Captain...

Uchiha Shisui left the cave, climbed onto the rock face, pulled down several vines, and then scorched them with Fire Release. After a burst of choking smoke, the flames began roaring fiercely.

Haku seemed to enjoy grilling. He picked up several pieces of snake meat from outside and placed them over the fire, his bright eyes fixed eagerly on the meat.

"Haku, dry your clothes first, or you'll get sick," Uchiha Shisui said concernedly.

"Mm." Haku nodded and immediately began taking off his clothes.

After wiping his lenses clean, Houka changed into a fresh, dry set of clothes. He then walked over and laid his wet clothes on a protruding rock beside the fire to dry.

"Captain, there's actually something I've been wanting to ask you," Uchiha Shisui said as he took off his clothes and walked over.

"You're definitely as straight as they come!" Houka blurted out without thinking. Then he pointed at the ground beneath Uchiha Shisui's feet. "Stop right there. Don't come any closer!"

Uchiha Shisui froze, utterly baffled. He then shook his head and asked, "Captain, why didn't we take a detour through the Land of Rain? Crossing the Land of Earth can shorten our journey, but if the Iwa Ninja discover us... I remember that during the Third Great Ninja War, Captain fought the Third Tsuchikage in the Land of Earth..."

Houka had known he would ask. After thinking it over, he decided that since Uchiha Shisui had already faked his death and left Konoha, he was one of his people now. There was no harm in telling him.

"Compared to the Land of Rain, the Land of Earth isn't actually that dangerous," Houka said.

"What do you mean? Does that mean the Third Tsuchikage can't make a move?" Uchiha Shisui asked in confusion.

Houka