The Merchant Ship!

"Hmph. You're pretty lucky to still be alive."

Inside the hollow tree, Kusama Shigeo treated my lower leg. The wound tingled and itched as it slowly healed with time.

He already knew about the Chakra Spider Silk. Even though Hyuga Makoto had saved him, he was still stewing in resentment.

"I'm fine now. Go treat the captain." I wiped the sweat from my forehead and looked at the wound on my lower leg. All that remained was a faint scar.

As much as I disliked him, Kusama Shigeo's healing technique was effective.

As I watched the pale green light, I suddenly remembered that when Fugaku had told me about Konoha's clans, he'd mentioned that the Kusama Clan had joined Konoha Village later on. After they joined, Konoha's medical division underwent several reforms and took in many medical ninja from the Kusama Clan. That was how the clan had established itself in Konoha.

From the looks of it, the Kusama Clan really was a powerful family. At the very least, they deserved to be called "rising stars."

"Does the captain still need treatment?" Once he finished treating me, Kusama Shigeo withdrew his hands. When he looked over at Hyuga Makoto, the light in his palms faded.

"Since he's a jonin, he shouldn't need help from Genin like us, right?"

I looked up. Hyuga Makoto sat quietly at the entrance to the hollow tree. He had removed the bands of his Military Headquarters uniform, exposing his torso, wrapped in bandages and stained with blood. His pale eyes calmly watched the darkness outside. The wound he'd sustained while saving me still ran across his cheek, and the blood on his mask had already dried.

"Captain, I—" I swayed to my feet, wanting to go help him, but Hyuga Makoto suddenly spoke.

"Once we've rested, we keep moving."

He didn't even glance at us. Still watching outside, he spoke in his usual icy tone, as if issuing an order.

"..." Kusama Shigeo and I both looked at him in disbelief.

Traveling at night was always taboo, and we'd only just encountered the Chakra Spider Silk. To keep moving now would be like stumbling through a trap-filled forest in the dark.

Kusama Shigeo looked back at me, and I looked back at him. But even after we exchanged glances, neither of us objected.

We were pressed for time.

Our teacher had given us ten days. A day had already passed, and we were still on land. It was hard not to feel anxious.

"In that case—"

Kusama Shigeo snorted and was the first to climb out of the hollow tree.

"Let's get moving, then. It's not me who's injured, anyway."

He stood proudly on a branch, looking down at us in the moonlight.

"Some people better not step in a trap and come crawling to me when they can't walk!"

"I won't help you!"

I frowned, disliking Kusama Shigeo more and more.

Medical ninja saved lives. Most of them cared about the world and treated people kindly. But what about him?

Vindictive, always looking for trouble, stirring things up for no reason—he was a downright little schemer!

While Kusama Shigeo was gone, I went over to Hyuga Makoto and took a few pills from my ninja pouch, offering them to him.

"Captain, these can stop the bleeding and ease the pain. You can apply them to the wound. I have plenty, so you can have these."

He shifted slightly. His pale eyes moved to my palm and lingered for a moment, but then he turned away again and said coolly, "I don't need them."

He stood and walked away.

Fortunately, the rest of the journey went smoothly.

The Land of Bears was small, and we weren't far from the coast. Before dawn, we reached the edge of the forest.

The moment we emerged from the trees, an endless sea stretched out before us.

From here on, we'd have to travel by boat.

The sea breeze blew in gusts. The sun hadn't risen yet, and the water was a shifting blue-violet, like silk. The sky was dark and deep, with a faint white line dividing the sea from the heavens.

No pair of eyes could take in all that sky and water.

The vast, profound view left both Kusama Shigeo and me awestruck.

I suddenly felt excited, full of anticipation for the journey ahead. I even imagined bringing Kuixing and little Itachi here to see it someday!

They'd definitely love it!

