!"
Ayame raised her head, her beautiful purple eyes sparkling with genuine tears.
"Thank you for everything you've done for the Kōtetsujō! Thank you for opening this—this safe path for us!"
The carriage instantly fell silent.
Civilians and samurai alike watched this scene.
Connecting the unusual tranquility of the past few days with the rumors, they instantly understood what Lord Ayame was thanking him for.
Their gazes towards Naruto were filled with even deeper awe and heartfelt gratitude.
Naruto accepted it calmly, smiling as he replied, "It's just a small favor. Ensuring everyone's safe arrival at our destination, this is also our agreement."
His composure and frankness, while making Ayame grateful, also sparked an unusual emotion deep within her heart.
"Meow!"
The wheels screeched to a halt.
The Kōtetsujō slowly pulled over beside a clear stream.
Nearby, green grass carpeted the ground, the stream gurgled, and in the distance, rolling green mountains created a pleasant scenery.
This was a long-awaited safe rest stop.
The carriage doors opened, and fresh air and warm sunlight poured into the compartment.
The long-suppressed civilians rushed out of the carriage like birds released from a cage, cheering.
Children ran and played on the grass, their laughter like silver bells.
Women eagerly went to the stream to fetch water, wash clothes and themselves, their faces beaming with relaxed smiles.
Samurai took off their heavy equipment, sitting in twos and threes under the shade of trees to rest and wipe their weapons, their tense nerves finally relaxing. Artisans seized the time to inspect the Kōtetsujō's steam boiler and key components, and the clanging repair sounds also became pleasant to hear.
A long-lost, vibrant scene of "human life" slowly unfolded by this peaceful stream.
Naruto, whose main body had returned to the Kōtetsujō world, leaned against the Kōtetsujō's massive wheel.
"Now that I've learned Yin Seal, it's time to have the Shadow Clones start clearing the area and absorbing more life force."
Naruto first dispelled his Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu to "refresh" the Shadow Clones' version.
Then he formed new hand signs and used Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, having three Shadow Clones use Yin Seal to hunt Kabane, to see if Yin Seal could store life force.
If it could.
Naruto would release a large number of Shadow Clones and begin his Kabane clearing plan.
Just then, a clear voice sounded behind him:
"Hey! You idiot weirdo! What are you spacing out about?"
Naruto turned around, his eyes instantly lighting up.
Unmei stood behind him, having changed into another outfit at some point.
It was a lighter, more agile cherry-pink short kimono, with delicate white floral patterns embroidered on the sleeves and hem, and a wide sash of the same color tied around her waist, accentuating her slender figure.
Her white over-the-knee socks were replaced with shorter, lace-trimmed ankle socks, paired with her iconic wooden clogs.
She looked bright and charming, with less of the sharpness from combat and more of a young girl's vitality.
Her amber eyes sparkled in the sunlight, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, with a hint of undetectable smugness.
"What are you staring at?! Haven't you ever seen a beautiful girl?"
Unmei felt a little uncomfortable under Naruto's gaze, so she deliberately glared at him fiercely, but her slightly reddened earlobes betrayed her.
"Oh, nothing!"
Naruto snapped out of it and smiled slightly.
"I was just wondering where all your clothes come from. I never saw you carry any luggage!"
"But this outfit does look very good."
"Hmph! You have good taste!"
Unmei snorted, her chin slightly raised, and walked over to Naruto, leaning against the wheel just like him, her gaze also fixed on the playful crowd and busy scene by the stream.
Silence fell between them for a moment, with only the rustling of the breeze through the grass and the distant laughter of children.