63 Chapter 63: Crossing the Sea Towards the Land of Water

The Entrance of the Konoha Village.

Just as Akihara Kagura had expected.

Little Sasuke cried miserably when he heard that his brother was leaving for a mission, clinging to Uchiha Itachi's arm, not wanting to let go.

"Don't cry."

Akihara Kagura watched Uchiha Itachi comforting his brother carefully and stepped forward to help ease the situation: "Kid, actually, we didn't want to take your brother on the mission either. He's no match for me and probably won't be of much help. Why don't you take your brother back home?"

"Ah... hic..."

Sasuke's crying stopped abruptly, only to start crying even louder: "...waah... Big Brother! Big Brother is the strongest! He can definitely help complete the mission!"

"Alright then."

"Then you cry a little longer."

Akihara Kagura patted Uchiha Sasuke's head and waved at Uchiha Itachi: "Let's go, listen to your brother's words, and don't disappoint him."

"..."

Uchiha Itachi appeared somewhat at a loss.

"Go on, Itachi."

Uchiha Mikoto took her younger son into her arms, smiling and persuading: "Don't keep everyone waiting, I will take Sasuke home first."

"Big Brother..."

Little Sasuke cried as he went home with his mother.

"Thank you."

Uchiha Itachi then cautiously thanked Akihara Kagura, being especially polite compared to Kagura: "Kakashi-senpai, Kagura-kun, let's set out!"

Hatake Kakashi, who had been standing by and watching indifferently, finally stepped forward and nodded: "Let's go, we should move a bit faster on our journey."

As a senpai, Hatake Kakashi was indeed qualified.

Throughout the journey, Hatake Kakashi took good care of the two youngsters, generously teaching them ninja skills for hiding their tracks and counter-tracking in the wild.

Even though Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui had learned about this, they couldn't help but admire that the Anbu were truly elite ninjas of the village, using more sophisticated and meticulous methods...

Of course.

This excludes Akihara Kagura.

This former competitor, in the eyes of Uchiha Itachi, seemed somewhat delicate, as if he had never survived in the wild. The only thing that could be considered a wilderness survival skill was fishing by the river in the evening.

And...

This rival had a really bad temper.

As soon as he saw that the big fish didn't bite, he would use Wood Release Ninjutsu to spear the fish directly.

Late at night.

The first time camping.

The three gathered under a tree.

Hatake Kakashi looked at Akihara Kagura, his eyes revealing a rare hint of relaxation: "Kagura, you can use Wood Release to build a house for resting now."

Anbu ninjas liked to travel with Tenzo.

Apart from Tenzo's strong abilities, it was also because Wood Release techniques were very convenient for living. Even in the wild, Tenzo could build a resting house.

"Is that okay?"

Akihara Kagura looked at Hatake Kakashi, raising his own doubts: "A house suddenly appearing in the wild is too conspicuous, it's better to keep a low profile when outside."

"No problem."

Hatake Kakashi frowned, feeling that Akihara Kagura had become a bit strange. When did this kid start thinking like a normal ninja?

Hatake Kakashi thought it was safe here: "This is within the borders of the Land of Fire, the surroundings have been scouted, and there are no enemies. Traps have been set around, so we can rest well tonight and continue to speed up our journey tomorrow."

"I can't."

Akihara Kagura's words extinguished Hatake Kakashi's idea, adding: "If you want to build a house, the only thing I can do is provide a century-old tree."

Indeed, Akihara Kagura did not know how to use Wood Release to build a house.

Since the Chunin Exam, Akihara Kagura has not had a moment to rest and train, let alone develop the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai techniques. After resolving the crisis posed by Uchiha Obito's surveillance, he hastily went on a business trip with Kakashi.

Moreover...

The First Hokage's Wood Release techniques were powerful enough.

Now, Hatake Kakashi suddenly mentioned needing a house for rest. Akihara Kagura thought about it and realized that the only thing he could offer was the illusionary world created by the limited Tsukuyomi.

Such a terrifying Dojutsu...

It definitely should not be revealed here.

"Forget it."

Hatake Kakashi sighed, called the two youngsters over, and said, "Since we have temporarily formed a team, let's exchange information about the techniques we can use in advance. There's a high chance we'll encounter danger while gathering intelligence in the Land of Water…"

"I can do what you have probably already seen."

Akihara Kagura leaned casually against a tree and spread out her palm, "After all, I never attended the Ninja Academy and had no Jonin guidance. Asking more would be impolite."

"I'm skilled in Fire Release and Genjutsu."

Uchiha Itachi modestly mentioned his strengths and then asked, "What about you, Kakashi-senpai? I remember you should know many ninja techniques…"

"I know a little of almost everything."

Hatake Kakashi had no clear concept of his abilities, but he mentioned what he was best at, "If I had to say, it would probably be Lightning Release…"

"Show us something?"

Akihara Kagura sprang up.

"My chakra is not as abundant as yours, kid."

Hatake Kakashi shook his head, not wanting to waste chakra at this time. He was somewhat curious, "Do you only know two Wood Release techniques?"

"They are already... very powerful."

Uchiha Itachi personally experienced the Wood Release of Akihara Kagura.

"..."

Hatake Kakashi also felt that something was not right.

Although Akihara Kagura had only used two Wood Release techniques, those two were powerful enough to be considered devastating, and even he had no way to counter them.

Akihara Kagura didn't mind his lack of knowledge and continued, "If you include techniques like the Wood Clone, I can use five Wood Release techniques."

"Wood Clone…"

Hatake Kakashi touched his chin, pondering, "The Wood Clone is even more difficult to distinguish than the Shadow Clone. It's quite suitable for reconnaissance..."

The problem is...

Akihara Kagura's personality doesn't really fit for reconnaissance missions.

On the third day.

The team arrived at the seaside.

The entire port did not have a single ship willing to go to the Land of Water.

Traditionally, only ships from the Mist Village appeared here, aiming to raid the Land of Fire. They certainly would not allow them to board.

The technology of the ninja world is very peculiar.

Many small boats in the ninja world are made of wood, but they are not propelled by paddles. Instead, they rely on motors at the stern, requiring professional skills to operate.

What they needed was a ship capable of voyaging, staffed with professional crew members and a captain, as traveling to the Land of Water was considered a long journey.

"Shall we check another port?"

Uchiha Itachi, who had studied geography, knew there was another port nearby, "The journey to the other port isn't too far."

"There's no need."

Hatake Kakashi shook his head and said in a low voice, "The Mist Village has long isolated the Land of Water. Even if we go to another port, no one would be willing to let us board."

Akihara Kagura offered his idea, "Both of you have the Sharingan, why not use the Sharingan to hypnotize and control the crew of a ship?"

Hatake Kakashi, a person of positive energy, replied, "The ninjas of the Mist Village inspect ships entering the waters of the Land of Water. This would put innocent civilians in danger and expose us to the eyes of the Mist Village…"

Akihara Kagura is also a very positive person, "When the ninjas from the Mist Village come to inspect, just kill them. Could it possibly be that the Mizukage of the Mist Village would personally come to conduct such a trivial inspection?"