Chapter 118: The Scent of a Kunoichi

The road to the Land of Waves was a dusty, sun-baked ribbon winding through sparse woodlands. Three figures moved along it with an unhurried, almost predatory grace that set them apart from the few merchants and travelers they passed.

At the forefront was Sasuke Uchiha, his posture rigid, a newly acquired chokutō resting at his hip. His dark eyes scanned the horizon, missing nothing. A few paces behind him, Ren walked with his hands tucked into his pockets, his expression one of bored detachment, as if the entire journey were a tedious inconvenience. Flanking Ren was the white-haired Suigetsu, who seemed incapable of moving quietly. He twirled a kunai absently, his gaze flicking from the sky to the trees with restless energy.

Their dynamic had been established quickly after leaving the Northern stronghold. Suigetsu's initial bravado and testing of boundaries had been swiftly and brutally crushed by Ren using a potent genjutsu—a private hellscape that left the Hōzuki member pale and trembling, his cocky smile wiped clean. Now, a healthy wariness, bordering on fear, kept him in check. He directed his chatter towards the slightly more approachable, or at least less terrifying, Sasuke.

"Hey, Boss," Suigetsu began, falling into step beside Ren. "You're sure the Kubikiribōchō is in the Land of Waves? Not exactly a major ninja hub, is it?"

Ren didn't even glance at him. "Don't ask me. He's the guide." He nodded toward Sasuke's back.

"Tch, so boring," Suigetsu muttered, undeterred. He jogged a few steps to catch up with Sasuke, slinging a casual, watery arm around his shoulders. Sasuke stiffened but didn't shrug him off, a testament to his focused determination. "So, Sasuke," Suigetsu continued, "the Seven Ninja Swordsmen pass their blades down. Since my esteemed senior, Zabuza, is no longer with us, it's only right I inherit it, don't you think? By the way, I heard it was your team that took him down. Tell me, was he as monstrously strong as they say?"

At the mention of Zabuza, Sasuke's step hitched almost imperceptibly. His mind flashed back to a mist-shrouded bridge, to the silent, deadly presence of the demon of the Hidden Mist, and to the boy with the pure heart who died for him. A complex emotion, long buried, flickered in his eyes.

Suigetsu waited, but when no answer came, he leaned closer. "Hey? Earth to Sasuke? What's up?"

"Nothing," Sasuke said, his voice clipped. He quickened his pace, forcing Suigetsu to drop his arm. "Let's just go."

"Suit yourself," Suigetsu sighed, falling back alongside Ren. The rest of the journey passed in a tense silence, broken only by the crunch of their footsteps and the cry of distant birds.

Their destination, when they reached it, was anticlimactic. The Naruto Bridge stood silent over the water, and the graves of Zabuza and Haku were overgrown and neglected. The spot where the massive Kubikiribōchō should have been planted was empty. After inquiries in a nearby fishing village, they learned the sword had found its way into the hands of a wealthy landowner and crime lord in the Land of Water named Daikoku Tenzan, who fancied himself a collector of dangerous artifacts.

The subsequent confrontation was less a battle and more a statement. While Daikoku boasted of his private army of a thousand mercenaries, Sasuke alone had been sufficient. A display of speed and power that left the compound in ruins and the mercenaries fleeing in terror allowed Suigetsu to finally claim his prize. He hefted the grotesquely heavy executioner's blade with a triumphant, feral grin, the steel seeming to drink in the sunlight.

Now, their next objective took them across the open sea. Instead of seeking a boat, the three simply channeled chakra to the soles of their feet and began walking across the water's surface as if it were solid ground. The endless blue expanse stretched in every direction, a testament to their formidable skills.

The rhythmic sound of waves was the only noise for a long time until Suigetsu, unable to bear the quiet, sidled up to Ren again.

"So, Boss," he started, his voice casual. "Mind filling me in on the master plan? Why are we gathering a team? You, Sasuke, and me... we're already a pretty nasty combination."

Ren kept his eyes on the horizon. "Certain goals require a specialized approach. A small, versatile unit is more efficient than a lone wolf."

"Yeah, I get that," Suigetsu pressed. "But... Karin? Seriously? Of all the capable ninjas Orochimaru had locked up, why her? She's not even a prisoner; she's one of his loyalists, runs his southern prison block. She only takes orders from him. And besides," he added with a grimace, "her personality is the worst."

Sasuke, walking slightly ahead, spoke without turning. "She possesses a unique ability. One that cannot be replicated."

Suigetsu chuckled, turning his head towards Sasuke. "Okay, fine! I won't deny that part. Her sensory skills are... unmatched."

"Enough talk," Ren cut in, his voice sharp. "We're here."

Suigetsu immediately fell silent. A dark speck had grown on the horizon, resolving into the shape of a small, rocky island. As they drew closer, the details of a fortified compound built into the cliffs became clear.

They made landfall on a pebbled beach. Without a word, Suigetsu stepped forward, a manic grin spreading across his face. He hefted the Kubikiribōchō and, with a single, powerful swing, cleaved the heavy iron gate of the compound in two. The sound of rending metal echoed across the island.

Almost instantly, a squad of Oto-nin swarmed from the buildings, kunai drawn, surrounding the three intruders.

"Bastards!" one of them, a burly man with a scar across his face, yelled, brandishing a katana. "Who dares to trespass on Lord Orochimaru's territory? Do you have a death wish?"

Ren didn't even bother to look at the man. His patience, always thin, had evaporated. "Move aside. Tell Karin to come out. Now."

The scarred man's face flushed with anger at the dismissal. "You arrogant little—!" He took a step forward, but his partner grabbed his arm urgently.

"Are you insane?!" the partner hissed, his eyes wide with fear as he stared at the two identical Uchiha. "Those two... they're the Uchiha brothers! Lord Orochimaru's guests!"

The color drained from the scarred man's face. He quickly lowered his blade, his hands trembling. "L-Lord Ren! Lord Sasuke! I... I apologize! I didn't recognize you! I'll inform Lady Karin immediately!"

He began to bow profusely, but before he could turn, a sharp, feminine voice cut through the tension from the doorway of the main building.

"That won't be necessary. I'm already here."

The crowd of guards parted respectfully. A young woman stepped into the sunlight. She had vibrant, long red hair tied in a high ponytail and wore a pair of stylish glasses that did little to hide the sharp intelligence in her eyes. She was dressed practically in a long-sleeved shirt and surprisingly short shorts, her posture radiating a mix of authority and nervous curiosity. This was Karin of the Uzumaki clan, the second piece of their puzzle. This text is hosted at novel⚑fire.net

Her gaze swept over the ruined gate, then settled squarely on Sasuke, a faint, unreadable smile touching her lips before she looked at Ren.

"To what do I owe the... dramatic visit?" she asked, her voice crisp and clear.

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