Uchiha Su did not leave Uzu Shio Village that night. Instead, he chose to rest there, spending the night in the quiet of the coastal town. The gentle sound of waves hitting the shore mingled with the faint rustle of the village wind, and for a moment, he allowed himself a rare moment of calm. The village felt alive yet peaceful—a contrast to the constant bustle of Hidden Mist, where construction dust and the clang of hammers never ceased.
The next morning, after bidding farewell to Uzumaki Ashina with respectful words and a promise to maintain the close relationship between their villages, Uchiha Su boarded a ship bound for the Hidden Mist. Alongside him were dozens of somewhat bewildered students from Uzu Shio Village, still uncertain why they were leaving their familiar shores, and a handful of skilled Ninjas who would serve as their instructors in Sealing Techniques.
As the ship slowly pulled away from the dock, Su stood at the railing, gazing out over the vast, sparkling azure ocean. The horizon stretched endlessly, a blue expanse that seemed almost infinite. "It's a pity," he murmured, more to himself than to anyone else. "The Ninja World cannot build a Sea Train. Otherwise, sightseeing on such a train across the ocean would be spectacular."
For most ordinary people, such a train would indeed be a marvel. But for Ninjas, he thought, it was impractical. Even a low-ranked Genin could walk on water with relative ease. The cost-benefit ratio would simply not justify the construction. Yet, the idea lingered in his mind as an interesting concept—a symbol of what the future could hold if he had unlimited resources.
Uzumaki Kotaro, the young heir of the Uzumaki Clan, lingered nearby, glancing at Su with a mix of fear and curiosity. Even though Su was ten years younger than him, there was something in his presence that unsettled him. Finally, he gathered his courage and asked, "What… is a Sea Train?"
Su's eyes glimmered with amusement and a hint of nostalgia. "A Sea Train?" he repeated, leaning on the railing, his gaze distant. "That's a long story. In another world… there was something called a Devil Fruit. People who ate these fruits would gain special abilities. Some could stretch their bodies like rubber. Others could control fire, or become invisible… even transform into animals."
He smiled faintly as he recounted the tale. "One young man, named Luffy, dreamed of becoming the Pirate King. He gathered friends, sailed the oceans, faced countless challenges, and never gave up…"
The students, initially fidgety and unsure, were drawn to his story. Eyes widened as Su spun tales of adventure, courage, and camaraderie. Even the teachers accompanying the students to Hidden Mist couldn't help but lean closer, listening intently to the fantastical narrative.
"Rubber Fruit? Can I eat one too?" a young boy asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Isn't it strange? Eating a Devil Fruit makes you afraid of seawater!" another student interjected.
"My name is Luffy! And I will become the Pirate King!" Su imitated the character, raising a fist dramatically, earning laughter and applause.
He paused at a critical moment in the story, slapping the railing for emphasis. "If you want to know what happens next, you'll have to wait for the next installment!"
"Boo!" came the instant response from the students, their voices ringing across the deck. Even Uzumaki Kotaro, who had been timid moments earlier, joined in the chorus of teasing jeers directed at Su.
By the time the ship docked in Hidden Mist Village, the students had become more relaxed, though still full of questions. Hidden Mist, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, had grown magnificently. Its streets were wide, the buildings sturdy, and the air buzzed with the sound of construction and enterprise. The village's recent expansion made it even more impressive, surpassing even Konoha in certain areas.
"This is where you will stay for the next few years," Su told the students as he led them into the Ninja Academy. "Every month, the school will grant you a three-day leave. I have arranged ships to transport you between Hidden Mist and Uzu Shio Village. Simply present your student ID, and travel will be free."
The dormitory building was immaculate. Smooth tiles lined the floors, windows allowed sunlight to pour in, and the walls were freshly painted. Su led the students through the rooms, demonstrating how each room would be shared, where supplies were stored, and the daily routines they were expected to follow.
Compared to the Ninja Academy in Konoha, Su had designed Hidden Mist's Academy with care. He did not intend to produce cannon fodder, sent straight into missions after a year of hurried training. Instead, students here would build a strong foundation over six years. The first three years were for academic and practical basics, while the latter three emphasized hands-on experience—small missions, village tasks, and field training.
"Accommodation will be in this dormitory building. You do not need to pay tuition. Those who rank in the top ten of their class will receive scholarships directly from me, as Headmaster." Su smiled at the wide-eyed students.
"Headmaster?" a young girl asked hesitantly. "You… you're the headmaster?"
"Of course," Su said with a hint of pride. "The genuine Headmaster of the Ninja Academy."
After ensuring all the students were settled, Su stood outside the building. He let his eyes wander over the newly expanded school and the nearby training grounds. A soft breeze carried the scent of the sea and the faint sound of construction. "Be a friend of time," he whispered, almost to himself. "One day, the seeds I have sown will grow into towering trees."
Satisfied, he left the Academy and sought out Hōzuki Gengetsu to check on the progress of the fishing Ninjutsu.
"Follow me," Hōzuki Gengetsu said, leading Su to a quiet stretch of seaside. The waves lapped gently at the shore, reflecting the morning sun. "I initially thought the fishing technique I developed would be at most D-rank, but I did not expect it to reach C-rank."
Gengetsu quickly formed a sequence of five hand signs: Rat, Ox, Rabbit, Dragon, Horse. It was a simple pattern, yet precise. Then he dipped one hand into the water.
Uchiha Su activated his Sharingan, watching intently. A faint, almost imperceptible aroma began to emanate from the water, carried by the sea breeze. Slowly, a transparent, glimmering chakra film spread along the surface of the water, covering nearly two hundred meters.
Beneath the water, schools of fish reacted to the subtle manipulations of chakra, drawn like magnets toward the designated spot. A simple net could now capture an abundant haul.
"I have named this Ninjutsu Water Release: Fish Binding Cage Technique," Gengetsu said proudly. "It is a C-rank Ninjutsu, requiring only five hand signs. The principle is simple: chakra is injected into the water, forming a layer that both attracts and restrains fish. It can even simulate the scent of bait to lure schools toward a designated location."
"And the range?" Su asked, curiosity evident in his tone.
"An ordinary Genin can manage a radius of twenty meters," Gengetsu explained. "A Chunin, fifty meters. A Jonin, about one hundred meters. Of course, proficiency in Water Release and chakra control can extend the range significantly."
Su nodded thoughtfully. "The Hoshigaki Clan should be able to handle this efficiently. They have immense chakra reserves and are naturally skilled in Water Release. Their productivity using this technique would be excellent."
Gengetsu smiled, agreeing with Su's assessment. "Indeed. With proper training, the technique could transform local fisheries. This is just the beginning of what Hidden Mist can do to harness the ocean's resources."
Su's gaze drifted toward the horizon. "Let Nami oversee this project. Meanwhile, we must prepare for the next journey: the Daimyo's succession ceremony in the Land of Water. Now is the perfect time to go."
Gengetsu nodded. "I will accompany you. The seas are calm, and your timing is ideal."
Su allowed himself a small smile. "I have seen the Capital of the Land of Fire. But the Capital of the Land of Water… I have yet to visit it. It is time to see it for myself."
As they walked toward the harbor, the Hidden Mist Village behind them seemed to hum with life and possibility. The students in the Academy, the Hoshigaki Clan's fisheries, and even the distant waves promised new opportunities. Su knew that every step he took, every decision he made, was part of a larger plan. The world was vast, and yet, with patience, strategy, and vision, even a single village could become a force to shape the future.
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