Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Intel on the Uzumaki Clan

The next afternoon.

"Contact!"

Natsuki felt his spirits lift.

"Did you find them?"

Kushina asked quickly.

She had thought missions would be thrilling and exciting—but they turned out to be far more boring than she’d imagined.

They had been completely empty-handed since yesterday afternoon.

"Kurobane spotted a group of rogue ninjas robbing a merchant ship on the sea to the south."

Natsuki said immediately. "Barring surprises, they’re our mission targets."

This group of rogue ninjas was essentially pirates.

And this sea was their territory. Logically, they wouldn’t tolerate a second pirate force.

"Then let’s go save them right now!"

Nawaki said eagerly.

With his personality, he definitely wouldn’t miss an opportunity to intervene when witnessing injustice.

"There are only three of us. The best approach is to move quietly and launch a sneak attack."

Natsuki considered for a moment. "Leave the pirate leader to me."

"Mm."

Nawaki didn’t argue.

Natsuki was the strongest and possessed Shadow Assassin. He was the most suitable to handle the leader.

"Be careful."

Kushina said quickly.

"You too."

Natsuki dispelled his summon and hurried toward the merchant ship with Nawaki and Kushina.

Moments later, they sighted the vessel.

Two groups were fighting on the deck—but the specifics were obscured. Only screams could be heard.

Because thick fog enveloped the merchant ship.

This was Kirigakure’s most classic technique: Water Release: Hiding in Mist.

Its effect was creating dense fog to blind the enemy.

Kirigakure ninjas learned the Silent Killing Technique from childhood and could easily gain the upper hand in such conditions.

Moreover, the pirate leader was a Tokubetsu Jonin skilled in Water Release.

In the ninja world, specific environments enhanced elemental ninjutsu.

For example, a Water Release ninja’s strength increased significantly near bodies of water.

With water nearby, they didn’t need to expend chakra creating it—they could simply manipulate existing water.

"Troublesome."

Nawaki felt annoyed.

"Wait here."

Natsuki considered. "The pirate leader most likely cast the Hiding in Mist Technique. I’ll take him out."

He activated Water Spider. His body instantly sped across the sea at extreme velocity.

Although one could walk on water using chakra, there was no speed enhancement.

Arriving at the merchant ship, he immediately used Shadow Assassin.

After boarding the deck, Natsuki surveyed his surroundings and quickly located the pirate leader.

Although the fog blocked vision, making figures difficult to discern, he could sense chakra fluctuations.

The strongest fluctuation was near the pirate leader.

Natsuki approached cautiously.

When close enough, he finally saw his target.

A middle-aged man wearing a scratched Kirigakure forehead protector—signifying his status as a missing-nin.

The one fighting him was also middle-aged, but clearly much weaker. He had sustained multiple injuries and couldn’t hold on much longer.

Natsuki didn’t hesitate.

He dispelled Shadow Assassin and gripped the Sword of the Thunder God.

Water Breathing: Third Form — Flowing Dance!

He had originally considered using the Zoro template’s abilities—but they were at sea. Water Breathing was essentially Water Release and would receive an enhancement here.

In the next instant, flowing water materialized around him.

As his body moved, he swung the Sword of the Thunder God toward the pirate leader’s neck.

A powerful sense of danger surged.

Shock appeared on the pirate leader’s face.

However, he was a battle-hardened Tokubetsu Jonin. His reaction was extremely fast—he spun and delivered a counter-slash.

Natsuki had already committed to his swing. Normally, changing direction would be impossible.

But he was using Water Breathing: Third Form — Flowing Dance.

Its characteristic was launching attacks from multiple directions.

The Sword of the Thunder God suddenly turned, bypassing the pirate leader’s slash and piercing his heart.

Blood sprayed instantly.

The pirate leader’s eyes went wide.

Filled with disbelief.

Partly because of the sword’s sudden directional change—and partly because he had died at the hands of a child.

The middle-aged man who had been fighting the pirate leader also froze.

A deeply shocking scene had unfolded before him.

A child who looked about seven or eight had run a Tokubetsu Jonin through with a single strike.

