Departing for the Land of Water

In Ayako's bedroom, Ayako continued to speak to Qiancao, "Arashi's meaning is that if we can make contact with Uchiha Hiri, we should be able to uncover their true objective."

After saying this, she glanced at the pensive Qiancao. "However, there are several Uchiha elite ninja accompanying Hiri this time. If you try to contact her, it is very likely you will be exposed and put in danger."

The implication in Ayako's words was clear: Senju Arashi wanted Qiancao to step up and use his relationship with Hiri to learn the Uchiha clan's latest movements.

Qiancao looked up and smiled. "I've been wanting to see Sister Hiri again for a long time; this is a good opportunity."

The Qiancao of today was no longer the novice ninja who could be slaughtered at will three years ago; he now possessed enough confidence to settle things with the Uchiha clan once and for all.

Although she worried for her disciple's safety, Ayako was even more gratified by his courage and confidence. If her disciple were so concerned with his own safety that he wouldn't even see his benefactor again, that would have disappointed her instead.

Ayako turned around and knelt on the floor, her hips raised as she searched for something under the bed. The exaggerated curve of her body made Qiancao's imagination run wild, and he had to recite a few silent prayers to calm his mind.

With some difficulty, she pulled a small box from under the bed and handed it to Qiancao. Ayako brushed the dust off her hands and said, "Inside are various ninjutsu I sealed away in my earlier years."

"The effects are written on the covers. Take them with you on this trip, and if you find yourself in a crisis, just break the seals on the scrolls."

Looking at the scrolls in the box, Qiancao felt moved. These ninjutsu were techniques Ayako had sealed during her battles with powerful enemies in the past; they were incredibly precious and rare, yet she had handed them over to him just like that.

He reached out to wipe a smudge of dust from Ayako's nose and said with a smile, "When I return, I'll help you clean your room, Master! Look at how dirty it is under your bed."

Ayako snorted through her nose. She understood this was his promise to return safely. To hide her true feelings, she replied with a tone of feigned annoyance:

"How dare you tease your own master? Go back and prepare well. Tomorrow is the day we remove the final seal on you and Wuming. Once the seal is completely gone, you two can set off."

"We?" Qiancao repeated, confused.

"You and Wuming are going to the Land of Water together. You didn't take her with you on your last few trips, and she gave me the cold shoulder for days because of it."

"Besides, this mission is dangerous. Having you two look out for each other puts my mind at ease."

Qiancao did not refuse. He nodded and bid his master farewell, needing to make some preparations before departure.

The next day, in Uzumaki Ayako's room.

Qiancao sat cross-legged on the floor, clutching his stomach, watching Wuming and Ayako on the other side.

Lying to the side, Wuming pulled up her clothes, revealing the seal on her stomach.

Ayako knelt, and just as she had three years ago, she dipped her finger into a nearby medicinal solution and placed her hand on Wuming's abdomen.

Even in a relaxed state, Wuming's well-trained physique revealed the contours of her abdominal muscles and a sexy line, leaving Qiancao mesmerized.

After a faint sizzling sound, the barely visible seal pattern on Wuming's stomach finally vanished completely, replaced by slightly reddened skin.

Having finished the unsealing, Ayako picked up a towel to wipe her hands and said to Wuming, "It might be a bit painful today, but it will return to normal by tomorrow."

Wuming stood up and bowed to her master. "Thank you, Master."

Ayako patted Wuming's head and smiled. "I should be the one thanking you for handling so much work for me. It's been truly hard on you these past few years."

Qiancao leaned over and poked Wuming's stomach, making her shiver and twitch from the ticklish sensation.

Seeing that she was fine, Qiancao said to his master, "In that case, we shall be off. Don't worry, Master, I will bring Wuming back safely."

Ayako flicked Qiancao's forehead with her finger and laughed. "You should be saying that to Wuming. Take good care of Qiancao, and make sure you both come back safely."

The two saw their master back to the Sealing Tower. Watching the heavy doors close once more, they knew that with Wuming gone, Ayako would have to face her responsibilities alone again.

"How are we going to get to the Land of Water?"

"Don't worry, I've already arranged everything," Qiancao said with a confident smile.

At the port on the east side of the Land of Whirlpools, Qiancao and Wuming stood side by side next to a luxurious large ship.

Behind them stood Yamada Yosuke, whom Qiancao had captured a few days prior.

Today, Yamada had changed back into his samurai attire, his slight bow making it seem as though he had returned to his days of serving under a daimyo.

Qiancao turned his head and asked Yamada, "Do you remember our identities?"

Yamada nodded repeatedly. "You are the young master of the Kaneda Clan from the Land of Fire, arriving in the Land of Water to meet with the Shimazu House to discuss the trade of iron ore."

Qiancao nodded in satisfaction. The Uchiha clan had close ties with the Shimazu House of the Land of Water; this trip to the Land of Water was likely a secret collaboration with the Shimazu.

Yamada Yosuke, the former Land of Water samurai captured a few days ago, had proven useful and would serve perfectly as a guide.

Furthermore, since several iron mine owners from the Land of Fire were heading to negotiate iron ore business with the Shimazu, Qiancao had made an agreement with the Kaneda clan to represent them in the negotiations.

During his days as a "cleaner" hunting pirates across the seas, Qiancao had once saved the young master of the Kaneda clan and become good friends with him.

Since the Kaneda clan had little interest in the Shimazu business, they were more than happy to let Qiancao handle the trip for them.

"Let's go, my dear sister," Qiancao said, gesturing for Wuming to board the ship.

Wuming's forged identity was Kaneda Yanagi. Although the original owner was a woman with an overly voluptuous figure, few people knew what the Kaneda young master and his sister looked like, so there was no need for much disguise.

Placing her hand in Qiancao's, Wuming, who hadn't been with him for four full days, felt deeply satisfied. Surrounded by Yamada, the two boarded the Kaneda ship.

Five days of sailing passed in a flash. Having lived on islands for years, Qiancao and Wuming were long accustomed to the sea, spending these days tucked away in their cabin whispering to each other.

Far away from their master and the Three-Tails, Qiancao bared his fangs, taking every opportunity to get handsy with Wuming.

Upon arriving in the Land of Water, Qiancao brought Wuming and Yamada—who was carrying the ore samples—off the ship. An envoy from the Shimazu House was already waiting at the port.

"Are you the young master of the Kaneda clan? Your journey must have been exhausting; I shall arrange your accommodations immediately."

The speaker was a mustachioed man wearing the Shimazu family crest. Seeing Qiancao and Wuming disembark from the large ship flying the Kaneda flag, he was certain of their identities.

"My apologies, we encountered some rough seas and arrived half a day late."

The mustachioed man replied respectfully, "Do not worry, Young Master Kaneda. The conference doesn't begin until tomorrow; you have arrived at the perfect time."