Chapter 51
The Land of Waves is located in the eastern sea of the Land of Fire, wedged between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water. It is a very inconspicuous island nation with very little information about it.
Since the end of the Third Shinobi World War, Kirigakure in the Land of Water has become increasingly isolated, withdrawing from external contacts. After probing unsuccessfully, Konohagakure gradually let down its guard against Kirigakure and simultaneously reduced the intensity of intelligence gathering in the eastern seas.
As a result, the Land of Waves, situated at the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Water, effectively became an isolated island with scant information about it. Kirigakure, due to its pursuit of missing Nin, might have more details. Still, Konohagakure's knowledge lagged significantly, with the latest intelligence on the Land of Waves dating back to a rough survey conducted a year ago.
A Konoha ninja incidentally carried out this survey while executing an assassination mission. This ninja's name was:
Neji.
After someone destroyed Konoha's intelligence database before defecting, all that remained were the vague memories of Konoha shinobi about the Land of Waves.
After the Fourth Shinobi World War, Konoha would inevitably rebuild its intelligence on the Land of Waves. By then, Neji's whereabouts would be unknown, even to himself.
Neji took out a key and opened the gate to a courtyard sealed for a year.
"Is this your home here, Neji?" Hanabi asked, running her fingers over the dusty desk. In an instant, her hand turned black. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Yuck!"