Chapter : 94

Two days later in the morning, the sea surface was shrouded in a thick white fog. Everything in sight was a blur of pale gray and white, making the ocean appear both endless and empty.

Snap, snap, snap!

Uchiha Fugaku, the imposing head of the Uchiha clan, carried Yukiko with one arm as he walked across the water's surface. His steps rippled across the calm sea, his gait steady as though he were strolling on solid ground.

"This distance should be about right," he muttered, stopping after he had walked far enough from the shore. He gently set Yukiko down on the water beside him.

"Use your Ice Release to create a platform," Fugaku instructed, his Sharingan spinning lazily as he surveyed the surroundings.

"Yes, sir," Yukiko replied, her voice filled with determination.

Click, click, click.

Cold air radiated from her small frame, the water beneath them freezing almost instantly. The ice spread outward in jagged patterns, eventually forming a sturdy, irregular platform large enough to support them. Yukiko, who had recently awakened her Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, could manage only simple techniques, but her raw potential was evident.

Once the ice was complete, Fugaku set her down carefully. They stood together on the frozen platform, waiting in silence for the merchant ship heading toward the Land of Fire.

More than an hour later, the faint silhouette of a ship began to materialize through the fog. The merchant ship sailed steadily across the waves, its sails straining against the wind.

"Here it comes," Fugaku murmured. He closed his eyes briefly, his chakra flaring as he extended his sensory abilities toward the approaching vessel. He probed the ship carefully, searching for hidden enemies.

His expression tightened. "Hmm… someone familiar is on board."

Among the many weaker chakra signatures, one stood out—sinister, potent, and unmistakable. Fugaku frowned.

"Orochimaru," he muttered, recognizing the chakra of the infamous Sannin.

The realization gave him pause. Orochimaru's presence on the ship made it far from safe. Fugaku considered turning back and waiting for another vessel. However, he quickly dismissed the thought.

"Under these circumstances, Orochimaru wouldn't risk drawing attention," Fugaku reasoned. "Even he wouldn't want to provoke the Hidden Mist Village's patrols at sea."

Reassured by his own logic—and his confidence in his abilities—Fugaku decided to proceed. If Orochimaru caused trouble, Fugaku was more than capable of defending himself and Yukiko.

With the fog providing ample cover, Fugaku and Yukiko approached the merchant ship undetected. Their steps were soundless as they scaled the side of the vessel and slipped aboard without alerting the crew.

Inside one of the ship's cabins, Orochimaru sat cross-legged on a wooden floor, a sly smile curling across his lips. His golden eyes glinted with curiosity.

"Interesting," he whispered. "An Uchiha and… a Snow Clan girl."

Although Fugaku had concealed his presence expertly, Yukiko's aura was another matter. Lacking formal ninja training, she radiated chakra like a beacon, easily detected by Orochimaru's sharp senses.

"A young Ice Release user," he mused, his grin widening. The Snow Clan's bloodline limit was rare and valuable, even among the Hidden Mist Village.

His gaze shifted to the white-haired child sitting across from him. The boy was Kimimaro, the last survivor of the Kaguya Clan, who possessed the fearsome Dead Bone Pulse Kekkei Genkai.

Orochimaru had taken an interest in Kimimaro for his unique abilities, but he couldn't help but wonder if the Snow Clan girl might also prove useful.

"Still, this isn't the time to act," he murmured. Drawing attention to himself on the open sea was unwise, especially with Hidden Mist patrols searching for defectors.

After boarding, Fugaku and Yukiko found an empty cabin to rest in. A faint knock on the door interrupted their brief reprieve.

"Who's there?" a plump man asked as he opened the door, eyeing them suspiciously. His gaze darted between Fugaku and Yukiko, clearly noting they weren't part of the crew.

"May we come in and rest for a while?" Fugaku asked, his voice calm but commanding. His Sharingan flared briefly, and the man's expression slackened under the genjutsu.

"Come in," the man said flatly, stepping aside to let them enter.

Once inside, Fugaku shut the door behind them, ensuring their presence remained unnoticed.

The next day, as the merchant ship sailed farther into the open sea, trouble loomed on the horizon. A colossal warship, far larger than the merchant vessel, emerged from the fog. Its aqua-blue sails bore the unmistakable teardrop emblem of the Hidden Mist Village.

The warship signaled the merchant vessel to halt. It was clear that this was no routine inspection—the Hidden Mist was actively hunting defectors from the Snow Clan.

"Troublesome," Fugaku muttered, peering out of a narrow window in their cabin. His Sharingan activated, taking in every detail of the approaching ship.

The Hidden Mist's determination to eradicate the Snow Clan was evident. Under the Mizukage's orders—covertly influenced by Uchiha Obito—Mist ninjas patrolled both the land and sea relentlessly. Their goal was simple: annihilate the remnants of the Snow Clan.

"Everyone, assemble on the deck for inspection!"

The Mist ninjas barked orders as they boarded the merchant ship, forcing the crew and passengers to line up for interrogation.

Fugaku, with Yukiko in tow, blended into the crowd. His sharp gaze scanned the deck, quickly locking onto a disguised Orochimaru and Kimimaro.

"So, the Kaguya boy ended up with him," Fugaku thought. His gaze lingered on Kimimaro for a moment, recognizing the boy's extraordinary chakra.

Though Orochimaru had successfully taken Kimimaro under his wing, Fugaku knew the boy's bloodline disease would render him unsuitable as a vessel.

"It seems I won't need to act," Fugaku mused, a faint smile curling his lips.

The Mist ninjas moved down the line, scrutinizing each passenger. When they reached Orochimaru and Kimimaro, the tension on the deck spiked.

"You two, step forward!" one of the Mist ninjas barked, his voice harsh. His mood, soured by days of monotonous patrols, left no room for patience.

Orochimaru's golden eyes flashed coldly. Without a word, he raised a hand, and a serpent shot out from his sleeve, striking the Mist ninja with lethal precision.

The man's body convulsed violently as venom coursed through his veins. Within seconds, he collapsed, foam bubbling from his lips.

The remaining Mist ninjas hesitated, their confidence wavering in the face of Orochimaru's killing intent.

Kimimaro stepped forward, his expression calm. Bone spikes protruded from his arms—a clear warning that he, too, was prepared to fight.

"Stand down," Orochimaru hissed, his voice dripping with menace. The Mist ninjas froze, uncertain whether to engage.

(End of Chapter )

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