"What? Don't you think a pink crystal suits my daughter's temperament better?"
"That's true. At least it looks better than your transparent one. That thing always gives off a weird, sleazy vibe."
Kazuyama Gekkō went silent at Tsunade's dead-serious remark.
Weird?
Sleazy?
How was that supposed to be a compliment?
Tsunade: …Was I complimenting you????
...
That evening at dinner, Tsunade drank while watching the little Senko Gekkō with a soft expression. But soon her gaze shifted toward Kazuyama Gekkō.
"I hear you're heading to Kirigakure?"
"Oh? News really travels fast. I've just finished preparations. I'll probably leave in a few days."
"You know the situation there. Why insist on going?"
Tsunade's doubts echoed Pakura's, while the others present were only just hearing of it. Yamato, Hayate Gekkō, Ebisami—none of them had ever really known Kazuyama Gekkō's movements, but hearing his destination was Kirigakure left them surprised.
"Come on, it's just the Village of the Bloody Mist. Don't get spooked by the name."
"Didn't I already go once for the peace treaty signing?"
"It's not that scary. The mist's just thick, makes your clothes damp if you stay too long."
Kazuyama Gekkō had set his mind. This trip to Kirigakure had to happen—no matter what anyone said. He was Konoha's Ghost. What could a single Kirigakure do to him?
...
Five days later, at the border of the Land of Water.
A cargo ship drifted slowly toward the coast.
"Boss, we're almost there. But my ship can only take you this far. Any farther and we'll be inside the Land of Water. Things over there aren't exactly peaceful right now."
"Oh? Already? That was quick."
Kazuyama Gekkō stepped onto the deck, the heavy mist curling thick around him.
His mouth twitched with distaste. Barely moments ashore, and already his clothes were growing damp.
Tch. Too much humidity. Why did he love water but hate cold water? Weren't hot springs much better?
"Appreciate it, Captain."
"Not at all, not at all. But boss, I'll say this—business isn't safe in the Land of Water these days. I've had friends go there and come running back. The place is too chaotic."
Oh? From the sound of it, the Land of Water really was in turmoil.
Thinking of the timeline, it fit—the Bloody Mist era, the slaughter of Kekkei Genkai ninja.
"How chaotic?"
"Killing everywhere. The Kirigakure shinobi are like maniacs, hunting certain people down. Whoever they find, they kill. It's brutal..."
"Oh, don't worry about me, Captain. I'll be careful. By the way, how about selling me that small boat of yours? I'll need it to get ashore."
Kazuyama Gekkō smiled, pulling out silver. The boatman's grin spread ear to ear.
"No problem, boss. She's yours. I'll fix her up for you."
Money makes the world go round. That saying held true anywhere.
Soon Kazuyama Gekkō was standing on a small boat, rowing toward the Land of Water.
The Land of Water wasn't one solid mass but a cluster of islands around a main one. The island he was headed for now was the westernmost.
As the boat drew closer, the mist didn't clear. Instead, a biting chill began to spread.
"Heh, is this your way of welcoming me?"
Kazuyama Gekkō tilted his head back at the snow drifting from above, grinning.
He actually liked snow—that was why he often strolled through the Land of Iron. The endless white was refreshing.
But something was off. Snow fell here too, but under the mist's weight, it felt suffocating.
"Tch. Oppressive. Well then, let's see if I can find something useful here."
He knew Akatsukigakure had planted roots in the Land of Water, but he didn't know where. He'd have to search step by step.
Before landing, though, he'd already summoned with the Coiling Serpent Technique.
"Hm? Comfortable feeling... Where is this, Kazuyama? Looks gloomy, but perfect for my sleep."
Tagitsuhime's lazy voice drifted out, tinged with surprise.
A flash of red light, and she took the form of a small red snake coiled on Kazuyama Gekkō's shoulder.
"Such heavy mist... This is the Land of Water?"
"What are you doing here?"
The Ryūchi Cave's network was vast. There was no shortage of information about the Land of Water, but most of it was bad—nothing but negative news.
Chaos. Always chaos.
"Can't be helped. That's just my fate."
"Remember the Rinnegan we fought last time? And that Mangekyō Sharingan? Their base is in the Land of Water."
"I don't like sleeping with danger hanging over me. Better to find them sooner, deal with them, and sleep easy."
Tagitsuhime nodded, flicking her tongue with satisfaction.
Serpents loved humidity. It soothed them.
"Tagitsuhime, use your sensory abilities. Help me find those two. Their chakra is unique—you should spot it instantly."
Kazuyama Gekkō could sense them himself, but that meant going Sage Mode, which was far too conspicuous. Best leave this kind of job to the specialist. Or rather—the specialist Snake Princess.
"This is just a small island."
"Not large, nothing unusual... Hm? Kazuyama, keep walking straight ahead. You might find something interesting."
Kazuyama Gekkō paused. Interesting? What did she mean?
But Tagitsuhime only teased, refusing to explain, pushing him to see for himself.
Curious, Kazuyama Gekkō activated his Insect Eyes. The fog hindered his vision, but his keen sight still reached far.
At the edge of his sight stood the outline of a small town.
"A town?"
"What's so interesting about that?"
Still doubtful, Kazuyama Gekkō walked toward it.
Through the swirling snow, the town loomed quietly. But when he reached its gate, he was met with something shocking.
It was empty.
"No one?"
"Tagitsuhime, are you messing with me? This place is deserted?"
Kazuyama Gekkō felt speechless. Why bring him to an empty town?
"No... wait. There's blood in the air..."