In the end, we spent nearly a whole month traveling through the Land of Waterfalls, even longer than most civilians would, but we weren't really in a hurry.
We took day breaks to visit famous landmarks, and we went out of our way to experience this wonderful place, this land that had withstood the last war relatively peacefully.
Then again, if there was one beneficial part of the current shinobi system, it was how it left normal cities and towns on their own; only rarely were they too hard impacted by such things.
Though given the current state of the Land of Rain, clearly, sometimes war couldn't be kept out. But the state of that place was precisely such a tragedy because it was the exception.
Still, Waterfall had handled the last war well, coming out mostly untouched, though whatever its shinobi had suffered to make it so, I didn't know, nor did I care much; they hadn't dared to do anything about us.
Watching from a distance, but never more.
Still, all good things have to end, and so too did our time here draw to a close as we neared the border to the Land of Stone.
Honestly, as we neared, I was still surprised at just how peaceful our trip had been so far.
With how everyone interested should know where I am, it was strange that none had sought us out yet… I had for sure expected something major to happen when those who had been following us since the black-market hideout left almost all at once.
Yet… nothing.
No assassins to claim my head, no Kiri hunters to deal with me for being a Kaguya traitor, nor any crazed Kaguya members coming to "bring me home," just nothing at all.
It was suspicious, but I had no means of gathering information—no secret network of my own, no spies, and no good methods of communicating over long distances.
Not that I couldn't figure out a way to do that. Hiruzen Sarutobi might be called the Professor, but I knew countless more ninjutsu than he had ever seen. After all, I watched the very first hand signs being woven together.
But it was pointless, because again, I didn't have anyone to communicate with. None who could gather information and send it to me.
Indeed, not having my own support network was troublesome. It limited what I could do, but honestly, I wasn't good at making such things. I found the effort beneath me.
Maybe if I could get in touch with Zetsu, he could help; he had been around for long enough to know how to set something like that up.
But no… he was busy, had important things to do. I would reunite with him when the time was right. So for now, I walked forward blindly, yet I had no worries, for with my strength, few things could threaten me now.
…
The Land of Waterfalls was separated from the Land of Earth by a mountain, with but a single easy path through it—a valley carved right through the stone, easy to defend, hard to attack.
It also meant a rather harsh cut between the green lands of Waterfall and the rockier Land of Earth.
Though the two great waterfalls that fell down the mountains on either side of the path did make this road rather imposing.
Leaving the Land of Waterfalls wasn't hard; we weren't stopped even once, just let right through the checkpoint, and it was hardly a surprise given how badly they wanted to get rid of us.
But as we passed through the valley and approached the manned checkpoint leading into Earth, it was clear that Iwa took its borders far more seriously.
There, a large queue had already formed of mostly merchants with their carts and escorts.
Well, calling it a checkpoint would be underselling it.
A massive fortress of dark stone and metal had been built directly into the rock walls, creating a huge block across the pass, with only the large gate being accessible—and that too could be closed with massive steel doors made with chakra metal.
This fortress had been built many years ago, long before even the village system began. While it wasn't that effective at stopping shinobi, it could easily block an army.
Dozens of shinobi stood at the gates, inspecting the carts in front, checking papers and asking questions. But thanks to my Byakugan I could see far more hidden away inside the fortress itself and within the stone walls on either side of it.
Three hundred and thirty-seven.
And mostly Chūnin at that. This force alone rivaled that of the entire Grass Village. Indeed, such was the difference between a small village and a large one.
Kanna moved slightly, clearly intending to join the back of the line, but I didn't even slow down as I walked right past it.
"Kaguya-hime," she whispered, "shouldn't we get in line?"
"No."
"But—this is a checkpoint… they'll get angry—"
"They will not," I interrupted, my voice calm, steady, absolute.
Kanna hesitated only a heartbeat before scrambling to follow, clutching Karin, who was fascinated by the tall mountain walls stretching up as far as she could see.
Murmurs immediately rippled through the long line of merchants as I strode past them.
"Hey—! No cutting!"
"Who does she think she is?"
"Must be some noble… dressed like that…"
"No noble walks without guards."
"Is she blindfolded…?"
"How is she walking so confidently—?"
None of them mattered.
None of them dared get close.
We walked to the front of the queue, where the nearest Iwa shinobi—a Chūnin in standard uniform—was checking a merchant's papers. He blinked when he saw us approach, surprise flaring in his chakra.
"…Excuse me," he said stiffly, "there is a line."
"I am aware," I said.
He bristled at the tone—just slightly, but enough.
Kanna froze behind me.
The merchant whose cart was being inspected swallowed and stepped back.
The shinobi straightened his back, adopting a more formal stance.
"State your name and purpose. The Land of Earth does not permit undocumented travel."
"Kaguya," I said. "Passing through."
The name hit him like a thrown stone.
After all, it was not just my name, but also the name of the famous Kaguya clan, a clan that belonged to Kiri and the Land of Water. Not just someone they allowed to walk through like this without a reason.
Yet before he could say a word, a dozen more Iwa shinobi appeared beside him. Their leader, an Elite Jōnin, still had his bingo book in his hand.
"I'll handle this," he told the guard I had spoken with, placing a hand on the young man's shoulder and pushing him back a step before turning his attention to me.
