Land of Water.
Bakuyatō Island in the Land of Water was a small island on the nation's outskirts.
It was not large, and both the island and its surroundings were covered in reefs. There was not even a single tree on it.
It had no strategic value whatsoever.
It could only serve as a guardian island that shielded the Land of Water from the waves outside its borders.
Only three Hidden Mist Ninja were stationed on the island on a daily basis.
Calling it a guard post was generous; it was basically an exile assignment.
After all, no one would launch a sea invasion through this route. There was no food, no water, and no people here—at most, there were a few seabirds.
The three Hidden Mist Ninja had not gone on patrol that day. Instead, they were roasting seabirds at the edge of the island.
They did not know that Kumogakure had already placed a metal sphere at the very center of the island, its surface now flashing with red light.
At that moment, all the seabirds suddenly took flight in panic.
The Hidden Mist Ninja had barely raised their heads when they saw a streak of yellow light skim across the sea, striking the center of Bakuyatō Island with immense force.
A sense of dread had only just risen in their hearts.
Then a massive flash erupted alongside a shockwave!
Rubble and sand, carried by a violent gale blasting outward in every direction, sent the three Hidden Mist Ninja flying.
Before they could react, their bones and tendons shattered. They were hurled into the sea and never surfaced again.
Bakuyatō Island was wiped clean, leaving only an enormous crater where it had once stood.
The surrounding seawater churned into massive waves that spread in every direction.
Kumogakure.
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