After reaching the port on the eastern coast, the Akaseki Squad hired an oceangoing ship and headed straight for the Land of Water.
Akaseki had tried pressuring Ranwu and Shinnosuke into running across the sea using water walking, which would save them a day, but both had vehemently refused.
Summoning Tanuki Treasure and flying there was another option, but it would drain too much of Akaseki's strength. After weighing the alternatives, he had settled on taking a ship.
After they set sail, Akaseki noticed Ranwu glance south and volunteered, "When we come back, I'll go with you to the Land of Whirlpools to pay our respects."
Akaseki could tell that Ranwu was looking toward the Land of Whirlpools...
Ever since reading Warring States Sealing History, Akaseki had felt rather wary of the Whirlpool Sea. But things were different now, and he was hardly so frightened that he wouldn't dare approach it.
The Uzumaki Clan...
They were probably descendants of Ashura, that treacherous bastard who pretended to be loyal. Still, Akaseki had always been magnanimous. He was willing to pay his respects-and see whether he ought to replace the portrait in their ancestral shrine with one of Indra while he was there.
March 30, Konoha Year 41.
The Akaseki Squad landed at a port in the Land of Water.
With its ninja embroiled in internal strife, the Land of Water had nearly reverted to the chaos of the Warring States era. The port was less bustling and prosperous than it had been twenty years ago. Even this oceangoing port had only a modest amount of activity.
After that, Akaseki and his companions didn't need to look for anyone. Local Mist Ninja came to meet them.
Their contacts were familiar faces-Suikazan Fuguki, Ao, and Hishi, the three Genin from the Mizukage's