The cruise ship dropped anchor at a small, coastal supply port. The air was already getting freezing cold.
Sandayu Asama ran onto the main deck, sweating through his thick coat.
"She's gone!" Sandayu screamed, grabbing his hair. "Princess Yukie picked the lock! She ran off the ship!"
Kakashi sat on a wooden crate, turning a page of his orange book. "Genin. Go fetch our client."
Kenji hopped over the railing and landed lightly on the wooden dock.
Naruto followed. He didn't stumble or yell. He walked with his hands stuffed in his pockets, his shoulders rolled back. A confident, cocky smirk was permanently fixed on his face.
Sakura dropped down next to them. She frowned at Naruto. She was expecting him to immediately ask her on a date in the town. Instead, Naruto didn't even look at her. He was busy winking at a group of local girls passing by on the dock.
Sakura felt a strange, frustrating sting of rejection. She shook her head and quickly looked at Kenji's broad back as he led the way into the port town.
It took them ten minutes to find the runaway actress.
The local tavern was dimly lit and smelled like cheap booze. Yukie Fujikaze was sitting at the corner of the bar. Three empty sake bottles were lined up in front of her.
"I'm not going back to that frozen wasteland!" Yukie yelled, slamming her cup down. "I quit! Tell the studio to sue me!"
Sandayu was on his knees, begging. "Princess, please! The movie is halfway done!"
Yukie scoffed. She grabbed another bottle.
She didn't get to pour it.
Kenji stepped up and snatched the bottle right out of her hand. He smashed it on the floor. Glass shattered everywhere.
"Hey!" Yukie shrieked, glaring at him. "Do you know who I am, you little brat?!"
Kenji didn't say a word. His eyes were cold and completely dead.
He grabbed her by the waist.
Yukie didn't even have time to react. Kenji hoisted her right off the stool and threw her over his broad shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
"Put me down!" Yukie thrashed wildly. She pounded her fists against his back and kicked her legs. "I am Princess Gale! I'll have you executed! Help! Someone help me!"
A few of the rough-looking sailors at the bar stood up, gripping their mugs. They didn't like seeing a pretty woman manhandled.
Kenji stopped walking. He looked at the sailors, releasing a fraction of his killing intent. The men instantly froze, dropping their mugs and looking away in absolute terror.
Yukie was still screaming and kicking on his shoulder.
Kenji raised his right hand. He didn't hold back.
He brought his open palm down hard against her firm ass.
SMACK!
The sound echoed through the entire tavern like a whip crack.
Yukie gasped. Her entire body went completely stiff. The stinging pain radiated through her silk dress. She had never been struck like that in her entire life.
"If you open your mouth again, Princess," Kenji said loudly, his voice echoing in the dead-silent bar, "I will pull this dress up and do it on your bare skin in front of everyone."
Yukie’s face turned completely red. Humiliation and genuine fear washed over her. She clamped her hands over her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut. She didn't make another sound.
Kenji turned and walked out of the tavern, carrying the completely subdued actress into the freezing wind.
Naruto smirked, following right behind him.
Sakura watched them leave, her heart hammering in her chest. She stared at Kenji's hand—the same hand he had used on her just a day ago. She bit her lower lip, her thoughts completely conflicted and racing, before jogging to catch up.