"Kaguya-hime," he said, reading, "a famous black-market bounty hunter, a Kiri missing-nin, or so they say. S-rank, famous for using her Shikotsumyaku to take on the entire Grass Village and kidnapping two members of the Uzumaki clan…" He paused, looking at Kanna and Karin. "Without as much as a scratch."
His words caused the men and women behind him to gasp as they also realized who I was.
They instantly tensed—chakra tightening, posture sharpening, breaths held for just a fraction too long.
After all, an S-rank shinobi wasn't someone you took on.
You survived them.
"Relax," I said calmly, brushing a speck of dust from my sleeve. "If I meant you harm, you wouldn't have had time to open your books."
A few of them flinched.
The Elite Jōnin did not.
If anything, he seemed to steady himself, drawing a slow breath as he stepped forward and offered a small, controlled bow. Not submissive—just deeply respectful.
"Kaguya-hime," he said, "it is an honor to meet one of your… reputation."
"It usually is," I replied.
Behind me, Kanna winced at my bluntness.
But the Jōnin only nodded, as if expecting nothing else.
"I am Captain Ishizawa," he introduced himself. "I oversee the eastern checkpoint of the Land of Earth. You'll forgive my men for their reaction. We were not informed someone of your standing would be crossing our borders."
"You can blame the shinobi of Waterfall. They should have known for weeks." I told him, and he winced at that. Such an oversight didn't look good.
"May I ask your intentions within Earth territory?"
"Passing through."
"Only passing?" His eyes flicked to Kanna with a brief, calculating glance, then to the child in her arms. "You travel with a young family. Many who choose to wander do so because they seek… safer ground."
Kanna stiffened at being addressed even indirectly, clutching Karin closer.
I responded before Ishizawa could push further.
"I am not seeking a home," I said plainly.
The captain inclined his head, accepting this.
But not entirely.
"Everyone needs a home—a place to rest and feel safe. Iwagakure could be this. We value strength and honesty, and you have both. Plus, with your bloodlines, you wouldn't suffer at all. Anything you wanted, I'm sure you would get," he offered, and I could hear the sincerity in his voice and see it in his chakra.
He fully believed what he was saying.
Kanna nearly stumbled.
Even some of the merchants behind us whispered—astonished that the Land of Earth would openly court a foreign S-rank missing-nin at their own gate.
I folded my hands behind my back.
"I admit, among the great villages, only two could be our home," I said. "Your Iwa, and Kumo. All the others wouldn't be worthy."
He quickly seized on that. "Then surely Iwa would be better. You should know that those Kumo barbarians would expect much from you all. In Iwa, we would treat you with respect."
I studied him for a moment, letting the weight of his words hang.
He wasn't lying.
He wasn't manipulating.
He wasn't even flattering.
Iwa genuinely wanted us.
Not me—us.
A powerful shinobi and two Uzumaki.
Political gold.
"It is tempting," I said softly.
Every shinobi present leaned in just slightly—hope flickering.
Kanna stiffened behind me, surprised.
Karin gurgled, blissfully unaware that a minor geopolitical shift was happening around her.
I let the silence stretch.
"But," I continued, "you must understand if I am weary of your promise. Konoha once promised to help the Uzumaki, yet we all know what happened back then. And only recently did their ANBU attack us. So while I can tell you aren't lying, you must excuse me if I would like such promises told by someone who has the power to grant them."
Captain Ishizawa didn't flinch, but the shinobi behind him shifted uneasily.
The mention of Konoha's failure—and their recent treachery—hung in the air like a blade.
"Yes," Ishizawa said at last, "I can understand why you wouldn't easily trust my words, but I promise the village would honor them."
I honestly didn't doubt that Ōnoki would. He would gladly see his village grow stronger by gaining another S-rank and two bloodlines. He was nothing if not an opportunist.
"Promises made by the powerless," I said, "are as worthless as the paper they're written on. So forgive me if I expect such assurances from someone with actual authority. A Tsuchikage, perhaps. Or at the very least, one of his advisers."
The implication was not subtle:
You are not high enough to bargain with me.
A ripple of shock ran through the line of merchants and lower-ranked shinobi.
But Ishizawa only inhaled.
Slowly.
Deeply.
Then bowed.
Much deeper than before.
"…I understand," he said. "And you are right. Words from me mean little, compared to the word of the Tsuchikage."
Good. He wasn't offended—he was still trying.
I nodded once, letting that bow be rewarded with acknowledgment.
"You have my respect, Captain," I said. "Not many shinobi can hear their limitations spoken aloud without reacting poorly."
Behind me, Kanna almost dropped her breath in surprise.
The captain gave a small, wry smile.
"One does not rise through Iwa's ranks by letting pride cloud judgment. Especially not when facing someone such as you."
He straightened, then pulled a small stone-seal tablet from his vest and held it out with both hands.
"This," he said, "will mark you as invited guests of the Land of Earth. A travel guarantee bearing my authority. With it, no border patrol or regional watch will interfere with you."
I took it.
Useful.
He continued:
"And… if you permit… I will send word ahead. A formal request: that a representative of the Tsuchikage meet you in the capital. To speak with you personally."
Kanna's breath hitched.
"We will be moving towards the Land of Bears, for a job," I said. "Maybe on the way back we will visit the capital, or someone could meet us on the way. I'm sure we will be passing through a few cities."
"Of course," he said immediately. "No pressure will be applied. Simply… a door, should you choose to walk through it."
Reasonable.
Respectful.
I guess the Will of Stone did make for humble men.
(End of chapter)
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