Chapter 29: The Gathering of Elites – The Ship of Hope*

Two days later, at Mermaid Harbor.

Waves crashed against the hull, scattering foam across the water’s surface. Yet the massive Ship of Hope remained as steady as a mountain.

*"Alright, line up for ticket checks—no cutting!"*

A tanned, muscular crewman snipped a corner off each passenger’s ticket, motioning for order.

*"Lord Orochimaru… something feels off."*

At the back of the crowd, a fair-skinned boy with white hair, green eyes, and red markings around his eyelids frowned at the crewman. His sharp instincts screamed danger, but he couldn’t pinpoint why.

*"A shinobi’s greatest weapon is vigilance. You continue to impress me."*

Orochimaru—pale, with serpentine golden eyes—smiled thinly, his gaze icy.

These Kirigakure rats just won’t give up.

He rolled a dull, wrinkled orb in his palm, frustration simmering.

What is this Kaguya clan relic?

Unbreakable. Resistant to fire and lightning. Impossible to seal or reverse-summon to Ryūchi Cave.

And now, forced to flee Water Country by ship—with Kiri’s ANBU clinging like leeches.

Fine. If they want death, I’ll oblige. Fresh test subjects are always welcome.

*"Board the ship, Kimimaro."*

Orochimaru’s voice was rougher now, like scales dragging through dirt.

Kimimaro nodded. To him, Orochimaru was purpose. Even if ordered into hell itself, he’d leap without hesitation.

---

Meanwhile, inside the bridge…

Two men—one standing, one seated—watched the crowd through the glass.

*"Captain, they’ve stopped. Did they sense something?"*

*"Prepare for combat."*

*"But the civilians… What if the Daimyō—"*

*"The Fourth’s relic takes priority. With Orochimaru involved, blame won’t fall on us."*

Kurō Shun sat motionless, his brown eyes locked on the duo below. Cold. Mechanical.

After hunting Orochimaru for so long, this was their chance.

They’d replaced the Ship of Hope’s entire crew—save a few essential sailors—waiting to ambush him at sea.

As for the passengers?

Unfortunate collateral.

A Kage-level fighter and a Kaguya remnant? A worthy sacrifice.

Only one person truly mattered to him.

The thought of his sister, waiting back in the village, softened his hardened face for just a moment.

*"Captain, they’re boarding."*

*"Hmph. Luck’s on the civilians’ side today."*

Kurō’s chakra settled as Orochimaru and Kimimaro stepped aboard.

---

Elsewhere in the crowd…

Two cloaked figures lingered.

*"Zabuza-sama, shouldn’t we board?"*

Haku tilted her head up, pale face framed by dark hair.

Zabuza scanned the docks, jaw tight.

Something’s wrong.

The crew’s stares prickled his instincts—like hidden eyes tracking him. Yet his senses detected no immediate threat.

Since that damned forest…

Haku sighed inwardly.

Ever since Zabuza had stumbled out of the mist that night, he’d been jumpy. Last night, she’d accidentally tapped a cup too hard—only for him to bolt upright, drenched in sweat.

*"Let’s turn back."*

Zabuza’s battle-honed instincts roared warnings.

That blind woman…

Even now, her ghostly tap-tap-tap haunted him.

*"We leave today."*

He shoved past the queue, dragging Haku aboard.

---

Meanwhile…

Hikari was gone.

She’d fled without hesitation—because in her Byakugan’s vision, the Ship of Hope wasn’t a vessel.

It was a death trap.

Two Kage-level monsters, their chakra blazing like suns.

Three elite jōnin (not counting Zabuza), each with reserves dwarfing hers—even after swallowing Isobu’s flesh.

Eight more jōnin and tokubetsu jōnin, plus a swarm of chūnin disguised as passengers.

The men she’d killed—Mist Crow, Blood Hound—were mere foot soldiers here.

This isn’t a ship. It’s a coffin.

She tore her ticket to shreds.

If those two titans clashed?

Bijū cloaks. Byakugan. Shikotsumyaku.

War would erupt—with her as the prize.

Yuta blinked as she stormed back into the hotel.

*"Uh… You’re back?"*

*"Get your boss. I need another ticket."*

Her gritted teeth spelled doom.

Yuta gulped.

R.I.P., Harbor Master.

---

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