Land of Water - Eastern Sea
At dawn, a thin mist shrouded the archipelago and sea area in the eastern part of the Land of Water.
A small black boat without any markings floated silently on the sea, its hull rising and falling gently with the waves. Qing stood at the bow, his right hand on his Forehead Protector, the veins bulging around his Byakugan particularly noticeable in the morning light.
"Captain, another uninhabited island has been spotted ahead." The Kirigakure Anbu behind him reported in a low voice, the sea chart he held up already marked with five red crosses.
Qing did not respond immediately; his Byakugan eyes pierced through the thin mist, taking in the lush island three kilometers away.
His gaze swept over every footprint on the beach, over every clearing in the woods, and even over the birds perched in the treetops.
"No Chakra reaction." After about five minutes, Qing lowered his hand, the veins around his eyes gradually subsiding. "Instruct the helmsman to circle the island once, maintaining a distance of two nautical miles."
"Yes!" The Anbu quickly turned around and relayed the order.
At the stern, three other Kirigakure Ninjas were counting the spoils they had seized the previous day—several boxes of smuggled Land of Fire sake, dozens of Kunai made of fine steel, and an iron box full of gold and silver coins. These were all taken from the pirate stronghold on Turtle Island.
"I never expected to make a small fortune from bandit suppression." The young female ninja counted the money, then suddenly lowered her voice, "But Lord Qing is too cautious. This is the sixth island already, and they won't even let us set foot on the shore."
The middle-aged ninja, wiping his Ninja Blade, didn't even look up. "Years ago, when I was in the pursuit unit, I witnessed Orochimaru single-handedly wipe out an entire missing-nin stronghold."
The cotton cloth in his hand glinted coldly against the blade. "Lord Qing's judgment was correct—our small team isn't even enough to fill that 'Cold Lord's' teeth."
The speedboat began to slowly turn. Qing walked to the side of the boat, took out the Mizukage Token from her bosom, and confirmed it again. Mei Terumi's delicate handwriting seemed to still carry her unique fragrance:
[Withdraw immediately upon discovery of any trace; engagement is strictly prohibited. --Mei Terumi]
He smiled wryly as he put away the scroll. As a ninja who had lived through the Blood Mist Era, Ao knew better than anyone the weight of the title Sannin).
You have to understand that the reputation of the Sannin was built up by the deaths of countless ninjas during the great war.
"Report!" the ninja in charge of sensory perception suddenly shouted, "There's Chakra fluctuation from the southeast!"
Ao instantly activated his Byakugan, his gaze piercing through the cabin to look into the distance. About five nautical miles away, a fishing boat was drifting with the current. There were only two faint Chakra reactions on board, indicating that they were just ordinary fishermen.
East China Sea at dusk
Qing stood at the swaying bow of the ship, the salty sea breeze lashing his cheeks. He raised his binoculars, and the outline of another isolated island appeared faintly in the twilight.
"The seventh one..." he murmured, his finger tracing patterns on the map. "At this rate, it'll take at least half a month to survey all the islands."
Behind him, several Kirigakure Ninjas were organizing their equipment, the Kunai clanging against the scrolls. One of the younger ninjas wiped his sweat. "Lord Ao, should we head back to port for supplies? We only have --"
"Keep going." Qing interrupted, the veins around his Byakugan throbbing slightly. "We'll spend the night on Sea Snake Island tonight."
He turned to look at the endless sea, the setting sun dyeing the water blood-red. This sight reminded him of the scene that had been playing in the Heavenly Screen a few days ago— the Sage Mode Kabuto Yakushi fighting the Uchiha brothers, their overwhelming and terrifying power.
(If Orochimaru is really hiding in this sea area...)
Ao's fists clenched unconsciously. As one of the few Jonin who had experienced the "Bloody Mist Village and Mist" era, he knew all too well the current vulnerability of Kirigakure. The strength of Mizukage Mei Terumi was beyond doubt, but the village could not afford another major battle.
"Lord Ao!" the sensory ninja at the stern suddenly shouted, "There's Chakra reaction at three o'clock!"
