The ocean stretched as far as the eye could see.
A seafaring vessel cut through the waves toward the Land of Water.
Akihara Kagura stood atop the ship's mast, gazing out at the distant sea. The ocean wind blew his long hair loose around him. It was an experience he had never had before in his life.
"What energy..."
Kakashi Hatake was busy setting traps aboard the ship. Looking at Uchiha Itachi, who was helping beside him, he unusually offered some praise. "It'd be great if Kagura could learn even half of your attitude toward life. Then I wouldn't have to worry about that kid doing something extreme..."
"Kagura-kun..."
Uchiha Itachi raised his head and looked at Akihara Kagura standing on the mast. Remembering their conversation before the Chunin Ninja Exams, he shook his head. "He's actually quite pitiful."
"That guy..."
Kakashi Hatake recalled Akihara Kagura's background.
Although Akihara Kagura possessed an incredibly powerful Wood Style Bloodline, he could not escape the fate of being manipulated by others. Even his thoughts and actions were constrained by Danzo.
"Are you two talking about something rude?"
Akihara Kagura leaped down from the mast as though he were a boss inspecting his employees. "I have good news for you! Everyone can stop working now!"
"Hm?"
Kakashi Hatake immediately stopped what he was doing and asked in surprise, "Have we reached the Land of Water? Didn't the Mist Ninja come to inspect us?"
"More or less..."
Akihara Kagura spoke vaguely as he smiled and explained, "We are indeed close to the Land of Water, and the Mist Ninja really haven't come to inspect us..."
"Looks like we got lucky..."
Uchiha Itachi rarely let out a sigh of relief.
"I suppose you could call it good luck..."
Akihara Kagura slowly continued, "From what I can