The Cloud Pavilion was a temple-like building constructed on a cliff edge, away from the village center.
Only a single narrow path provided access, guarded by four visible and twelve hidden sentries.
Without the Raikage's written permission, entry was forbidden.
But as a faint purple mist drifted in, all guards, both hidden and visible, collapsed unconscious.
Moments later, two Kumogakure's Shinobi approached.
Seeing the disorganizedly fallen Shinobi, they exchanged glances, nodded, and with a 'poof', transformed into a young man and a young girl.
"Phew, much more comfortable in my own appearance," The girl said, seeming relieved.
The young man shook his head slightly. "Hurry inside. They check this place every half hour."
Saying this, he stepped onto the path first.
The girl stuck her tongue out playfully at his back before following.
Along the way, the girl curiously looked around.
On the mountainside towering into the clouds, white clouds occasionally drifted by. On both sides of the lonely path were bottomless chasms.
Looking at the classical architecture opposite, she couldn't help but ask curiously, "Ryuji-sama, is the Chakra Cannon really hidden in a place like this?"
"Probably not." Ryuji said. "Something like the Chakra Cannon wouldn't be placed in such a classical building, which seems more suited for storing antiques."
"Then why come?"
"No matter how low the probability, it's still uncertain. What if I guessed wrong?" Ryuji chuckled. "Moreover, Kumogakure frequently seizes and studies other villages' and clans' Ninjutsu and weapons. With such tight security here, even if there's no Chakra Cannon, there must be other treasures."
"True. Kumogakure is used to stealing others' things. Let them taste being robbed this time." Kana giggled.
Kumogakure liked seizing and studying other villages' secret techniques and weapons. The Raikage personally leading such operations wasn't uncommon, known throughout the Shinobi World.
Mention Kumogakure, and everyone's first impression: overbearing, unreasonable, bandits!
Then comes Lightning Release Nin-Taijutsu and sword skills.
"Exactly. Because of their behavior, I feel no psychological burden doing this. Instead, it gives a sense of righteous justice."
As they spoke, they reached the pavilion's exterior.
Kana activated Hawk Eyes, scanning the door and surroundings. Finding no traps, she nodded to Ryuji.
Understanding, Ryuji pushed the door open.
Inside was a Japanese-style room.
Tatami mats covered the floor. Only a raised platform stood at the center, with a soft cushion holding an amber-colored jar. The mouth was bound with white rope, and the middle bore a character or symbol resembling a door.
Slightly larger than an ordinary bucket.
"Just a big pottery jar!?" Kana was surprised.
Though it looked old, by all appearances, it was just an ordinary clay jar. No matter how ancient, not valuable.
But Ryuji chuckled.
"Struck treasure."
"Ryuji-sama knows what this is?"
"Mhm."
Ryuji nodded, walking inside while explaining, "This is the Sage of Six Paths' treasured artifact 'Amber Purifying Pot'… a powerful sealing vessel."
As he spoke, he reached the Amber Purifying Pot, checking for traps around it.
"A sealing vessel left by the Sage of Six Paths!?" Kana couldn't help but open her mouth wide.
Though she didn't know how powerful it was, she knew anything related to the Sage of Six Paths couldn't be ordinary.
"An alarm mechanism; troublesome."
Under the Amber Purifying Pot's raised platform, Ryuji found a paper seal. Though he hadn't seen its pattern before, he deduced its principle based on fundamentals.
This thing was an alarm.
If the Amber Purifying Pot was disturbed, the seal would trigger a loud alarm.
Unless using something like Truth-Seeking Balls that negate Ninjutsu, it couldn't be disarmed before activation.
Thinking, Ryuji asked in the mental ocean, "Gin, found the Chakra Cannon on your side?"
"No. This place hides secret techniques and weapons Kumogakure seized from others."
"Understood."
Ryuji took a deep breath, lost in thought.
Kumogakure had four hidden locations.
Ryuji labeled them A, B, C, D. His team and Gin's were currently exploring A and B. Teams C and D remained uninvestigated.
But those two locations were far from here; unreachable within half an hour.
And in half an hour, someone would come to check.
Meaning, whether he touched the Amber Purifying Pot or not, Kumogakure would notice the anomaly.
So then...
A sharp glint flashed in Ryuji's eyes. "Kana, go to Point D alone. I'll have Gin meet you there."
"Now?"
"Mhm."
"Understood."
Kana nodded, transformed into the Kumogakure's Shinobi disguise they came in, and quickly left.
In the Sea of Consciousness, Ryuji instructed Gin to go to Point D to meet Kana, then told Kuro to go to Point C alone.
After this, Ryuji sat alone in the room, waiting.
...
Time passed slowly. About over ten minutes later, exclamations came from outside.
Hearing the sounds, a smile appeared on Ryuji's face. "Only arriving now? I've grown impatient."
As he spoke, a space gate opened.
Ryuji grabbed the Amber Purifying Pot and threw it inside.
Immediately, alarms blared.
"Annoying!"
Ryuji stomped on the raised platform, shattering it. The room fell silent.
Seeing this, Ryuji smirked coldly, walking toward the door.
Thud, thud, thud...
Before opening the door, numerous footsteps and shouts came from outside.
Ryuji snorted coldly, kicked the door.
With a 'bang', the door flew out, slamming into a Kumogakure's Shinobi wearing single-shoulder white armor.
The immense force sent him flying backward, crashing into others running up the narrow path behind him. All tumbled off the cliff.
For a moment, screams and exclamations rose and fell.
"Don't blame me; this was your own choice!" Ryuji sneered, striding outward.
...
Piercing alarms echoed over the village. Countless Shinobi dashed over rooftops or ground toward the incident site.
Ordinary villagers, led by Genin, headed to shelters to avoid disaster.
Boom!
Violent explosions mixed with screams; several Kumogakure's Shinobi flew out.
A young man with reddish-brown short hair slowly walked out from dust and smoke. His black eyes filled with contempt. "The martial village feared by the Shinobi World… only this level?"
"Damn it! Don't underestimate Kumogakure!"
A youth formed a hand seal with his left hand; lightning erupted on the longsword in his right.
"Secret Sword: Lightning Flash!"
Electric arcs also wreathed the youth's body. Fast as lightning, leaving a trail of electricity in the air, he closed in before the red-haired youth in an instant.
But before his sword could descend, the opponent's weapon pierced him first.