The Boy and the Sea

Kaimori Naruto glided through the water, his lean form cutting smoothly beneath the surface, bare feet pushing off the sandy sea bed with ease. His gray pants clung to his legs, the hems rolled up to just below his knees. The water was cold, but that hardly registered to him. He was a Genin of Kirigakure, raised in the mist and sea, where the chills around his bare torso were more of an embrace than anything unpleasant. Feels like home, he thought, relishing the comforting, weightless sensation.

He couldn't speak underwater, of course, but that didn't matter. The sea didn't need words. It was a world of its own, where everything moved in silence and shimmered in its own quiet beauty.

As he swam close to the seabed, Naruto paused to take in the world around him, feeling the soft, grainy texture of the sand beneath his toes. It's so pretty down here. Coral reefs of all shapes—some looked like fingers reaching up to the surface, others sprawling like underwater forests— and sizes spread out in dazzling colors—pinks, purples, yellows, and blues. Starfish clung to the rocks, stretching their spiny arms in all directions, and schools of colorful fish darted between the coral branches in synchronized formations, their scales catching what little light filtered down from above, glinting like precious jewels. Every dive was like a new adventure, and no two were ever the same. Heheh, wonder what else I'll see today, he mused, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

As if on cue, a sleek, spotted eel poked its head out from behind a rock, its eyes glinting at him with what Naruto liked to imagine was mild curiosity. Naruto gave it a wave. Hey, just passing by. It regarded him for a moment before slithering back to its own little corner of the sea, stirring up a small cloud of silt as it did. Naruto couldn't help but chuckle silently, the sound lost in the water, bubbles escaping his lips and rising upwards. I bet it's wondering what I'm up to. Most sea creatures were like that, each seemed to have its own personality. Sometimes they were shy, sometimes bold, but It was moments like these that made him love the sea even more. The sea had a way of making him feel both small and connected to something much bigger, like he belonged here.

Naruto would loved to enjoy the scenery further, but he had a mission to do. Blue eyes glanced down at a net bag he'd brought along, woven from study mesh. It was hooked securely onto the waistband of his pants, swaying with his movements. He cracked his knuckles. All right, gotta get to work.

Naruto swam toward the deeper blue, keeping his eyes out for the herb he was supposed to collect. His client from Benisu island— a herb merchant named Bando had been very specific in his request: a type of kelp-like herb, but it had broader leaves, with webs of vibrant red veins running through them. It was a kind of plant that only thrived in these parts of the sea in Mizu no Kuni. According to Bando, the potent medicinal properties made it highly sought after, and Naruto's task was to gather as much as he could find.

Right. Red veins, broad leaves. He continued his search, his fingers gently brushing over the seabed, careful not to disturb anything he didn't need to. Where could you be? His lungs were still fine, holding more than enough air. The countless hours he'd spent in underwater training had taught him how to hold his breath for extended periods of time— it had become like a second nature to him, and part of Naruto suspected it came easier to him because of Sanbi, the giant turtle sealed inside his gut.

Though, being a jinchuriki wasn't something he could just go around telling everyone, especially not to those outside Kirigakure. But he wasn't going to complain about the perks, especially since it meant he could stay underwater longer without feeling like his lungs were going to burst.

Naruto stopped as he spotted a patch of plants which matched the description, nestled between a cluster of rocks. Ha, found 'em. It was kind of hard to miss, with their vivid red veins standing out against the muted greens and browns of the rest. He swam forward, his arms moving in fluid strokes. The boy's eyes glinted as he reached for the plants, gently tugging at their bases, careful not to disturb the nearby coral. The leaves felt slippery between his fingers, and as each strand came free, he stored it into the net bag, watching as the red-veined leaves floated inside. Bando-san will he happy to see these.

He looked around and spotted more patches scattered nearby. Naruto took his time picking the most vibrant ones. The task was repetitive, almost meditative, as he moved from patch to patch, making sure he got enough. It didn't take long for him to fill the bag. As he worked, though, he couldn't help but be distracted by the sea life around him. Naruto gently nudged a tiny crab that had somehow found its way onto one of the herb leaves, sending it floating away to a safer perch on a nearby rock. Sorry, sorry, he thought, grinning, watching it swim off.

With his bag nearly full, Naruto took a moment to look around one last time. He wished he could stay longer, explore more, but he had a mission to complete. He looked up, squinting through the blue depths to where he knew the surface lay. Guess it's time to head back. He adjusted the net bag, now brimming with the precious herbs, and kicked off the sandy floor. The sensation of the water rushing past him was exhilarating, like he was flying, the pressure easing from his body as he ascended toward the sunlit surface. Sound gradually returned as the water grew lighter above him, and he could hear the distant muffled sounds of the boat creaking and the waves lapping against its hull.

