NOVEL NEXT Chapter 134: Land of Whirlpools
With Aurora's guidance, my journey toward the Land of Whirlpools began. The road was quiet at first, but as I ventured deeper into the wilderness, the calm was often interrupted by occasional threats. Bandits lurked in the shadows, and wild animals prowled the dense forest, waiting for an opportunity.
One afternoon, I found myself walking along a narrow trail when a group of bandits ambushed me. They were poorly organized, and their faces twisted with greed as they circled me, hoping for an easy target. But they didn't know who they were dealing with.
With a swift motion, I drew my katana, the blade gleaming in the light as I stood firm, ready for them. The bandits hesitated for a moment, but then one of them rushed at me. It didn't take long before the others realized that I was no easy mark. In a matter of moments, I incapacitated the attackers, leaving them sprawled on the ground, defeated and unconscious.
As I surveyed the scene, one of the bandits, seemingly the leader, groaned and weakly offered something from the back of their camp—a horse. "Take it," he muttered, "It'll make your journey easier. We weren't meant to fight you, anyway..."
I raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden change in demeanor. After a moment's thought, I nodded, accepting the horse. The steed was strong, with a sleek, dark coat, and it would certainly help me travel faster. I tied the bandit's belongings to the saddle, including some supplies they had, and continued my journey with the horse now by my side.
With the added speed and convenience, the path to the Land of Whirlpools became easier, though I remained vigilant. The road ahead was still uncertain, but the horse would be a helpful companion as I continued on. I couldn't shake the feeling that challenges were waiting for me around every bend, but I was ready to face whatever came my way.
3rd POV
On the other side, Tsunade, Temari, Shizune, and the others began preparing for their own journey, this time towards the Land of Iron. While the boys were ready to leave at any time, the three girls had insisted on staying for a few extra days. They wanted to ensure everything was in order and take some time to rest and reflect before heading out.
The boys, though eager to begin their own missions, helplessly nodded to the girls' decision, understanding that sometimes it was best to let things unfold in their own time. They couldn't argue with the fact that the girls had their reasons—Tsunade, as always, had a way of ensuring things were well-prepared before taking the next step, and Temari and Shizune followed suit, each with their own motivations for wanting to wait just a little longer.
The boys, though slightly impatient, knew they would catch up soon enough, and there was no use in rushing things. So, they passed the time as best as they could, while the girls made their final preparations. In the end, the Land of Iron would wait for them, just as the Land of Whirlpools awaited Naruto.
With a final glance at the village and their respective teams, they all set off, their journeys now on separate paths, each group with their own purpose in mind, but connected by a common bond that would pull them together again one day.
"Tsunade, still how many days until we reach the Land of Iron?" Rasa asked, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and impatience. The people from Suna were unfamiliar with this route, which was different from the ones they typically traveled. They had stopped at this point to verify some crucial details about Naruto's involvement in the daimyo incident, which had delayed their progress. It was a necessary detour, but it was starting to test their patience.
Shizune, who had been studying the route for the past few days, glanced at the map in her hands before replying. "Still almost a week apart," she said calmly, her brow furrowed in concentration as she scanned the details. "But if we keep on this path, we should be able to reach the Land of Iron without any major delays. The route is more indirect, but it's safer and avoids the larger villages."
Tsunade, standing beside Shizune, nodded. "We have to take the long way for now, but we'll make it there. It's important to verify everything before we move forward, especially with the situation surrounding Naruto."
Rasa sighed, his impatience showing despite his composed demeanor. "I understand, but the longer we delay, the more difficult it becomes to keep our cover. The timing of our arrival at the Land of Iron is crucial."
Tsunade gave him a reassuring look. "Patience, Rasa. We'll get there, and when we do, we'll have everything we need to move forward. We just have to keep our focus."
Shizune rolled up the map and tucked it away, ready to continue. "We'll keep moving forward, but it's still going to take a bit longer than we hoped."
With that, the group continued their journey, knowing that despite the delays, they were steadily on their way to the Land of Iron.
"Why are you involving me in this?" Naruto's clone, which had been left behind with Tsunade and the others, suddenly interrupted, his voice slightly irritated. He had been blending in, trying to act like the real Naruto to avoid suspicion, but the conversation was becoming more than he had anticipated.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed, clearly irritated. "What do you mean, brat? Because of you, we're in this mess!" she flared, her frustration evident. The clone knew that Tsunade had been under a lot of stress, managing the mission and keeping the group in check, but her anger was still a bit of a shock. She had every right to be upset—after all, Naruto's involvement in the daimyo incident had stirred up a lot of complications for everyone.
The clone sighed, trying to remain calm and professional. "Anyway, we need to reach the Land of Iron as soon as possible," he said, shifting the focus back to the task at hand. He had to maintain the illusion, pretending to be the real Naruto, even if the situation wasn't ideal.
Tsunade shot the clone a hard look, but she knew he was right. "Fine, just keep it together and don't draw attention to yourself. We've already been delayed enough."
Rasa, observing the exchange quietly, crossed his arms. "We don't have the luxury of time," he added, his voice more serious than before. "The sooner we move, the better."
The group's tensions simmered, but they all knew that the mission wasn't going to wait for them. They had to move forward, no matter the obstacles or the frustrations they faced along the way. With the clone's quiet reassurance and the group's focus on the goal, they resumed their journey, the path ahead still uncertain but necessary.
Naruto POV
After several days of travel, I finally reached the edge of the Land of Hot Water. Beyond it lay a vast sea, swirling with large, dangerous whirlpools. I would have to either take a detour or fly over them.
Using my Wood Style, I summoned a sturdy boat made from the surrounding trees, shaping it with ease and ensuring it was large enough for both myself and the horse. The boat was perfectly crafted, with a strong hull and enough space to accommodate the animal, though I knew it would be a bit of a challenge to keep it calm during the journey.
As I sat down at the rudder, I steadied the boat with chakra, guiding it through the turbulent waters of the sea. The whirlpools were a constant threat, their massive rotating funnels pulling at the water with terrifying force, but my boat held firm as I steered it carefully between the eddies, using my senses to avoid the worst of them.
The journey across the water was strangely serene despite the chaos around me. The sound of the waves crashing against the boat, the wind in my hair, and the rhythmic creaking of the wood kept me grounded. I focused on the horizon, where the Land of Whirlpools lay, a land of mystery and history—my homeland.
As I sailed closer, I could feel the weight of my mission growing. The ruins of my clan, the lost history, and the secrets buried in this land called to me. I didn't know what I would find, but I was determined to uncover the truth. The boat moved steadily across the waves, my mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.
It wasn't long before I neared the shores of the Land of Whirlpools. The land seemed untouched by time, but the scent of decay lingered in the air. I could see the remnants of old structures along the coastline, the remains of what once must have been a thriving land. The atmosphere was heavy with silence, as though the land itself mourned its lost past.
I brought the boat to shore, gently guiding it onto the beach. The horse snorted, unsettled by the change in terrain, but I reassured it with a calming hand. The sea had been treacherous, but now I stood at the threshold of my ancestors' home, the Land of Whirlpools. It was time to uncover the secrets buried here.