Heading to the Land of Whirlpools

Before long, the Eye-Nose-Ear Team received a secret mission.

The mission was to travel to the Land of Whirlpools and secretly bring back a child from the Uzumaki Clan safely.

The mission had been assigned by Uzumaki Mito. It all began the night before.

As usual, Hyuga Shinichi entered the room carrying a basin of hot water, ready to wash Uzumaki Mito's feet.

As Hyuga Shinichi gently massaged Uzumaki Mito's feet, she suddenly spoke.

"Shinichi, there isn't much more I can teach you now. You still only have a rough understanding of Sealing Jutsu, but at least you understand the principles behind it. Keep studying it, and you'll learn it sooner or later...

"Your grandma is getting old... It's time to find and train a new Jinchūriki."

"..."

Hyuga Shinichi lowered his head and continued massaging Uzumaki Mito's feet in the basin without saying a word.

Uzumaki Mito reached out and stroked Hyuga Shinichi's smooth, black hair. He spoke up then.

"Grandma Mito, you're still in good health. You..."

"I know, Shinichi. The medicinal herbs you've brought back over the years have helped. They've made me feel much better. But herbs can't decide how long a person lives."

"..."

"I know you're a thoughtful child, and I know you bring me those herbs because you hope I'll live to a ripe old age. But who can escape the natural cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death?

"But don't worry. Given my current condition, I can certainly hold on for another ten years or so. I'm not looking for and training the next Jinchūriki because I think my time is near. I simply want to be prepared.

"After all, you never know what the future holds. Only by preparing in advance can we make sure nothing goes wrong!"

Uzumaki Mito spoke earnestly as she gently stroked the top of Hyuga Shinichi's head, her eyes full of affection.

Uzumaki Mito also thought it was too early to find the next Jinchūriki. But a letter that had recently arrived from her family's home in Uzushio Village had changed her mind.

The letter began with a long string of greetings, then went on to describe the situation in Uzushio Village. It mentioned that the village had recently discovered a little girl with a unique constitution, and that was what gave Uzumaki Mito the idea of training the next Jinchūriki.

"Grandma, have you chosen someone?"

Although Hyuga Shinichi knew who the next Nine-Tails Jinchūriki would be, he still asked. He was worried that his appearance might have changed too much. Uzumaki Mito immediately told him what the letter said.

The letter didn't give the little girl's name, but the description made it almost certain that she was Uzumaki Kushina. Kushina was six years old at the time, and in the original story, she had been secretly brought to Konoha around this same time.

Uzumaki Mito continued stroking Hyuga Shinichi's head.

"Shinichi, Grandma wants you to go to the Land of Whirlpools and bring this little girl back safely."

He looked up and saw the seriousness in Uzumaki Mito's eyes. He understood how important this was: a Jinchūriki meant a great deal to Konoha. He immediately promised to complete the mission.

Early the next morning, Hyuga Shinichi accompanied Uzumaki Mito to the Hokage Office, where they asked Sarutobi Hiruzen to issue the mission.

After hearing the details, Sarutobi Hiruzen understood exactly what Uzumaki Mito meant. He nodded without hesitation.

"Please don't worry, Lady Mito. I'll immediately choose suitable Anbu members to carry out the mission!"

"Good. But I want Shinichi to take part as well. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease."

Sarutobi Hiruzen considered it briefly, then replied.

"Of course. We'll do as you wish."

Just then, Jiraiya and Nawaki walked into the Hokage Office together.

They looked dusty from the road, and it was clear they had just returned to the village. After his leave ended, Jiraiya had immediately taken on a new mission.

Nawaki, meanwhile, had presumably returned with Orochimaru. Orochimaru had gone off on some business, so Nawaki had come to report on their work to the Hokage.

Nawaki spotted his grandmother and Shinichi and, unable to contain his curiosity, asked what was going on.

When he heard that the mission would take them to his grandmother's homeland, the Land of Whirlpools, he was thrilled and insisted on going along.

Faced with Nawaki's eager request, Uzumaki Mito and Sarutobi Hiruzen thought it over carefully and made thorough preparations. They decided to send Jiraiya, the Eye-Nose-Ear Team, and Nawaki on the mission.

Before long, two Anbu members arrived at the office, each bringing one of the others: Inuzuka Gai and Aburame Tomohiro.

With everyone on the mission gathered, Sarutobi Hiruzen announced its details.

He appointed Jiraiya as the leader, giving him authority to make all the decisions. Hyuga Shinichi was appointed deputy leader.

Sarutobi Hiruzen also stressed that all information regarding the mission had to be kept strictly confidential and must not be disclosed to anyone.

With that, he ended the meeting. Jiraiya told everyone to go home and prepare their supplies, then meet at the village gate at ten that morning, two hours later.

Two hours later, the five of them and one dog gathered at the entrance to Konoha. Jiraiya announced that the mission had begun.

They set off for the Land of Whirlpools. Along the way, Nawaki was like an energetic little bird, bubbling with excitement and curious about everything around him. He kept asking Hyuga Shinichi questions.

Hyuga Shinichi showed remarkable patience, answering every one of Nawaki's questions in detail.

Near noon, after a long journey, they finally reached the coastline of the Land of Fire.

Since the Land of Whirlpools was an island nation surrounded by the sea, they would have to cross the vast ocean by ship to reach their destination.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had already instructed the Anbu to notify the ninja stationed there and have them prepare a boat in advance.

And so, the group boarded without a hitch and set off toward the unknown shore.

It was Hyuga Shinichi's first time on a boat. He hadn't been on one in his previous life either, and had wondered if he might get seasick. But once the boat slowly set sail, he didn't feel unwell at all. Instead, he lost himself in the wondrous seascape.

Unexpectedly, though, Nawaki, who had been the most excited and energetic on the journey, was now leaning against the railing, his face pale as a sheet as he repeatedly vomited. It looked like he was seasick.

At least the boat had grown much quieter.

Less than an hour later, a hazy island appeared in the distance. It was the Land of Whirlpools, home of the Uzumaki Clan.

As the boat drew closer to shore, everyone disembarked and set foot on the land.

Nawaki was still weak and exhausted from seasickness, so Jiraiya had to carry him on his back. Jiraiya decided they wouldn't stop to rest and would head straight for Uzushio Village.

The Eye-Nose-Ear Team also quickly switched to reconnaissance mode, surveying the entire surrounding area to keep everyone safe as they moved swiftly forward.