CH_147

No matter what Tenchi thought, this was as far as Tōji could go.

That was Tōji's backup plan.

According to his calculations, Orochimaru would likely be active in the Land of Seas in about two to three years.

If Tōji hadn't returned to the Land of Seas by then, he'd probably be stuck in the Land of Water forever.

Because Orochimaru went to the Land of Water during the worst period of Kirigakure's civil unrest, and afterward came to the Land of Seas.

Tōji could only hope he'd make it out of the Land of Water in one piece before the stench of blood in Kirigakure grew too thick—and that he'd avoid any contact with Orochimaru…

Making a deal with a venomous snake was a last resort.

Tōji left Kikai Island and still had to return to Jirō Island to make arrangements before leaving.

He needed to make his departure for the Land of Water look natural and reasonable on the surface.

『Why does this feel like fate is arranging everything…』 Tōji couldn't shake the feeling that he really might end up meeting Orochimaru—and even help push along certain "historical developments."

He'd once considered using Namikaze Minato to change the course of "history," but if he was only being sent to the Land of Seas, that became unnecessary…

The best outcome would be—Tōji might help Minato safely get through the chaos surrounding Naruto's birth, and in return gain Minato's protection from the likes of Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo…

But then he'd be constantly protected and constantly schemed against—watched from both sides. That would be unbearable…

Unless he became strong enough that no one dared touch him. But for someone like Tōji? Forget it.

So now, stuck in the Land of Seas, Tōji could only activate his backup plan.

Maybe… this suited him better.

Because with this arrangement, Tōji had room to maneuver on his own—instead of just being meat on a chopping block.

He had a small degree of confidence that he could "cooperate" with Orochimaru, much like Yakushi Kabuto did.

『Could it be that because of this one decision of mine, Orochimaru…』

Suddenly feeling his thoughts were absurd, Tōji quickly cut off his wandering mind and refocused on his plan to leave the Land of Seas…

Though he was supposed to set out immediately, Tōji reinterpreted "immediately" as "as soon as possible."

So Tōji openly took the larger chickens from his coop and sold them on Mother Island's "commercial street."

This conveniently served as a public announcement to the people of the Land of Seas—that Inoshishi was leaving.

After selling the grown chickens, Tōji went home to pack. He didn't go out fishing that evening and got a good night's rest…

The next day, he set out directly for the Land of Water, taking his remaining chicks and Sweet Potato—now a full-grown yellow dog—on his small wooden boat.

Considering it would take half a day just to row to the Land of Water—and that didn't mean he'd find Lanxi Town in another half day—Tōji ate a simple breakfast and departed.

Breakfast was boiled eggs, and lunch was also boiled eggs… If things went well, dinner would be the same…

Though there were occasional reefs or tiny uninhabited islets, for most of that half-day Tōji saw nothing but seawater.

He was now skirting the scattered small islands on the "outer" edges of the Land of Water, looking for a suitable place to stop.

Inoshishi had no relatives or connections in Lanxi Town, so Tōji couldn't head straight there.

His internal script was—he was looking for a better living environment.

So he had to show a "process of observation and exploration." Before nightfall, he just needed to find a decent place to stay the night.

He'd even "try out" a few seemingly nice spots for a day or two along the way.

After all, Inoshishi's background was too simple—there was nothing to plan or arrange around it.

And also because… the first batch of veteran Konoha spies planted in the Land of Water had long since been wiped out.