The pain in his chest made Shao Feng wince.
"That idiot." From her reaction, he could tell the girl didn't mean it—it was a reflex.
Gently lifting his blood-soaked shirt, he revealed four inch-long gashes.
After hastily treating the wounds, Shao Feng chased after the girl's escape route. "I can't let her get away. If I leave her alone, she'll die."
Her injured foot slowed her down, and Shao Feng soon caught up.
Seeing him approach, the girl stopped, glaring at him fiercely, her eyes wary.
Without thinking, Shao Feng lunged forward.
She swung her claws at him.
As her sharp claws came for him, Shao Feng blocked with his right arm. The claws pierced his arm, blood spraying. With his left arm, he pulled her into an embrace.
"It's okay, I won't hurt you. Trust me," he said loudly, holding her tightly.
She looked up, confused, meeting his smiling face. Her claws reverted to hands.
"This is yours." Sensing her calm, Shao Feng pulled a piece of roasted meat from his backpack and offered it to her.
Seeing the meat, tears welled in her eyes. She pushed it aside and hugged him tightly.
"It's okay." He patted her head gently.
"Shao… Feng… you… hurt…?" Touching his chest wounds, she spoke haltingly.
"You can talk? You can talk!" Shao Feng grabbed her shoulders excitedly.
"Shao… Feng… hurt…?" She struggled to speak, her mouth working hard.
"Not at all." He shook his head, thrilled, and hugged her again.
Suddenly, she struggled free, frowning. "Stink…"
"Haha… sorry, I forgot." He shook his head with a wry smile.
A sound of running water reached his ears…
His eyes lit up. Pulling her along, he ran toward the sound.
Through the trees, a wide river appeared.
"Oh!" Shao Feng shouted excitedly, stripping off his clothes and jumping in. The water only reached his waist—about a meter deep.
He scrubbed his body, finally free of the foul stench.
Splash! With a loud noise, water sprayed everywhere… The girl mimicked him, jumping into the river.
"Haha!" Shao Feng laughed loudly, nearly knocked over by the splash.
As the water settled, she vanished from the surface.
"She's a Devil Fruit user!" He smacked his forehead and dove under, searching. Near him, she thrashed in the water.
He waded over, pulling her up.
She coughed up a mouthful of river water, clinging to his neck, refusing to let go.
Feeling their skin touch, Shao Feng's thoughts turned mischievous.
But, helplessly, his 12-year-old body could do nothing.
Carrying her to shore, he bought two sets of Konoha ninja outfits from the shop—one for himself, one for her.
Expecting trouble getting her dressed, he was surprised when she excitedly copied him, putting on the clothes.
Seeing her pale body covered, he felt a twinge of regret.
"You probably don't have a name, right?" He scratched his head. "Want me to give you one?"
"Name?" She tilted her head, puzzled.
"Yeah, my name's Shao Feng. Do you have a name?" He gestured.
"Name? Shao Feng?" She pointed at him.
"Right. Do you have a name?"
She shook her head. "I… no… name…"
"Then I'll give you one." He said casually.
"Really… Shao Feng… name?" She beamed with joy.
"Hmm, what about… Shao Xue? Same surname as me, so we're family." He lowered his head, not great at naming.
"Shao… Xue? I… Shao Xue…" She was clearly delighted with her new name.
"Shao Xue, do you know the way back to town?" Naming her thrilled him—he wasn't alone anymore.
"Town?" She looked confused.
"A place with lots of people and houses," he explained, gesturing.
Fear flashed across her face, her body trembling…
He hugged her gently, comforting her. "Don't worry, I'll protect you no matter what. Got it?"
She looked at him blankly, then nodded slowly, pointing in a direction. "There… town… many people…"
He smiled. "Let's go back." He hoisted her onto his back and headed in the direction she indicated…
After about two hours, Shao Feng emerged from the forest, arriving at the town.
First, he took Shao Xue to a clinic to treat her foot.
After a three-hour surgery, her foot was fixed, but she needed rest.
After paying the fees, he carried her to An's tavern…
Entering, he noticed the usual bustle felt oppressive.
The once-tidy tables were now battered.
Did someone wreck the place?
He smirked at the thought.
As he stepped in, all eyes turned to him.
The boss stormed over, glaring menacingly.
"What? I brought money today." Shao Feng slammed a gem onto the table.
"Bring us your best food." He set Shao Xue on a chair beside him.
Seeing the gem, the boss's expression softened into a smile. "Yes, sir, right away…" He froze, staring at Shao Xue, his face reddening with rage. He flipped the table.
"You! You and An helped this cat-girl escape, and I took the blame!" he roared, lunging for Shao Xue…
Smack! Shao Feng grabbed his hand.
With a slight squeeze, the boss screamed and collapsed, clutching his hand. "Let go! My hand's breaking!"
"You ordering me?" Shao Feng leaned close, sneering. "Who the hell do you think you are? Where's An?"
"Please, let go… let's talk!" The boss whimpered in pain.
"Hmph! Speak." Shao Feng smirked coldly. He wasn't the weakling with 5 strength anymore.
His strength now exceeded 200—more than most could handle.
"She… An was taken by pirates. Because she let the cat-girl escape," the boss gasped.
Seeing his gaze on Shao Xue, she hid behind Shao Feng in fear.
"You just watched pirates take An? Aren't you her husband?" Shao Feng kicked him, sending him crashing through two tables.
Crash! The boss crumpled on the floor…
Three burly men—the ones who beat him before—stepped forward.
"Well, well, the kid's back to cause trouble," one sneered. "Didn't we teach you enough last time?"
"I'm here to thank you," Shao Feng said with a smile.
He swung a fist, smashing the speaker's face.
Boom! The man flew, crashing through the tavern wall…
Sweat beaded on the remaining two's foreheads. They hadn't even seen the punch.
Fear gripped them.
Ignoring the trembling pair, Shao Feng strode to the boss.
"Where are the pirates who took An?" he demanded.
"The port by the sea. Their flag's a gold background with a skull—the Money Pirates. Led by three brothers: Jinbao, Yinbao, Yuanbao. That's all I know," the boss stammered.
"You better pray An's safe, or I'll kill you," Shao Feng snarled, leaning down. He grabbed Shao Xue and headed for the docks…
At the port, a dozen brightly lit pirate ships were docked.
One massive ship bore the Money Pirates' flag at its mast.
That's the one.
Seeing the flag, Shao Xue trembled, clutching his hand and shaking her head, urging him not to go.
He smiled, patting her head. "It's okay. I'll protect you. Someone I must save is on that ship. I have to go. Shao Xue, wait here. I'll be back soon."
She shook her head fiercely. "Go… together."
"Alright." He nodded, hoisting her onto his back and boarding the Money Pirates' ship.
Not hiding, he was spotted instantly.
"Hey, kid, what're you doing here?" A group of pirates surrounded him, shouting.
"I'm here for a woman," Shao Feng declared loudly.