"H-How... how is this possible..."
The one-eyed pirate's voice trembled violently with fear.
"Next, it's your turn."
Hozuki Shio's voice, like the whisper of a demon, sounded again.
Just then, a cold figure, like a ghost, appeared silently on the main ship where the pirate leader was.
It was Hozuki Umitsuki.
He didn't use a gangplank, but stepped directly on the sea surface and boarded the largest pirate ship.
"?!"
The pirates on the ship were startled by this sudden figure. Without thinking, they immediately waved their swords and slashed at Hozuki Umitsuki.
However, all their attacks hit empty air.
Hozuki Umitsuki's body, the moment the swords touched him, turned into a puddle of clear water, easily dodging all the attacks.
"Hydrification Technique?!"
"Not good! It's a Kirigakure ninja!"
The one-eyed pirate finally reacted and screamed in terror, "Quick! Who can use Lightning Release ninjutsu!"
However, it was too late.
The puddle of water reformed after dodging the attacks.
Hozuki Umitsuki's arm, also at the moment of liquefaction, turned into a water blade glinting with cold light.
His figure flickered, and like a ghost, he shuttled across the deck.
Every flash brought up several sprays of warm blood.
The liquefied arm, like the sharpest blade, slit the throats of one pirate after another at an incredible angle.
No screams, no struggles.
Those pirates who were fierce just a moment ago could only clutch their necks, from which blood was constantly spraying, with expressions of disbelief on their faces, and fell limply.
The whole process was smooth, cold, and efficient, like an elegant dance of death.
"De... Devil..."
The one-eyed pirate watched his subordinates fall one by one, scared out of his wits, and turned to jump into the sea to escape.
However, a cold hand pressed on his shoulder.
Hozuki Umitsuki had appeared behind him at some point.
"Where are you going?"
The one-eyed pirate only felt a chill rush from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He turned abruptly, using all his strength to stab the scimitar in his hand towards Hozuki Umitsuki's heart.
However, Hozuki Umitsuki just extended two fingers.
Precisely clamping the sharp blade, his fingers exerted a slight force.
Crack!
That scimitar made of refined steel from the Land of Iron was easily snapped in two by him.
The one-eyed pirate was completely desperate.
Hozuki Umitsuki didn't give him any more chances. The fingers of his other hand were held together, aimed at his heart like a sharp sword.
"Water Gun Technique."
Pfft!
A soft sound.
A blood hole the size of a fist appeared in the one-eyed pirate's chest.
He looked down at his pierced chest, his face full of unwillingness and regret, and then fell heavily.
The battle was over.
Dozens of vicious pirates were slaughtered by the Hozuki siblings in a near-crushing manner.
Hozuki Umitsuki stood on the blood-stained deck, flicked the blood off his hand, his face expressionless.
"Brother! Why did you steal my kills!"
"Didn't you say you weren't interested just now!"
Hozuki Shio's voice came from the other side, her tone somewhat dissatisfied.
"Ahem."
"Next time for sure."
Umitsuki waved his hand, his body turning into water in the next second, and returned to the ship after a few breaths.
Gen looked at the siblings, who had a tacit understanding and powerful strength, and nodded with satisfaction.
With them, this mission had an extra layer of guarantee.
And those Kirigakure Anbu responsible for vigilance, looking at the red-dyed sea area, had a new understanding of the power of the Hozuki clan.
The sharp blade of Hozuki truly lived up to its reputation.
The ship continued to sail in the dense fog, as if nothing had happened.
Hozuki Shio lay on the gunwale, looking at the blood-red seawater, licked her lips, her aqua-blue eyes still shining with unsatisfied light.
"Sigh, they really couldn't take a beating."
"I hope the journey ahead will be a bit more interesting."
——————
After drifting on the sea for another half an hour, the Kirigakure fast ship disguised as a merchant ship finally arrived at the first transit station of this trip—the Land of Hot Water.
When the ship slowly docked and the group stepped onto the land in disguise, Hozuki Shio felt like she had come alive.
"Ah—! My dear land!"
The girl opened her arms, took a deep breath of the warm air, with an extremely intoxicated expression on her face. "I swear, I never want to get on a ship again in my life!"
"It's super—boring!"
Unlike the gloomy dense fog of the Land of Water that never dispersed all year round, the Land of Hot Water, as its name suggested, was a place full of warmth and vitality.
There was no oppressive gray sky here; bright sunshine and azure sky were revealed before everyone's eyes.
In the air, besides the salty and humid smell of seawater, there was also a faint smell of sulfur and the aroma of various foods.
The streets were bustling with people and very lively.
Tourists wearing various yukatas, with relaxed and comfortable smiles on their faces, shuttled between the rows of shops on both sides of the street.
"Sizzle sizzle—"
The vendor selling takoyaki skillfully flipped the balls on the iron plate, making a series of sounds.
At the entrance of the hot spring inn, the landlady wearing a kimono was warmly soliciting customers.
All this formed a sharp and strong contrast with their Kirigakure, which was always shrouded in a chilling and gloomy atmosphere.
"Wow! Brother, look! That mask is so cute!"
Hozuki Shio was like a country girl entering the city for the first time, pointing at a small stall selling fox masks by the roadside, stars in her eyes.
"Brother! There are candied apples over there! Let's buy one!"
"And that! What is that? It looks delicious!"
Hozuki Shio's curiosity was completely ignited at this moment.
She pulled Hozuki Umitsuki's sleeve, chattering non-stop, wishing she could visit the whole street.
Hozuki Umitsuki had a headache from her noise, but looking at his sister's face slightly flushed with excitement and those starry eyes.
His cold heart seemed to be melted a little by this sunshine.
The young man didn't coldly tell her to "shut up" as usual, but just let the girl pull him along.
Gen looked at the siblings, and a smile appeared on his aged face.
He waved to the several Anbu ninja behind him, signaling that they could move freely, and then leaned on his cane and slowly walked into a tavern that looked reasonably quiet.
"Lord Gen, are you planning to have a drink?"
Hozuki Shio asked in surprise.
"Hehe, I'm old and can't walk anymore, finding a place to rest my feet."
"You young people go play, don't worry about me, an old man."
"That won't do!"
Hozuki Shio followed him in without any explanation, and conveniently pressed her ice-block brother onto a seat. "We are your bodyguards, of course we have to protect you every step of the way!"
Although she said so, her large, rolling eyes had long been attracted by the menu hanging on the wall of the tavern.
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