The team of Konoha's nine koto members and two Jonin traveled north along the official road, and the scenery gradually changed from lush forests to winding mountain roads.
"Wow! Look at those snow-capped mountains over there!" Naruto shouted from the carriage window, "They're even higher than the Valley of the End!"
"Idiot, that's a volcano." Sasuke coldly corrected him, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding terrain. Along the way, he had discovered at least three forks in the road suitable for breaking away from the group, but each time he could feel Kakashi's subtle gaze.
"Sasuke-kun knows a lot about geography~" Sakura blushed and leaned closer, but Sasuke dodged her with a sidestep.
Jiraiya, walking at the head of the group, suddenly turned around with a mysterious smile, "Everyone, the harbor town is just ahead. They say the izakayas there have the most delicious seafood bowls in the entire Land of Fire..."
"Pervy Sage! It's only morning!" Naruto yelled, but his stomach betrayed him and started growling.
"What does Kakashi-sensei think?" Ino asked, blinking.
Kakashi, who had been silent all along, looked up from "Icha Icha Paradise," his right eye curving into a crescent moon. "Ah... I can do anything..."
Sasuke's pupils contracted slightly. This seemingly casual answer sent a chill down his spine— Kakashi's position blocked all possible escape routes.
(Damn it...)
(He was definitely on guard against me...)
A deep blue harbor came into view, and a salty sea breeze swept over them. Fishing boats swayed gently with the waves, and seagulls circled and cried out among the masts.
"Everyone has two hours of free time," Jiraiya announced. "But remember, the ship departs at 3 PM, and anyone who's late will be responsible for carrying everyone's luggage."
The boys cheered and dispersed. Sasuke casually Earth Flow the dock, but out of the corner of his eye he saw Kakashi leaning against the shadows next to the ticket booth, his book motionless.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura suddenly chased after them from behind, "W-Want to go get some takoyaki together?"
Just as Sasuke was about to refuse, he suddenly noticed a purple figure flash by in the alley not far away.
(Orochimaru's subordinate?)
"... Whatever." He changed his mind and followed Sakura to the food stall, secretly memorizing the location of the alley.
The massive passenger ship sounded its horn and slowly sailed away from the port. Sasuke stood by the deck railing, the sea breeze ruffling his black hair.
"Is this your first time on a boat?" Shikamaru appeared beside me at some point. "You don't look too good."
"Mind your own business." Sasuke snorted coldly, but was secretly on guard—had even Shikamaru been sent to monitor him?
Inside the cabin, Kakashi and Jiraiya stood by the window, their expressions unusually serious.
"That kid checked the escape route seven times along the way," Jiraiya whispered. "Orochimaru must have sent someone to meet him."
Kakashi closed his book. "I've already had Pakkun follow us secretly. But..." He looked out the window at the churning waves, "What I'm more worried about is why Sasuke suddenly agreed to this trip."
On the deck, Sasuke's fingertips tapped lightly on the railing, the rhythm subtly synchronized with the rise and fall of the waves. In his Sharingan, the coastline of the Land of Fire was reflected in the ever-receding distance.
(Just a little more patience...)
(We've finally arrived in the Land of Snow...)
On the other hand
In the dimly lit underground laboratory, the flickering candlelight illuminated Orochimaru's pale face. He leaned weakly against the stone seat, his golden snake eyes gleaming with a cold light.
"Sasuke has finally left Konoha..." His voice was hoarse, tinged with a sickly excitement.
"But Jiraiya and Kakashi are with us, so our people can't get close at all." Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses, a hint of regret in his voice.
Orochimaru slowly looked at his sealed hands, and smiled coldly, "It's alright... Since they're going to the Land of Snow, we'll make our plans in advance."
Kimimaro.
From the shadows, a white-haired youth slowly emerged, the outline of bone spurs faintly visible beneath his pale skin. His eyes were cold, like those of a soulless Puppet.
"Lord Orochimaru." He knelt on one knee, his voice low and respectful.
"You take the Sound Four and infiltrate the Land of Snow first." Orochimaru's snake-like eyes narrowed slightly. "Sasuke will definitely find a chance to break away from the group, and then..."
"Yes." Kimimaro his head and accepted the order without the slightest hesitation.
"Furthermore..." Orochimaru's lips curled into a strange smile. "The Land of Snow seems to be acting strangely lately. Investigate thoroughly."
"If there's something we want there..."
"Then bring them all back."
The border of the Land of Snow where the wind and snow howl
Five figures silently traversed the blizzard and stepped into this land covered in ice and snow.
"What troublesome weather..." Kidomaru rubbed his hands together, his six arms trembling slightly in the cold wind.
"Shut up, don't reveal our whereabouts." Sakon gave him a cold glance.
"Hehe, I heard the daimyo of the Land of Snow is a famous actor~" Jirobo licked his lips.
"Don't cause any unnecessary trouble." Kimimaro's voice was as cold as ice. "Our only target is Sasuke."
The Sound Four fell silent and followed Kimimaro's figure, disappearing into the vast snowfield.
On the azure sea, the ferry cut through the white waves, slowly heading north. On the deck, the young ninjas of Konoha, rarely able to shed their usual tension, enjoyed this moment of tranquility.
"Wow! Look over there!" Naruto leaned half his body out of the railing, pointing to a pod of dolphins leaping out of the sea in the distance. "They're bigger than the Ichiraku Ramen sign, I mean!"
"Idiot, watch out, you might fall." Sasuke leaned against the ship's railing, his gaze involuntarily following the silver-gray figures. The sea breeze ruffled his black hair, bringing a long-lost sense of freshness.
Sakura and Ino huddled together on the other side of the deck, holding their newly bought seashell bracelets. "I heard that the jewelry in the Land of Snow is made of real Aurora Gemstone ~"
"Hey! Choji! That's my last barbecue-flavored potato chip!" Ya pounced on Choji, who was happily devouring it, while Akamaru barked incessantly above his head.
Karin pushed up her glasses, secretly observing Naruto's profile, but Hinata gently tugged at her sleeve. "Karin... um... how about we go get some juice together..."
Kakashi and Jiraiya sat under the sunshade on the upper deck, watching the group of playful boys.
"Ah, youth is truly something~" Jiraiya sipped his sake, his gaze sweeping over the faint black dots on the distant horizon.
Kakashi looked up from "Icha Icha Paradise": "Speaking of which, it's surprising that Lady Tsunade agreed to let them come out so readily this time..."
"Because she knew better than anyone else." Jiraiya put down his wine glass, his expression unusually serious. "Flowers in a greenhouse can't withstand the wind and rain. No matter how beautiful the future displayed on the Heavenly Screen is, they still need to fight for it themselves."
The bright moon hung high in the sky, and the cabin gradually quieted down. Sasuke silently got up and went to the empty deck. The silvery moonlight on the sea reminded him of that full moon night.
Can't sleep?
Sasuke turned around abruptly and saw Kakashi leaning against the hatch, no longer holding the erotic book, but a Kunai.
"... I just came out for some fresh air." Sasuke responded coldly, but his muscles were already tense.
Kakashi approached and stood beside him, gazing at the sea. "I've heard the aurora borealis in the Land of Snow is beautiful." He suddenly changed the subject, "However, some beautiful sights require the right angle to see in their entirety."
Sasuke's Sharingan narrowed slightly—was this a warning or a test?
"I'm going to sleep." He turned and left, unaware of the complex expression that flashed in Kakashi's Sharingan as he watched his retreating figure.