Can't we ever just go sowhere without being wrapped up in so kind of bullshit? Just once? Is that really too much to ask?!
BOOM! SPLASH!
"Hikaru! Their ship's equipped with a ballista! One shot from those bolts and-!"
"Shut up, I know! Let
focus!"
I hate this stupid world...with a passion. Seriously, if I live long enough to beco as powerful as an actual ??tsutsuki powerhouse, I might just destroy the whole damn thing out of pure spite
"Damn it! I knew this was too easy!"
"You can say I told you so later Tango!"
"Sensei! What should we-?!"
"You three are not to act unless I tell you! Hikaru, punch it!"
"Already on it!"
KLANK! RRRRRRR!!!!
"O-Ooof!
"Whoa!"
This thing is even faster than I thought! Bravo Tetsuo
As for the assholes on that rusty-looking ship chasing us, I wasn't able to sense them, which ans they've suppressed their chakra. But with our ship, they'll have trouble keeping up with us , and we've enough fuel to last-
TING!
"Hm?!"
"Rei? What is it?"
Oh no...this chakra is-!
"Hikaru! I'm sensing another batch of chakra headed in our direction! At least two dozen of them...10 o'clock!"
"How could there be so many here?! I know for a fact this route isn't typically used by pirates, hardly anyone ever cos through here!"
"Wait...does that an-?!" Tai guessed correctly
"They were waiting for us, who the hell tipped them off?!"
"We can discuss the matter later, for now, we need to avoid them! What's our course captain?!"
"We can head to the right and sail around them, but the area in that direction is known to be full of rocks and debris that could tear this ship apart. What do you want to do Tango?!"
"..."
A tough decision
We might be able to get away, but heading in that direction could be exactly what these people are aiming for. Another group might be hiding in that direction, waiting to attack
Judging from their chakra and appearance, it's unlikely they're shinobi, and we could fight our way through. But if that's the case, it implies soone hired them, and said clients could be watching us from elsewhere
The possibility this entire ordeal is so "dog and pony" show in efforts to uncover whatever trump cards we may have...is not low
What it's gonna be Tango?
"...Damn it. Sail to the right Hikaru, we'll just have to risk it"
"Got it. Everyone, brace yourselves!"
"Rei, Suzu, Tai...I'm pretty sure you know why I've made such a decision. From this point forward, if it cos to it, leave the fighting to . Unless Hikaru and I have been taken out, you're not engage under any circumstances. Understood?"
"Yes!" Tai and Suzu answered in concert
"..."
Hikaru sailed further north, taking the long away as our pursuers continued to bombard us with bolts half the size of the ship. Fortunately, our captain operates like a professional racer, we've yet to get struck even once
Not to ntion his smooth navigation through the stacks sticking out of the water. Those behind us are gonna end up with holes in their hulls if they keep chasing. That's probably what Hikaru is aiming for
Regardless, once we're in a more public venue, closer to Takigakure1Hidden Waterfall Village, they'll probably break off their pursuit
Tango observed our rear through his monocular, trying to get a good glimpse of these guys
"Any clues yet Sensei?" Tai eagerly wondered
"No. On paper, they appear to be pirates. However, their coordination and disregard for the damage their ship is enduring, just to follow us through this area, indicates they're more than ets the eye"
"So they might
ninja in disguise...now what?"
"Once we get through this last checkpoint, we're ho free. Look, so of them have already started to break off" Hikaru noted
He was right, the ships following us began slowing down. These guys must've realized the futility of following this swift boat, there was no way they could catch us
"Jerks...I hope they drown. Scaring us like that"
"This is just the start. In the days ahead, we'll be acquainted with many people you'll want to drown"
"Yay. You're the glass half empty guy as usual Rei. When are you gonna be a people person?"
"I was Tai, then the so-called people ruined it. I'm just being realistic, since we'll be risking our lives considerably in these exams"
"I guess. Still, it's a good thing we didn't have to fight now"
Our crew could finally breathe easy after passing this last checkpoint. Reaching a public, Takigakure dock near the Land of Earth
The area wasn't filled with many ships, but there were plenty of food stalls in the area. Mmm...so of it doesn't sll half bad
"Tango...do you see him?"
"Give
sec Hikaru. Hmmm...there! All the way to right! I can see Karai, the one dressed in the brown cloak"
"Alright, I'm setting us down"
SPLASH! POOF!
Once we docked, the ship disappeared in a cloud of smoke after Hikaru sealed it into a scroll. Since the raft is a prototype of Kumogakure and Mori Sp.'s finest technology, Hikaru was under strict orders to prevent it from being stolen
Imdiately after, we approached Karai. He hadn't changed much over the years. Sa spiky, tan-colored hair with a streak of orange on the left side
"Karai..."
"Nuh-uh, not here. Follow "
"...Okay"
Yup, hasn't changed a bit
??????
"They knew you were coming? You're absolutely sure?"
"Positive. They were even equipped with high-end ballistae, perfect for taking out small boats like ours. If Hikaru hadn't been our captain..."
