At dusk, the four of them reached the southeastern coast of the Land of Fire without incident.
A small harbor lay at the end of the route. From there, they could take a boat to the Land of Whirlpools Main Island.
They pitched two tents behind the coastal windbreak forest.
One was for Tsunade and Kushina, while Maki and Nawaki shared the other.
The two tents stood twenty paces apart.
Tsunade said the distance was just right: close enough to provide immediate support in a Jonin ambush, but far enough that the three children would not feel constantly watched.
Nawaki was the first to rush down to the shore. He climbed onto a reef, spread his arms, and shouted at the vast gray-blue sea.
"The sea!"
Several resting seagulls startled at the sudden noise and flapped away into the distance.
Waves battered the reef over and over, spraying water all over his face.
He wiped his face and spat out a mouthful of seawater.
"So salty!"
Standing at the edge of the windbreak forest, Tsunade quietly watched her brother's jubilant figure and took a gentle, deep breath.
Fine, fine.
This was the first time in Nawaki's life that he had seen the real sea.
He had grown up in inland Konoha, and the largest body of water he had ever seen was the Naka River.
It was not that the world was too small. Konoha was simply too far inland, and the Senju Clan had sheltered him far too thoroughly.
"Once we reach the Land of Whirlpools, no more shouting like that."
"Got it, Sis. I just got a little excited." Nawaki obediently toned it down.
"Come back once you've had your fill. The tents are up. You're taking the first watch tonight."
Amamiya Maki walked over at an easy