After climbing down from the carriages, everyone began settling in and preparing to rest. They spread out large cloth sheets on the ground like makeshift picnic blankets, creating small circles where they could sit and relax. The atmosphere, despite the circumstances, was calm—almost peaceful.
They unpacked the dry food they had brought along and began eating together, sharing what little they had. It wasn't a feast by any means, but it was enough to fill their stomachs. Once they'd eaten their fill and quenched their thirst, they turned their attention to the horses.
Shanks helped tie the horses to long ropes, giving them enough freedom to roam and graze. The rainy season had left the area rich with lush green grass, stretching thickly across the forest floor. The horses happily dug in, munching without restraint, finally able to rest and recover from the night-long journey.
Earlier that morning, during their travels, they had passed a pond. Shanks had allowed the horses to drink their fill there, and they had also filled several containers with fresh water for later use. It wasn't much, but it would be enough to keep the animals hydrated when they resumed their journey in the evening.
For now, there was nothing to do but rest, recover, and enjoy the quiet while it lasted.
Erza looked over at Shanks, concern in her eyes. "Onii-chan, you haven't rested properly since yesterday," she said. "Not only did you fight those masked ninja, but you've also been awake all night guiding the carriage. Honestly… I think I even dozed off for an hour or two while driving, but because you were leading from the front, I didn't notice any problems. Everything felt steady."
Aiko chimed in as well, her tone firm but caring. "Erza's right. You need to rest, Shanks. You won't be able to recover your chakra if you keep pushing yourself like this. And even if someone tries to attack us, we can alert you right away—you don't have to carry everything alone."
As soon as Aiko finished speaking, the others quickly echoed her sentiment. One by one, they insisted Shanks take a break, their voices filled with genuine concern.
Shanks paused, visibly moved by their care. He gave them a small, appreciative smile and said, "Alright, all of you. I'll rest. But first, I need to check our surroundings—to make sure everything is safe. Only then will I be able to sleep peacefully."
Everyone nodded in agreement, trusting his instincts, but grateful that he was finally allowing himself some rest.
After speaking with the group, Shanks leapt into the trees, his figure vanishing swiftly into the forest canopy. Moving at high speed, he weaved through the dense foliage, silent and focused. Using the place they had set up camp as his center point, he began a thorough sweep of the surrounding area, extending his search in a five-kilometer radius.
He pushed his Observation Haki to its limit, stretching it as far as he could to scan for chakra signatures, movements, or even the faintest traces of an ambush. His eyes flicked from tree to tree, his instincts sharp, every step deliberate. Despite the intensity of his search, he found nothing suspicious—no hidden ninja, no signs of pursuit.
Along the main road, he did spot a few travelers passing by—some in carriages, others in bullock carts—but they appeared to be ordinary civilians, unaware of the presence of Shanks and his group in the forest nearby.
Satisfied that the area was secure, Shanks turned back and made his way to camp.
As he landed quietly near the group, Guy stepped forward and asked, "Onii-san, did you find anyone suspicious?"
Shanks shook his head. "No. I scouted the full area within a five-kilometer radius. There were a few travelers on the road, but nothing unusual—no enemies, no sign of anyone following us."
Relief washed over the group. For the first time in days, hope began to take root in their hearts. A quiet, comforting thought settled in their minds: Maybe… just maybe… we're finally free from the chase.
Shanks stepped forward and addressed the group, his voice calm but firm. "Alright, everyone. I'm going to get some sleep now and recover my chakra to its peak. But before I do, I need all of you to listen carefully."
He swept his gaze across the gathered faces, making sure each one was paying attention.
"If you notice anything—anything at all—even the smallest detail that feels off, like someone watching us, or something suspicious in the surroundings… wake me up immediately. Don't hesitate. Don't think you're disturbing me. I won't be able to rest unless I know you'll do this. Your safety—our safety—is more important than a few hours of my sleep. Do you all understand?"
Everyone nodded solemnly, the weight of his words settling in their hearts. They understood this wasn't a mere suggestion—it was a command, born of care and necessity.
Miki stepped forward and spoke with conviction. "Don't worry. If we see or feel anything unusual, we'll alert you right away."
Shanks gave her a small nod of appreciation. "Good."
Then he turned to Erza and Aiko. "And you two—make sure to get some sleep as well. We'll be continuing our journey tonight. I'm a ninja; I can go without sleep for days if I have to. Even Erza, as a chunin, can manage without rest for a while—but that doesn't mean you should. Rest while you can."
Both Erza and Aiko nodded in agreement, understanding that rest now meant strength later.
After giving his final instructions, Shanks stepped into one of the carriages and lay down, finally allowing himself a moment of rest. For the first time in nearly twelve hours, he deactivated his Observation Haki, letting the mental tension slip away.
The moment his head touched the makeshift pillow, sleep pulled him under like a tide. The weight of fatigue—both from the intense battle with the masked ninja the previous evening and the long, sleepless night spent guarding and guiding his people—crashed down on him all at once.
He didn't toss or turn. His breathing slowed, his body relaxed, and within seconds, Shanks was fast asleep. A much-needed, well-earned rest in the brief calm between storms.
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