The early morning mist enveloped the Hot Spring Village's harbor.
The two boarded a fisherman's boat.
Renye's gaze swept over the wooden barrels on the deck, seeing them filled with ice.
It was clearly prepared for transporting seafood…
After all, it takes a lot of time to transport from the Land of Water to the inland, and it would be a huge loss if it spoiled midway.
He looked at the boundless sea, muttering, “It really is an isolated place.”
Due to the Land of Water's special geographical environment, it is difficult for the outside world to get information about its interior.
This was also one of the reasons why Obito controlled the Mizukage for many years without being discovered.
“Haha, the scenery here is quite nice!” Hashirama happily looked at the rising sun slowly appearing on the distant sea.
Renye nodded in agreement, “It is indeed good.”
About two hours later, the boat finally docked.
Before they even disembarked, they heard the continuous shouts from the pier.
A strong smell of seafood wafted over, and Renye instinctively covered his nose.
It must be said, the smell was quite overpowering.
It almost made him not want to eat seafood anymore…
Because of his eating habits, Renye rarely ate sashimi normally.
This time, he only came to try it because he heard that the seafood in the Land of Water was of the best quality.
Fishermen wearing straw hats held up bamboo baskets, with live lobsters waving their large claws.
Dark-skinned men pushed carts, piled high with baskets of shellfish.
“Young man, want to buy some shellfish?” The man saw Renye and enthusiastically said, “These were just caught this morning, guaranteed fresh.”
“No, thank you.” Renye instinctively refused, “Hashirama-san, let’s go.”
He thought there was nothing good to see at the pier, so it was better to go to the Hidden Mist Village.
Thinking this, he turned to look at Hashirama beside him, only to find no one there.
Renye looked around and finally saw Hashirama at a vendor’s stall.
Hashirama was curiously leaning over a seafood stall, haggling with the vendor with exaggerated gestures, his loud laughter drawing frequent glances from passersby.
Renye: “…”
He walked over to Hashirama and urged, “Hashirama-san, we should go.”
Upon hearing this, Hashirama had no choice but to give up, leaving with some regret.
“Little Renye, I was almost done haggling with the vendor just now.”
He felt that if Renye hadn't interfered, he would have definitely been able to get the price of the seafood down.
Looking at the two leaving, the vendor from before couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, muttering quietly:
“Who haggles like that?”
Seafood that costs five hundred ryo per jin, this guy opened with fifty ryo.
Even a bowl of ramen costs sixty ryo.
He was almost 'killed' by Senju Hashirama’s ‘slash’…
If the vendor hadn't known Hashirama was a Ninja, he would have already started shooing him away.
——————
“Mizukage-sama, someone suspected to be the Ninja God has entered the Village.”
Hidden Mist Village, Mizukage’s office.
“What?” First Mizukage Byakuren’s eyes widened, and he suddenly sat up from his office chair, “You said the Ninja God?!”
“Yes, Mizukage-sama,” his subordinate reported.
“Damn it, why is this guy here?” Byakuren’s eyes widened.
However, both his eyes were askew, making it seem as if they couldn't focus at all.
He had lost his left eye in a war years ago, and over time, it had become like this.
“Could it be that during the Five Kage Summit, I didn’t give him face, and now he’s come for revenge?” Byakuren grew more frightened the more he thought about it.
Although they were all Shadow-level Experts, Senju Hashirama was clearly unnaturally strong.
Let alone him, even if the Four Kage united, they would not be Hashirama’s opponent.
Thinking of this, Byakuren’s face grew even paler, and his hands trembled uncontrollably.
“Quick, take me to see the Ninja God, I will personally apologize for my past recklessness!” Byakuren said anxiously.
He couldn’t help but be anxious!
The Ninja God had come knocking!
Rather than him coming to them, it was better to go apologize in person.
That way, there might still be some room for redemption…
He believed that with Senju Hashirama’s magnanimity, he would surely forgive this old man.
On the other side.
Renye and Hashirama were completely unaware of what was happening in the Mizukage’s office.
The two stopped at the entrance of a shop called “Taste of the Sea.”
“Little Renye, what do you think of this place?” Hashirama asked.
Before Renye could speak, Tanuki Flower meowed, then broke free from Hashirama’s embrace and ran into the shop.
“Haha, now we can’t not go in.” Hashirama chuckled and scratched his head.
“What a glutton.” Renye was a bit helpless and had no choice but to follow him in.
The shop was filled with the aroma of seaweed and sake.
Renye held Tanuki Flower by the scruff of its neck to prevent it from running around and disturbing other diners.
The proprietress, wearing a blue and white apron, saw the cat in Renye’s hand, paused for a moment, then quickly smiled and said, “Two guests, cats are forbidden in this shop…”
Before she could finish, Hashirama had already pulled out a wad of money and placed it on the counter, “We can pay extra!”
Renye rubbed his forehead; what was with this nouveau riche demeanor?
No, where did Hashirama-san get the money?
Hadn’t all his money been taken by Aunt Mito?
It should be known that all the expenses on this trip were Renye's money, and even the money for buying dango before was given to him in advance…
Hashirama noticed the expression on Renye’s face and scratched his head awkwardly, “Haha, I did save a little bit of private money over the years…”
Renye nodded, not really caring.
With Senju Hashirama’s strength, wasn’t making money an easy task?
He just didn't know if this money was earned from taking missions, or if it was secretly embezzled public funds…
“Please take a seat, all three of you!” The proprietress took the money and led the two people and one cat to their table.
“Meow meow meow~” Tanuki Flower saw the sashimi on the tables of the surrounding diners and meowed frantically with impatience.
If Renye hadn't been holding it by the scruff of its neck, it would have already rushed out.
Renye was annoyed by the cat’s meowing and said coldly, “Ugly cat, if you keep meowing, I’ll turn you into a dead cat!”
Upon hearing this, Tanuki Flower immediately quieted down.
Seeing this, Renye was satisfied and threw it onto the ground.
Tanuki Flower landed on the ground, and just as it was about to leave, it heard Renye’s words.
“If you dare to run around, you’ll also become a dead cat.”
“Meow~” Tanuki Flower could only lie down obediently.
Hashirama happily picked up Tanuki Flower and held it in his arms, gently stroking its puffed-up fur.
When the sashimi platter arrived, Tanuki Flower stared intently at the salmon belly on the ice.
Just as Renye picked up a slice of tuna, he saw Tanuki Flower dart onto the table and press its paw towards a slice of sea bream.
“If you dare to take it, I’ll chop off your paw,” Renye said unhurriedly, “Hmm, I’ll chop off whichever paw takes it…”
Upon hearing this, Tanuki Flower’s outstretched paw hovered in mid-air, staring at Renye with a resentful expression.
“You ugly cat are becoming more and more ill-mannered.” Renye picked up a piece of sea bream and placed it in front of Tanuki Flower, “From now on, you are not allowed to eat without my permission.”
“Otherwise…” Renye narrowed his eyes slightly, “Just wait to become a dead cat.”
Tanuki Flower saw Renye’s expression, and its fur immediately bristled.
It seemed to be quite frightened, not even daring to eat the fish slices on the table.
“Little Renye, don’t scare him anymore.” Hashirama happily picked up the cat and held it in his arms again.
Under Hashirama’s 撫摸, Tanuki Flower’s frightened expression gradually disappeared.
Just as the two were dining inside, Mizukage Byakuren, led by his subordinate, rushed to the entrance of the shop.