In the faint light of dawn, the calm sea resembled an enormous mirror, tranquil and deep.
Sunlight gradually pierced the clouds, gilding the sea as though countless treasures lay hidden beneath it.
A merchant ship bearing the Land of Water symbol followed the shipping lane, riding the wind quietly toward the Land of Water.
"Lord Sakumo, we've entered the central shipping lane of the Land of Water's Western Four Islands. Should we stop at the small island up ahead?"
Inside the cabin, a ninja dressed in the Land of Water's ANBU uniform spoke quietly to Sakumo, who wore the same attire.
"Head for the Main Island!"
"The more we do, the more traces we leave. As long as we're fast enough, no one will discover us!"
Holding his Short Sword in his arms, Sakumo spoke to his subordinate with absolute conviction.
The blades used by people from the Land of Water came in all sorts of bizarre shapes, while everyone in Sakumo's squad used short swords. Sakumo worried that this might expose them.
But giving up their short swords would be far too stupid!
"But in the three short days since we entered the Land of Water, we've already run into four groups and clashed with them."
"I'm worried that Kirigakure will become suspicious if a merchant ship sails straight into the Main Island like this."
The ANBU operative's tone betrayed immense concern. Given the Land of Water's current situation, it was already unbelievable that any merchant ship would enter the Western Four Islands.
Let alone the Main Island.
Sakumo draped an arm around his subordinate's shoulders. Ever since his younger friend Takahashi brother had started doing this to him so often, Sakumo had also developed a liking for this gesture that brought people closer.
"How did we deal with