The sea breeze carried a salty, fishy tang as it whipped Shinichi's black robe with a loud flutter.
He stood at the bow, his scarlet Sharingan fixed on the gradually emerging outline of the Hidden Mist Village in the distance—a massive island shrouded in thick fog, like a dormant beast, silent and dangerous.
"Hey, Uchiha brat."
Hiruko's voice came from behind him, tinged with impatience. "When are you going to make good on what you promised me?"
Shinichi did not turn around. He merely smiled faintly, his voice lazy yet beyond dispute. "What's the rush? Our trip to Hidden Mist has only just begun."
Hiruko's golden vertical pupils narrowed slightly. His pale fingertips unconsciously rubbed against his sleeve, as though suppressing some greedy impulse.
He stared at Shinichi's back, his hoarse voice like a snake's whisper. "Don't forget your promise."
"Of course."
Shinichi finally turned around, the corner of his mouth curling into an amused smile. "But there's a condition—you have to obey me completely. After this is over, I'll fulfill my promise according to your performance. Until then... you'd better behave..."
Hiruko snorted coldly, but ultimately did not argue.
He knew that this madman from the Uchiha Clan was far more dangerous than he appeared.
The ship slowly entered Hidden Mist territory, and Hidden Mist shinobi patrols began appearing more frequently.
They stood aboard patrol boats, their icy gazes sweeping over every vessel entering the harbor as if searching for potential threats, while directing all ships toward designated ports for inspection.
"Tch, what a pain. Is Hidden Mist planning to shut itself off from the world?"
Shinichi narrowed his eyes at the approaching Hidden Mist patrol. "Looks like we'll have to get off early."
Hiruko frowned. "Now?"
"Yeah."
Shinichi stretched lazily. "I don't want to be interrogated. The fewer