Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 117 The Land of Hot Springs

"How...how could this be..."

The one-eyed pirate's voice trembled violently with fear.

"You guys are next."

Hozuki Shio's voice, like a demon's whisper, rang out once more.

Just then, a cold figure appeared silently on the pirate captain's main ship, like a ghost.

It's Ghost Lantern Haiyue.

Instead of using the gangplank, he stepped directly onto the sea and boarded the largest pirate ship.

"?!"

The pirates on the ship were startled by the sudden appearance of the figure. Without thinking, they immediately brandished their swords and slashed at Hozuki Kaigetsu.

However, their attacks all landed in empty air.

Hozuki Kaigetsu's body transformed into a pool of clear water the instant the swords touched him, easily dodging all the attacks.

"The art of water transformation?!"

"Oh no! It's a Kirigakure ninja!"

The one-eyed pirate finally realized what was happening and cried out in terror, "Quick! Who knows lightning-attribute ninjutsu?!"

However, it was too late.

The pool of water reformed itself after escaping the attack.

Hozuki Kaigetsu's arm, in the instant it liquefied, transformed into a water blade gleaming with a cold light.

With a flicker of his figure, he moved across the deck like a ghost.

Each time he dodged, he sprayed out several handfuls of warm blood.

The liquefied arm, like the sharpest blade, sliced ​​through the throats of pirate after pirate at an incredible angle.

There were no screams or struggles.

Those pirates who had been so fierce just moments before could only clutch their bleeding necks, their faces filled with disbelief, as they collapsed limply to the ground.

The entire process was fluid, ruthless, and efficient, like an elegant dance of death.

"Demon...devil..."

The one-eyed pirate was terrified as he watched his men fall one by one, and turned to jump into the sea to escape.

However, a cold hand pressed down on his shoulder.

Hozuki Kaigetsu had appeared behind him without him noticing.

"Where do you want to go?"

The one-eyed pirate felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He turned around abruptly and, with all his might, thrust his scimitar into Hozuki Kaigetsu's heart.

However, Hozuki Kaigetsu simply extended two fingers.

He precisely gripped the sharp blade, his fingers applying slight pressure.

Click!

The curved sword, forged from the finest steel of the Land of Iron, was easily cut in two by him.

The one-eyed pirate was utterly desperate.

Hozuki Kaigetsu gave him no further chances, his other hand's fingers snapped together, aimed at his heart like a sharp sword.

"The art of water-powered cannons."

puff!

A soft sound.

A fist-sized hole appeared in the chest of the one-eyed pirate.

He looked down at his pierced chest, his face filled with resentment and regret, and then collapsed heavily to the ground.

The battle is over.

Dozens of vicious pirates were slaughtered by the Hozuki siblings in a near-crushing manner.

Hozuki Kaigetsu stood on the blood-stained deck, shaking the blood off his hands, his face expressionless.

"Brother! Why did you steal my kill?!"

"Didn't you just say you weren't interested?"

Hozuki Shio's voice came from the other side, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction.

"cough."

"I'll definitely do it next time."

Haiyue waved her hand, and the next second her body turned into water, returning to the ship a few breaths later.

Master Yuan nodded in satisfaction as he looked at the brother and sister who worked together seamlessly and were incredibly powerful.

With them there, this mission was more secure.

Meanwhile, the Hidden Mist operatives on guard, looking at the sea stained red, gained a new understanding of the Hozuki clan's power.

Hozuki's blade truly lives up to its reputation.

The ship continued sailing through the thick fog, as if nothing had happened.

Hozuki Shio lay on the ship's railing, gazing at the blood-red seawater. She licked her lips, her aquamarine eyes still gleaming with lingering satisfaction.

"Sigh, it's so fragile."

"Hopefully, the road ahead will be a little more interesting."

------

After drifting at sea for another half hour, the Misty Vanishing Express, disguised as a merchant ship, finally arrived at its first transit point—the Land of Hot Springs.

As the ship slowly approached the shore, and the group, disguised, stepped onto the land, Hozuki Shio felt as if she had come back to life.

"Ah—! My beloved land!"

The girl opened her arms, took a deep breath of the warm air, and a look of utter bliss on her face. "I swear, I never want to ride a boat again in my life!"

"So incredibly boring!"

Unlike the Land of Water, which is shrouded in perpetual, cold fog, the Land of Hot Water, as its name suggests, is a place full of warmth and vitality.

There was no oppressive gray sky here; instead, bright sunshine and a clear blue sky were revealed to everyone.

In addition to the salty and damp smell of the sea, the air was filled with a faint smell of sulfur and the aroma of various foods.

The streets were bustling with people.

Tourists dressed in various yukatas strolled among the shops lining both sides of the street with relaxed and carefree smiles on their faces.

"Sizzle sizzle—"

The takoyaki vendor skillfully flipped the balls on the griddle, making a series of sounds.

At the entrance of the hot spring inn, the proprietress, dressed in a kimono, was enthusiastically greeting guests.

All of this stands in stark and striking contrast to their Hidden Mist Village, which is always shrouded in a somber and gloomy atmosphere.

"Wow! Bro, look! That mask is so cute!"

Hozuki Shiori, like a country girl visiting the city for the first time, pointed to a roadside stall selling fox masks, her eyes sparkling.

"Brother! There's a place over there selling candied apples! Let's go buy one!"

"And that! What's that? It looks so delicious!"

Hozuki Shio's curiosity was completely ignited at this moment.

She tugged at Hozuki Kaigetsu's sleeve, chattering incessantly, as if she wanted to explore the entire street.

Hozuki Kaigetsu was getting a headache from her noise, but looking at her sister's face, which was slightly flushed with excitement, and her starry eyes, she was impressed.

My cold heart seemed to have melted a little by the sunlight.

Unlike usual, the young man didn't coldly tell her to "shut up," but simply let the girl pull him along.

Master Yuan looked at the brother and sister, and a smile appeared on his aged face.

He waved to the ANBU ninjas behind him, indicating that they could move around freely, and then, leaning on his cane, slowly walked into a tavern that looked relatively quiet.

"Master Yuan, are you planning to have a drink?"

Hozuki Shio asked, somewhat surprised.

"Hehe, I'm getting old and can't walk anymore, so I'm finding a place to rest."

"You young people go have fun, don't worry about this old man."

"That won't do!"

Without a word, Hozuki Shio followed him inside, even pressing her ice-cold older brother into a seat as well. "We're your guards, of course we'll protect you every step of the way!"

Although she said that, her big, bright eyes had already been drawn to the menu on the tavern table.