118 Impossible Enemy
discord.gg/q5KWmtQARF
Join my Discord!
**************
Opening the last scroll, Horyu gasped in surprise. This one was about Konoha, but not just any intel; it detailed almost all the Uchiha Police Force surveillance routes, pinpointing the weakest routes and how to trespass the barrier around it. The times when the barrier team was at their lowest alertness were meticulously noted, but what drew his attention the most was his name—Horyu Uchiha, the latest rising Genin of Konoha. The intel read, "The target left with his team on the morning of 5th of August for an unknown mission. "It is this quest," Horyu whispered to himself, the revelation sending a chill down his spine. The fact that his movements were being tracked and documented by unknown forces was a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows.
But the scroll held more than just information about Konoha's defenses and his own movements. It spoke of recent meetings between Tsuchikage Oonoki and Raikage A, with Mizukage Yagura also in attendance. The side notes speculated on a rumor—an alliance forming against the rising power of Konoha. This piece of intel was a ticking bomb, one that could alter the balance of power in the shinobi world if true.
"The bloody hell," Horyu muttered under his breath, his usual calm giving way to concern. "An alliance against Konoha, and they're tracking me. Why the fuck am I on this list?" The question hung in the air, unanswered. He knew better than to voice these concerns aloud, especially when he couldn't afford to reveal the depths of his knowledge, much of which came from the System.
Shoving the scrolls back into his inventory, Horyu pondered his next move. He had to tread carefully; the information he'd uncovered was explosive. If Konoha's enemies were indeed uniting against the village, the implications were dire. And yet, the inclusion of his name on the list of significant intel suggested that he was becoming a figure of interest far beyond the village's walls—a fact that was as flattering as it was frightening.
He got up and started to pace around, his footsteps silent against the forest floor. "What should I do with this? If I show it to Shisui, he will make a counter-strategy against the alliance. Do I want that? It might be interesting to see Shisui going against other villages, though, it will force a Shinobi War, which I won't be able to escape. It would elevate my standing, but it would also create chaos, one that I am not in control of. It is too soon for that. I am still weak. What to do. What to do." Horyu mused in his mind, a rare occurrence driven by the gravity of his findings. "I should somehow hint at Shisui without making a big deal out of it. He should be prepared but not so much. It will take some time for the alliance to form, but I can delay it for a bit, if I create a bit of diversion."
Sitting down, Horyu started to alter the intel scrolls. Then he took out an empty one and filled it with things he knew from the knowledge stored in his mind. Looking at it, he smirked. "This will create a bigger chaos." When the time for meeting the next person arrived, he left the cave and activated the seal again, "Sensei, I am on my way."
Kurenai warned, "Alert us if you feel something is wrong."
Horyu answered positively then walked towards the meeting point. As he arrived at a bridge, he suddenly felt a shiver. "Why does this setup seem familiar?" he asked himself as he walked to the edge of the bridge. When a red-cloaked figure walked from the other side, Horyu activated his Observe.
[System Notification:
Target: Kabuto Yakushi
Level: ????
Chakra: ????
Strength: ????
Intelligence: ????
Agility: ????
Stamina: ????]
Horyu shivered in absolute dread, his heart pounding against his ribcage. The presence of Kabuto Yakushi, Orochimaru's right hand, was a dire omen. His level and stats hidden by question marks, a feature Horyu had only encountered in his most dangerous foes. "Fuck," he cursed under his breath, the weight of the situation pressing down on him.
[System Quest: Path 1: Trace the Shadows, Subquest 1: Infiltrate the Hidden Marsh Village. Gather intelligence on the rogue's contacts without being detected. - Completed. Reward: +1000 XP, +5 AP, "Phantom Step" Technique (Grants the ability to move silently, leaving no trace or sound, perfect for stealth missions).]
Horyu calmed his galloping heart, activating his Meditation and Mental Fortitude skills, which, at max level, allowed him to think with absolute clarity. He took out the identity seal Hitomi used for Kabuto, and as it appeared on his hand, Kabuto mirrored the action. "Scrolls," Kabuto demanded, his voice cool and detached.
Horyu swiftly assessed his options. 'Kabuto... If he's here, this is either Sasori's or Orochimaru's doing. Either way, it's trouble. Do I hand over the real intel or the altered ones?' His decision was quick, guided by the skills' clarity. He handed over the scrolls he had meticulously altered and created, watching Kabuto's smirk widen. "This is your payment," Kabuto said, offering a scroll filled with money.
"Thank you," Horyu replied, imitating Hitomi's voice perfectly. As Kabuto walked away, Horyu too turned, making his way from the bridge. Once a safe distance away, he activated the seal. "How did it go?" Kurenai's voice came through, tinged with concern.
"I handed over the fake scrolls, Sensei," Horyu lied, not yet ready to reveal the depth of his ploy. "Good. Return now," Kurenai instructed.
As Horyu started to dash away, his appearance shifted back to his original form, blending seamlessly with the forest's shadows. He moved swiftly towards the meeting point with Kurenai and the others, who were stationed not far away. However, after half an hour running, an ominous feeling washed over him, a sense of danger so acute it made his skin crawl. The map in his vision flashed a bright red skull, an unmistakable sign of imminent threat. Without hesitation, he activated the emergency signal, his voice urgent but controlled as he relayed the situation. "Sensei, trouble!" he called, at the same time turned to see the enemy.
[System Notification:
Target: Orochimaru
Level: ?????
Chakra: ?????
Strength: ?????
Intelligence: ?????
Agility: ?????
Stamina: ????]
The system's inability to gauge Orochimaru's power was a testament to the sannin's terrifying strength. Horyu didn't need the system to tell him that Orochimaru was an opponent beyond his current capabilities. The realization only sharpened his focus, his determination to escape this encounter unscathed.
Simultaneously, he called upon his chakra, creating several Shadow Clones to confuse and delay any pursuer. The clones diverged in multiple directions, each mimicking Horyu's chakra signature to scatter the enemy's attention. Yet, even as he employed this decoy strategy, Horyu knew the real challenge lay ahead. The presence he had sensed was none other than Orochimaru, a name that sent shivers down the spine of even the bravest shinobi.
Using Shadowmeld Tactics, Horyu became a whisper in the wind, his form blurring at the edges as he merged with the shadows of the trees and the dimming light of dusk. This technique, a masterful blend of Ghost Mirage, Swift Evasion, Silent Step Technique, and Deceptive Retreat, rendered him nearly invisible. It was as if he had become one with the forest itself, his presence known only by the faintest displacement of air as he moved.
Shadowmeld Tactics was not just a method of evasion; it was an art form that Horyu had perfected. By manipulating the subtle shifts in light and shadow, he created optical illusions that disoriented his pursuers. With each step, he left no trace, his movements silent as the night. The technique allowed him to momentarily vanish from sight, only to reappear momentarily for a strategic advantage or escape.
--
It is the start of the new week. Please support me with Power Stones! Much appreciated!
-----
To Read up to 50 advance Chapters (25 for each novel) and support me...
patreon.com/thefanficgod1
Please drop a comment and like the chapter!
