It was the second day of the reconnaissance mission.
Amamiya Maki pushed the squad's search area five kilometers south along the coastline.
Tsunade stayed at the temporary camp to hold the rear.
She had laid down the rules in no uncertain terms.
The three kids would handle every enemy of Chunin rank or below themselves.
She would only step in if they encountered a powerful enemy of Jonin caliber.
Nawaki had curiously asked how they were supposed to tell whether an opponent was a Jonin.
Tsunade's answer had been simple and brutal.
"When someone punches you ten meters through the air, you'll know."
Nawaki privately thought that standard was decidedly unfriendly, but he hadn't dared argue.
As they headed south, the coastal terrain changed noticeably.
Nawaki walked closest to the water, his gaze occasionally drifting toward the vast sea.
Amamiya Maki walked in the middle, holding the mission map.
Kushina brought up the rear, closing her eyes briefly every few steps.
She kept sensing the chakra fluctuations around them, not daring to relax for a moment.
"Don't push yourself."
Amamiya Maki didn't turn around as he offered the calm reminder.
"Sensing doesn't drain chakra. It drains mental energy. Overdo it, and you'll get a headache."
"This is the goal I set for myself," Kushina retorted, opening her eyes.
"Setting a goal is one thing. Carrying it out is another."
The three continued along the coastline for roughly another three kilometers.
The wind over the sea abruptly shifted.
An extremely faint trace of residual chakra mingled with the fresh, salty sea breeze.
Kushina stopped dead.
Before she even opened her eyes, her finger pointed straight toward the sea to the south.
"Something's happening."
Nawaki stopped instantly, his gaze sharpening.
"Did you find the enemy?"
"There are two ships out there. A