Whether it was because Hibari and his team chose a very lucky time to set sail, this usually perilous sea journey was incredibly calm, even sunny and peaceful. They didn't encounter any of the storms or turbulent currents they had anticipated.
On the deck of the merchant ship, Hibari was currently sitting on a small wooden crate, holding a fishing rod, with a parasol behind him, leisurely fishing.
Not long after, Kagami stretched and walked out of the ship's cabin. Seeing Hibari fishing so early in the morning, a mischievous grin appeared on his face as he said, "Oh, isn't that our fishing master, Hibari Senju? What? Giving the fish their breakfast so early? Hahahaha, you're really patient. You've been fishing for three days straight and haven't caught a single thing, yet you're still at it..."
That's right, despite Hibari's earlier boasts about showing off his fishing skills, for the past three days, he had put out plenty of bait but had only been 'doing charity,' not catching even a single hair.
Hearing Kagami's words, Hibari's face felt a little hot, but he still forced himself to say, "Oh, I can't explain it to a vulgar person like you. With your mindset, it's hard for you to understand my philosophy. What's the point of fishing? It's the process, so why focus on the result? As the saying goes, 'those who wish for it will bite the hook.' On the surface, I'm fishing, but the deeper meaning behind it is that I'm refining my own state of mind, being able to persistently do this seemingly tedious thing. That's the idea I want to convey to you. It seems you can't understand it, which is truly regrettable. If you really want to eat fish, this ship is loaded with sea fish. Go make yourself a pot of fish stew and drink the soup, you're so vulgar, unbearably vulgar!"
Kagami listened to Hibari's words, then looked at Hibari, noticing a slight flush on his face. He then burst out laughing and said, "You almost had me fooled, you really have a way with words. If you really didn't care, why are you blushing?"
"I got sunburned!" Hibari retorted defiantly.
Kagami looked at the parasol behind Hibari, which completely shielded him, then raised an eyebrow and said, "Ah, so that's it. Well, that parasol's quality is too poor. Don't worry, Hibari, once we finish this mission and go back, I'll go find that bastard who sold the umbrella and make him refund the money. Let's see what kind of shoddy goods that guy sells, making even our Deputy Commander blush..."
Hearing this, Hibari released his grip on the fishing rod. Fortunately, the rod had a stand and didn't fall into the sea. Then, Hibari looked at Kagami with a furious and embarrassed expression and said, "You bastard, coming out so early in the morning to pick a fight with me? I think you're tired of living! I'm going to fight you!"
As his words fell, dazzling lightning instantly erupted from Hibari's body. He stomped his foot, slightly cracking the deck, and charged towards Kagami Uchiha at an incredibly fast speed.
Kagami was also startled. His originally dark eyes instantly turned red, and then three Tomoe appeared, allowing him to discern Hibari's movements before he struck.
He swiftly blocked with his personal sword in front of his chest. The next second, Hibari's fist landed directly on his sword, and the immense force made Kagami unable to withstand it. A wave of numbness shot through his wrist, and his feet were lifted off the ground.
The next second, that powerful surge of force directly sent Kagami flying from the ship into the sea with a single punch.
After tumbling twice in the air, chakra energy also appeared on Kagami's feet. As he landed on the surface of the sea, he dispersed the force from his body. Then, looking at Hibari, who was forming hand signs, he said with a somewhat horrified expression, "What the heck, are you a sore loser?"
"Today, I'm going to let you truly experience the unpredictability of this great sea, so you'll know how powerful the Senju clan's true 'Water Release ninjutsu' is!" Hibari said, looking at Kagami with great displeasure.
They caused such a commotion that the other Anbu members were also startled. When they came out to see, it turned out to be Hibari hitting Kagami Uchiha. In an instant, except for Hitenn, who activated his Byakugan to observe the surrounding sea area and confirmed there wasn't a single ship besides their own, everyone else wore expressions of watching a show.
"Commander, we're all waiting to see your divine power!" the Anbu squad members cheered, laughing.
At the same time, Hibari's hand signs were complete. Then, a massive surge of chakra erupted from his body, and Hibari yelled, "Water Release, Hiden: Tidal Vortex!"
As Hibari's words fell, the previously calm sea suddenly churned. Then, under Hibari's immense chakra interference, the ocean currents actually began to change course, spinning in a large circle in place.
Kagami was trapped within this sea vortex. Just as the massive whirlpool began to swallow the surrounding seawater, Kagami swiftly stomped on the sea surface with his feet, using that force to try and leap out of the whirlpool's range.
However, as soon as he ascended, he saw a smile on Hibari's lips, and at the same time, Hibari formed another hand sign.
"Damn it... I fell into his trap!" Kagami muttered in annoyance in his heart.