"Am I under a genjutsu?"

The man asked instinctively.

But the rapidly dissipating fog told him otherwise.

With the pirate leader’s death, the Hiding in Mist Technique he had cast could no longer be maintained.

"What’s going on?"

"The boss is dead?"

"That’s impossible!"

As the fog cleared, the other rogue ninjas also spotted Natsuki—and the pirate leader he had killed.

"I’m a ninja from Konoha."

Natsuki immediately addressed the middle-aged man. "Let’s deal with them first. We can talk afterward."

"Right!"

The man, having survived disaster, spoke excitedly.

Water Breathing: Second Form — Water Wheel!

Natsuki leaped, attacking the nearest rogue ninja like a spinning water wheel.

All that remained in the rogue ninja’s sight was rotating water that resembled blade light.

He looked down. His throat had been slit.

Water Breathing: First Form — Water Surface Slash!

Natsuki spun and swung the Sword of the Thunder God.

An arc-shaped blade of water sliced open another rogue ninja’s head.

With four Kakashis’ worth of chakra, he wasn’t afraid of consumption. He used the first three forms of Water Breathing freely—and for a moment, heads rolled.

Not only were the merchant ship’s guards dumbfounded—even Kushina and Nawaki, who had just boarded after seeing the fog dissipate, showed shocked expressions.

"Water Release plus kenjutsu?"

Tsunade asked, her face full of surprise. "Did you teach him? Or did he create it himself?"

"He created it himself."

Orochimaru sighed. "I knew he was learning Water Release from Nawaki—but I didn’t expect him to develop a complete nintaijutsu system."

"Being able to defeat a Tokubetsu Jonin... this nintaijutsu isn’t weak. At least B-Rank."

Tsunade evaluated.

"Mm."

Orochimaru smiled faintly, deeply satisfied. "Natsuki always brings surprises."

"The battle’s over. Let’s go down."

Tsunade nodded.

With the pirate leader’s death, the rogue ninjas collapsed like a landslide. They were dealt with quickly.

"I am the person in charge of this merchant ship. My name is Ryoichi."

A middle-aged man approached. "May I ask your esteemed names?"

"Orochimaru."

Orochimaru said casually.

"Tsunade."

Tsunade also announced herself.

"You’re the two legendary disciples of Lord Hokage from Konoha?"

Ryoichi’s expression turned to shock.

"You know us?"

Tsunade was somewhat surprised.

Although they were famous now, it was mainly within Konoha.

"I’m a merchant from the Land of Whirlpools."

Ryoichi explained.

"I see."

After speaking, Tsunade’s eyes suddenly narrowed.

She had noticed someone in the crowd whose expression had shifted unnaturally.

Although it was only a fleeting moment before returning to normal, it hadn’t escaped her eyes.

"Thank you all for your assistance. I’m willing to pay the reward for an A-Rank mission."

Ryoichi said conscientiously.

"Alright."

Tsunade didn’t refuse.

An A-Rank mission would look good on Natsuki and the others’ records.

Besides, ninjas were essentially mercenaries. Since they had saved these people, they should collect the reward.

"My lords, please rest first."

Ryoichi gestured. "We’ll clean up the ship."

Orochimaru and Tsunade nodded.

Led by Ryoichi, the group entered the cabin to rest.

"I noticed someone acting suspiciously."

Tsunade said directly. "His expression changed when he heard our names. And his strength isn’t weak—probably Jonin level."

"This merchant ship is from the Land of Whirlpools."

Natsuki’s thoughts stirred. "Could he be a spy who stole intelligence from the Land of Whirlpools or the Uzumaki clan?"

The reason he considered this was naturally because he knew the Uzumaki clan was about to be annihilated.

But before any annihilation, intelligence gathering would be necessary.

The Uzumaki clan wasn’t some nobody—they were a major ninja clan on par with the Senju and Uchiha.

Without adequate preparation, wiping them out overnight would be extremely difficult.

As soon as Natsuki said this, everyone’s expressions shifted—especially Kushina, who showed an anxious look.

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