Two days later, at the port of the Land of Waves.
A massive merchant fleet flying the flag of the Mutual Aid Foundation was preparing to set sail.
On the dock, workers were as busy as ants, loading tons of supplies onto the ships.
"This is so annoying..."
Zabuza stood on the dock, watching the ships about to depart not far away, and spat in frustration.
Although he had grown accustomed to his signature suit and leather shoes, seeing Kimimaro and the others setting out with the army to fight made the jealousy in his eyes almost impossible to hide.
"Stop complaining, Mr. Zabuza."
Tayuya sat on a nearby shipping container, wiping her flute as she spoke with a hint of mockery.
"The Land of Waves is our most important logistics center."
"Someone has to stay behind to oversee it, and besides..."
She waved the Point Sheet she carried with her.
"Lord Naruto said that the points for logistics management are very high."
"If you want to exchange for that Level 2 Potion, this is one of the fastest places to earn points."
At the mention of the Level 2 Potion, the irritation in Zabuza's eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a fanatical drive.
The world-destroying power Kimimaro had displayed that day was still deeply etched into his mind.
"Tsk, of course I know that."
Zabuza signed his name fiercely on the checklist and turned to roar at the workers.
"Hurry the hell up!"
"If you're late, I'll chop you all up and use you to fill the sea!"
Just then, Suigetsu Hozuki, carrying a small bag, prepared to step onto the gangplank of the flagship.
"Hey, kid."
Suigetsu turned around.
Before he could react, a dark shadow accompanied by the sound of whistling wind slammed heavily onto the deck at his feet.
The thick wooden deck was instantly smashed through, sending wood chips flying everywhere.
It was a massive broadsword, still bearing the notches from the battle a few days ago.
"Th-this is..."
Suigetsu's eyes instantly widened.
"The Kubikiribocho?!"
As a member of the Hozuki clan who aspired to collect all seven ninja swords, this blade held a fatal attraction for him.
"It's only being stored with you temporarily."
Zabuza crossed his arms, turned his head away, and spoke with a look of disdain.
"I have to stay here and deal with these damn accounts."
"This sword takes up too much space."
"Since you're going to war, I'll reluctantly lend it to you for self-defense."
"Don't embarrass the Hidden Mist."
Suigetsu pulled out the broadsword, feeling its heavy weight.
His face beamed with joy.
"Hehe, don't worry, Senior!"
"I'll definitely take good care of it!"
"Hmph."
Zabuza gave a cold snort and fell silent for a moment.
Then, his gaze moved past Suigetsu to look at Haku, who was following behind Naruto in the distance.
He lowered his voice, his tone carrying a fierce threat.
"And..."
"Keep an eye on Haku for me."
"Even though he's Naruto's secretary now, with that soft personality of his, it's easy for him to suffer on the battlefield."
Zabuza made a brutal throat-slitting gesture.
"Suigetsu, if I find out he's been bullied, or if he gets hurt because of your mistake..."
"I'll chop you into pieces and feed you to the sharks."
The smile on Suigetsu's face stiffened.
He dropped his playful grin, solemnly shouldered the broadsword, and spoke with a serious expression.
"I understand."
"As long as I'm holding this sword, no one will lay a finger on Haku."
Zabuza didn't say anything more; he just adjusted his tie and turned to leave.
"Tsk, what a pain..."
With a long blast of the steam whistle, the fleet slowly sailed away from the waters of the Land of Waves.
The sea breeze gradually turned cold.
On the third day of the voyage, inside the flagship's lower laboratory.
Inside the swaying cabin, Orochimaru and Tsunade were busy in front of a microscope.
These former teammates had now become colleagues in a strange way.
"Truly perfect material."
Orochimaru held up a transparent petri dish, watching the mass of white flesh inside that was slowly wriggling and radiating vigorous vitality.
His golden pupils were full of obsession.
It was living tissue extracted from a White Zetsu.
"It clearly possesses the characteristics of Hashirama cells, yet it entirely lacks that overbearing erosiveness."
Orochimaru licked his lips.
"No self-awareness, no rejection reaction—this is simply a universal cell born for fusion."
Beside them, Jugo was trembling.
He could feel that while Orochimaru was looking at the White Zetsu cells, his peripheral vision was constantly scanning him greedily.
"Hmph, don't stare at others with those disgusting eyes, Orochimaru."
Tsunade was adjusting the instruments, glancing at Orochimaru with a look of disgust before her face turned serious.
"I hate to admit it, but this stuff is indeed useful."
"Using the powerful inclusiveness of White Zetsu cells as a buffer carrier is perfect for diluting and neutralizing the violent natural energy in Jugo's body fluids..."
"Theoretically, it's completely feasible."
"A mass-produced, low-spec version of the Enhancement Potion can be derived very soon."
"While it can't unlock potential like a Gene Lock, it can significantly increase chakra capacity and physical recovery."
"The side effects are extremely low; even an ordinary person's body can withstand it."
"It will serve as a good buffer between ordinary people and the Level 1 Potion."
Naruto looked at the report in his hand and nodded with satisfaction.
"Very good."
"As long as it's theoretically successful, I'll handle the rest."
"Once we take the Land of Snow, I'll need this potion to arm my first professional army."
On the seventh day of the voyage, the temperature began to plummet, and a thin layer of frost formed on the deck.
"S-so cold..."
Suigetsu Hozuki huddled in his thin clothes, shivering.
He had originally wanted to show off in front of Naruto by standing at the bow to look cool, until a gust of cold wind blew past.
"Achoo!"
Suigetsu sneezed violently.
Two crystal-clear trails of snot shot out, turning into two icicles hanging from his face.
"Pfft..."
Karin, standing nearby, couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing at!"
"The Hydrification Technique has weaknesses too!"
"If there's too much moisture, I'll freeze!"
Suigetsu hurriedly knocked off the snot icicles and fumbled through his bag for a thick cotton coat, wrapping himself up like a ball.
The environment here was extremely harsh.
For the Hozuki clan, who relied on liquification, this extreme cold would greatly diminish their combat effectiveness.
Just then, the thick fog ahead gradually dispersed.
A massive landmass completely covered in ice and snow appeared in everyone's field of vision.
Along the pure white coastline, several massive chimneys were billowing thick black smoke.
This unique beauty of intertwined nature and industry was a characteristic sight of the Land of Snow.
"We've arrived."
Naruto stood at the bow, letting the cold wind whip the cloak behind him.
Haku walked to his side, looking out at the land locked in ice and snow.
He exhaled a puff of white air and whispered.
"Lord Naruto, the Land of Snow is just ahead."
"Finally here."