Chapter 163: Land of Water

Shikamaru concentrated, he badly wanted to test his new abilities. The Force wanted to break free and break several rocks, and maybe even the shells of these spiders. But he restrained himself, continuing to listen to this old man, the oldest of its kind - the sage spider.

“You can see in the dark, just like we are spiders. Naturally, there is light here, so imperceptible that human eyes are not even able to catch it, but we spiders can. Moreover, even if there were no light here, we are able to see and also feel both the trembling of the earth and the trembling of our own web. Of course, you will not be able to weave it, but all your senses will intensify. Even with your eyes closed, you can fight. The main thing is our bit! You, like all spiders, will be able to anticipate enemy attacks as soon as he thinks about them. In battles, you know what I mean ...

Shikamaru was not too surprised at such abilities, basically he had an alternative in the form of a Sharingan for predicting, but otherwise there was nothing special in this mode. Except, of course, the main features, increasing all the basic abilities. For this, she wanted to receive this power. This, not to mention how he will show himself in the future, after receiving Jugo's genome and all kinds of mutations. In addition to all this, Shikamaru also wanted to try to master that vague part of absorbing natural energy through cells ...

Anyway, Shikamaru bowed slightly and said:

- I thank the sage for the instructions.

- No need, you came to this yourself. I did not give you anything, injecting poison into someone is not a gift at all, for the rest it is fatal. The contract with Khatu is equal, he will help you, you will help him - there are no debtors here. We are spiders who do not like to protrude into the light.

Shikamaru nodded, and when the sage closed his eyes he understood everything and turned around. There was already a huge black spider sitting quietly with its giant, swollen belly.

Khatu got up and hissed:

- Come on, man, we will conclude a contract, and I will help you to return.

So, the spider and the man crossed the long spider tunnels. On the way, Shikamaru managed to see dozens of different types of these creatures. Khatu explained the approximate reason for such division. This was mainly related to strength, benefits for the genus and some physical differences. For example, among the thousands of spiders there were, both poisonous, and not at all possessing this ability. In another case, there were jumping spiders, spiders able to see clearly in the light or even blind. Only the strong and deserving of the sage's inclination could gain more strength and survive the transformation. They were all his children, but only a select few were capable of much. So, for example, Khatu, being only a small spider, was not a particularly big fan of light, but now he could even go to the surface under the sun, although he did not really like this. Sizes also mattered, and most of all, the unique ability of some is the ability to change their appearance. Due to the constant rejection by everyone, spiders somehow learned to imitate other species. Khatu did not really talk about this, since he himself did not understand how to achieve such an ability. He was considered very strong in the family, but not the strongest. According to him, there were only five of the strongest and they were all creepy spider females. Even such a terrible-looking poisonous monster like Hatu was afraid of them. Therefore, Shikamaru began to assume that perhaps it was just some kind of unique gender feature ... Now it was rather difficult to draw conclusions, so both quickly left the hideout. Hatu blew himself and the blue entity signed a contract with the human.

The black spider did not come to the surface very well; it crawled out and slowly began to get used to the light. Shikamaru also had a hard time, because of the spider cave, the guy's eyes were already accustomed to the shadow. Fortunately, he was in sage mode, so he quickly got used to the change in the environment. Another benefit of this new power.

- Well ... Hshsh ...! Damn it! - Shielding his eyes with his paw, Khatu grumbled with displeasure: - Just don't call me to such a place!

- Oh, come on, there's not even the sun here.

The sky actually turned out to be overcast, gray and inhospitable. But even this light was more than enough for the spider to fall into a rage.

- Arrgh! Okay, you know the way ... Now we will go through the mountains, and I will carry you across the cliff, and the Land of Humans will already appear there.

Hours later, the secret paths were finally crossed. Shikamaru himself was amazed at how these spiders skillfully hid themselves. A common man would never have stuck in here, and a Shinobi would clearly not have taken risks. So many cliffs and mountains, caves and canyons. An eerie and lost place. Mortals will definitely not want to live here.

Saying goodbye to Hatu, Shikamaru continued on his way alone. The spider told him about the neighboring habitats of "people", from the words of the spider it became clear that Shikamaru managed to easily cross a rather impressive space and he was very close to the Land of Water. It remains only to leave the mountainous island in which the spiders have disappeared and reach the destination. He was heading, of course, to the places where at least some shinobi were spread. Slowly, Shikamaru began to suspect that he could not do without visiting the Hidden Mist. It will not be easy to get information about the Three-Tails in some taverns. Therefore, Santora's body could have served the benefit of the negotiations. After the recent civil war in the Country, they will definitely not become too harsh towards the guest from the neighboring village, and even the one who brought the body of their apostate. Surely he left behind many killed even in his homeland.

Wrapped in a cloak, Shikamaru continued his journey through the unfamiliar lands of the Land of Water. Basically, they somewhat resembled the border town in which Santora was hiding, only noticeably colder and even somehow calmer. Gray sky, thick fog. Gloomy, but it even pacified ...

- Maybe I've already started to get used to it ... In any case, I will not stay here for a long time. I'm already tired of walking anywhere. I'll go straight to the Mizukage, and then to Uzu, I just have to finish everything and break free for a year's training, maybe even a two-year one. Only, all this after the tailed beast, if, of course, we can find it.

So, the journey continued for two days. Shikamaru crossed a huge distance on water on foot, and then got to a small island and created a tree boat, after which the path stretched for another three days, and he finally reached the port. Although, to call this place that, perhaps, it was too loud words. Rather, this place resembled a ruin, fully demonstrating the results of the recent war. Sad and poor people, thin and weak, dilapidated houses, melancholy again filled the heavens ... Such is the current Land of Water, wars are always ruthless to the weak ...