Haku needn't worry about the other two, who were watching in interest but not interfering, except to toss one of the guards who'd gone flying through the open gate right back through. Kisame and the other two were laughing as they fought, almost as if it were a game, and even two on one, Kisame obviously had the upper hand, and occasionally made comments about defenses or attacks. Ways to improve them, mostly, like it was a lesson and not the serious fight it otherwise seemed. All three didn't appear to be holding back, not drawing Samehada aside.

But if Haku looked to the lake, he'd notice an old woman swimming to the surface and then pulling herself on top of the water. She had a cane, and it was hard to tell if the folds on her neck were wrinkles or gills. Her hair had been almost black once, but now was streaked with blue-tinted gray, and her wizened face stretched into a sharp toothed smile as she slowly approached.

When her feet touched ground, she looked Haku over and her grin widened. "Hoy there, sonny. This won't take but a moment."

Then she moved, and in less than a second and only four whacks of her cane got in between the battling trio, and smacked them all upside the head. Kisame, for his part, managed to dodge the first whack, and somewhat deflect the second. Then she leaned on her cane and demanded answers.

Kisame grinned right back at her. "Tsubaki-san's apprentice. I thought you might want to meet him, Great-Grandmother."

The old lady cackled and made a sharp gesture, before turning to walk into the tunnel. The guards, not looking at all chastened for the fight, resumed their positions, and Kisame turned to Haku for the first time since the fight started.

"Now that that's settled, follow us, Haku-kun."

The tunnel inside was damp, and had a steep incline, but the roof of it was glass, showing a clear view of the lake and all the inhabitants. And the elder's slow pace was perfect for gawking.