"Senjutsu. Water Release Ultimate Art. Water Curtain."
Vast amounts of water blotted out the sky and sun, carrying the warship and forcibly rushing from the river mouth deep into Uzushiogakure's interior. Everything in the flood's path was flattened, and the terrifying force caused the entire land to tremble incessantly.
"Be careful."
Although the flood's main impact wasn't aimed directly at Mei Terumī and the others, they ultimately couldn't completely escape being swallowed by the great water. Many were swept into the river by the turbid, muddy water, and even Mei Terumī, who ran the fastest, was no exception.
Looking at the riverbank that had become a vast expanse of water, Ryun dispelled the tall Susanoo, then took Kushina's delicate hand and began walking on the water.
The area around Uzushiogakure was deserted and devoid of people. The flood he had stirred up did not endanger the lives of any local populace. It only smashed the warship along with several dozen Kirigakure ninja into fragments.
The great flood came quickly and receded just as fast. Ryun and his wife soon stepped onto the sodden land and entered the interior of Uzushiogakure.
Occasionally, they could see the dead, mangled remains of ninja from Kirigakure on the muddy road. These corpses could be considered offerings Ryun had presented to this ghost village. He was certainly a very considerate son-in-law of the Uzumaki...
"Can you still remember where your home was?" Ryun asked, turning his head slightly.
Hearing this, Kushina gently shook her head. "The wild grass is too tall, too thick. I can't find where my old home was anymore..."
When Mito Uzumaki was still alive, she could still come to Uzushiogakure with her grandmother to visit. But after the Nine-Tails was transferred into her, Kushina had never come back here again.
"Where are your parents' graves?" Ryun asked again softly.
"I don't know where their bodies are specifically. I'm not even sure if anyone buried their bodies in the ground at all..."
Looking at the numerous bleached bones exposed on the ground, Kushina's downcast eyes were filled with sorrow.
After a moment of silence, Kushina suddenly lifted her head, put her hands to her mouth, and shouted at the top of her lungs towards the surroundings:
"Dad, Mom, your daughter is married... Your son-in-law's name is Uchiha Ryun. He treats me very well. I am very happy now!!!"
Hearing these words, Ryun instantly smiled...
And Kushina, after venting her emotions, shed tears. Then she threw herself into Ryun's arms once more and cried loudly.
Ryun stroked her smooth, long hair and quietly waited, holding her until Kushina stopped crying and wiped her tears away before he comforted her softly:
"They must be able to receive this good news..."
"Yeah..."
Kushina sniffled and nodded heavily.
"Let's go..."
"Okay, but wait a moment before we do." Ryun said, forming hand seals slowly and then slapping his palms heavily onto the ground.
As his Earth Release technique activated, the entire Uzushiogakure shook violently. Layer upon layer of earth visibly accumulated and piled upwards. After a few minutes, the originally overgrown, chaotic ghost village was completely covered by the soil.
The overall terrain here was forcibly raised by several meters. At first glance, it looked like a large elevated plain, but viewing it from a distance revealed it was a massive burial mound.
After doing this, Ryun let out a soft sigh and clapped his hands, smiling. "This way, your parents won't have to lie exposed in the wilderness..."
Hearing this, Kushina was deeply moved. She wiped the tears from her eyes again, hugged Ryun, and said with a soft smile:
"You're so silly... Why are you so good to me?"
"Isn't treating you well what I should do? You are my precious wife..." Ryun said, gently tapping her nose and smiling.
"I love you, husband..." Kushina said, rising on her toes to kiss Ryun's cheek. Unfortunately, after just two kisses, he dodged away.
"Watch the snot... you're getting it on me..."
"Hmm (prolonged sound)... You me..."
Kushina wrapped her arms around his neck, wanting to kiss him again, but the next moment, Ryun pulled away and started running...
"You stop right there!!!"
The two of them chased and fled, frolicking with abandon. Their joyful voices carried far across this deserted, uninhabited land.
For the next period of time, the two continued south. Their honeymoon wasn't over yet. They still wanted to go to the Land of Tea to see the beautiful camellias and bring back some rare, fine tea to enjoy slowly at home.
One month later.
The Five Great Nations had already begun a full-scale great war. The terrible flames of war quickly spread throughout the entire ninja world. The chaotic, war-torn times no longer permitted Ryun and his wife to continue their travels...
Reluctantly, they ended their journey and set out to return to the Land of Rice's Otogakure.
When they arrived home, they found Tsunade was not there. Upon asking, they learned that Konoha had urgently summoned her back to assist in the war. Orochimaru was helpless about this but knew he couldn't keep her.
"Did any major problems arise in the Land of Rice during my absence?"
The Shadow's office was now filled with the aroma of tea. Ryun had specifically brought good tea from home for his teacher to try; it was a precious variety from the Land of Tea.
"With me here, there certainly weren't any major problems. But minor issues cropped up one after another. After all, we are in the midst of the Third Great Ninja War... maintaining neutrality requires substantial strength." Orochimaru remarked, sipping the fragrant tea.
Hearing this, Ryun nodded. The next moment, he asked about the battlefield he was most concerned with: "No major problems is good. How are things over in the Land of Grass (the Fire-Earth battlefield)?"
"That's one of the four main battlefields. The fighting is naturally very intense. Casualties are high on both the Fire and Earth sides. Overall, the Land of Earth has a slight advantage." Orochimaru explained the situation there.
"Teacher, you know I'm not concerned with those things..." Ryun said, stretching lazily.
"..."
Orochimaru fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then went straight to the point: "Kakashi has been improving very quickly during this time. It's said he is developing a Lightning Release ninjutsu. That technique sounds extremely similar to your 'Lightning Release: Chidori'..."
When he heard this intelligence, a strange red light flickered in Ryun's eyes.
"It's about time..."
Hearing Ryun's subconscious murmur, Orochimaru couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked, "What is about time?"
"Nothing. I need to make a trip to the Land of Grass."
Orochimaru frowned slightly upon hearing this. "I was planning to go to the ancient Land of Loulan myself. I intended to have you hold down the fort here in Otogakure..."
"Your matter isn't urgent. Loulan and the Dragon Veil have always been there. They won't run away. So there's no hurry..."
"Alright... When will you depart?"
"I'll go home and tell Kushina. I'm leaving now..." Ryun said, standing up immediately after speaking.
"So urgently?" Orochimaru looked surprised.
"Yes. I've been waiting for this day for a long time... I must go and stay there during this period..."
"Teacher, please look after Kushina for me..." Ryun stopped and instructed.
In truth, Kushina already possessed Kage-level strength at this point. After activating Sage Mode, she could even face Orochimaru head-on. Ryun's worry was somewhat unnecessary. In his heart, Kushina was always a woman and child who needed key protection, even though she had already become very strong...
"I will. You can go with peace of mind."
"Yeah..."