As I admired the scenery, I suddenly sensed a shadow move behind me. I turned around and saw someone standing on a reef, gazing out at the sea. His distant figure seemed almost to blend into the wind.

I froze.

The sunlight broke through the clouds and spilled golden rays across the scene. The boy's eyes looked even more translucent in the light, and his black hair stirred in the wind. Something seemed to surge between black and white. Like the Gentle Fist of the Hyuga Clan, a sharp, explosive force lay hidden beneath his slender, still frame. From afar, all was calm, but up close, white waves churned.

Just like the sea.

I was nearly spellbound. It took me a long moment to come back to myself, and then I couldn't help smiling.

Was this the Hyuga Clan's refined air at work?

Even without seeing his face, he had the bearing of a great clan.

"We'll board from the east."

"Yes, Captain!" I quickly replied and leaped onto the reef after him. Meanwhile, Kusama Shigeo had been clicking his tongue for ages. Now he sarcastically mimicked me from the side. "Yes~~ Captain~~"

What a weirdo!

When he saw that neither of us reacted, he only got bolder, muttering nonstop. "Tsk, tsk. The Byakugan sure comes in handy. We didn't even get time to rest. We got on a boat after just one day and one night."

"Hmph..." I mocked him in the same way. "Yeah. If we'd let someone else lead us, we might already be in Sunagakure by now."

"You!"

I ignored him and followed Hyuga Makoto, running along the beach and feeling the sea breeze rush against my face. It was damp, cool, and fresh!

The air was completely different.

No wonder it was the sea. It was all water, after all!

After running for a while, we drew closer to the shore. Through the morning mist, I saw rows of enormous ships, hazy as a cluster of little mountains. Guards stood watch along the coast, and ordinary people were boarding. I instantly grew excited!

A ship! We were going to travel by ship!

We approached along the rugged shoreline and, once the people came into clearer view, hid beneath a reef.

"Captain, which ship are we boarding?" I peeked around the rock, completely unaware of what was about to happen.

Hyuga Makoto said nothing. First, he activated his Byakugan and observed the shore for a moment. Then he took a scroll from his ninja pouch and released the seal with Hand Seals.

With a bang, three sets of clothes appeared in his hands.

"We're boarding a merchant ship."

He dropped the bomb in a calm voice.

"What did you say? A merchant ship?!" Kusama Shigeo immediately exploded. "What do you mean? We're going to take that rickety old boat packed with people?" He was nearly frantic. "We're going to the Land of Water on a mission! And we don't even have a ship of our own? Is Military Headquarters really this broke?"

Hyuga Makoto offered no explanation and didn't even raise his eyes. He simply handed me a white garment and ordered, "Put it on."

"What is this?" I asked, taking it from him. It was an old cloak with a hood.

Hyuga Makoto tossed a gray one to Kusama Shigeo, completely ignoring his livid expression, then put on the last one, a black cloak.

"The route runs every five days. Decide for yourselves."

In just a few breaths, Hyuga Makoto had finished changing. Dressed in black like a wandering traveler, he even carried a pack from who knew where. He looked like a young man who made his living by the sea! At a glance, he really did look like the people boarding the ship.

This was interesting!

"I'll go with you, Captain." Without hesitation, I put on the clothes. "I'm here to do a mission, not to enjoy myself."

"You—!"

Kusama Shigeo clenched his fists until his knuckles cracked. I thought he was about to blow up, but after glaring at us for a long while, he finally managed to hold himself back. He even stepped forward and grabbed my clothes, gritting his teeth. "I'm not going to lose to you, brat!" Then he snatched up the cloak and quickly put it on.

I had no time to squabble with him. Shouts from the sailors and the sound of the anchor being raised were already coming from the sea. My clothes had been too big to begin with, and now I had another layer on. I was fumbling around, trying to get dressed. Just as I was about to pull up the hood, a hand reached over and tugged lightly at the back of my head. My hair came loose and fell over half my face.

