Overseas.
On a small fishing boat, Hozuki Suigetsu listlessly rowed while the Kubikiribōchō lay beside him.
"Hey, Sasuke, you could at least lend a hand. At this rate, when are we ever going to reach the Land of Water?"
After leaving the Land of Waves, Sasuke had latched onto Hozuki Suigetsu and followed him ever since.
Hozuki Suigetsu wanted to shake him off, but his strength did not allow it. So he had a bright idea and deliberately found a fishing boat, traveling at a snail's pace in hopes that Sasuke would lose patience and leave.
Sasuke stood at the bow with his arms folded, gazing at the vast blue sea ahead with the air of some secluded master.
The color of the sea reminded him of Naruto's eyes, which in turn made him think of the war between China and America later this year—no, the war between the Allied Shinobi Forces and Akatsuki. He wondered how the situation was now.
Sasuke frowned. Damn it, I've been influenced by Kotoamatsukami again. Damn it!!
"Hey, Sasuke, I'm talking to you. You—"
Hozuki Suigetsu spoke lazily, then suddenly shut his mouth. Before his disbelieving eyes, the Kubikiribōchō beside him had actually... vanished!
Hozuki Suigetsu was shocked and furious. He threw down his oar. "Bastard! Who was it? Which bastard dared steal my sword?!"
Sasuke finally turned around, then narrowed his eyes and sensed carefully. "It was a space-time ninjutsu. It should have been a Summoning Jutsu."
"A Summoning Jutsu?"
Hozuki Suigetsu looked utterly miserable.
Kirigakure's seven ninja swords could indeed be recalled through a Summoning Jutsu, but that required possession of the summoning scroll belonging to the seven swords.
And if Hozuki Suigetsu remembered correctly, that summoning scroll had disappeared along with his brother's death!
"What's going on?"
Hozuki Suigetsu furrowed his