Rock Python

On an isolated island off the southern coast of the Land of Fire, Kakashi lay on the fine sandy beach with his hands behind his head, lazily yawning as the sea breeze stirred his silver hair.

"Captain, we've searched already and found no trace of Lord Houka." An Anbu suddenly appeared beside him, dropped to one knee, and reported respectfully.

"Ah, got it." Kakashi narrowed his eyes, so comfortable he was practically dozing off.

"Captain?" The Anbu tilted his head. "Then should we continue to the next island?"

"No. Not every island has a beach this nice. Let's rest for a while," Kakashi said.

"But the Third's orders..."

"Houka's Summoning Beast is a Ninja Hawk. He can come and go freely through the sky. Even my Ninja Dogs won't be able to track him, so there's no point wasting our effort." Kakashi smiled. "Let the brothers rest on this island. Think of it as a vacation."

"This... understood."

Land of Earth.

Super Whirlwind Style Two screeched as it darted about in panic through the rain of rocks. But its body was simply too enormous; no matter how nimbly it dodged, countless raindrops mixed with shattered stones still crashed down onto it.

"Captain, we should find somewhere to rest and recover." Uchiha Shisui ran a hand over Super Whirlwind Style Two's feathers. They were already soaked through, and with all the shattered rocks falling from the sky, continuing to fly like this would drain its stamina several times faster.

"Shriek!" Super Whirlwind Style Two cried out excitedly, raising both wings in agreement.

Before Houka could even respond, it had already flown downward.

Haku wore a raincoat and huddled into a ball, yet his eyes still shone as he curiously watched the shattered rocks continuously falling from the sky.

It was