125 Long Lost Scroll
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As he mulled over his options, Horyu crafted a plan to leverage his knowledge into creating a mission that would not only serve his goals but also benefit the Yamanaka Clan and Konoha at large. The technique he settled on was a moderate-level Yamanaka technique, an enhancement of the Mind Body Switch Technique that allowed for a longer duration and a broader range of control. It was powerful enough to be valuable but not so groundbreaking as to cause imbalance or suspicion.
[[System Quest: Crafting Influence]
Objective: Create and propose a mission that benefits the Yamanaka Clan, leveraging your knowledge of unique techniques.
Choices:
Convince Ino: Share the idea directly with Ino, encouraging her to bring it up with her father, Inoichi.
Reward: Personal Favor from Ino (+150 XP, "Insightful Partner" perk, enhancing cooperative missions with Ino.)
Convince Inoichi: Approach Inoichi Yamanaka with the proposal, emphasizing the technique's potential benefits to Konoha's intelligence efforts.
Reward: Inoichi's Endorsement (+200 XP, "Strategic Ally" perk, increasing your influence within Konoha's intelligence network.)
Convince Yamanaka Clan: Present the mission proposal at a Yamanaka Clan meeting, highlighting how it could strengthen their role within Konoha.
Reward: Yamanaka Clan's Acknowledgment (+250 XP, "Clan Collaborator" perk, improving interactions and cooperation with the Yamanaka Clan.)
Convince Shisui: Take the proposal directly to Shisui, suggesting its strategic value for Konoha's overall strength.
Reward: Hokage's Approval (+300 XP, "Visionary Strategist" perk, significantly boosting your standing with Konoha's leadership.)
Horyu weighed his options carefully. Convincing Ino directly would solidify their burgeoning partnership, but going straight to Inoichi or the Yamanaka Clan could yield broader strategic benefits. Ultimately, his ambition and the broader vision for his faction led him to choose the most impactful route: Convincing Shisui himself.
The days following their return from the mission unfolded with a quiet intensity for Horyu. His daily interactions with Ino, while ostensibly casual, were underpinned by a mutual recognition of the evolving dynamics between them. Their engagement, while not formally announced, was an open secret, their outings serving as both an opportunity to understand each other and a tacit acknowledgment of the path they were embarking on together.
Ino, for her part, seemed to embrace this new chapter with a cautious optimism. Their conversations, light and often peppered with laughter, gradually peeled back the layers of their respective personas, revealing the complexities and vulnerabilities hidden beneath. Horyu found himself genuinely enjoying Ino's company, her sharp wit and keen intelligence a refreshing counterpoint to the solitude he had long accustomed himself to.
Being too young for any romantic mingling, Horyu and Ino were just spending time getting to know each other. Their days were filled with casual walks through Konoha, occasional visits to the Yamanaka flower shop, and long conversations that ranged from trivial matters to their dreams and aspirations. It was a period of mutual discovery, laying the groundwork for whatever their relationship might evolve into.
Surprisingly, Hinata increased her efforts to spend more time with Horyu as well. Probably because of Ino. Horyu's relationship with Hinata had always been good; in the academy, only Hinata treated him like a human even when he was weak, and Horyu had plans for Hinata from the beginning. He wasn't sure if he could convince Hinata to share him with others like Ino, but Horyu had no intention of letting go of her just yet. For now, he spent time with her and furthered their bond.
After four days of careful planning and strategic engagement with Ino and Hinata, Horyu approached Shisui in his office, a determined glint in his eye. "Hokage-sama, as I previously reported, after disguising myself as the rogue ninja, Hitomi, I've continued to stay in contact with his spies. One of them delivered an interesting piece of information that could be valuable to us," Horyu began, laying the groundwork for his proposal.
Shisui looked up from the documents strewn across his desk, his interest piqued. "What is it?" he asked, leaning forward slightly.
Horyu didn't hesitate. "He claims to have found a scroll detailing a Yamanaka Clan technique from the Warring Era, one that's been lost in time," he disclosed, watching Shisui's reaction closely.
Shisui's brows furrowed, the wheels in his mind clearly turning. "And why should we risk retrieving it?" he inquired, his tone measured.
Taking a breath, Horyu prepared his argument, knowing the success of his mission hinged on this moment. "Hokage-sama, you've engaged me to Ino Yamanaka, but Inoichi-san was initially reluctant. I believe securing this scroll would serve as a significant gesture from the Uchiha Clan to the Yamanaka Clan, aiding the engagement. Furthermore, strengthening the Yamanaka Clan with this technique would be highly beneficial for Konoha," Horyu explained, laying out his reasoning with precision.
Shisui pondered for a moment, then asked, "Do you know anything about the technique? How strong is it?"
Horyu nodded, "The spy mentioned it eases the Mind Transfer Jutsu and contains a technique that current Yamanaka shinobi cannot use. Overall, it's not overly powerful but could significantly enhance their abilities," he said, ensuring to underplay the technique's potential to avoid unnecessary alarm.
Shisui leaned back, his gaze fixed on Horyu, assessing the proposal's merits. After a moment of silence, he nodded. "Alright, Horyu. If you think this can aid your engagement with Ino and benefit Konoha, I trust your judgment. We'll pursue this scroll. But proceed with caution; we can't afford to tip off our enemies or cause unrest within the clans."
Horyu's expression remained neutral, but internally he was pleased. This was a crucial step in solidifying his standing, both within the Uchiha Clan and Konoha at large. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. I'll make the necessary arrangements," he said, bowing slightly before turning to leave.
After exiting the Hokage's office, Horyu made his way towards the Yamanaka Clan's location with a clear objective in mind. His decision to wait four days before acting was strategic; he knew that the Yamanaka Clan had scheduled a significant meeting for today. True to his nature, Horyu sought to leverage every situation to his advantage, aiming to extract the maximum benefit from his actions. His plan was meticulously laid out: he would first approach Ino to gain her trust and support, then her father, Inoichi, before finally presenting his case at the clan meeting.
Horyu's approach was calculated. By starting with Shisui, he was positioning himself to secure the most favorable outcome of the quest. The system's flexibility, allowing him to pursue multiple quest paths simultaneously, was an opportunity he couldn't ignore. It wasn't just about gaining the Yamanaka Clan's favor; it was about securing all four rewards that the quest potentially offered. Yet, he knew the significance of prioritizing—to ensure he received the best reward, he needed to carefully navigate his interactions, starting with those most likely to influence the outcome positively.
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