Looters & Perverts

Uzu is so fucking pretty

I'm serious, even when destroyed it radiates and aura of friendliness and love that you can't help but just wrap yourself around

It doesn't help that this place looks like a druid came through and nutted on everything. The buildings were covered tightly in moss and vines. Bridges and walkways were scattered from the overgrowth, painted in a palate of green, white, and red

The architecture was honestly the best part. Every single building was tightly wound and close to one another. Some had bridges connecting rooftops and attics. There were overgrown community gardens with torn down gazebos and overhangs which used to grow herbs and spices, tomatoes and celery stalks

I even saw a burnt down orchard which still smelled like apples and oranges even from the sea line

The whole island of Uzu was like a 3D horseshoe. There was an incline of water where the harbors were and the rest of the island was on an incline, so from sea level you could see every single building on the hill

If not for my respect for the three nations that destroyed this place and their own respective nations beauty, I probably would have vowed for their destruction…

"This 's far as I ca' go fer no'. You two 'll 'ave to find yer own 'ay back!"

I nodded to the boat driver, still mesmerized by the beauty of the island and pulled Akari, who was also speechless, out of the boat

The guy sailed away slowly, glancing back at us gawking with an elderly smile

Eventually we snapped out of it and I fixed Akari with a hard look, of which she promptly started listening aptly

"Listen, a few rules before we go up and explore"

Akari nodded sharply

"One, we do not split up. I don't care if what you've found is shiny or made of pure gold, if you want it, ask me first."

She easily accepted that one

"Two, this place is considered a sacred ground. Respect where you walk. Lots of people died on this island and the last thing we want to do is upset them"

Especially seeing as how, if I'm correct, there are over half a million dead bodies here

Akari nodded again, understanding that one

"Finally, number three. No matter what - If you see anything resembling circles, shapes, or anything else painted with ink or even blood, do not. Do not mess with it whatsoever without telling me or consulting with me. Those things are called seals and even the smallest of seals here could potentially lop your head off, am I understood?"

That may have been a little harsh but it's true. Uzumaki were the utmost practitioners of seals in the entire world. Literally, nobody could match up to them. And seeing as how three nations raided this place, I wouldn't put it past them to trap even fellow uzumaki from stealing their secrets

They might have been loud, brash and dense, but even they could think on the spot. Kidnapping and using small Uzumaki as breeding mares was not above Kumo or Iwa. Kiri with its bloodline thing is different. Uzumaki more than likely thought of this possibility and blocked everyone off from accessing most things

Tl;Dr : Uzumaki more than likely thought ahead and booby-trapped everything

After that whole debacle, we started exploring around. The lower buildings were first - Fishing, residential, guard, trading centres - and made our way up the hill in a snake pattern

Sure enough, in quite a few houses and buildings we found sealed off containers, doors, and even scrolls. I couldn't even begin to decipher them but apparently Akari could somewhat read the least complex ones and tell if most of them were safe to touch or not. I was going to take all of this shit, even if I lose a couple fingers in the process

In the first we rows, both of our packs were filled to the brim with boxes, scrolls and books. I really wished I had storage scrolls but even if I say I'm willing to lose a few fingers - I won't blow them off with a failed seal, nosiree

We stopped collecting at that point, instead making a beeline for the tallest building in the area in hopes that it was some sort of Kage Tower or Administration office

Akari was right in assuming it was a library, smug little ass

We ended up dumping everything and setting up a stash there while we continued the loo- Reclaiming! The Reclaiming!

Cough cough

Eventually, the night had to come so we set up a camp by our stash in one of the houses and called it a night

_

It was maybe 5 in the morning when I was awoken by some footsteps around where I was sleeping

'Someone else who's trying to search Uzu? Who else would, or could, come here?'

"A little boy and one of the last redheads? What the hell are you two doing in a place children shouldn't be"

'That voice..? Is it…?'

I cautiously opened my eyes a smidge, immediately leading to them flying open along with my mouth

Leaning on the doorway to the room we were in, stood a man with a mane of long, spiky white hair. On his forehead was a large protector with the kanji for "Oil" labeled on the front

His eyes down to his jaw was laminated with a long red line that seemed as if he were crying blood

"Hoh? This little kid recognizes me? Have I really gotten that famous?"

This was Jiraiya of the fucking Sannin…