The faint light of dawn cast its glow on the endless ocean as Raiden paddled the small boat with urgency, his gaze flicking back to the island that was shrinking into the distance. Behind them, Takumi's piercing Voice echoed across the water, laced with rage and heartbreak.
"I will find you, Ash! And when | do, I will murder you for what you've done!"
Raiden gritted his teeth, paddling harder as he glanced back at Ash, slumped against the side of the boat. Ash's breathing was shallow, and his face was pale, his hand resting on the glowing purple veins spreading from his neck.
"Are you alright?" Raiden asked, Concern edging his voice.
Ash coughed weakly but managed to nod. "'I will live... for now." His trembling hand reached up and yanked the needle out of his neck, blood trickling from the wound. "That... was the deadliest snake venom in the ninja arsenal."
Raiden's eyes widened. "How do you know that?"
Ash let out a dry chuckle, though it was laced with bitterness. "Because l've used it on plenty of people before. I know exactly how it works. Without treatment, l've got less than an hour. Maybe less."
Panic washed over Raiden as he gripped the oar tighter. "What?! It's at least three days before we reach another island! We can't–
Before he could finish, Ash fumbled into his pouch, pulling out a small injection. He jabbed it into his arm without hesitation, wincing as the serum spread through his veins. "Relax," he muttered, his voice steady despite his condition. "This.. this will buy me time. It's a serum that sloWws the venom's effect for a few days. But it won't cure me."
Raiden exhaled, relief mixing with frustration. "You scared me for a second there."
Ash managed a weak smirk. "I'm not destined to die just yet. I still need to see your silly dream come true, don't I?"
Raiden shook his head, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Silly, huh? You've got some nerve calling my dream silly after what we just went through."
The two sat in silence for a moment, the boat swaying gently with the waves. Raiden finally broke the quiet. "You did it, though. You killed him. You defeated the master of the organization."
Ash's expression darkened, his gaze dropping to the floor of the boat. "| killed him," he repeated, his voice heavy with guilt. "And I'I never forgive myself for it. But I had to... I had to take my freedom back."
Raiden studied him, his eyes softening. He knew Ash wasn't looking for reassurance, but the pain in his voice was palpable.
Ash continued, his voice quieter now. "But Takumi... the way she looked at me. The way she Screamed for my death. That... that's what hurts the most. Knowing she'll never forgive me."
Raiden hesitated, then placed a hand on Ash's shoulder. "You did what you had to do. On the bright side, you're free now. One day, we'll come back and apologize. Maybe... maybe she'll understand."
Ash didn't respond immediately, his eyes fixed on the horizon as if he searching for something. Finally, he spoke. "You told me your dream. So now, I'Il tell you mine."
Raiden leaned back, intrigued. "Let's hear it."
Ash's voice steadied, the fire returning to his tone. "Since I was a kid, I've always admired SWordsmen. Not ninjas. Swordsmen. I became a ninja because... well, I didn't have a choice. But now? Now I want to be the greatest and strongest swordsman ever. That's my dream."
Raiden raised an eyebrow. The greatest swordsman, huh? You know that's a tough dream, right? There are a lot of strong swordsmen out there."
Ash smirked, his confidence unwavering despite the venom Coursing through his veins. "l know. And l'Il be the strongest out of all of them."
Raiden laughed, shaking his head. "You've got guts, I'lI give you that."
Ash turned to him, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "By the way, how many people are we having on this crew of yours?"
Raiden tapped his chin, thinking. "Hmmm... maybe eight or nine. Including me and you."
Ash chuckled, leaning back against the side of the boat. "Sounds like a plan."
As the sun began to rise higher, the island was nothing more than a speck on the horizon, and the two men sat in their small boat, one carrying the weight of guilt and a deadly venom, the other carrying the burden of dreams yet to be realized. Together, they sailed forward, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment.