Chương 190: Encounter with a Leviathan of the Sea

Life is like the ocean—at some point, everyone faces storms. We call these moments pivotal. The stronger the person, the fiercer the tempests they stir—storms that can sway countless lives, even erupt into tsunamis. For ordinary people, the waves barely ripple beyond their immediate circle. Yet no storm lasts forever; eventually, the winds die down, the seas calm. Among the clamor outside, the defection of Orochimaru, one of Konoha's Legendary Three Sannin, had finally faded from conversation. Over a month passed.

It was now mid-June of Konoha Year 53. After the initial pursuit, and losing several ANBU operatives in the process, the Third Hokage seemed to have let the matter rest. At Orochimaru's level, sending ordinary ANBU after him was nothing but a death sentence—more loss without gain. Only Jiraiya lingered briefly in Konoha, voicing some complaints to his teacher before vanishing again, searching for the Child of Prophecy while tracking his old friend across the shinobi world.

But the world was vast, and a ninja as adept at concealment as Orochimaru could hide almost anywhere. He was a man of purpose; without benefit, he wouldn't waste his time meddling outside. Now free, he could conduct his experiments unfettered. Konoha had scoured the many hidden labs beyond the village, discovering nothing beyond Orochimaru's research goals—no clue to his current whereabouts. At the Hokage's office, Dongye zhen, in the middle of his usual idle daydreaming, was summoned.

"Zhen," Hiruzen said, "with your sealing ability and Kushina's, you still haven't discerned the purpose of the cursed seal on Anko?"

"Apologies, Hokage-sama," Dongye zhen replied.

"Forbidden techniques aren't our specialty. After studying it with Kushina-sensei and Namikaze-senpai, we only discovered that the seal contains natural energy. Its purpose… we simply don't know. I suspect only Orochimaru himself understands it."

"Natural energy, huh? So Namikaze is already training in Sage Arts." Dongye zhen nodded.

"Yes, senpai's progress with Mount Myoboku's techniques is going well." Hiruzen understood the significance. Sage arts were powerful, yet few could master them. Not even his three disciples could fully grasp them. Namikaze's success marked a new level of strength. Mastering chakra control was the first dividing line between ordinary humans and shinobi; Sage Arts were another.

"The cursed seal—does it harm Anko?"

"As long as she doesn't actively stimulate it with chakra, it poses no danger. If anything, it passively enhances her body. A benefit, perhaps. With Anko's eating habits, she could survive on nothing but dumplings and red bean soup without gaining weight." Hiruzen chuckled.

"Well, that's a relief. Zhen, besides this matter, I have a mission for you."

"Leave it to me, Hokage-sama."

"It's a request from the Fish Country. Their fishermen have encountered attacks from massive sea monsters. They want Konoha's help in clearing the threat." Dongye zhen considered the location.

"Hokage-sama, aside from eliminating the sea monsters, there must be other objectives?"

"Yes," Hiruzen said.

"You're perceptive as ever. Fish Country is small, but to its northeast lies the Land of the Sea. According to records, Orochimaru often brought Anko there during and after the war. I suspect he has a lab there, perhaps even resides there now." Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

"So, if we encounter Orochimaru himself, what do you wish me to do?"

"Bring him back. If that's impossible… eliminate him. Ordinary shinobi cannot contend with him. Namikaze and I cannot intervene. You're the only choice, and I trust in your ability."

"No problem, Hokage-sama."

"Do you need a special team for this mission?"

"No need. I'll take the Gale Squad. On the sea, Yamato can provide significant support." Hiruzen nodded.

"Ah, yes. Wise choice." Yamato was exceptionally useful—a shinobi who could conjure a massive wooden ship at will. A talent unmatched by any shipbuilder. Furniture makers and house developers would envy such skill. Off the eastern coast of the Land of Fire lay a small island nation, unremarkable in the shinobi world but legendary among past Hokage enthusiasts: Fish Country. Small island nations were plentiful; Fish Country was one, though its fame surpassed that of the Wave Country in the wider ninja world.

