Chapter : 82

The next day, Uchiha Fugaku left a spore clone in his place and quietly departed from Konoha. The spore clone, nearly identical to him in appearance and mannerisms, was sufficient to cover his absence, though its combat abilities were far inferior.

Given Konoha's stability and the presence of other capable Uchiha clan members, Fugaku's role as clan head seldom required his personal intervention. The clone would suffice to handle routine matters while he pursued more pressing objectives.

By the following day, Uchiha Fugaku arrived at the Fire Country's coastal border near the Land of Water. The two nations were separated by a vast sea.

Disguised as a wandering ninja, he had adopted the identity of a rogue he encountered along the way. After dealing with the would-be robber, Fugaku "borrowed" his appearance, including the long black hair and katana slung at his side.

At the coastal docks, Fugaku sought passage to the Land of Water. Walking along the busy pier, his sharp eyes fell upon a large merchant ship.

"Faster! Move those crates! I didn't pay you to stand around!" a man with a small mustache barked at a group of laborers loading goods onto the ship. His harsh voice cut through the bustling noises of the dock.

Fugaku approached the man, his voice calm and measured. "Is this ship bound for the Land of Water?"

The mustached man turned, scanning Fugaku up and down before his stern expression melted into a warm, almost exaggerated smile. "Ah, yes, we're headed to the Land of Water. Are you looking to book passage?"

Fugaku nodded.

"Ten thousand ryo, and you're on board," the man declared, his smile widening into something resembling a blooming chrysanthemum.

Without hesitation, Fugaku handed over the money, receiving a small wooden ticket in exchange.

The ship wasn't set to depart until the following morning, leaving Fugaku with some free time. Deciding to spend the night in relative comfort, he left the dock and wandered into the nearby town.

The port town was bustling, its streets filled with restaurants, gambling dens, hotels, and shops catering to the steady flow of sailors and travelers. A brothel at the end of the main street displayed its wares with scantily clad women trying to lure passersby. One of them approached Fugaku, only to retreat in fear at the cold, piercing glance he cast her way.

Ignoring the distractions, Fugaku entered a well-kept hotel. He paid for a room and followed a clerk down a long hallway when familiar voices caught his attention.

"Lady Tsunade, you can't go to the casino today! If you do, we might not even have enough money for food!" a frantic voice protested.

"Relax, Shizune! Today's the day I win back everything I've lost—and then some!" came an exasperated yet determined reply.

"Tsunade-sama, are you serious?"

Hearing the exchange, Fugaku paused briefly. Recognizing the voices, his mind raced.

Rounding the corner, he came face to face with Tsunade and Shizune. Tsunade, with her iconic blonde hair and impressive presence, was unmistakable. Shizune followed close behind, her expression torn between concern and resignation.

The two women glanced at Fugaku briefly before dismissing him. To them, he was just another wandering ninja—not worth their attention unless he carried a bounty.

Led by the clerk, Fugaku entered his room. Once inside, he shut the door, his expression shifting to one of mild alarm.

"What are they doing here?" he muttered.

Tsunade and Shizune being at a port town near the Water Country raised questions. Were they heading to the Land of Water as well? And if so, could their objectives clash with his own?

Tsunade's formidable reputation as a Kage-level ninja gave Fugaku pause. While he was confident in his strength, a confrontation with her would complicate his plans.

His thoughts churned. "Tsunade is deeply concerned about the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja. And with the rumors I've deliberately spread linking the Wood Release to Orochimaru, it's highly likely she's chasing after him."

The more he thought about it, the more the pieces fell into place. Orochimaru's current whereabouts were likely in the Land of Water. Fugaku himself knew Orochimaru had his sights set on the Kekkei Genkai families of the Hidden Mist Village, just as he did.

"If Orochimaru's in the Land of Water, Tsunade must be heading there to confront him," Fugaku concluded.

While his goals didn't inherently conflict with Tsunade's, a potential clash with Orochimaru seemed inevitable.

"I have no quarrel with Tsunade, but Orochimaru might pose an issue," Fugaku mused. A smirk crossed his lips. "He's strong, but not enough to make me back down."

The next morning, Fugaku checked out of the hotel, heading back to the docks. To his surprise, Tsunade and Shizune were also leaving the hotel at the same time.

"We're leaving today too!" Shizune exclaimed as she caught sight of Fugaku. Her eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion creeping into her tone.

Fugaku, however, maintained his guise of a wandering ninja, walking silently toward the merchant ship without acknowledging them.

The two parties inevitably boarded the same vessel, as merchant ships to the Land of Water were infrequent, departing only once every couple of days.

Inside their cabin, Shizune leaned toward Tsunade, her voice a whisper. "Lady Tsunade, that wandering ninja seems strange. He's heading to the Land of Water at such a chaotic time."

Tsunade nodded, her brow furrowing. "You're right. It's unusual. The Land of Water has been unstable lately—most are avoiding it, not heading toward it."

Shizune bit her lip. "Do you think he's working with Orochimaru?"

Tsunade shook her head. "No idea. Let's keep an eye on him for now."

Seated in his own cabin, Fugaku overheard fragments of their conversation, his sharp ears catching their suspicions.

"They've noticed me," he thought, his expression neutral. "No matter. I'm not here for them."

Leaning back, Fugaku allowed himself a small smile. "The Land of Water will soon be my playground. Let's see who truly dominates this game."

(End of this chapter)

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