Chapter-80

Naruto blinked, feeling something strange in his chest as he watched the sun go down over the sea. It had been hours since he set sail with the waterbender on her boat. The journey had been quiet; she was still upset about their fight in the combat arena. Naruto sensed her gaze on his back, but he didn't want to know what kind of look she had. Maybe she was like Ibisu-sensei, serious on the outside but with a secret perverted side. That look she gave him still gave him the creeps.

He descended from the crow's nest and landed on the deck, noticing the ship's captain lost in thought.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Niisa replied, her thoughts elsewhere.

"You're from the Northern tribe."

"Yeah. Now that I've answered your question, it's my turn."

"Huh?"

"If you want something, offer something of equal value. I have questions for you, like a game of twenty questions," she explained. Naruto agreed with a shrug.

"Why is your hair yellow?"

"I don't know, maybe one of my parents had blonde hair," he replied, sounding unsure about such a simple question.

"It's the first time I've seen someone with golden hair," the waterbender mumbled, lightly touching her own white locks, her eyes showing a hint of disappointment. Naruto pretended not to notice.

"Well, it's the first time I've met a woman with white hair who isn't an old lady." He thought of Kakashi-sensei, who seemed to have had gray hair since he was a child, even though he got defensive when Naruto suggested he looked old. According to Kakashi, his hair didn't make him look old, it made him look cool. Naruto always saw that as an excuse to avoid admitting he had old man's hair.

"I'm only 24," she clarified. She twirled a strand of her long hair, glancing briefly at Naruto. "The first time I saw you, I thought you might be one of the 'enlightened' ones."

"Enlightened?" Naruto asked, curious about the term.

"People helped by spirits." She found it odd that the boy didn't know about this. It was a common bedtime story, with mothers telling it to their children. "There are spirits that listen to mortals' requests and aid us in tough times. Most of the time, they leave a mark on the people they help. In my case, it's my hair."

"Wow, that's amazing, and it's pretty."

The teacher couldn't help but smile at the boy's excitement as she touched her long hair. "Yes, my younger sister and I share this," she said, almost biting her tongue. Her face hardened, and her gaze became serious. "What brings you to the North Pole?"

"I have some friends who might be here."

"Why would your friends come to the North Pole? It's not exactly a tourist destination."

"Well, one of my friends is the Avatar, and he needs to learn about the four elements."

"You don't really expect me to believe all this, do you?"

"Not really," he said with a smile, knowing it was a tall tale for a waterbender like her to believe.

"I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. I've heard some stories about you. Are they true?"

"What stories?"

"Stories like you infiltrated one of the Fire Nation's largest fortresses, fought off a thousand men with your bare hands, rescued prisoners, made half their army surrender, and there are rumors about a special energy attack of yours that can even bring down mountains."

"Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration. In the end, it was the prisoners who helped me."

"What kind of person are you?" She had never met someone like this boy. His cheerfulness and demeanor could be described as air nomad-like, peaceful and rarely aggressive.

His choice of orange clothing also stood out.

"I'm a ninja!"

"I don't even know what that is."

"What does this world know about ninjas?" He was growing annoyed. Among all the people he had met in this world, no one seemed to know what a Shinobi was. It was making him more nervous. If there was no one else like him and he was the only one who came to this world, who could help him get back?

"What's with that look, kid?"

"It's nothing."

"Whatever you say."

"Do you know about the Northern Water Tribe? You mentioned living there?"

"Hmmm." The abrupt change in the conversation left the white-haired girl disinterested. She scratched her cheek, making it clear she wasn't eager to respond. "Three hundred gold coins aren't enough to make me talk about things I don't want to."

"And how much is enough?"

"I've already told you, if you want something, you must give something of equal value."

"Alright." This concept sounded familiar to Naruto, like something the old Hokage might say. He understood the idea, but executing it was another matter.

"I'm going to sleep. There are still two days of travel."

"Hey, what about the helm?" Naruto was puzzled when he noticed the teacher only left the helm uncovered.

"There's a sea current, about a hundred meters wide. Any ship in it will be naturally guided to the Northern Tribe, without even lifting a finger. Wonders of the world." Without further ado, Niisa closed the door behind her, already worn out from the long day.

Naruto lazily removed his heavy coat and settled into the hammock that swayed with the sea's tide. It provided a soothing motion to sleep in.

"Where will I sleep?"

"Kid, don't sneak up on me!" Niisa was almost startled out of her hammock when she saw the boy standing beside her. She hadn't even heard him approach; did he walk silently?

"I'm sorry, but where will I sleep?"

"It doesn't matter. Why don't you just come up and sleep with me?"

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