Located northeast of Wave Country, in the waters between the southeastern tip of Hot Country and the intervening islands of Water Country, Fish Country lived up to its name. Its seas teemed with silver-scaled mackerel and red-spotted crabs, unrivaled in flavor—a delicacy not to be missed. Fishing was the backbone of the nation's economy. Beyond the northeast lay the Sea Country. Larger in landmass but harsher in environment, sparsely populated, it was a haven for fugitives from across the shinobi world.

On land, shinobi moved swiftly. At sea, without expending chakra to sprint atop the waves, they were as slow as ordinary sailors. After receiving their assignment, Dongye zhen and his three companions reached Fire Country's eastern port within half a day. They then followed a merchant ship for several days to Fish Country. The coastal officials welcomed them, presenting freshly caught local delicacies. Shinobi, especially from a major nation, commanded high respect here; no one dared risk offending them.

Dongye zhen recalled tasting mackerel and crabs back in Konoha—always frozen. Fresh caught, however, the flavor was extraordinary. No wonder nobles spent fortunes on preservation and transport. After a night's rest, the next morning they set out with the local government's fast boat, escorted by officials, joining a fishing fleet venturing into the open sea. Due to the sea monster threat, fishermen no longer ventured alone, preferring the safety of numbers. If attacked, help was at hand.

The accompanying official was a short, plump man with pale skin—a stark contrast to the tanned, copper-colored fishermen.

"These monsters," he complained, "appear from nowhere and devastate our catch. Fishermen dare not venture out without enough crew."

"When did these sea monsters appear?" Dongye zhen asked.

"A few years back. Rare, small—hardly dangerous. Recently, however, a massive octopus appeared. We are powerless against it."

"So now all fishing is done in fleets?"

"Yes. Some desperate fishermen venture out alone—but it's suicide. No one can save them if attacked." Soon, Dongye zhen witnessed the danger firsthand—a legendary leviathan. Ahead, a lone fishing vessel was ensnared by a colossal octopus. Its prow rose high, the aft wrapped in the creature's muscular tentacles, crushed and dragged toward the depths. The monstrosity possessed far too many tentacles—roughly thirty. A few were tipped not with suckers but electric arcs, ending in jagged mouths like electric eels.

The mouths roamed the water, swallowing any hapless fisherman. Uzuki Yuyaka stared, stunned.

"Why is the octopus so huge? Why so many tentacles? And it can discharge electricity? What species is this?" Gekkou Hayate shook his head.

"No idea. Natural evolution couldn't produce this. Someone must have created it artificially." Dongye zhen's eyes narrowed.

"Exactly. A summoning beast escaped containment. Enough talk—rescue them." The four leapt into the sea, sprinting atop the waves. The giant octopus, seeing so many vessels, abandoned its captured prey and surged toward them. It radiated a disturbing intelligence, drawn to human destruction. Fishermen aboard nearby boats watched in horror. Many had already lost friends or family to the creature. If even the shinobi could not stop it, they feared for their future. The distance closed rapidly.

As the octopus raised a tentacle lined with a gaping mouth to devour them, Dongye zhen slammed his hands on the water. A massive sphere of water erupted, encasing the octopus's body while dozens of tentacles writhed outside, struggling.

"Attack together! Kill it!" Yamato quickly formed hand seals, sprouting a jagged wooden spike from his right hand. Wood Release: Silent Binding Technique The spike pierced the water sphere, entering one of the octopus's eyes and emerging from its brain—impaling the creature in a single strike. Gekkou and Uzuki leapt from both sides, drawing swords. Wind Release: Vacuum Blade Slices of sharp wind severed tentacles at the base, leaving the creature a defenseless mass of flesh.

Years of training had honed them to wield this simplified form of the Shadowless Sword. Chakra limitations meant it could not be overused. Yet the octopus's vitality was extraordinary. Even impaled through the brain, it thrashed violently.

"Wait… octopuses don't have just one brain, do they?" Dongye zhen ignored the thought. With a single decisive strike, he refused to believe the creature could survive. Releasing control of the water sphere, letting it and the octopus pl