As the morning mist began to disperse, Team 8 embarked on their journey home. The trip there had taken eight days, but there was no rush for the return. After the trio pleaded with Captain Yamaguchi, he agreed to let them take their time and enjoy the sights along the way.
On the winding mountain path, Yohei enthusiastically waved a newly bought fan from the Land of Rivers, the waterfall painted on it shimmering in the sunlight. "I heard Mirror Lake is just ahead. Its waters can reflect the deepest desires of one's heart!" He tugged at Saori's sleeve, showing off the story he had heard at a stall yesterday.
Passing through a bamboo forest, the moisture in the air grew heavy. They arrived at the somewhat mystical Mirror Lake. The place was indeed magical; the lake surface was like a mirror capable of reflecting one's soul. But not far from Mirror Lake, a distinct "rumbling" sound could be heard.
Walking a few steps further and turning a corner around a mountain pass, the source of the "rumbling" came into view. A waterfall, a hundred meters high, presented itself majestically before their eyes. This was the Thousand-Layer Falls, as famous as Mirror Lake itself.
Before they even got close, the deafening roar filled their ears first. It sounded like rousing war drums or the neighing of thousands of horses, stirring a sense of boiling passion in their blood.
Yohei and Saori rushed to the base of the waterfall early on to experience the majestic impact up close.
Taiichi stopped before the roaring Thousand-Layer Falls, entranced. His fingers unconsciously traced inexplicable trajectories in the air. This surging water, falling from the sky with immense power, rushing toward the valley exit... It reminded him of the essentials of Water Style. Wasn't it about imitating this very power of nature?
Chakra Nature Transformation is a very personal matter. Everyone has their unique understanding of it. At this moment, Taiichi formed his own unique understanding: the majesty, vastness, and ceaseless continuity of water.
> [Epiphany in progress. Water Nature Transformation Experience +400]
> [Congratulations. Your Water Nature Transformation has increased to Lv7 (262/1200)]
> [Epiphany in progress. Your skill Advanced Meditation has leveled up. Experience +300]
> [Congratulations. Your skill Advanced Meditation has increased to Lv1 (214/2000)]
Snapping back to reality, Taiichi felt a surge of joy. So this was also a way to cultivate Nature Transformation—traveling more, seeing more, appreciating nature's scenery, and experiencing the changes of various elements within it. This made Taiichi determined to travel across the great rivers and mountains of the ninja world in the future.
When dusk fell, they stumbled into a Lantern Festival held by the mountain people. An old craftsman invited Saori to make a River Paper Lantern. With her slender fingers flying, she wove a novel lantern design, eliciting gasps of admiration from the surrounding children. Yohei had long since mingled into the center of the crowd, playing a bamboo flute in harmony with local musicians, his Sharingan activated to secretly copy their movements.
On their last day in the Land of Rivers, the group arrived at a hot spring town on the border between the two countries. Amidst the misty steam, Yohei was excitedly recounting interesting stories of Konoha to a fellow traveler he had just met. Saori carefully polished a lacquered forehead protector she had found at the market until it shone. Taiichi floated on his back in the hot spring, enjoying the rare tranquility, while Captain Yamaguchi's low voice conversing with the bathhouse owner drifted to his ears—likely discussing tonight's accommodation.
As dawn broke, Captain Yamaguchi woke everyone up. They had played enough; today they would step back onto the soil of the Land of Fire. The rest of the journey would be strictly business, no more leisurely sightseeing.
Everyone packed their gear, ate breakfast, and set off, leaving the hot spring town and the Land of Rivers behind. The moment they stepped into the Land of Fire, the scenery changed completely, filled with trees of all sizes everywhere.
Without the burden of a caravan, Taiichi and the others didn't stick to flat trade routes. They headed straight for Konoha, cutting through forests and running over water. Treating it as training, they ran continuously.
On this day, the group was moving when they suddenly heard the sound of explosive tags detonating ahead. Everyone stopped and looked at Captain Yamaguchi in unison. This was the time for the captain to make a decision.
"This is the Land of Fire. An explosion like this is unusual. We'll approach in combat formation to check it out. Everyone be careful," Captain Yamaguchi instructed cautiously.
Taiichi and the others put away their relaxed demeanor and followed Captain Yamaguchi, sneaking toward the explosion site in combat formation. From a distance, they saw three Sand ninjas surrounding a Konoha ninja. The Konoha ninja was covered in wounds, his left arm severed at the shoulder, the limb lying under a tree not far away.
"Do you think making noise with explosive tags will bring someone to save you?" the lead Sand ninja said arrogantly. "Tell us where the intel is hidden, and maybe I'll give you a quick death."
The Konoha ninja remained unmoved, clearly prepared to die.
Captain Yamaguchi, having sneaked close, assessed the strength of the Sand ninjas: one Jonin, two Chunin. Completely manageable.
Hiding nearby, Taiichi saw Captain Yamaguchi's hand signals and immediately understood the plan: He takes the Jonin, I take one Chunin, Yohei and Saori work together to pin down the other Chunin. quick resolution.
Taiichi signaled back "Received," then relayed the situation to Yohei and Saori nearby. Shortly after, the team communication was complete, and they waited for Captain Yamaguchi's attack order.
At this moment, the Sand Jonin seemed to have lost patience and ordered his Chunin subordinate to kill the target.
The instant the Chunin moved to strike, Captain Yamaguchi signaled the attack and lunged at the Sand Jonin. Taiichi and the others immediately pounced on their assigned opponents.
The moment Yamaguchi lunged, the Sand captain heard the movement and roared "Who?!" to warn his subordinates, while quickly drawing a kunai to defend himself. But even so, he had lost the initiative.
With a clang of colliding weapons, the Sand Jonin was knocked back by Yamaguchi's charged strike, immediately facing a relentless barrage of attacks. For a moment, he could only struggle to defend.
On the other side, Taiichi was dealing with the Sand Chunin who had just received the kill order. He chose him naturally hoping to use his speed to save the dying Konoha ninja.
Sure enough, Taiichi didn't disappoint. As he charged out, he drew the short sword from his back. The blade was now enveloped in dense Wind Chakra, appearing exceptionally sharp.
That Chunin clearly lacked the powerful perception of a Jonin. After receiving the warning, he only belatedly prepared to defend upon seeing the charging Taiichi.
Taiichi gave him no time to prepare. Upon reaching a certain range, he held his sword horizontally in front of him and suddenly used the Body Flicker Jutsu. His figure vanished instantly and reappeared behind the Sand Chunin. Before the Chunin could even assume a defensive stance, a wound opened on his neck. Blood, pumped by his heart, sprayed from the wound. He was clearly done for.
Taiichi had used the speed of the Body Flicker Jutsu to slice the enemy's neck directly with his short sword, like ancient cavalry using the momentum of their horses to effortlessly cut down foes. Such a swift kill not only startled the enemy but also shocked the Konoha ninja nearby. It was too clean.
Just then, three kunai shot out from a nearby tree, followed by another Chunin attacking Taiichi along with the projectiles.
"Watch out!"