On the Road Home

The morning mist had barely cleared when Team 8 set out on the road home. The journey here had taken eight days, and there was no need to hurry back. At the urging of Taiichi and the other two, Captain Yamaguchi agreed to let them spend more time sightseeing along the way.

On the winding mountain path, Yohei eagerly waved a newly bought Land of Rivers fan. The waterfall painted across its surface shimmered in the sunlight. "I heard Mirror Lake is up ahead. Its waters can reveal what people desire most in their hearts!" He tugged at Saori's sleeve, proudly repeating a story he had heard at a stall the day before.

After passing through a bamboo grove, the moisture in the air grew heavier. They arrived at the rather mystical Mirror Lake. It truly was wondrous, like a mirror capable of reflecting the depths of one's heart. Yet not far from the lake, they could also hear the rumbling roar of water.

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A few steps farther on, after rounding a mountain pass, they saw the source of that rumbling sound: a hundred-meter waterfall towering before them. It was none other than the Thousand-Fold Waterfall, as famous as Mirror Lake.

Before they had even drawn close, its deafening roar reached their ears, like thunderous war drums or the neighing of countless charging horses, stirring their blood.

Yohei and Saori had already rushed to the foot of the waterfall to experience its immense impact up close.

Taiichi stopped before the roaring Thousand-Fold Waterfall and stared blankly ahead. His fingers unconsciously traced inexplicable paths through the air—the surging water fell from the sky with overwhelming force, crashing toward the mouth of the valley. It reminded him of the key to Water Style. Wasn't it meant to imitate the power of nature?

Nature Transformation was an intensely personal matter. Everyone had their own unique understanding of it, and at that moment, Taiichi found his own: the majesty, vastness, and unceasing flow of water.

[Epiphany in progress. Water Nature Transformation experience +400]

[Congratulations. Your Water Nature Transformation has advanced to Lv7 (262/1200)]

[Epiphany in progress. Your skill Advanced Meditation has improved. Experience +300]

[Congratulations. Your skill Advanced Meditation has advanced to Lv1 (214/2000)]

Coming back to his senses, Taiichi was overjoyed. So this was also a way to train Nature Transformation—travel more, see more, admire nature's scenery, and experience the changes of its various elements. Taiichi resolved that one day, he would travel across all the great lands of the Ninja World.

At dusk, they accidentally wandered into a mountain village's lantern festival. An old craftsman invited Saori to make a River Paper Lantern. Her slender fingers fluttered as she wove an innovative lantern, drawing gasps from the children gathered around. Yohei had long since slipped into the center of the crowd, playing a bamboo flute alongside the local musicians. With his Sharingan activated, he quietly copied the musicians' movements.

On their final day in the Land of Rivers, they arrived at Hot Spring Village along the border between the two countries. Amid the steaming mist, Yohei enthusiastically told newly acquainted travelers stories about Konoha, while Saori carefully polished the lacquered Headband she had picked up at the market. Taiichi floated on his back in the hot spring, enjoying the rare peace and quiet. By his ear came the low voices of Captain Yamaguchi and the bathhouse owner, apparently discussing that night's lodging.

As dawn broke, Captain Yamaguchi woke everyone. They had played enough. Today, they would set foot in the Land of Fire, and they could no longer travel at such a leisurely pace.

After packing their belongings and finishing breakfast, they departed Hot Spring Village and left the Land of Rivers. The moment they entered the Land of Fire, the scenery changed completely. Trees of every size covered the landscape.

Without a merchant caravan slowing them down, Taiichi and the others no longer stuck to the flat trade roads. They headed straight toward Konoha, passing through forests when they encountered them and crossing water when they came to it, treating the journey itself as training as they pressed onward.

That day, the group suddenly heard the explosion of Explosive Tags ahead. They all stopped and turned their eyes toward Captain Yamaguchi. It was time for their captain to decide.

"This is the Land of Fire. Something like this is unusual. We'll approach in combat formation and take a look. Stay alert," Captain Yamaguchi instructed cautiously.

Taiichi and the other two immediately shed their relaxed demeanor. Following Captain Yamaguchi in combat formation, they silently made their way toward the explosion site. From afar, they saw three Sunagakure Ninja surrounding a Konoha ninja. The Konoha ninja was covered in wounds, and his left arm had been severed at the shoulder. The severed limb lay beneath a tree not far away.

"You think setting off Explosive Tags will bring someone to save you?" the lead Sunagakure Ninja said arrogantly. "Tell us where the intelligence is hidden, and maybe we'll let you die quickly."

The Konoha ninja remained unmoved. He looked prepared to die.

Having already hidden nearby, Captain Yamaguchi judged their strength: one Jonin and two Chunin. They could handle them.

Taiichi, concealed nearby, saw the hand signal Captain Yamaguchi gave and instantly understood his intent—he would take the Jonin, Taiichi would take one Chunin, and Yohei and Saori would work together to hold off the other. They would finish this quickly.

Taiichi returned a signal to acknowledge it, then relayed the situation to Yohei and Saori nearby. After a brief wait, the team had finished communicating and waited for Captain Yamaguchi's attack order.

At that moment, the Sunagakure Jonin seemed to have run out of patience and ordered his Chunin subordinates to kill the man.

The instant that Chunin moved, Captain Yamaguchi gave the signal to attack. He immediately charged at the Sunagakure Jonin, while Taiichi and the others rushed toward their assigned opponents.

The moment Captain Yamaguchi sprang forward, the Sunagakure captain heard the disturbance and roared, "Who's there?" warning his subordinates as he swiftly drew a Kunai and assumed a defensive stance. Even so, he had lost the initiative.

With a clang of colliding weapons, the Sunagakure Jonin was driven back by Captain Yamaguchi's charged strike. He was immediately met by the captain's relentless follow-up attacks and could only struggle to endure them.

Meanwhile, Taiichi went after the Sunagakure Chunin who had just received the order. He had chosen him in the hope that, with his strength, he could save the Konoha ninja who was fighting desperately for his life.

Sure enough, Taiichi did not disappoint. As he charged forward, he drew the Short Sword from his back. It was already wrapped in dense wind-nature chakra, making its blade exceptionally sharp.

That Chunin clearly lacked a Jonin's powerful perception. Only after receiving the Jonin's warning and seeing Taiichi charge at him did he belatedly begin to defend himself.

Taiichi gave him no chance to prepare. Once he entered range, he brought the blade before him and suddenly used Body Flicker. His figure vanished from where he stood and appeared behind the Sunagakure Chunin. The Chunin had not even assumed a defensive posture before a wound opened across his neck. Blood burst from it with every beat of his heart. He was clearly beyond saving.

Taiichi had used the speed of Body Flicker to slash open the enemy's throat with his Short Sword, much like ancient cavalry using a horse's momentum to slaughter their foes with ease. The swift kill startled not only the enemy, but also the Konoha ninja nearby. That had been far too decisive.

Just then, three Kunai suddenly shot from a tree to the side. Immediately afterward, another Chunin charged at Taiichi behind them.

"Watch out!"