Naruto raging whirlpool

The old man walked down a narrow dirt road, each step measured and deliberate. The village, known simply as Hikanomura, lay ahead, a poor settlement with houses made of stone, many of them in poor shape. These structures showed signs of wear and tear, with crumbling walls and roofs, sagging under the weight of winter's relentless onslaught. The thin, icy air carried a chill that seemed to seep into every crevice of the village.

As the man walked, villagers hidden from sight watched him through the cracks in wooden shutters and from behind half-closed doors. Their eyes lingered on the rabbit hanging from a string and the unconscious form of Garm slung over his shoulder. Whispers of curiosity and wariness filled the air, their gazes hungry and longing as they followed him closely. From the shadows, a figure emerged, moving with the stealth of a hunter.

The would-be thief crept closer, eyes locked on the prize, the rabbit swinging lazily behind the old man. As the figure leapt forward, intent on seizing the catch, the old man, without even a glance, stepped gracefully to the side. The thief missed their target entirely and fell face first into the cold, hard ground with a resounding thud.

The thief on the ground scrambled to her feet, attempting to run away. As they bolted, the old man called out, "Stop, Emi. Don't you have any shame?" His voice carried across the cold air, causing her to freeze in her tracks.

'How did he know?' she thought, heart pounding. Slowly, she turned to face him. A piece of cloth was wrapped around her head, covering her almost entirely, with only her eyes visible beneath the makeshift hood. The fabric offered little protection against the biting chill but provided a sense of anonymity.

"I-I-I don't know who this Emi is. A-anyways, s-see you later, stranger!" she stammered, her words rushed and shaky. She turned abruptly and darted into the village, her dark kimono fluttering behind her as she disappeared among the stone houses.

The old man sighed and resumed his walk, his pace steady and unhurried. After a while, he reached his house, a structure just like any of the other rundown homes in Hikanomura. Made of stone, riddled with signs of age and wear, the house had crumbling walls and a solid roof with signs of repair covered in layers of snow. The door was made of wood, its hinges succumbed to rust from the years of exposure to the unceasing winters in the land of iron.

The small windows, covered with frosty glass, barely let in any light, casting a dim, cold interior. Inside, the house was small but clean, and the air was thick with the scent of burning wood and damp stone. The interior was sparsely furnished, with a simple wooden table, a few chairs, a single tatami mat laid flat on the ground, and a hearth upon which a fire had burnt out recently while the man had stepped out. An iron pot hung over it, ready for use.

He approached the door, its surface rough under his hand. With a creak, he pushed it open and stepped inside, the warmth of the interior a stark contrast to the biting cold outside. He carefully closed the door behind him, shutting out the frigid air and leaving the village's whispers and curious eyes behind.

He carefully placed the rabbit on the wooden table before gently lowering Garm onto the tatami mat, ensuring he was comfortable. Then, he turned his attention to the old fireplace. He grabbed a handful of dried leaves from a container full of them and placed them down as kindling. Gathering two stones from a shelf, he struck them together, sparks flew from the impact, landing on the small pile of dried leaves. Gently, he blew on the smoking embers, watching as they began to glow and catch flame. The fire flickered to life, growing steadily until the flames cast a warm glow throughout the room.

Next, he began preparing the rabbit. With a dull knife he'd been using for nearly an entire year, he skinned it, his movements quick and precise. His knife glided effortlessly through the flesh, a testament to his swordsmanship.

Shortly after he poured a bucket of water into the pot hanging over the fire. As the water heated, he prepared other ingredients for the stew, chopping vegetables and herbs with unheard-of precision. His knife handling was impeccable, each chop quick and uniform, reflecting the dexterity and discipline he's honed throughout the years he's spent walking down the path of the sword.

First, he made a simple broth, adding the rabbit bones to the pot of boiling water to extract as much flavor as possible. As the broth simmered, he poured the rabbit meat and vegetables to the pot. Despite his poverty and the lack of even a pinch of salt, he managed to create a nourishing stew.

He added everything to the pot, letting it cook slowly to create a large serving of rabbit stew. The aroma filled the house, rich and savory, despite the lack of luxurious ingredients.

Outside, a group of people had gathered, drawn by the delicious smell. They whispered among themselves, their voices carrying through the still air.

"It's Yasuke-san's home," a wanderer said, recognizing the place the aroma had lead him.

"It smells so good," another murmured, inhaling deeply.

