Two hours later, they were nearing the island. Xin stood up and stepped onto the choppy waves.
"Alright, you can go back now, Manda. I'll call you if I need you for a fight," Xin said.
"Then I shall take my leave, Master," Manda said, nodding its massive head respectfully before vanishing in a puff of smoke.
Xin strolled up to the shore, umbrella in hand.
The Kirigakure sensors stationed on the island had no idea someone had just casually walked right onto the beach under their noses.
After making sure there were no enemies nearby, the Gourd Toad opened its mouth and spit everyone out.
The toad cast a wary glance at Xin before rushing back to Mount Myōboku without even bidding Jiraiya farewell.
"??"
Jiraiya stood there, drenched and bewildered. He looked over at Xin, who was standing under his umbrella, looking more like someone out for a leisurely stroll than a ninja on a mission.
"Did you scare it?"
It seemed obvious that the Gourd Toad had been avoiding Xin, leaving without even a word.
Jiraiya assumed that maybe Xin had intimidated or threatened the toad during their trip.
"I'm not bored enough to go around scaring toads," Xin said, rolling his eyes.
He pointed eastward on the island.
"The Kirigakure shinobi are stationed there. They don't have many forces, but they do have sensory ninja among them."
It was clear that Kirigakure hadn't expected Konoha to attack these islands, which was why the defenses were rather sparse.
Almost embarrassingly sparse.
"Looks like this mission will be easier than expected," Yūhi Shinku said, visibly relieved.
Jiraiya shook his head gravely.
"They simply didn't anticipate us taking such a bold risk. We may be able to seize the island quickly, but let's not forget-this island is deep within Kirigakure's blockade. Once they realize we've taken it, their forces will surround us. What awaits us then is a grueling battle."
If their mission was simply to gather intel or retrieve something and leave, Kirigakure might have to accept the loss, no matter how furious they were.
But they weren't here to leave-they needed to hold this island.
Until Konoha reinforcements arrived.
And until then, who knew how many forces Kirigakure would send to retake it?
"I have a question," Xin suddenly said.
"If our goal is to force Kirigakure into a direct confrontation, then why bother taking these pointless islands?