Voyage

The S-Rank Guild Leader, Ishida, stormed into his lavish office, his face contorted with rage. His secretary, a composed woman named Ayako, followed closely, bracing for the impending storm.

"Did they find that damn punk who laid a finger on Kaito?"

Ishida barked, his fists clenched in fury.

Ayako, her fingers dancing across the keyboard, hesitated before delivering the report to the seething boss of hers.

"Sir, our intel indicates that the fugitive, and his companions were last spotted near Nagano. They managed to escape a confrontation with the patrols, but we have identified their route – heading north towards the coast. We have alerted all available units to intercept them before they attempt to leave the country."

Ishida's eyes narrowed with unbridled fury.

"I want them captured. No mercy. Send every available hunter. I won't rest until they pay for what they've done."

Ayako, her voice steady despite the tension, issued a warning to Ishida.

"Sir, I must emphasize that they are headed towards South Korea. Our influence diminishes beyond our borders, were we to pursue them into another country, there is a great risk of diplomatic complications. We need to consider the potential fallout."

Ishida's initial rage seemed to dissipate at the mention of South Korea.

"Korea?"

He mused, his face transforming from anger to a sly grin.

"Now, isn't that interesting? I just so happened to have connections within Korea, so let them roam freely for now,"

Ishida smiled snidely.

"But, mark my words, Ayako. Once they cross the borders into Korea, we'll make sure they regret ever crossing paths with the Ishida name."

Ishida, a malicious gleam in his eyes, leaned back in his chair and pondered the situation.

"Bring up one of our tracker drones. I want those pests under constant surveillance. Find out every move they make, every breath they take. I won't rest until we catch them."

Ayako, her tone measured but firm, responded with caution, "Sir, we need to consider obtaining permission from the government for such actions."

"It could be seen as a violation of privacy, and we don't want to escalate matters further."

Ishida, surprisingly calm, leaned forward, his gaze piercing through Ayako.

"Fine, Ayako. Get the necessary approvals. But make it swift. I want those pests in my grasp before they slip away again."

Ayako, skeptical of the plan, then suggested,

"Sir, why not hire a team of grunts to keep an eye on them using our drones? It's like having our own set of eyes on the ground without directly getting involved. Plus, it keeps us clear of any potential legal headaches."

Ishida, after a moment of contemplation, leaned back in his chair with a sinister grin.

"Good thinking, Ayako. Hire a team of grunts to handle the dirty work. We can't afford to let these pests slip away again."

"Make sure they know the stakes, and tell them not to underestimate our targets. We want them caught, no matter the cost."

Ayako nodded, noting down the instructions. "Understood, sir. I'll ensure everything is in order and have them on the job promptly."

The atmosphere in the room shifted, the plan set into motion, as Ishida's gaze remained fixed on the screen displaying the unfolding events.

At a desolate port near Nagano, the trio, unaware of the impending surveillance, hurriedly unloaded the supplies they scavenged from the abandoned supermarket. The air was thick with tension as they prepared for the next leg of their journey, completely oblivious to the watchful eyes that would soon track their every move.

Noah, still catching his breath, exclaimed,

"Man, can't believe we got outta that! Those soldiers were relentless."

Yuki, glancing around nervously, added,

"We need to find someone who can help us navigate these waters quickly. Any ideas?"

As the trio reached the port, their eyes scanned the area for a potential ally. In the distance, they noticed an old man, weathered by time and the salty air, mending nets by the edge of the dock. Frey, approaching respectfully, addressed him,

"Excuse me, sir. We're in a bit of a bind and need to cross the waters. Any chance you could help us out?"

The old man scrutinized their worn-out attire – Frey in a battle suit smeared with dirt, Yuki in a once-clean formal suit now showing signs of their recent struggles, and Noah in pajamas that spoke of urgency.

"Hmm, youngsters, looks like you've been through quite a whirlwind. No way you'll face the sea in those rags,"

He mumbled, pointing towards his abode.