Everyone instantly entered battle mode. Qing's Byakugan activated at full power, his vision penetrating through the reefs several nautical miles away.
"Just a school of migrating Chakra fish..." He breathed a sigh of relief, then shook his head with a self-deprecating laugh. (Was I really that nervous?)
As night fell, the search party took turns keeping watch at their makeshift camp. Qing leaned against the rock wall, listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. The young ninjas were already asleep, but one of them was still muttering in his sleep.
The night watchman, Ao, touched the Byakugan beneath his eyepatch, recalling the eye he had stolen from Konoha years ago. It seemed ironic now— the Kirigakure's most relied-upon reconnaissance method was actually the Kekkei Genkai of another village.
"If we really find Orochimaru..." Ao muttered to himself by the campfire, "Even if I'm mocked for being a lackey of Konoha, I have to call for help."
In the Kakkō, his shadow swayed on the rock face, much like the precarious future of Kirigakure.
Kirigakure - Mizukage's Office
Moonlight streamed through the French windows onto the desk, casting a long, thin shadow of Mei Terumi's pen on the documents. She rubbed her temples and pushed aside yet another copy of the "Border Defense Enhancement Plan."
"Karatachi..." she sighed softly, gazing at the portrait of the Fourth Mizukage on the wall. "How did you endure these documents back then?"
The portrait of Yagura is expressionless, as if mocking her troubles. The sound of night patrolling ninjas can be heard outside the window, and Kirigakure appears exceptionally quiet under the moonlight.
Mei Terumi got up and walked to the window, her fingers unconsciously twirling a strand of brown hair. Lately, she had been losing significantly more hair when washing it, a discovery that alarmed her even more than seeing the Six Paths Madara in the Heavenly Screen.
(I hope I don't go bald before I find my Mr. Right...)
She shook her head, forcing herself back to the important matter. Qing's search team had been at sea for three days; they should have received news by today...
"Lord Mizukage."
The Anbu suddenly appeared behind her, startling her so much that she almost unleashed her Lava Release.
"The Ao team sent an encrypted communication." "The Anbu handed over a scroll, revealing an island that appeared to be Orochimaru's base, but upon investigation, it turned out to be an abandoned underground laboratory."
Mei Terumi quickly unrolled the scroll, her expression growing increasingly grave as she read. When she read the words, "If possible, request Konoha's support," the pen snapped in two in her hand.
(That proud Qing actually took the initiative to suggest asking for help...)
Ink dripped through her fingers, spreading like blood on the scroll. She recalled the Raikage's mocking gaze during the Five Kage Summit, as if to say, "The Kirigakure has fallen so low that it has to cling to the Konoha Village."
"Prepare to contact Eagle," she suddenly said.
The Anbu were taken aback. "Shouldn't we contact Konoha first?"
"Are you stupid?" Mei Terumi narrowed her eyes. "Sending communications to Konoha in the middle of the night? Isn't that just telling them we're panicking?"
She walked to the clothes rack and took down the cloak embroidered with the Mizukage emblem. "First, let's assess the situation. If we really find Orochimaru's trail..."
Her reflection in the mirror showed her red lips curving into a dangerous yet alluring smile, "We'll tell Konoha we've invited them to a joint exercise."
Bedroom, 2 AM
Mei Terumi lay in the soft bedding, counting the cracks in the ceiling. Ao's plea for help, the Raikage's provocation, and the village's future swirled in her mind, finally turning into a sigh.
"At least I need to keep my hair..."
She pulled out the dating guide, "How to Marry a Prince," from under her pillow, and turned to the page with the folded corner. "Rule Five: Maintain elegance and mystery."
"Damn elegance!" she slammed the book shut in anger. "When I catch Orochimaru, I'm going to soak him in acid and use him as a hair growth tonic!"
The moonlight shifted subtly, Mei Terumi finally drifted off to sleep. In her dream, she stood at a wedding ceremony dressed in a white Muku, but the groom's face opposite her was blurry—because the damned fog obscured her vision.