The ninja world consists of five great nations, each with its own hidden village: the Land of Fire's Konohagakure, the Land of Water's Kirigakure, the Land of Lightning's Kumogakure, the Land of Wind's Sunagakure, and the Land of Earth's Iwagakure.
Besides these five great villages, there are many smaller hidden villages scattered across minor countries, each with its own leader sometimes referred to as a "Kage." However, those titles are not officially recognized like the Five Kage system established after the First Great Ninja War.
The Kage of the five great nations such as the Hokage, Raikage, Kazekage, Mizukage, and Tsuchikage are symbols of absolute military authority and political power, while the "Kage" of smaller villages are often little more than local warlords or administrative heads with limited influence.
Chika, having accepted an Anbu mission directly under Hiruzen Sarutobi, donned a standard black ANBU bodysuit, carrying only a small supply pouch, a tanto blade, and her animal mask, before setting off.
Destination: the Land of Lightning home of Kumogakure.
Let's go!
However, this departure was no simple matter. In the world of shinobi, long-distance travel relied almost entirely on chakra-enhanced movement tree-to-tree Body Flicker-like leaps and sustained chakra control over the legs, similar to the principles behind water-walking training. There were no modern conveniences like trains or vehicles; even messenger hawks and ninja hounds were limited in speed compared to elite shinobi.
Chika felt like a monkey possessed by chakra, constantly leaping across branches, landing, and jumping again in rapid succession. While chakra enhanced her speed far beyond that of civilians, this kind of movement consumed stamina quickly if not regulated properly.
In less than an hour, Chika was already breathing heavily. She was of Uchiha blood, known for powerful chakra control and visual prowess, but not for the monstrous reserves of the Uzumaki clan. Compared to someone like Naruto Uzumaki, whose chakra was bolstered by both Uzumaki vitality and the Nine-Tails, her reserves were modest.
"A single Uzumaki could probably outlast several elite jōnin like Kakashi Hatake in raw stamina… I'm nowhere near that level," Chika muttered, slowing her pace slightly.
"Damn it, I can't waste all my chakra just on traveling. I still need enough to react if I'm ambushed. But then again, the mission scroll didn't specify a strict deadline… maybe I can take it a little easy?"
Chika grumbled under her breath. After muttering, she suddenly stopped mid-branch, glanced around cautiously, then raised her hand and made a rude gesture toward the sky.
"Sarutobi you old "
A string of censored profanity followed.
At this distance, even with the Hokage's use of the telescope technique an advanced sensory ninjutsu utilizing a crystal ball there was no way he could still be observing her… right?
Back in the Hokage's office in Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly sneezed violently, nearly dropping his pipe.
"The weather is getting colder… winter is approaching. Hopefully spring comes soon," he murmured, gazing out over the village. "That's when the Will of Fire burns strongest…"
Sending Chinatsu on this mission had been Hiruzen's deliberate decision. If Danzo Shimura had intervened, Chinatsu would never have been allowed to leave Konoha so freely.
The Sharingan bloodline was too valuable.
Hiruzen understood this clearly. Sending her away was, in a sense, protection. Recently, Danzo had begun showing interest in her abilities especially after her performance during the Hyūga incident and the interrogation of the Kumogakure ninja.
Danzo, who controlled the secret Root faction beneath ANBU, operated in the shadows of the village, prioritizing results over morality. Where Hiruzen represented the Will of Fire, Danzo embodied Konoha's darker pragmatism.
Hiruzen didn't fully trust him.
Thus, sending Chinatsu out on a mission away from the political center was safer than leaving her within Danzo's reach.
Of course, this wasn't entirely kindness. It was also about maintaining balance within the village.
Meanwhile, back at the Uchiha residence…
After returning from the Ninja Academy, Naruto and Sasuke quickly noticed the note left on the table.
Even though they had already suspected it no greeting, no food prepared, no sign of her presence the confirmation still hit hard.
"Sister… she went on another mission…"
Sasuke Uchiha clenched the note tightly, his head lowered, his expression clearly darkened.
However, unlike before, Sasuke quickly forced himself to calm down.
"She's just on a mission. Like last time… she'll come back soon. Maybe even tomorrow. Naruto, let's train."
He smoothed out the wrinkled paper carefully and put it aside before turning toward the training area.
But just as he took a step
Grrrrrr…
A loud rumble echoed.
Sasuke froze, slowly turning around.
Naruto stood there, one hand scratching the back of his head, the other clutching his stomach, laughing awkwardly.
"Uh… shouldn't we eat first?"
Silence.
Then realization hit.
Sasuke's stomach growled as well.
Soldier pills? Gone.
If Chika were home, there'd already be food simple things like fried eggs, rice, maybe grilled meat. Nothing fancy, but enough.
Now? Nothing.
Sasuke sighed, pressing his forehead.
Then Naruto suddenly stepped forward, raising his hand confidently.
"If there's no food here, I know a place!"
"…Where?"
"Ichiraku Ramen!"
Sasuke paused.
The name sounded familiar Chika had mentioned it before.
Could it be… some hidden expert? A disguised master?
After all, in the shinobi world, it wasn't unusual for powerful individuals to hide in plain sight.
"…Fine."
The two left the residence together, heading toward Ichiraku.
Instead of worrying endlessly, it was better to grow stronger. That was the only way to keep up with her.
Meanwhile…
Naruto and Sasuke were eating ramen.
Chika was also eating ramen.
The difference?
Naruto and Sasuke sat at Ichiraku's warm wooden counter, enjoying steaming bowls made by Teuchi.
Chika sat at a roadside stall in a foreign land, eating something that barely qualified as ramen.
"I need to eat before I keep moving… can't run on an empty stomach…"
She devoured the bowl quickly. She still had at least a full day's travel ahead before reaching Kumogakure's mountainous territory.
Chinatsu: I joined ANBU to copy ninjutsu and grow stronger… not to become a long-distance marathon runner!
What's the difference between me and a corporate slave now?!
After finishing her meal, she wiped her mouth and resumed her journey.
Fueled by frustration and a growing sense of overwork she pushed forward at a steady pace.
By the next morning, she finally crossed into the Land of Lightning.
Towering mountains rose into the sky, wrapped in thick mist. Thunder roared continuously, echoing across the peaks like a living beast. Jagged cliffs and narrow paths defined the terrain, making it one of the most defensible regions among the Five Great Nations.
This… was the Land of Lightning.