As expected, the next second, Hibari's chakra surged again, and then he roared, "Water Release: Raging Dragon of the Sea!"
As Hibari's words ended, three 'dragons' the size of Water Dragon Bullet Technique emerged from the great whirlpool, biting at Kagami in the air from three different directions.
"I was wrong... Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle~~~" Kagami only managed to say this before he was directly swallowed whole by one of the dragons.
Of course, Hibari hadn't struck with lethal intent, so apart from the uncomfortable sensation of drowning, Kagami didn't suffer any harm. After hearing his 'admission of guilt,' Hibari also manipulated the water dragon to the side of the ship. It opened its mouth and spat Kagami out onto the deck.
Then, after Hibari withdrew his chakra, the water dragons quickly dispersed into the sea, and the Tidal Vortex gradually shrunk.
"Commander, he apologized too quickly, didn't he?"
"I thought there would be a fierce battle..."
"Who told the leader that his best jutsu is Fire Release, but this is out at sea, hahahaha."
"He's truly worthy of being taught by the Hokage. I didn't expect the Commander to have such powerful Water Release too..."
Ever since Hibari sealed away the inexplicable 'side effect' within his body, he began learning Water Release alongside Tobirama. Over three years, he could be considered to have learned some 'superficial skills.' However, the 'superficial skills' of the Hokage Tobirama's Water Release were already sufficiently strong.
And now, out at sea, not everyone could carry the ocean around like Tobirama. Water Release is also a ninjutsu that is extremely reliant on the environment. When Hibari uses Water Release here, its power increases exponentially.
Kagami spat out some seawater, then awkwardly climbed up from the deck and said, "You're merciless. I just said a couple of things to you..."
"You bastard, you've been nagging me for three days straight..." Hibari said indignantly.
Kagami gave an embarrassed laugh upon hearing this. Just then, Hitenn suddenly spoke, "I can see the main island of the Land of Water. Everyone, pay attention. We'll be landing soon..."
Upon hearing this news, Hibari, Kagami, and the other Anbu members extinguished their playful moods, their expressions turning serious.
"Finally arriving, huh? This mission is no small matter. Everyone, prepare yourselves mentally. You all know the Anbu's rules... I won't say more. Alright, to your positions, shift disguises and enter the Land of Water!" Hibari clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention and quickly said.
Then, the others began to get into their roles, acting as sailors, pretending to be fishermen...
...
Meanwhile, in Konohagakure of the Land of Fire, inside the Hokage Residence, Tobirama Senju was looking at a piece of intelligence in his hand. This was the latest information sent back after Hibari's team withdrew from the front lines in the Land of Hot Water and Hiruzen's team replaced them.
Many people were gathered in the Hokage's office at this time: Harano Yamanaka, head of the Intelligence Department, Shikajin Nara, head of the Strategy Department, Torifu Akimichi with his father Kira Akimichi, Sasuke Sarutobi, Eizumi Uchiha, and the Hyuga clan elders, among others.
After Tobirama finished reading the intelligence, he said, "Just as we predicted, Hibari and his team, after heavily damaging the Kinkaku squad, indeed deterred Kumogakure. Although Kumogakure's subsequent main force has now arrived in the Land of Hot Water, they have completely halted their advance, seemingly also trying to sort out this complex situation..."
"Is there a possibility of a truce?" Eizumi asked in a deep voice.
The others also looked at Tobirama. Tobirama shook his head and said, "I can't say there's absolutely no possibility, but it's very low. So, don't hold any false hopes. As early as three years ago, I already informed you all that war could break out at any time..."
Shikajin then spoke, "During this time, our Konohagakure has also made war preparations. The Daimyo's office has fully approved all our military actions. In my opinion, this war is indeed going to happen, but there's a high possibility that it will only be 'half' a war..."
"Only 'half' a war? What do you mean?" The Hyuga clan head also asked, somewhat confused.
"According to the information we've received, Kumogakure is divided into two factions: one is the hardliner faction led by the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers, and the other is the conservative faction led by the Second Raikage. It's not that the conservative faction has no intention of war, but they probably weren't ready for this war and were forced into it by Kinkaku and Ginkaku. Therefore, if I were the Second Raikage, I would send the hardliner faction as the vanguard in this war, using our Konoha's strength to eliminate their power. If there's a chance of victory, then they'll continue fighting. If there's no hope of victory, then the dissidents in the village would have been cleared out, allowing him to fully seize power. At that time, it's very likely that Kumogakure will propose peace negotiations with us," Shikajin quickly explained.
"I see..." The Hyuga clan head murmured softly.
And Eizumi asked, "Then what are we waiting for?"
Tobirama then spoke, "Waiting for the Land of Water and the Land of Earth to start fighting... It should be soon. Only when they are also in chaos can we here feel at ease to start our war!"
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