"What's wrong? Don't you think pink crystal suits my daughter's temperament better?"
"That's true. Anyway, it's way better-looking than that transparent one of yours. It constantly gives off this strange, perverted vibe."
Seeing Tsunade's serious expression, Chizan fell silent.
Strange?
Perverted?
Ah, how could you praise someone like that?
Tsunade: ....Was I praising you????
...
At the dinner table that evening, Tsunade sipped her sake, a trace of gentleness appearing in her eyes as she looked at the tiny Gekko fairy. But soon enough, she turned to look at Chizan.
"I heard you're going to Kirigakure?"
"Oh? News travels fast. I just finished preparing. I'll probably set off in a few days."
"You know the situation over there. Why insist on going?"
Tsunade's confusion was also Pakura's confusion. The others present had only just learned the news.
For example, Yamato, Gekko Hayate, and Sayo.
They had never been particularly clear about Chizan's movements anyway, but when they heard the destination was Kirigakure, they couldn't help but feel a bit surprised.
"Hey, it's just the so-called Bloody Mist Village. Don't be intimidated by the name."
"Didn't I go once already when we signed the peace agreement?"
"It's not that terrifying. At worst, the fog's just thicker. Stay too long and your clothes get damp easily."
This trip to Kirigakure was something Chizan had already set his mind on. No matter what anyone said, he was going.
He was the ghost of Konoha.
What could a mere Kirigakure possibly do to him?
...
Five days later, at the border of the Land of Water.
A cargo ship was slowly approaching the shore.
"We're almost there. But my ship can only go this far. Any farther and it's inside the Land of Water. Things over there aren't exactly peaceful right now."
"Oh? Already here? That was fast."
Chizan slowly stepped onto the deck, feeling the thick fog wrap around him.
The corner of his mouth twitched with faint disgust. In just this short while, he could already feel moisture clinging to him.
Sigh, too much humidity. For some reason, he liked water—but not cold water. Weren't hot springs much better?
"Thanks for your hard work."
"No trouble at all, no trouble at all. But, not to nag, the Land of Water really isn't suitable for business right now. Several of my friends went there and came back scared out of their wits. It's complete chaos."
Oh? From the sound of it, the Land of Water was in turmoil?
Thinking about the timeline, it seemed about right—the continuation of the Bloody Mist era and the slaughter of bloodline-limit shinobi.
"What kind of chaos?"
"Killing. Kirigakure's ninja are like lunatics, searching everywhere for certain people. The moment they find them, they kill them. It's tragic..."
"Oh, it's fine. I'll be careful. By the way, why don't you sell me this small boat? I'll need something to dock with."
Chizan smiled as he pulled out silver from his robes, making the captain's lips curl upward instantly.
"No problem. It's yours. I'll get it ready for you."
Money makes the world go round—true anywhere.
Soon, Chizan stood on a small boat, continuing toward the Land of Water.
The Land of Water wasn't one continuous stretch of land but a collection of scattered small islands and one main island.
The one Chizan was about to dock at was the westernmost small island.
As the boat drew closer, the fog did not lessen. Instead, threads of cold air began to spread.
"Heh, is this how you welcome me?"
Chizan looked up at the snowflakes drifting down from the sky and grinned.
He actually liked snow. That was one reason he later frequented the Land of Iron. The vast white snowfields were refreshing to the soul.
But soon he noticed something different.
Although it snowed in the Land of Water as well, the heavy fog made the snowfall feel oppressive.
"Tsk, this suffocating feeling. Let's see if I can find any useful information here."
He knew the Akatsuki had established roots in the Land of Water, but he didn't know exactly where.
So he would have to search bit by bit.
Before coming ashore, he had already completed the Summoning: Serpent technique.
"Hm!? What a comfortable feeling. Where are we, Chizan? Though it looks a bit oppressive, the environment is perfect for sleeping."
Tagitsuhime's lazy voice sounded, carrying a hint of surprise.
A flash of red light passed, and she transformed into a small red snake, slithering onto Chizan's shoulder.
"So much fog. Is this the Land of Water?"
"What are you doing here?"
Ryūchi Cave's information network was extensive. News about the Land of Water was plentiful—but almost all of it negative.
Chaos. Nothing but chaos.
"Can't help it. Born to toil."
"Remember the Rinnegan from the last battle? And that Mangekyō Sharingan? Their base is in the Land of Water."
"I don't like sleeping with danger at my back. Better to find them early and mess with them a bit. Only then can I rest easy."
Tagitsuhime nodded her little snake head, flicking her tongue out, her face showing comfort.
It had to be said—snakes loved this kind of damp environment. It made them feel at ease.
"Tagitsuhime, activate your sensory ability and help me find those two."
"Their chakra is very distinctive. You should be able to detect it immediately."
If Chizan wanted to sense them himself, he would have to enter Sage Mode, which would be far too conspicuous.
So it was better to leave professional matters to a professional—no, to a professional Snake Princess.
"This is a small island."
"Not very big. Nothing particularly specia—hm? Chizan, keep walking forward. You might discover something interesting."
Chizan froze slightly.
Something interesting?
What did she mean?
But Tagitsuhime kept her secret, refusing to say more and instead urging him to investigate personally.
That only piqued Chizan's curiosity.
He activated his insect-like vision. Even with the fog obstructing his sight, his extraordinary eyesight allowed him to see far into the distance.
At the edge of his vision, the outline of a small town appeared.
"A town?"
"What's so interesting about that?"
With doubt in his heart, Chizan walked step by step toward the town.
Amid the raging wind and snow, the small town stood there.
But when he reached its entrance, he discovered something that shocked him.
An empty town?
"No one?"
"Tagitsuhime, are you messing with me? This place is deserted?"
Chizan felt speechless. What was the point of leading him to an empty town?
"No... there's a smell of blood..."