[H2][CENTRE][color=fff200][b][ARC 2][/b][/color][/CENTRE][/H2]
[H2][CENTRE][color=fff200][b]KUROZUMI HAKU[/b][/color][/CENTRE][/H2]

Once the last of pirates was taken down, Haku measured breath seemed to frost over in the cold air as he looked around and weapon raised closely. No mistakes, no chances, and no slip-up was allowed.

A moment of silence passed aside from the last groans and Haku shot back inside before being met with Coriander curled up, with a gentle touch Haku shook her shoulders and quietly.

[color=fff200]“It’s alright now. Let’s leave.”[/color] Haku said curtly and softly as he held her hand and led the way. 

Moving down the gangplank and spying the surroundings, it’ll take too much time to leave while making it back to the town.

Taking a risk, he sheathed his weapon back, turned to Coriander and muttered. [color=fff200]“Sorry for this, it’ll be a rough ride but please bear with it.” [/color]

Sweeping off her feet into a bridal carry and keeping her head is close to his chest in case of any stray shots from behind. Haku's pace picked up far faster as he sprinted off, nearly skipping across the ground as the woods seemed to blur around her.

With that, the mission was over as Haku eyes spotted some of the pirates had arrested and true enough, he caught sight of Burnet briefly. 

While disappointed, Haku nevertheless learned just how difficult things was considering he had everything laid out well but it still nearly failed simply because of one thing he hadn’t expected.

If anything, it simply showed just how green he was.

[i][color=fff200]I’ve a long way to go.[/color][/i]

Once they’re close to the town, he finally let Coriander on her own feet and much to his shock since the moment she did, Coriander mind finally caught up and breaks down.

Coming closer, Haku placed a hand on Coriander head.

[color=fff200]“There, there. You’re safe now.”[/color] Haku consoled her, while not exactly a kid, he found that the gesture always worked. At least for him. [color=fff200]“You’re braver than you think.”[/color]

[color=fff200]“It was also my fault, I wasn’t fast enough.”[/color] He trailed behind before looking up to her. [color=fff200]“But  It’s okay, I’m here.”[/color]

[color=fff200]“But how did you end up getting caught?”[/color] Haku asked curiously.

—

Cadog lit up a pipe as he shook his shoulder before taking a sip from an ill-obtained bottle of rum. The scent alone was overpowering as it was fermented haphazardly and no doubt, would’ve laid normal people or even given them ill side-effects from such a strong volume of alcohol.

[b][i]Phah, taste like water.[/i][/b] He tossed the bottle off the ship as his sailors moved around, collecting the unconscious body of the pirates.

It didn’t take long for them to find and destroy the other smaller supplies outposts hidden around the coves. The rain certainly slowed them down but their ship made the trip well enough.

With a little pride as he looked at the pirates being arrested, it seemed that the boy did well. As to be expected, this was the calmest seas out of everything. 

He wondered what was taking him so long as he stepped from the pirate ship and onto dryland despite the rain. For an old seadog like him, it was near second nature at this point.

His eyes then spied onto a former member of the Marines, and he tipped his head at Burnet.

[b]“Ah, so you came. How’s the boy?”[/b] Cadog didn’t even tried to hid the fact that he specifically assigned Haku here, after all, it would’ve been obvious and judging by Burnet's looks, he too must’ve figured it out.