Among the group, Emi stood out, her eyes wide and filled with anticipation. Her kimono was one of the few articles of clothing that remained intact in Hikanomura, without a single patch on it. She shifted from foot to foot, her gaze fixed on the house.

"Do you think he'll share?" Emi asked, her voice hopeful and curious, eyes reflecting a mix of hunger and curiosity.

Their conversation continued, blending with the crackle of the fire and the bubbling of the stew inside.

Yasuke stirred the pot, the aroma of rabbit stew filling the room. With a knowing look, he turned towards the door. "How long do you plan on stalking me?" he called out, his voice carrying through the chilly night.

Outside, the gathered people panicked, their whispers growing louder as they realized they had been caught. "He found out!" one of them hissed, eyes wide with surprise.

"Don't just stand out there in the cold, come inside," Yasuke invited, his tone both stern and inviting.

They paused, uncertain, except for Emi. She confidently walked right in, pushing the door open. "Old man Yasuke, long time no see," she greeted, a mischievous glint in her eye. The others hesitated only for a moment before following behind her, closing the door behind them to keep out the chill.

The small home quickly turned cozy as the group gathered inside filling it to the brim, as the warmth of the fire and the savory smell of the stew enveloped them, one after another their stomachs rumbled at the thought of the small feast to come.

Yasuke turned to Emi, his expression skeptical. "Really?" he asked, arching an eyebrow. He was taken aback, recognizing her kimono as the same one the thief had worn earlier, yet she seemed completely oblivious to her blunder.

Emi turned her head, avoiding his gaze. "Y-yea, it's been a while... ehe... he," she stammered, hiding her hands behind her back and crossing her fingers. Someone behind her noticed and suppressed a laugh, the sound barely escaping their lips.

The visitors settled into the small but cozy space, the tension easing into a more relaxed atmosphere. Conversations bubbled up, and the room filled with the lively hum of voices as everyone chatted and shared stories. The warmth of the fire and the smell of the stew brought a sense of comfort and community.

Emi's eyes sparkled as she caught sight of Garm lying on the tatami bed. She let out a delighted squeal. "Old man, where'd you find such a cute doggy?!" she exclaimed, her voice high-pitched and brimming with excitement. She rushed over to the side of the tatami, her face lighting up as she gazed at him, her previous unease entirely forgotten.

Yasuke, taken aback by her sudden enthusiasm raised his arm and tried to stop her. "Hey, Emi, calm down!" he said, his voice raised in a panic. Then, realizing his tone, he softened his voice and continued with a gentler voice, "Be careful, he's not in good shape right now. He's still recovering."

Emi's expression shifted instantly from excitement to worry. She looked at Garm with genuine concern, as she carefully looked over his condition. "W-What happened to him, Yasuke-san?...."

Yasuke shared the short story of what had happened, and the people listened intently. One of them finally broke the silence, saying, "That's it?..."

Yasuke shrugged, "After that, I brought him here. I don't really know much of anything that happened back there."

Emi chimed in, "Well, that may be true, but you're really a terrible storyteller, Yasuke."

Yasuke reacted nonchalantly and shrugged it off. "It's efficient and gets the message across."

Yasuke then grabbed the ladle he'd been stirring with and poured a single serving of stew into a bowl. Standing up, he told her, "I'll be stepping out for a while. I'll leave the rest to you, Emi."

She nodded in agreement and got up from Garm's side. She tied her hair back and begun serving the rest of the people. Yasuke stepped outside, the night was dark, and the snow covered ground crunched under his feet as he walked around his home. He took a deep breath, the crisp air filling his lungs, and looked up at the starry sky, his breath visible in the cold.

As he rounded a corner of his house, he saw a small figure hiding in the shadows. He approached carefully and crouched down to her level, offering a gentle smile. "Hey there, little miss," he said softly, trying to ease her fear. "Are you hungry?" He held out the bowl of stew he had poured earlier, the warm steam rising up in the cold night air.

The girl shook her head firmly. "Samurai don't get hungry!" she declared with a defiant spark in her eyes.

Yasuke was stunned for a moment before he burst into laughter. "Well, then I guess I'm not hungry either," he replied with a warm smile. Stretching his arm towards her, he introduced himself, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Yasuke Takeshi, a samurai."

The girl hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took his hand. "My name is Asuka, and I'm a samurai too," she said, her voice filled with determination.