[12] : Ambush on the Road
"Shin, stay away from that woman from now on," Kushina said seriously once they were inside the cabin.
"Yeah, no arguments here."
Shin wasn't keen on being manhandled and unable to retaliate. It was infuriating.
He'd get her back when he was stronger. For now, he'd steer clear of Tsunade and her vice-like grip. His cheeks were still sore.
'Just wait, Tsunade,' Shin thought darkly.
Hours later, the ship finally reached the shore. Kushina, pale and nauseous, leaned heavily against Shin.
"Shin, I don't feel so good. My head is spinning."
Shin supported her, surprised that she was seasick. It was probably because this was her first time on a ship.
"We're here, Kushina. Hang in there."
"Tsk, tsk, getting seasick? How embarrassing," Tsunade quipped, arms crossed.
Kushina's open hostility had irked her. She didn't want to stoop to the level of a child, but seeing Kushina's pathetic state, she couldn't resist a jab.
"I am not seasick!"
Kushina weakly shook her head, trying to maintain a defiant front despite her nausea.
Tsunade merely clicked her tongue. Continuing this squabble with a child was beneath her.
"Let's rest for a bit before we continue."
Seeing that not only Kushina, but also Akiko and Kai, were suffering from seasickness, Tsunade called for a break.
Shin was fine; he didn't get seasick. And Uzumaki Hikaru, being a Jonin, was also unaffected.
They rested, ate some rations, and then resumed their journey.
"How long will it take to reach Konoha from here?" Shin asked Tsunade.
"Come closer, and I'll tell you," Tsunade said with a sly grin, beckoning him with a finger.
"Nah, I don't need to know that badly."
Shin and Kushina trailed behind, taking in the scenery of the Land of Fire.
They had set foot on Land of Fire soil as soon as they disembarked. While not the largest of the Five Great Nations, it definitely had the most fertile land.
The trees here were lusher than those in the Land of Whirlpools, and the people seemed more prosperous.
"Shin-chan, how are we going to live in Konoha?" Kushina asked, her voice laced with worry.
"Same as always. Don't stress, Kushina. And please, stop calling me 'Shin-chan'."
Shin patted her head reassuringly.
Kushina felt a wave of warmth. She was apprehensive about this unfamiliar place called Konoha, but with Shin by her side, her fears seemed to melt away.
As long as she was with Shin, it didn't matter where they were.
Gradually, Kushina's anxiety lessened. The shadow of the Uzumaki Clan's destruction seemed a little less dark.
"What are you two chatting about?"
Tsunade had fallen back to join them.
"Wow, you actually have time to talk to us?" Shin remarked.
"We're escorting you, but we're in Land of Fire now. The most we'll encounter are bandits. It's safe here."
Tsunade had been vigilant before entering Land of Fire, but now she was completely relaxed.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
A volley of Kunai and Shuriken rained down on them, some even strapped with Explosive Tags.
Shin's face paled. He couldn't worry about hiding his strength now. He grabbed Kushina and dodged.
The Senju ninjas, though caught off guard, were still highly skilled.
They reacted quickly, shielding the Uzumaki survivors and evading the attack.
Tsunade's eyes widened.
She had been about to pull Shin and Kushina out of the way, but Shin had reacted first, moving with incredible speed.
She estimated his speed to be on par with her own.
'Looks like that kid Shin isn't simple after all.'
She quickly dodged the projectiles. Now wasn't the time to ponder this; she had to deal with the attackers.
Her eyes turned cold. To be ambushed within Land of Fire borders was unacceptable.
And she had just told Shin that it was safe here. This was a slap in the face.
Tsunade felt her cheeks burn with shame. These attackers would pay.
Shin and Kushina took cover behind a large tree, Shin's arm protectively around Kushina. His eyes darted around, alert for any movement.
If only I could awaken the Uzumaki Clan's Mind's Eye of Kagura...
The Mind's Eye of Kagura was a Sensory Technique unique to the Uzumaki Clan, one of the most powerful in the ninja world.
When activated, it allowed the user to sense Chakra fluctuations within a radius of several dozen kilometers.
With a known Chakra signature, it could pinpoint the target's location, movement, number of people, and even their speed.
Its sensory capabilities were comparable to the Byakugan. Unfortunately, very few Uzumaki could awaken this ability.
In the original story, only Karin was known to possess it. Shin didn't know if he could awaken it.
If he had the Mind's Eye of Kagura, he could easily pinpoint the enemies' location and movements, making it easier to defend against them.
Unlike now, where he was forced to rely on his senses and constant vigilance to avoid being caught off guard.
Shinobi were masters of assassination; surprise attacks were their specialty.
"Kushina, don't be afraid. I'll protect you."
"I'm not afraid," Kushina said, clenching her fists. She hated being the damsel in distress.
'I have to train harder.'
She resolved to become stronger so she wouldn't be a burden to Shin.
As Shin and Kushina hid, the battle raged. Over twenty ninjas, clad in identical uniforms and without forehead protectors, emerged from the forest.
It was impossible to tell which village they were from. They charged towards the Senju ninjas, weapons drawn.
Tsunade channeled Chakra throughout her body, activating her monstrous strength. A powerful aura enveloped her.
"Die!"
She punched one of the attackers, sending him flying like a ragdoll.
He was dead before he hit the ground. That was the power of Tsunade's monstrous strength.
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