"I get it...from this point forward, we should assu our plans have been compromised. Even the hotel booked for you is no longer an option"
After sneaking away from the dock, Karai brought us to a hideout inside a cave he built during his tenure in this foreign land. Apparently, A sent the young infiltrator to co here right after the incident on "Summoning Island"
Since the marauders were from Ishigakure2Hidden Rock Village,the Raikage wanted to ascertain the true nature behind the newest shinobi nation to greet this world. Including its beneficial, yet controversial relationship with a great nation like Iwagakure3Hidden Stone Village
Hence, he ordered Karai's transfer to a port near the Land of Earth's border, perfect for eting us
"I'm still hesitating on whether or not it's safe to enter Iwagakure's walls" Tango remarked
"Shinobi entering a foreign nation is never safe, but I can make things easier for you"
"How? Especially this late in the ga?"
"For how long have you known ? My line of work has taught
to always plan for...redundancies"
He removed a map from his pouch, and withdrew several outfits from the trunk by the wall
"In the event sothing like this would happen, I went ahead and purchased a hotel reservation at a location you can trust is likely to not have trouble. Rember, that old fence-sitter of a Tsuchikage4Earth Shadowhas to maintain the appearance of everything being under control and safe, or the wealthy patrons set on attending the event will back out. NOBODY wants that"
"I see...according the map, it's within walking distance of a governntal office, near the center of the village"
"Yup. A police branch operates in that place as well. Just keep your heads down, and you'll be fine. Now, as for getting there unnoticed by those intent on seeing you never attend the exams...I've taken care of that too"
"Can I assu that's what the outfits are for?" don't keep us in suspense
"You guessed it Rei. There's a local diplomat who wishes to see the event. He was initially set to arrive later, but I managed to change his schedule in secret, don't ask
how"
"Nice" I need more allies like him
"These outfits are the sa attire his guards wear. You lot will enter his caravan and travel along with him, but rember to separate from them upon arrival. Since Iwa is checking everyone's I.D.'s upon entry, it's best not to be in disguise"
"Good man. You've gone above and beyond"
"I aim to please"
You most certainly have. This'll make traveling all the easier, and none of us will have to risk revealing our skills to others. Finally, we can catch a damn break!
"When do we leave?"
"He's scheduled to depart in less than an hour from now, about a half klick southwest from our position. Hurry up and get dressed, they ain't gonna wait on you"
"Got it, you heard the man!"
"Yes sir!"
RUSTLE!
As we Genin left the cave to get dressed in private, the three n kept to themselves, but I didn't miss a single word
"Thanks for everything Karai"
"Nah, thank you, for allowing
to finally put my skills to work. These kind of details are typically eventless, and the last two years have been boring as hell. Anymore sitting around, and I'll turn into an old man"
"Well, if there's nothing else, I'm gonna head back to Kumogakure"
"By yourself Hikaru? Are you sure that's safe, considering what just happened?"
"Like Karai, I move better alone, and these kind of trips are the norm for . It's also important to inform Raikage-sama of a potential leak, considering our location was compromised"
"Yes, I agree with him on that point Tango. Judging from your description of their weapons, appearance, and behavior...I can say with full confidence those pirates weren't pirates. And given the fact they were waiting for you...I might want to doublecheck my operation as well" Karai assessed
"Can you try and find out who it was?"
"Not a problem, though it may take so ti"
I wonder...who has the resources and ans of pulling off sothing like this? My money was on Iwa, but they've already tipped their hand enough with this whole, "one team only" deal. Any more overreach will only serve to make the situation even MORE tense than it already is
Unless...that's what whoever hired those people was aiming for
Soone looking to stir the pot, create conflict. Though I have no real proof to support this theory...agh! I'm lacking far too much intel! This is why I'm always one step behind whenever sothing unexpected happens...!
Haaaa...whatever, I'll figure it out later. What's important now is the exams
Gotta stay focused on that
"Sensei! We're ready!"
"Okay, lets move out! Thanks guys, I appreciate everything you've done"
Karai rolled up the map in front of him before handing it to Tango
"Hang on to this Tango. I've detailed escape routes, obscure spots, and areas of interest you might find useful in the event of an ergency"
"Thanks. I owe you a al when this is over"
"I'll hold you to it, I've already been given authorization to head ho after this"
Hikaru patted each of us on the head as he said his goodbyes
"It's always good to see you guys. Do our village proud! Once the exams are over, I'll bring you back on a ship Tai won't puke on"
"Gee...thanks a bunch Hikaru-san"
"Kekeke!"
"Alright, my team will head out first. See you soon!" Tango waved goodbye as we left the cave
??????
Now down to just the four of us, we moved through the forests of Takigakure undetected, stealthily infiltrating the caravan run by the diplomat Karai ntioned
Apparently, he's the acting Daimyō of an obscure nation called the Land of Flowers, located further south of here, with old ties to the Land of Earth. An ideal choice on Karai's part, as it made passing the border into said territory all the easier
Continuing onward, the environnt began to change. I'd never been to this country, so the only thing I know about it, is what I've heard from Notitia, or studied within Kumogakure's library
TAP!
"?"
After tapping Tango on the arm, I gestured to my forehead, prompting him to utilize his "Chakra Transmission Jutsu
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