PART THREE

Part Three

"See! What did I tell you?" Ichigo's voice rang out triumphantly as he tossed the eight shiny coins into the air, catching them deftly in his palm. The two boys had spent the entire day hauling crates of rotten fish, scrubbing decks, and dodging insults from grumpy sailors, but Ichigo's cheerfulness was unshakable.

Teigen, however, wasn't nearly as upbeat. He wrinkled his nose in disgust as he tried to shake off the stench clinging to his clothes.

"We smell like the underside of a dead whale," he muttered, glaring at Ichigo. "And you're excited about this? Did you see how those idiots shortchanged us? Next time, I swear, if they even try—"

"Next time, next time," Ichigo interrupted with a grin, waving Teigen's complaints away. "You say that all the time, but we got paid, didn't we? And with this—" he jingled the coins, "—we can grab some of Baker Ba's leftovers before he closes. You know how good those roasted buns are!"

Teigen looked skeptical but perked up at the mention of food. "Fine, but I'm not racing you this time. You always cheat!"

Ichigo smirked and took off down the cobblestone path anyway, shouting over his shoulder, "The last one there is a rotten fish!"

Teigen groaned, reluctantly breaking into a jog after him. "We already smell like rotten fish, so what's the point?"

The narrow streets of Sakai Port Village bustled even at this late hour. The flickering lanterns illuminated hawkers packing up their wares, sailors stumbling out of taverns, and the occasional child darting through the crowd. The sea breeze carried a mix of salt and smoke, blending the scents of the port with the life that thrived within it.

As Ichigo and Teigen weaved through the thinning crowd, their laughter echoing off the walls, a shadow moved in the distance. Pit, the broad-shouldered leader of the street gang that had made Ichigo and Teigen's lives miserable, leaned against a stack of barrels, his small posse gathered around him.

"Those two again," one of his newer recruits sneered, watching Ichigo dart ahead. "They've got coins, boss. We should take whatever they have!"

Pit scratched his chin, his bulldog-like face twisting into a frown. "You're still hung up on those losers? Taking their pocket change won't make us kings of this port. It's just embarrassing."

"But boss," another gang member piped up, "they're easy targets. They won't fight back!"

Pit rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Exactly why they're boring. If we're going to make a name for ourselves, we need to aim higher—crew jobs, sailors, merchants. Not wasting time on orphans."

The gang grumbled amongst themselves, but Pit's decision was final. He watched Ichigo and Teigen disappear into the crowd with mild disdain before turning his attention to the bustling docks.

"Spread out," Pit ordered, waving his hand dismissively. "Find me something worth my time. We'll show this village who really runs the streets."

Back on the path, Ichigo skidded to a stop in front of Baker Ba's small, crooked shop. The warm aroma of baked goods wafted out, instantly making their stomachs rumble.

"See? Told you we'd make it!" Ichigo declared triumphantly.

Teigen caught up, panting and clutching his side. "You're insane, you know that?" he muttered, though a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Baker Ba, an elderly man with a hunched back and flour-dusted hands, greeted them with a toothy grin. "Ah, the stink boys return! You smell worse than the docks, but you've got coin, yes?"

Ichigo laughed, slapping the coins on the counter. "All yours, Ba. What've you got left for us?"

The baker chuckled, scooping up the money and handing them a small bundle wrapped in cloth. "Last of the buns and a few rice balls. Enjoy!"

As the boys sat on the steps outside the shop, tearing into their hard-earned meal, Ichigo leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "See? Not such a bad day after all."

Teigen shook his head but couldn't help grinning as he bit into a bun. For a moment, the world felt a little brighter, and their struggles seemed a little less heavy.