A five-meter shark formed out of the water, and I stood on its back, then directed it forward. Of course, in most cases, people move inside this technique to increase their mobility in the water, but it's also very convenient and, moreover, much faster than normal running, which still consumes chakra.
The wind hitting my face tore off my hood, which was not held by chakra, and I couldn't help but smile — there was something about it, rushing under the faint moonlight across the water's surface with my hair blowing in the oncoming air currents and sparkling droplets flying around me.
Obeying my wish, the shark darted from side to side, jumped out of the water a meter high, and smoothly reentered the river without even wetting my feet, accelerating even more.
Ahead, the banks seemed to narrow and I could hear the sound of rapids, through which the water was rushing, greatly increasing the current. Maneuvering between large boulders, jumping over some and flying forward at tremendous speed, I felt just great, and a childlike feeling of delight rose from within me.
"Yee-hoo!"
Having overcome the unexpected obstacle, I even regretted that it was over too quickly, but I promised myself that when I had the opportunity, I would go out one night and repeat the swim. It's like surfing, only much cooler when there's a huge shark under your feet instead of a flimsy plastic board, and you're in control of the water.
I suddenly wanted to get out to the coast, to a sandy beach. Just to swim, sunbathe, and forget about everything. It's scary to remember, but the last time I did that was during a visit to Uzushioagakure, and that was more than twelve years ago! An eternity!
And the rare moments of rest can be counted on one hand — if I wasn't working, my numerous clones were. Only my beauties saved me, allowing me to unwind and then get back to work with renewed vigor.
However, no one will let me slack off now, and I'm not going to fool around when I need to use all the time I have before World War III to increase my power. After that... for a month, no, two, I'll disappear from Konoha completely alone and go on a spree to the best tourist spots and leisure facilities in the elemental countries, because I've never even been to the great temple of the Land of Fire, although they say it's a magnificent sight, not to mention the other wonders of our neighbors.
Indulging in rainbow dreams, I did not forget to practice my ninjutsu, swiftly cutting through the water's surface. Unlike the roads, there was no one on the river at night, and even the shinobi did not use a mode of transportation similar to mine.
After all, few in Konoha possess suiton, the opposite element, which is difficult to master. I was lucky to be related to the Uzumaki clan, most of whom are predisposed to water, and before the island disappeared, they constantly fought battles with the shinobi of Kiri, gathering a considerable arsenal of ninjutsu of this element, many of which I inherited from Mito.
Moving along the river, I even got ahead of my calculations, reaching the coast even earlier than planned — the sky was just beginning to lighten in the distance, and there was still an hour until dawn.
The fishermen who had gone out to sea early in the morning were fast asleep in their homes, so once I was out on the open water, I poured a little more chakra into my ninjutsu, which was beginning to run out, and at full speed sailed toward the island visible in the distance, easily cutting through the small waves raised by the headwind.
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