"Shin, stay away from that woman from now on," Kushina said seriously ohey were ihe .

  "Yeah, numents here."

  Shin wasn't keen on being manhandled and uo retaliate. It was infuriating.

  He'd get her back when he was stronger. For now, he'd steer clear of Tsunade and her vice-like grip. His cheeks were still sore.

  'Just wait, Tsunade,' Shin thought darkly.

  Hours ter, the ship finally reached the shore. Kushina, pale and nauseous, leaned heavily against Shin.

  "Shin, I don't feel so good. My head is spinning."

  Shin supported her, surprised that she was seasick. It robably because this was her first time on a ship.

  "We're here, Kushina. Hang in there."

  "Tsk, tsk, getting seasick? How embarrassing," Tsunade quipped, arms crossed.

  Kushina's open hostility had irked her. She didn't want to stoop to the level of a child, but seeing Kushina's pathetic state, she couldn't resist a jab.

  "I am not seasick!"

  Kushina weakly shook her head, trying to maintain a defiant froe her nausea.

  Tsunade merely clicked her tongue. tinuing this squabble with a child was beh her.

  "Let's rest for a bit before we tinue."

  Seeing that not only Kushina, but also Akiko and Kai, were suffering from seasiess, Tsunade called for a break.

  Shin was fine; he didn't get seasick. And Uzumaki Hikaru, being a Jonin, was also ued.

  They rested, ate some rations, and then resumed their journey.

  "How long will it take to reach Konoha from here?" Shin asked Tsunade.

  "e closer, and I'll tell you," Tsunade said with a sly grin, being him with a finger.

  "Nah, I don't o know that badly."

  Shin and Kushina trailed behind, taking in the sery of the Land of Fire.

  They had set foot on Land of Fire soil as soon as they disembarked. While not the rgest of the Five Great Nations, it definitely had the most fertile nd.

  The trees here were lusher than those in the Land of Whirlpools, and the people seemed more prosperous.

  "Shin-, how are we going to live in Konoha?" Kushina asked, her voice ced with worry.

  "Same as always. Don't stress, Kushina. And please, stop calling me 'Shin-'."

  Shin patted her head reassuringly.

  Kushi a wave of warmth. She rehensive about this unfamiliar pce called Konoha, but with Shin by her side, her fears seemed to melt away.

  As long as she was with Shin, it didn't matter where they were.

  Gradually, Kushina's ay lessehe shadow of the Uzumaki 's destru seemed a little less dark.

  "What are you two chatting about?"

  Tsunade had fallen back to join them.

  "Wow, you actually have time to talk to us?" Shin remarked.

  "We're esc you, but we're in Land of Fire now. The most we'll enter are bandits. It's safe here."

  Tsunade had been vigint before entering Land of Fire, but now she was pletely rexed.

  Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

  A volley of Kunai and Shuriken rained down on them, some even strapped with Explosive Tags.

  Shin's face paled. He couldn't worry about hiding his strength now. He grabbed Kushina and dodged.

  The Senju ninjas, though caught off guard, were still highly skilled.

  They reacted quickly, shielding the Uzumaki survivors and evading the attack.

  Tsunade's eyes widened.

  She had been about to pull Shin and Kushina out of the way, but Shin had reacted first, moving with incredible speed.

  She estimated his speed to be on par with her own.

  'Looks like that kid Shin isn't simple after all.'

  She quickly dodged the projectiles. Now wasn't the time to pohis; she had to deal with the attackers.

  Her eyes turned cold. To be ambushed within Land of Fire borders was uable.

  And she had just told Shin that it was safe here. This in the face.

  Tsunade felt her cheeks burn with shame. These attackers would pay.

  Shin and Kushina took cover behind a rge tree, Shin's arm protectively around Kushina. His eyes darted around, alert for any movement.

  If only I could awaken the Uzumaki 's Mind's Eye of Kagura...

  The Mind's Eye of Kagura was a Sensory Teique uo the Uzumaki , one of the most powerful in the ninja world.

  When activated, it allowed the user to sense Chakra fluctuations within a radius of several dozen kilometers.

  With a known Chakra signature, it could pinpoint the target's loovement, number of people, and even their speed.

  Its sensory capabilities were parable to the Byakugan. Unfortunately, very few Uzumaki could awaken this ability.

  In the inal story, only Karin was known to possess it. Shin didn't know if he could awaken it.

  If he had the Mind's Eye of Kagura, he could easily pinpoint the enemies' location and movements, making it easier to defend against them.

  Unlike now, where he was forced to rely on his senses and stant vigio avoid being caught off guard.

  Shinobi were masters of assassination; surprise attacks were their specialty.

  "Kushina, don't be afraid. I'll protect you."

  "I'm not afraid," Kushina said, g her fists. She hated being the damsel in distress.

  'I have to train harder.'

  She resolved to bee stronger so she wouldn't be a burden to Shin.

  As Shin and Kushina hid, the battle raged. Over twenty ninjas, identical uniforms and without forehead protectors, emerged from the forest.

  It was impossible to tell which vilge they were from. They charged towards the Senju ninjas, ons drawn.

  Tsunade eled Chakra throughout her body, activating her monstrous strength. A powerful aura enveloped her.

  "Die!"

  She punched one of the attackers, sending him flying like a ragdoll.

  He was dead before he hit the ground. That was the power of Tsunade's monstrous strength.

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