"I'll scout the mountain first. Once the intelligence is confirmed, we'll formulate an action plan."
"Yes!"
Chisuke was the core of this mission, naturally taking on the role of captain.
Elephant Head Mountain was shaped exactly like its namesake. One side was a gentle slope, like an elephant's back, while the other side resembled a hanging trunk with an incredibly steep cliff face.
Chisuke reached the bottom of the steep side, found an open patch of grass, and stopped in front of a large tree.
"Come out. This is our first time meeting in person."
Beside the tree, a figure emerged from the shadows of the cliff and landed softly on the ground.
"Chisuke, you're even darker than you were in the dream," Mishu remarked. "If I hadn't heard your voice, I wouldn't have noticed you. I suppose that counts as a talent."
Chisuke smirked. "Likewise. Your blue eyes look as terrifying as a ghost's at night, yet they aren't even a Bloodline Limit. Truly disappointing, Mishu."
Thinking about the events of the past few days, Mishu couldn't help but shake his head.
"That guy Kyosuke was so excited to coordinate with you, but he ended up being assigned to harass the Land of Wind. You two have basically swapped home bases."
Recalling Kyosuke's irritable meltdown in the dreamscape, Chisuke couldn't help but laugh.
"He's in a lot of pain after losing his chance to be a hero. Still, you arrived quickly enough. It seems my efforts to buy you time weren't in vain."
Mishu's expression turned serious. "According to Kyosuke, there are ninjas from the Uchiha Clan stationed here. If we get the chance, let's seize a Sharingan. Kiichiro is almost ready on his end and desperately needs experimental materials."
Chisuke shook his head helplessly. "We'll see. This is Konoha's home turf, and we don't have much of an advantage. The probability of success isn't high."
After finalizing some details, the two parted ways. Mishu slipped into the shadows to hunt for an opportunity, while Chisuke began to scale the sheer cliff face.
As he neared the summit, Chisuke stopped and waited.
According to Kyosuke's briefing, the commander here should be Ogawa Tomohiro, an elite Jonin specializing in Fire and Wind Release. He commanded roughly five to seven squads.
Of course, to avoid suspicion, Kyosuke hadn't deliberately collected data on Elephant Head Mountain. This intel was based on hearsay and wasn't guaranteed to be perfectly accurate.
Nevertheless, Kyosuke had provided massive value by detailing standard patrol patterns, defensive formations, and trap placements.
After waiting for a moment, Chisuke sensed it was time for the Konoha shift change. He immediately created a Shadow Clone to scout the summit.
Good luck, I wasn't spotted by the patrol! his clone thought.
Elephant Head Mountain covered a significant area. The Shadow Clone saw a sprawling complex of palaces illuminated by countless lights. He knew that was the Konoha base—Kotohira-gu.
Carefully bypassing several traps, the clone approached the temple.
Kotohira-gu was dedicated to the deity 'Konpira,' and it was vast. The pilgrimage path alone boasted a thousand stone steps!
The Shadow Clone didn't dare take the main steps. Instead, he navigated the treacherous mountain path alongside the outer wall. After confirming there were no traps, he vaulted onto the roof and crept toward the innermost shrine.
Along the way, the clone meticulously recorded the terrain, enemy numbers, and trap locations.
Inside the main shrine, beneath a ferocious-looking statue with four eyes and four arms, Ogawa Tomohiro was meeting an old friend. The Shadow Clone pressed his ear to the roof, hoping for high-level intel.
"Ahahaha, you guy, after all these years, you still like acting alone," Ogawa teased. "You're far too antisocial."
"Compared to people, I prefer the company of insects," Aburame Shibi replied calmly.
"If you don't change that personality, I'm afraid it'll be hard for you to find a wife."
"I'm already engaged."
"What?! A guy like you actually has a fiancée? My god, the world is so unfair!"
Lying on the roof, the Shadow Clone listened for a long time without hearing a single useful military secret. He couldn't help but complain internally.
You two! There are no outsiders around, why are you still so guarded? Talk about your respective missions!
With dawn rapidly approaching, the Shadow Clone proactively released the jutsu and vanished in a puff of smoke.
At the exact spot where he disappeared, several minuscule insects began circling back and forth.
"There's an enemy nearby. We'll pursue immediately!"
Inside the shrine, Aburame Shibi stood up abruptly, staring at the ceiling with a severe expression.
"What's wrong? Who is it?!" Ogawa Tomohiro asked, instantly on high alert.
Shibi's voice was grave. "I don't know who the enemy is, but the insects are terrified of his Chakra. The enemy must be incredibly strong!"
Ogawa snorted coldly. "Damn it, it must be the Sand Ninja. It's lucky you were passing through here today, otherwise we'd be in serious danger! Where are they? We can't let them destroy this place!"
"Don't worry, the insects have already expanded their search range. There should be results soon."
Aburame Shibi was absolutely confident in his swarm's scouting abilities.
At the same time, halfway down the cliff, Chisuke received the memories from his dissipating clone. Confirming the safe routes, he prepared to regroup with the Sand Ninja to plan their night raid.
High above, inconspicuous insects fluttered silently, trailing right behind him.
After walking for a while, Chisuke frowned.
I keep feeling like someone is monitoring me, he thought. Is it just my imagination? There's clearly no one around. I transmigrated into Naruto, not a ghost story world.
It was the darkest moment just before dawn.
Chisuke scanned his surroundings but found nothing unusual. Still, he wasn't going to risk it.
"Being cautious is the only way to live a long life," he muttered. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
He split into several clones, sending them fleeing in different directions to shake off the lingering sense of unease.
He didn't know that behind every single clone, a swarm of microscopic insects was hot on their heels. The bugs couldn't distinguish the original from the fakes, but there were millions of them; they simply tracked them all.
Inside the shrine, a few insects flew through the window and landed on Aburame Shibi's outstretched hand, arranging themselves into a series of symbols.
"The insects have sent back word. Target found! Let's go!"
"Good!"
Ogawa Tomohiro left one squad behind to guard the base and led the rest in hot pursuit, intending to eliminate this unknown threat swiftly.
To rendezvous with his team, Chisuke had to take a wide, arcing route around the mountain. This delay allowed Shibi and the Konoha forces to intercept him perfectly.
"Tch, I've been found," Chisuke grumbled as the ninja surrounded him. "Hey, who was monitoring me just now?!"
Seeing the Konoha forces close in, Chisuke wasn't too afraid. After all, there were no Sannin-level monsters here.
Ogawa Tomohiro didn't answer. Instead, he pointed a trembling finger at Chisuke, his eyes wide with shock.
"He... he is Tasaka Sensuke, the One-Tails Jinchuriki! Wasn't he injured? Why is he here?!"
The deterrent power of a Tailed Beast was absolute. Hearing Ogawa's words, the Konoha Ninjas paled, their expressions twisting into caution and outright fear.
Only Aburame Shibi remained completely calm.
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