"I've got some spare clothes in there, take a break and bathe as well. My grand children's stuff, for you the tall lady, my wife was quite the giant! They don't visit much these days. Change into those; it'll do you good."

The trio exchanged grateful glances and followed the old man's pointed direction to his house.

In the old man's house, the trio navigated through.

With gratitude, they were directed to a simple yet well-kept bathroom. Frey, Yuki, and Noah each took their turn, appreciating the opportunity to wash away the residue of the recent chaos. The warmth of the water and the sense of cleanliness rejuvenated their spirits.

Once refreshed, they returned to the room where a selection of attire awaited them.

Frey, drawn to practicality, chose a pair of sturdy denim pants and a well-worn leather jacket, both displaying a hint of resilience from days long past and paired them with a comfortable cotton shirt.

Yuki, injecting his usual humor into the moment, quipped, "Hey, Frey, do these clothes smell like adventure, or is it just the scent of mothballs lingering?"

Noah, aiming for a blend of comfort and functionality, settled on a set consisting of jeans and a plain, earth-toned hoodie. A light scarf was added as well.

As they bantered and selected their attire, Yuki playfully held up a bright Hawaiian shirt. "Maybe this will be my lucky charm! Nothing says 'undercover' like a tropical vibe, right?"

With their chosen outfits in hand, the trio readied themselves for the challenges that awaited them on the open sea.

Out on the calm waters, the old man skillfully navigated the boat, a gentle breeze playing with his silver hair. Frey, comfortably wrapped in a leather jacket, and Noah, in his earth-toned hoodie, settled into their seats, enjoying the soothing sounds of the ocean.

Yuki, on the other hand, braved the chilly sea breeze in his Hawaiian shirt and found himself shivering. He exclaimed, "Frey, remind me again why we're not freezing our butts off out here? Are tropical vibes like, anti-cold or something?"

Frey chuckled,

"It's not a magical shirt, Yuki. You might want to borrow a jacket. The sea breeze can be quite nippy."

Noah, leaning against the boat's railing, took in the serene surroundings.

"This is quite a change from the chaos back there. Almost feels like a peaceful boat ride."

The old man, catching Yuki's playful discomfort, added with a grin,

"Don't worry, young man. The sea has its own way of keeping you warm. Just enjoy the ride."

As the boat continued its journey, Noah, burdened by the weight of recent events, took a moment to address his companions.

"I need to say something,"

He began, his voice tinged with remorse.

"This is all my fault. I brought you both into this mess because I was reckless and impulsive. I'm sorry for dragging you guys into this."

Frey and Yuki exchanged empathetic glances, attempting to reassure him, but the guilt etched on Noah's face seemed insurmountable.

"I appreciate the apologies, Noah,"

Frey responded gently,

"but we're a team. We face these challenges together. Blaming yourself won't change the past."

Yuki added,

"Yeah, man. We've all got our baggage. Let's focus on getting through this together."

Noah, however, remained visibly distraught. It was then that the old man, sensing the heaviness in the air, decided to share a piece of wisdom from his own past.

"Back when I was a young fool," he began with a nostalgic smile,

"I made some mistakes that haunted me for years. Regret can weigh you down like an anchor. But, you see, the sea doesn't care about your regrets. It keeps moving forward, and so must you. Learn from your mistakes, but don't let them drown you."

Noah, touched by the old man's words, nodded in acknowledgment.

"Thank you for the wisdom, old man," he expressed with gratitude.

The old man's eyes narrowed, and a mock scowl crept onto his face.

"Old man? You youngsters have no respect! Call me anything but that."

Noah, sensing the humor in the situation, grinned and corrected himself, "Thank you, sir."

The old man's stern expression softened into a smile.

"Much better! Now, let's enjoy the sea and leave those heavy thoughts behind."

Laughter bubbled up from the boat, a harmonious blend of generations finding solace in each other's company.

As the laughter echoed over the waves, a small spark in the distance, a drone soared into view, its mechanical eyes scanning over the boat and its occupants. Unbeknownst to the trio and the old man, their journey was being monitored by unseen eyes.