Chapter-122

Aang sighed, feeling relaxed and confident that Naruto would keep his promise, making everything okay when they reach Ba Sing Se and retrieve Appa.

Meanwhile, the water tribe siblings discussed their situation.

"Where'd you get this map?"

"I stuffed it in my pants before the owl tossed us out."

"Eww!" Katara disgustedly dropped the map, realizing it had been in her sweaty brother's underwear for almost two days in the desert.

"Don't be silly, Katara." Sokka checked the map and saw the only route on foot was through the snake pass. "It might take more than two or three days."

"We need to get moving." Aang stood up from meditation, smiling as Momo rested on his shoulder, wrapping her tail around his neck.

"We've got company." Toph slid over next to Naruto and the girl. Lifting a rock, she revealed a small hidden family.

"We don't want trouble; we have nothing." The father of the small family stood in front of the two women.

"Wow! Wow!" Naruto intervened, seeing they were just a small family of refugees. "We're not thieves, mercenaries, soldiers, or anything bad."

"Naruto, I'll tease you later."

"Acting like a mercenary."

"Isn't being a ninja like being a soldier?"

"Really, guys?" Naruto complained, trying to maintain a friendly demeanor with the refugees.

"Are you the Orange pillar?"

The pregnant woman looked at Naruto in surprise, while her sister, a young woman, peeked over her shoulder.

"That's me!" Naruto proudly responded, happy to have a good reputation among humble people.

"You're shorter and smaller than I thought."

"Yeah."

"Don't say a word, Toph," Naruto growled. Although he couldn't see her, he knew Toph was smirking. "How about I make some ramen, and we can chat?"

….

Information circulated swiftly through messenger hawks.

Sui examined the latest report from their recently established espionage branch. Ordinary civilians, not officially enlisted, infiltrated various nations to gather intelligence for the war.

As always, information proved to be the most potent weapon in times of conflict.

Ba Sing Se was preoccupied with managing the influx of refugees, forcing many soldiers to focus on maintaining order within the walls. It was an intriguing observation, hinting that the legendary wall's defenses might soon weaken.

Perplexed, the firebender raised her delicate eyebrow, forming a dangerous smile as she read something intriguing.

Turning on her feet, she strolled along the metal corridors of her transport, hurtling toward a new route.

Upon opening the large doors, Sui heard the sound of breaking. A wooden head rolled to her feet, revealing Shòukǔ on the training platform, standing like a statue. Moments later, he moved, shattering a large log with his right fist, unharmed.

"Training hard?" she inquired.

The warrior didn't need to look over his shoulder to identify her.

"We have a strong lead on our target. Tomorrow at noon, we'll arrive and do what we do best—end lives," the firebender approached the marked warrior.

"Good."

"Can I ask you a question?"

"…?"

"Do you enjoy it?"

"…"

"Do you relish taking the lives of your enemies?"

"Yes," he replied without hesitation.

"Then we'll get along well," she said with a playful smile, running her hand over his chest and arms. "I'm glad to find someone like me."

"You and we are nothing alike," the warrior retorted, standing firm without looking at her.

"Oh, really?" she mocked, running her fingers over his armor. "I murder for a greater cause; you do it for personal pleasure. I doubt you care how this war ends."

"Mmmmm... and I thought you were just all brawn and little brains," she chuckled. "But you're right. I don't care about this war or who wins. All I care about is having fun and enjoying the moment, don't you?"

The giant heard the fall of the general's armor. She stripped naked, offering herself to the warrior.

"I know how to recognize patterns. You spared that old man, the two Kyoshi warriors, and other unimportant peasants. But... what about the others? You killed them without mercy. Do you hate benders?"

"Yes."

"Do you wish to kill them all?"

"Yes."

"Even me?" She took the warrior's hand, guiding it to her neck. He tightened his grip.

"You are still useful to me. Dead, you are of no use to me," Shòukǔ responded calmly, maintaining his hold around her neck.

"Who is useful to whom?" She cut the ties of the fighter's pants, and soon they were both naked. "Let's use each other, my dear warrior."

The atmosphere became hot and lustful, with both approaching each other to abruptly enjoy each other's bodies, in a hurricane of storm and rough sex in which each one only sought to satisfy their own desires.

….

In the heart of the forest, within a small camp, the Avatar team took a break alongside the refugees they had encountered.

The family introduced themselves as Tahn, the man leading the small group, Ying, his pregnant wife, and Yoru, his mute younger sister.

"Thank you," Tahn expressed gratitude, accepting a bowl of soup from the golden-haired boy who humbly served lunch for everyone.

"And this is for you." The last plate went to the silent younger sister, Yoru, who accepted it shyly, avoiding eye contact with the Uzumaki. Naruto observed curiously as the girl exchanged hand gestures with her older sister, Ying.

"Yoru says 'thank you,'" Ying translated, noticing the confusion on the faces of the other teenagers. "I'm sorry if she seems very shy; she is mute and has a hard time communicating with people who don't know hand signs."

"Never met a mute person before," Naruto remarked, understanding why she was so close to his older sister, who seemed to be the only one understanding her.

"Ba Sing Se?" Katara diverted the conversation, sensing Yoru's discomfort with the attention.

"Yes, all refugees seeking a better life are heading there," Ying replied, caressing her swollen belly. "But you were going in the wrong direction."

"Eh?"

"You were following the snake path, a perilous route only the most daring attempt," she explained, concerned for the teenagers who seemed unaware of the dangers. "Why not join us on the Ba Sing Se underground boats? The line may be long, but it's much safer than the snake path."

"More than one path?" Sokka felt the scrutiny of his companions.

"Yes, about a day's journey away."

"I think it would be a good idea to join you, but for now, let's rest."

It had been a long day for everyone, and it was time for a well-deserved break. Each person retreated to their sleeping bag, ready to embrace a night of rest.

Well, almost everyone.

Toph detected the vibrations of Naruto's footsteps; he was still sitting by the campfire with the mute girl.

"So, can you read my lips or hear me?" he asked, intrigued by how she understood others.

She held up two fingers, indicating the second option.

"You are amazing."

The girl smiled at the compliment and carefully retrieved a notebook from her backpack, quickly writing in it.

Naruto didn't have to wait long to read her response.

" It is an honor to meet you. I've heard many things about you— they say you're a great hero who helps people."

"I only do what I think is right. It's what we should all do," he said humbly, scratching his cheek—a typical Uzumaki gesture that garnered the girl's admiration.

" I wish there were more people like you."

"It would be a very crazy and orange world. I'd prefer there were more pretty girls like you."

Had he said the last bit in his head or out loud? Regardless, he wanted to bite his tongue, thinking he might have messed up.

However, the young woman played with her fingers, blushing softly, obviously flattered.

Toph, overhearing everything, couldn't help but frown.

Why had he never said something like that to her? Wasn't she pretty enough to receive such a compliment?

"Hey, want to see a trick?" To break an awkward silence, the ninja boy pulled a coin from his pocket, slipping it between his fingers.

All Yoru witnessed was a blur of the teenager's hands. With a playful smile, he brought his hand closer to her and magically pulled the coin from her hair.

Before completing the trick, he threw the coin into the air, causing a small explosion of smoke, revealing a delicate flower with yellow petals falling instead of the coin.

Yoru applauded in surprise, amused by the trick, unaware of a Naruto clone among the bushes with flowers and the coin.

Using the Substitution Jutsu, Naruto effortlessly executed the trick, enjoying the girl's smile.

While the two continued their interaction, Toph turned around, trying to sleep, but the laughter and games between Naruto and Yoru kept her awake for hours until they eventually slept.