Kirigakure's coastline.
This spot was more than ten kilometers from Kirigakure's main urban area. Few people came here, and the beach was so clean that hardly a footprint could be seen.
He had not come to Kirigakure to admire the sea.
Kisame Hoshigaki.
The future "Tailless Tailed Beast" should still have been a child now.
If he could find him early and bring him into his ranks, he would have another trump card against Obito and Black Zetsu in the future.
Uchiha Lei narrowed his eyes, silently activating the Mind's Eye of the Kagura.
The presences within several kilometers flooded into his mind like a tide.
Seabirds, schools of fish, sand crabs, a few distant fishermen...
There was none of Kisame Hoshigaki's distinctive chakra, as cold and savage as a shark.
No luck.
Uchiha Lei withdrew his perception and looked into the distance.
At the end of the beach, a small figure crouched beside a black reef rock.
Her back was turned toward them. With dark brown twin ponytails and a pale blue dress, she was drawing something in the sand with her head lowered.
Alone.
All by herself.
Konan followed his gaze and tilted her head.
"Lei, that little girl... is she a ninja too?"
"Yes." Uchiha Lei narrowed his eyes as he studied her. "And no ordinary ninja."
The child's back looked a little familiar.
He walked over.
Konan followed him, the hem of her white dress fluttering noisily in the sea breeze.
They drew closer.
Twenty meters.
Fifteen meters.
Ten meters.
The little girl suddenly stopped what she was doing, tensed, and whipped her head around!
A delicate little face came into view, with dark brown eyes and well-defined features that held a touch of boldness. Though still young, she was already clearly a budding beauty.
Mei