I froze, then belatedly realized that my hair tie had been undone.

"Captain, what are you doing?"

His hand wasn't done. The boy's fingers brushed through my hair, then moved down to my ear, sending a chill across my skin. His pale eyes moved over me, as if he were considering something.

"What is it, Captain?" I asked nervously, stumbling over my words. I didn't dare move, worried that something was wrong with my clothes. I even stood at attention.

He looked me up and down and frowned, apparently unsatisfied. Then he turned toward the beach and scooped up a handful of sand.

"Close your eyes."

I obeyed. The instant I closed them, something rough and cold smeared across my face and body. His hand brushed over my face, smearing mud all over it!

Aaaaah, what is he doing?! QAQ!!!

Kusama Shigeo watched from the side and sneered. He scooped up muddy water and splashed it over himself, turning into a mud-covered figure in no time.

"Let's go."

Mud had seeped into my eyes, and my hair clung wetly to my face. It was awful. I was rubbing my eyes and hadn't even come to my senses when my right hand was grabbed. I was pulled along, straight toward the cargo ship by the sea.

Wait, are we just going straight over there like this?! I'm not ready!

"Hey! Who are you? Where did you come from?"

We hadn't even reached the ship when several guards came over with weapons in hand. I was so nervous that I instinctively gripped Murasame beneath my cloak, but then I heard a clear voice above me.

"We're fishermen's children. Our father went out to sea and never came back. We're going to the Land of Water to find our only living relative."

I was practically stunned when I heard that.

I never would've guessed you were such a smooth liar! You just made that up on the spot! No wonder you're one of Orochimaru's people!

At my side, the Hyuga boy spoke calmly with the guards. After only a couple of sentences, the tense atmosphere began to ease, and they even grew friendly. He no longer seemed so unapproachable.

During a lull in the conversation, I secretly looked up along our joined hands. I could just make out a sliver of his chin. Over the sound of the waves, I heard the faint murmur of conversation, and for some reason, it made me feel safe.

"You said that's your younger brother. Then who's this child?"

I was shrinking quietly to the side when a broad hand patted my shoulder, gesturing for me to look up.

"This is my younger sister."

The cool voice was full of certainty. As soon as I heard that, the corners of my mouth twitched uncontrollably. But everyone had gathered in front of me, so I could only pretend to be confused. I blinked, lifted my head in front of all those adults, then slowly edged behind my older brother and cowered there in fear.

"Sorry, she's a little shy."

Seeing me like that, the guards' suspicions seemed to fade. Their expressions shifted into something else, filled with sympathy.

"That must be hard," said the man in charge, reaching over to pat my head. "She's so young, and she's already been through all that. Poor thing."

"Forget it. You can board."

At those words, my eyes went wide.

Did we... succeed?

We actually succeeded?

Without fighting anyone, just with a few words, we'd gotten three tickets onto the ship?

I was so dazed that I'd already been prepared for a fight.

"You'll be taking this ship. It's a merchant vessel bound for the Land of Water. There are a lot of people aboard, so no one will notice you." After speaking, the man patted Hyuga Makoto on the shoulder and reminded him, "You're the pillar of your family. Take good care of your younger brother and sister."

"Yes, sir. Thank you."

The man nodded, then turned back and whispered something to a few of his subordinates. They all nodded in agreement. One of the female guards even came over to gently tidy my hair, picking out clumps of mud.

The more she fixed it, the gentler her hands became. But I only grew more tense, afraid someone would discover who I really was.

At the time, I still hadn't fully believed in the power of the Uchiha Clan's good looks.

I had no idea that even covered in mud, with my hair sticking up like a bird's nest, the Uchiha Clan's beauty still shone brightly. It was practically a "pass" to get anywhere!

And so, in a daze of disbelief, I lowered my head and resigned myself to tugging at the clothes of my two "older brothers." Surrounded by sympathetic looks, I joined the line of passengers boarding the ship!