Divergence

The four from Konoha searched for a long time, but failed to find anything particularly noteworthy.

Although there were many signs that did not seem naturally formed, nor the work of unintelligent wild beasts, they found no reliable evidence. For the time being, they could only treat this place as an uninhabited island rarely visited by people.

Just as they reached a scenic waterfall and Neji Hyuga prepared to investigate it, a voice suddenly called out to him.

"Wait! You'd better not go near that place!"

The sudden sound startled Neji Hyuga into hastily stepping back.

"Who's there?"

A huge pangolin that had shown no chakra reaction whatsoever overturned the earth nearby and crawled out of a well-concealed burrow.

"A talking animal? That's incredible, Neji..."

Rock Lee shouted loudly at the sight of a talking pangolin for the first time. The unexpected development seemed to lift his listless spirits a little.

"Don't be silly. How could the pangolin be the one talking?"

Sure enough, as soon as Tenten finished speaking, the massive creature—so enormous that its species was almost questionable—opened its mouth, and a ninja jumped out.

"A Kumogakure ninja... Why are you here?"

The newcomer wore a Kumogakure forehead protector. With his stern face, he was none other than the island's guard—Motoi.

"That's what I should be asking you. This is the territory of the Land of Lightning, and we Kumogakure ninja are responsible for maintaining order here. Why wasn't I informed that Konoha ninja had been permitted to enter? You trespassed onto our turf, and now you're trying to turn the tables?"

"Uh... you misunderstand. We didn't invade illegally. We merely lost our way at sea and stopped on this island to rest for a while."

"Then why did you come this deep into the island? If you've