ALL NOVEL Chapter 54: Chapter 54
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Back inside the house, Uncle Jirou's face was filled with concern. "Tetsuya, what was that all about? Did the Koharu clan threaten you behind our backs?"
"Don't worry, Uncle. It's nothing serious," Tetsuya reassured him with a smile. "You don't need to overthink it. Now that I've placed first in the Chuunin Exams, no one will dare trouble me again—not with Hokage-sama watching."
With a slight pause, Tetsuya changed the subject. "By the way, I wanted to let you know—I've decided to start taking missions with Yuhi-sensei again starting tomorrow. So I probably won't be home as often for a while."
———
Even now, Sarutobi Hiruzen never misses an opportunity to win people over.
Fujiwara Tetsuya's gaze lingered on Hiruzen for a moment, but he quickly looked away, pretending he wasn't interested in the old man's tactics.
"Alright, enough small talk!" Hiruzen's voice grew serious. "Shin, you and your team have arrived just in time. I've got a B-rank mission that I need you to handle."
"A B-rank mission?" Yuhi Shin, their jonin leader, raised an eyebrow, curious about the sudden task.
"Yes," Hiruzen continued. "You are to escort the ninjas from Uzushiogakure who came to participate in the Chunin Exams safely back to their village. They're carrying an important letter from me to the leader of Uzushiogakure. Under no circumstances should anything happen to it."
Fujiwara's eyes narrowed slightly. Uzushiogakure? That name alone was enough to make him tense.
Hiruzen, aware of the team's seriousness, added, "There's something else. Uzushiogakure has been far from peaceful in recent years. You're likely to encounter enemies, so there's a chance this mission will escalate beyond its current rank."
Tetsuya's thoughts darkened. Uzushiogakure... They're nearing their fall.
The destruction of Uzushiogakure was one of the pivotal events in the Second Great Ninja War. It was, of course, Kirigakure's ambition that led the direct assault, but the shadowy hands behind it? Who could really say?
The place was a whirlpool of danger, both literally and figuratively. But danger also brought opportunities—big ones.
The Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques are legendary, unrivaled in the entire shinobi world. Even if I don't manage to learn any of those techniques, just seeing them up close would be more than worth it.
"It's as you say, Lord Hokage," Shin said after a pause, considering the weight of the mission. He looked back at Tetsuya, Uchiha Mikoto, and Aburame Muto. The three of them stood tall, their determination clear in their eyes. "We accept the mission. Team Thirteen will make sure the Uzushiogakure ninjas return home safely."
"Good," Hiruzen nodded, satisfied. "Then it's settled. I'll notify the Uzushiogakure team. They'll meet you at the village gate tomorrow at 9 a.m. sharp. Be prepared."
---
The next morning came quickly.
When Uzumaki Heiji and Uzumaki Namihana arrived at the gate, they were surprised to see who had been to escort them.
"It's you guys?" Heiji blinked, somewhat taken aback.
The feeling was mutual. Fujiwara, Mikoto, and Muto exchanged glances before smiling at the two Uzushiogakure ninjas.
"Been a while," Fujiwara said with a chuckle. "You both look like you've been doing alright since the Chunin Exams."
After some light conversation, their group set off. Their journey would take them from the heart of the Land of Fire to the distant island of the Land of Whirlpools. It was a dangerous route, fraught with potential battles, but so far, things seemed peaceful.
---
It wasn't until they had traveled deep into Fire Country's forests that Fujiwara, walking alongside Heiji, finally learned why the Uzumaki duo had delayed their return.
"They stayed behind for... her?"
"Yep," Heiji confirmed, his tone respectful. "Lady Mito. She's been away from home for years, all for the sake of keeping the Nine-Tails sealed. She can't go back, so she wanted us to stay with her for a little while longer."
Fujiwara fell silent at that. He knew about Uzumaki Mito, the first jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails and wife of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Her bond with the Uzumaki Clan had been critical to Konoha's stability. The Uzumaki Clan itself had been the glue that held so many parts of the ninja world together—until it wasn't.
The further they traveled, the closer they came to the coast. The smell of saltwater filled the air, and soon the vast expanse of the ocean stretched out before them.
"So this is the ocean, huh?" Tetsuya said, breathing in the sea breeze. It was his first time seeing it in this world. He couldn't help but think how great it would be to take a break and maybe surf the waves. If only there wasn't a mission right now...
"Stay focused, Tetsuya," Shin warned, his voice cutting through Tetsuya's thoughts. "The ocean isn't like the land. Once we're on that ship, there are too many unpredictable factors. The chances of us encountering enemies, especially Kirigakure, are high. This could turn into a fight that none of us are ready for."
The Jonin's warning was enough to make everyone tense. As they approached the docks, the sight of the old wooden ship waiting for them made it clear this wouldn't be a comfortable journey.
This ship is ancient, Testsuya thought, eyeing the vessel skeptically. Can it even get us across the sea safely?
The ship's destination was the Land of Water, though it would stop at Uzushiogakure along the way. The trade route between the two lands was lucrative, with merchants making a fortune transporting goods across the sea.
Just before boarding, Tetsuya struck up a conversation with a wealthy-looking merchant, someone who piqued his interest. "So, old man," Tetsuya said casually, "I hear you've got land not only in the Land of Fire and the Land of Whirlpools, but also in the Land of Water? That's pretty impressive. Must be nice to be so... financially free."
The merchant, a man named Kazuo Nakamura, chuckled. "Oh, you flatter me, young man! But it hasn't been an easy journey. I've encountered all kinds of dangers along the way—pirates, rogue ninjas, storms. I can't even count how many close calls I've had."
His laughter boomed across the dock, catching the attention of many nearby. It was obvious that Nakamura was a veteran in this line of work.
Fujiwara smirked. This guy's been around. He's no rookie.
---
The night was calm, with the sea gently rocking the boat as it cut through the water. But as the night wore on, things took a darker turn.
Far out in the distance, hidden by the cover of fog, dark shapes began to emerge on the horizon. Their outline was unmistakable—ninja ships, bearing the symbol of Kirigakure.
Fujiwara Tetsuya, standing at the bow, narrowed his eyes. They're coming...
Kirigakure had been waiting for this moment, and now they were closing in.
"Get ready," Tetsuya whispered, his voice low but steady. "It's time."
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