Foggy Swamp
Jinzou held his arm up for everyone to stop.
"Wait, something feels strange about this place." He said surveying the swamp.
It was covered in a thick fog but life could be heard within.
"Well, let's just go around it." Naruto suggested.
"The only problem with that is that we need to get to shelter before the dark comes," Jinzou said looking at a setting sun,"and we wouldn't make it before the sun set going around."
"What happens when the sun sets?" Sakura asked.
"Pray you don't find out." Otome answered.
"Well, if we go through here, we need a flashlight or something so we can see." Meshii said.
"Hey Hinata, Neji, can you two use your byakugan and guide us through?" Kiba asked.
"Bya-who-what?" Jinzou asked.
"Byakugan!" Neji and Hinata said simultaneously.
Jinzou, Otome, Meshii and Haretsu jumped back in surprise at the change in their eyes and bulging temples.
"Wow, um, how does it work?" Meshii asked.
"We'll be able to tell if anything comes near, and where the ground is." Neji answered.
"Man we're lucky we found you guys!" Otome cheered.
"Alright, lead the way." Jinzou said happily.
The swamp was warm and very moist.
Not long after the last person set foot into the misty swamp did Neji and Hinata gasp.
"What's wrong?" Shikamaru asked.
"Something's coming, but it's hard to make out." Neji said in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
"It's like, they have no chakra, or life at that. They only have faint signals of chakra, other than that we can't really see them." Hinata said.
Neji's eyes widened,"Jinzou! Jump!"
Jinzou jumped as a large mouth erupted from the fog, clearing some of it so the predator was visible.
It was a snake with the head of a crocodile, blood red menacing eyes that surveyed its prey with hunger.
It slid back into the water.
"It's coming back for another attack!" Neji yelled.
"Everyone run! Neji! Hinata! Warn anyone that thing tries to catch!" Jinzou said.
Everyone ran for the other side of the swamp.
The Snake-o-dile swam after them, occasionally attempting to catch someone, but it made too much noise chasing them, and was easily avoided.
Meshii was the first out the fog.
"Visible land!" He yelled kissing the grass.
Rock Lee was the last one out, just as the creature jumped out of the water and chomped, barely missing his foot by an inch.
It slid back into the water, all the time glaring at them, disappointed that it just lost potential meals.
Otome dusted herself off,"Well, it's just clear sailing from here."
"Where are we going?" Naruto asked after catching his breath.
"There's a checkpoint near here where we can all rest for the night." Otome answered walking ahead."Let's go I need a shower!" She added impatiently.
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Sasuke looked up at the sun, which was almost behind a mountain.
"We need to be out this forest before night." Itehi said.
"Don't worry, we're almost at Shimmering Flats. We won't have to worry about alot of things there." Ryoku said.
They exited the forest and onto what looked liked an endless white plain surrounded by mountains.
"Why is this called Shimmering Flats?" Sasuke asked.
"When the sun sets and the moon rises, it makes the white sand shimmer and glow." Itehi answered.
"She hasn't moved her cabin yet, has she?" Sugizou asked Ryoku.
"Not by my knowledge, no. I don't think she'd want to anyway."
"Does this person have a name?" Sasuke asked.
"She's an old hermit named Fuhen. From what we know, she's been here longer than any non-demon being. We go to her whenever we're here for training. She is a remarkable teacher." Itehi answered.
So, that's the person who taught them this stuff... Sasuke thought.
Night fell, and true to her explanation, the sand shimmered and glowed, illuminating the plains.
Sasuke saw a small, wooden shack in the distance.
When they got closer, an elderly lady came out wearing a black robe.
When they were in earshot, she said,"I wondered when you all would make your way here."
They walked up to her as she sat down in a chair.
"Ryoku, I have finished garments that should help you if you ever fight another Twilight Dragokin, and Itehi, I have designed a bow with a string of light, also Sugizou, I have made swords for both you and Ryoku-and who is this young man?"
"This is Sasuke Uchiha, he's another human brought for the tournament." Ryoku said without looking at him.
Fuhen noticed this and raised an eyebrow,"I see. What do you do for a living Sasuke?"
"Why do you want to know?"
Ryoku and Sugizou, for the first time in hours, turned and looked at him.
Fuhen chuckled,"My, you are a feisty one, that will help you live out here. But, I was merely asking so that i know what I may be able to train you in, or even construct a weapon or garments for you."
"I'm a ninja."
"Ah, a ninja. I take it you know quite a bit of jutsu?"
Sasuke was surprised, he hadn't expected this old crone to know about jutsu.
"Yes."
"Well Sasuke, if you wish, I can teach you jutsu that I've learned in my 400 years in this realm."
Sasuke's eyes widened.
How the hell can someone live that long!?