The moment his head broke surface with a gasp, he drew in a deep breath , tasting the familiar tang of salt on his lips and tongue. His client's sailboat was anchored nearby, bobbing gently in the waves. "Bando-san!" Naruto called out, his voice carrying over the water and wind as he waved to the older man standing atop the boat, a wide-brimmed hat casting a shadow over his face.

"Back already?" Bando's face lit up as he leaned over the side of the boat, peering down at him. "Did you find it?"

"Yep, got a whole bunch of 'em!" Naruto said, holding up the net bag filled with the precious herbs triumphantly, grinning as he swam a short distance to the side of the boat where a rope ladder was hanging. With a bit of effort, Naruto hoisted himself up the wooden rail, water streaming from his body in little rivulets as he did. His client reached down, gripping Naruto's arm with surprising strength for a herb merchant, and helped haul him up onto the deck.

"Come on, let's see what you've got," Bando smiled as Naruto handed over the herbs, The merchant passed it to his aides— a pair of twins who had probably been busy with other tasks while they waited.

The wooden deck felt warm and solid beneath Naruto's feet, the air filled with the earthy scent of wet seaweed, mixed with the faint fishy smell that clung to the breeze. It felt good to be back above the water, though a part of him missed the quiet serenity of the sea below.

Naruto pushed his fingers through his wet hair, plucking a few blond spikes plastered to his forehead. He sat and watched as the twins lay the herbs out in neat rows on a damp cloth, picking out any debris and separating the red-veined leaves from the more common kelp. He then turned back to Bando. "So Bando-san, what do you use this stuff for, anyway?"

Bando chuckled. "Oh, plenty if you ask. It's a very versatile plant. Good for making antidotes, healing salves, even as a spice in some food dishes if you know how to prepare it." He then shrugged, a twinkle in his eyes, "Still, a lot of people don't realize how valuable these herbs are."

Naruto 'ooh'-ed and nodded, filing that information away for later. In the life of shinobi, it was always good to know more. Haru would probably be excited to know about this too. His medic-nin teammate was always talking about herbs and their uses, his obsession with medical studies as strong as Naruto's love for the sea. Naruto made a mental note to tell him about it the next time they met.

"All right, everything's in order," Bando nodded once the inspection was done, with his aides began stowing the herbs away into jars and containers. "You're really a lifesaver, Kaimori-kun."

Naruto's cheeks warmed slightly under the praise, his chest puffing out slightly. "Heheh, just doing my job." He reached up and scratched the back of his neck. It was a bashful little habit he couldn't quite get out of, the whisker-like birthmarks on his cheeks crinkling up as a grin spread across his lips, revealing his teeth.

Bando reached into his vest and pulled out a small slip of paper, already stamped and signed. The ink fresh was and official-looking. "Here. Proof that you completed your mission successfully."

Naruto took the slip, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. "Thanks, Bando-san." His fingers were still wet, and the waterproof paper felt flimsy as he carefully tucked it into his pouch, making a mental note to hand it over to the mission desk once he got back to the village. Mission complete. Guess that's another one down. Missions like this were common for him — this was just another day in his life as a Kirigakure genin, but every successful mission felt like a step forward, like he was getting closer to becoming the kind of shinobi he wanted to be. "If you need any more of these herbs, you know who to call."

Bando laughed, clapping a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "I'll keep that in mind, Kaimori-kun. And tell you what, I'll be sure to put in a good word for you with the higher-ups."

"For real? I'd really appreciate that!" Naruto eyes lit up, grinning again as he gave a mock salute. He wasn't the best, not by a long shot, but he was doing his part. And that mattered.

He glanced back at the sea, the sunlight reflecting off the water in a dazzling display of light. He could still feel the salt on his skin, taste it on his lips. The sea would always be a part of him, and every time he dove beneath its surface, he felt like he was coming home. Naruto took a deep breath, savoring the scent of the ocean one last time before turning back to Bando and his aide. "Guess I'll be heading back now. Got a lot to do, y'know?"

"Of course, of course," Bando said, waving him off. "Till we meet again, Kaimori-kun. Take care on your way back."

Naruto nodded and gave a final wave before rolling his shoulders and diving back into the water, the cool embrace of the sea enveloping him once more. He swam back toward the shore, towards Kirigakure— his home, his mind already racing with thoughts of what he would do next. There were always new challenges, new missions, training waiting for him. And he was eager to tackle each one of them. Though, the mood was broken when his stomach rumbled, and his expression turned sheepish. But first, maybe some lunch would be nice.

As Naruto reached the shore, he couldn't help but glance over his shoulder at the endless expanse of water. The ocean would always call him back. And he knew he'd always answer.