"Mizukage, all members of the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist have been sacrificed."
"The Tachibana blades have also been taken by Konoha."
A male voice echoed outside the Third Mizukage's chambers. A Mist ninja knelt on one knee before the door, too afraid to enter.
"As useless as ever."
"Even such a simple task couldn't be handled."
Then the Mist ninja heard a calm voice from inside the room.
Contrary to his expectations, the Mizukage didn't seem particularly angry.
In fact, there wasn't even a trace of anger in his tone.
He couldn't understand how the Mizukage could remain so composed after losing the Seven Swords and their legendary weapons.
Still, it was probably better this way—he wouldn't have to tremble in fear.
After a long silence, another voice finally spoke.
"I understand. You may leave now."
Wiping sweat from his forehead, the Mist ninja responded and quietly withdrew.
"This is going to cost me quite a bit of ocular power again."
Inside an unknown cave, Madara Uchiha reached for the scythe beside him, muttering to himself.
Leaning on the weapon, he walked over to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and opened a hidden compartment. Inside were numerous eyeballs preserved in glass jars.
Without hesitation or selection, he grabbed one at random.
Clearly visible within the jar was a Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Holding the jar in one hand and leaning on the scythe with the other, Madara slowly returned to a stone platform and sat down, setting the scythe aside.
With his right hand, he used three fingers to pull out one of his own eyes without flinching.
Blood streamed from the empty socket, covering half his face.
Seemingly unaffected by pain, he smoothly opened the jar and placed the new eye inside.
Judging from his movements, this process was clearly something he had done countless times before.
Once completed, his vision was restored.
Without delay, he closed his eyes again—his chakra rapidly draining away.
After all, another's eyes would always be imperfect. Otherwise, why rely on such crude methods to restore his chakra?
As his chakra poured out, his control over the Third Mizukage grew stronger.
The Third Mizukage stepped out from the room, eyes still shut.
Several days had already passed—it was time to act personally.
If he delayed any further, Nagato might return to Konoha soon.
And who knew when the next opportunity would come?
Stepping through Kirigakure's main gates, the Third Mizukage headed toward the Land of Fire.
Crimson chakra surrounded his body, dramatically increasing his speed.
...
"We're almost there."
"How long are we staying in the Land of Waves?"
After many days at sea, Minato could already see the harbor of the Land of Waves.
"Tomorrow morning, our connecting boat arrives," said Ichiro Aso, suggesting they could stay overnight.
"Not bad—I want to eat something different."
"I've had enough fish these past few days."
Nawaki's words received nods of agreement from everyone.
Since Samehada on his back was too noticeable, he had wrapped it tightly in bandages again.
"As long as you're buying, anything works."
Minato grinned at Nawaki. He knew exactly how tightfisted the guy was.
"That guy treats money like life itself."
"Why should I be the one paying?"
Nawaki's expression instantly changed. "Mess with my feelings? Fine. But not my money!"
Except for his Misaki, naturally.
"Nawaki-nii, you've gotten yourself such a great weapon."
"How about buying us a meal?"
Konan stepped forward and tugged Nawaki's sleeve with both hands, shaking it playfully.
Her cute expression could soften even the coldest heart.
Even Yahiko's eyes had hearts forming in them.
"Nice try, but I'm not falling for that."
"I earned this blade fair and square."
When it came to money, Nawaki had the heart of a miser.
As he spoke, he pried Konan's hands off his sleeve.
"Such a cheapskate! Sister Misaki must've been blind to like someone like you."
Konan stormed away, her cheeks puffed up in anger.
Trying to get anything out of him was like pulling teeth!
"Talking money kills the mood; talking feelings kills your wallet."
"Call me Nawaki from now on."
Nawaki declared proudly after making this statement.
Wanting him to pay? Don't even dream about it.
"Nawaki, today I feel like I've gotten to know you all over again."
Minato was greatly surprised—never did he expect Nawaki could be this ruthless.
Now it made sense why the guy didn't call him "bro."
"I've gotten to know you anew too, Nawaki."
The three kids, Yahiko and others, spoke in unison while the lion trio chuckled silently to themselves.
They hadn't seen this side of Nawaki before.
During missions, Nawaki always carried himself like a great expert.
"It's nice to meet you all. I'm Nawaki."
Nawaki gave a dramatic bow and introduced himself, drawing laughter from everyone.
"Well then, how about I treat everyone?"
Ichiro Aso offered generously once he stopped laughing.
Though just a Genin, his pay was decent thanks to the high-risk missions he took.
Nawaki and the others weren't pretentious, which earned their favor.
"No, no need. We were just kidding anyway."
"It's actually my turn to host since you've been taking care of us these past few days."
Minato politely declined. It wouldn't feel right accepting his offer.
Besides, none of them were broke—Kawaki treated his mentor quite well.
"Exactly! He should foot the bill—he's the wealthiest among us."
Upon hearing Minato mention treating, Nawaki immediately became enthusiastic.
"I'm not close with you 'Nawaki,' so don't expect me to include you."
Minato rolled his eyes. This was enough already.
"Where did that come from? We're practically brothers."
Undeterred, Nawaki casually threw his arm over Minato's shoulder, Samehada nudging against his backside.
"Ugh, gross."
Yahiko and the other two quickly started teasing.
"Get lost, what do you have to do with it?"
Ohhh!!
[Author's Note] For those who enjoy Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade, please bookmark: (m.
Nawaki shot the group a glare before continuing to cozy up to Minato.
...
Still caught up in their playful chatter, the boat gently pulled into the dock.
At this time, the wealthy merchant Gatō hadn't emerged yet, so maritime trade in the Land of Waves remained open and uncontrolled.
Ichiro Aso guided the group off the ship. Having served as their intelligence relay station, he was very familiar with the Land of Waves.
"It's almost noon—why don't we grab a bite first before finding somewhere to stay?"
Aso asked for everyone's opinion instead of making decisions unilaterally.
"Sounds good. You're the guide."
Minato agreed immediately. He didn't mind whichever came first.
"I just want some regular land meat for a change."
Nawaki lowered his expectations—he figured the Land of Waves probably wasn't rich enough to offer every kind of food he might desire.
"Nothing to it."
Ichiro Aso thumped his chest confidently and led everyone to a place he often visited.
He understood how Nawaki felt—after coming ashore, he himself never touched seafood either.
They strode forward with confidence, and not a single clueless punk dared to cause trouble.
After walking about ten minutes, they followed Ichiro Aso into a rabbit meat restaurant.
"The rabbit meat here is great—it's chewy and satisfying."
"I come here every time."
Ichiro led them familiarly into a private room.
The shopkeeper's wife was a charming middle-aged woman who shared flirty glances with him as they ordered their food.
It looked like that was one of the reasons he kept coming back.
But the food truly was good—the entire group enjoyed their meals thoroughly.
Minato picked up the tab after the meal. He wasn't nearly as tightfisted as Nawaki.
Then they headed to a hot spring inn to unwind, unaware that danger was already closing in.
A massive three-tailed turtle, bristling with sharp spines, sliced swiftly through the ocean toward the Land of Waves.
Each powerful stroke sent it surging far ahead—several times faster than a ship could sail.
One eye remained open while the other was tightly shut—who knew if it had once been gravely wounded?
The eye that was open bore the unmistakable pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Closer... closer... my eye is right there."
...
If you're enjoying Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade, please bookmark: (m.
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