Black Ops: Anbu Naruto

##Between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water##

"There's a ship approaching, boss!"

In a fleet transporting the first wave of Kiri ninja to the mainland for reinforcements, a lookout stationed on the mast spotted an approaching vessel and shouted down to his captain.

The commanding ninja aboard grabbed a telescope and looked toward the horizon where the ship was heading straight toward them.

"Which village's insignia are they flying?" He wanted to know which village had planned to intercept them at sea.

Scattered among the Land of Water and the Elemental Continent were many islands, each with its own village.

"There's no village insignia on their ship at all!"

This shocked the commanding ninja. He looked up at the lookout, then raised the telescope again, disbelieving. "Are you seriously saying we're facing pirates?" What kind of pirates would dare attack them, and why? How did they discover their exact location?

###On the Pirate Ship###

"Why should I take the money that masked guy gave me and kill all three of you?" A menacing man grinned as he asked. He had a scruffy goatee, messy black hair, and wore a red pirate captain's hat.

Suigetsu sat on a crate aboard the ship, with Karin sitting beside him and Jugo standing nearby.

"If we wanted to do that, we'd have already blown up all your ships and kept just one... Do I need to remind you like last time on Battleship Island?" He stood up and cracked his neck loudly. "Listen, my friend. You can keep the money and whatever loot you can scavenge from the remaining ships. I just need some exercise."

Before taking action, he turned to Karin. "Are those all the ships?"

Karin nodded and adjusted her glasses on her nose. "Yes. For now, only those ships are coming."

"Perfect." Suigetsu said, summoning Samehada from the scroll and wielding the monstrous weapon. "Jugo, stay close to Karin. If any of these idiots even think about laying a hand on her, kill them all. I'll be right back." With that, he leaped off the ship and dove into the water.

Pirate Captain Kataro watched Suigetsu vanish beneath the waves and shook his head.

"What the hell is that idiot doing? Right before battle, he dives into the ocean?"

"You really have no clue how ninjas work, huh?" Karin said indifferently, resting her chin in her hand.

[Water Release: Great Shark Bullet Technique!]

A massive torrent of water rose from the sea ahead of Kataro's fleet, pushing them backward. As it surged high, it revealed the shape of a demonic shark, its mouth wide open, revealing razor-sharp teeth.

This wall of water spanned the entire width of the Mist fleet's approach.

Then, it crashed violently onto the smaller ships, shattering them—and their crews—instantly. The sea surface returned to calmness, as if nothing had happened.

All that remained was the wreckage scattered across the water and lifeless bodies floating in the wreckage.

As the entire pirate crew looked on in shock and fear as the Kirigakure fleet was obliterated in a single strike, Suigetsu erupted from the water and landed back onto the deck.

"What do you think?" he grinned, flashing his razor-sharp, shark-like teeth as he asked Karin and Jugo.

Karin gave a soft chuckle before responding, "Samehada has boosted your chakra reserves in less than two months. It's truly amazing."

That made her wonder—how deep must Kisame Hoshigaki's chakra reserves have been? After carrying that blade for over a decade before his death, the number must've been unfathomable.

"You tired?"

"Not even close." Suigetsu smiled as he lifted Samehada into the air. "Just wielding three swords already makes me this strong... I can't wait to get my hands on the remaining four. I'll become the greatest sword-wielding ninja in history."

"And then we go kill Naruto, right?"

Karin's voice darkened, brimming with hatred toward someone she'd never even laid eyes on. And yet, he stirred such fury and loathing in her. Unbelievable.

"Of course. When the boss is ready, he'll come find us. Until then, let's keep things chaotic around these waters. It's the perfect opportunity for training."

---

##Konoha Northwest Forward Command Post##

"Are you all set?" Tayuya asked as she helped him adjust his clothing, standing outside the safety perimeter surrounding the camp.

Ever since he woke up, she hadn't left his side—clearly worried sick about him.

"He found her concern endearing—it was kind of cute how worked up she was getting."

"Got all your gear? You're not starving, are you? Sure you can handle this solo?"

"I'm ready," Naruto said, grabbing Tayuya's wrist and smiling when he saw her puzzled expression. "It'll be fine. I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone."

When silence settled between them for a moment, Tayuya looked up at him.

"I really don't like this mission, Naruto. Why did Yamato let you go alone?"

"I can do it, Tayuya, believe me," Naruto replied but received no response, so he continued, "Here's the deal—I need about four days to get there through my route. Give me five days max. If you don't hear from me or see me coming back across the bridge by then, feel free to beat the crap out of me when I come back."

"If you die, I'll drag you back from hell just to punch you again. Fine, fine… Hurry up and go already."

Tayuya playfully punched his shoulder and stepped back, motioning for Naruto to leave.

But as he passed by her, she grabbed his forearm and quickly turned him around. Before he could ask what else was wrong, Tayuya yanked him down by the collar and kissed him hard.

Afterward, they shared a smile, then she shoved him away.

"Get going, bastard. Don't waste another second."

Naruto finally waved goodbye to her before turning around and heading north toward the base's secret destination—the tri-border area where three nations met.

But as Tayuya turned to head back to camp, she heard a slow clapping sound. Anko was sitting there with a gleam in her eye on the outer fence of the base.

"Aww, how sweet," Anko teased. "Wait till I tell everyone how Tayuya shared a little romantic moment with her hero right here."

******

After trekking all night and most of the morning, Naruto finally arrived at the landmark bordering the three nations—the Fossilized Forest—just before dusk.

<><><><><><><><>

Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!

~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!

<><><><><><><><>

~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!

~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!

patreon.com/Tansnovel

<><><><><><><><>