"Halt! Password!"
"To cure lovesickness!"
"Counter-sign!"
"Only by seeing my beloved."
"Identify yourself!"
"ANBU First Division chūnin, Kishaku Kōta."
"State your business."
"I bear a secret message from Captain Ao for Master Genshi."
Kishaku Kōta produced a scroll from his robe. The ANBU guard nodded and waved him through.
Kishaku Kōta didn't waste time. He strode into Master Genshi's residence, the layout still familiar even after eight years. Soon, he was standing in the master's courtyard.
...
Master Genshi had suffered a stroke years ago during the Yeming Rebellion, but it hadn't crippled him. He walked and spoke fine—only his right hand was noticeably weaker.
He picked up the scroll, scrutinized the rubber seal, and nodded thoughtfully. Rather than open it himself, he handed it back to Kishaku Kōta.
"My hand's not as steady as it used to be. Help me open it."
Kishaku Kōta bowed, carefully peeled away the seal without unrolling the scroll, and handed it back.
Genshi opened the scroll with practiced calm, eyes scanning the message in silence. Kishaku Kōta waited quietly, head lowered.
After a long moment, Genshi sighed.
"Did Ao give you any other instructions?"
Kishaku Kōta nodded. "Captain Ao told me to follow your orders."
"Understood."
Genshi nodded, falling silent again. Just then, another ninja slipped in and whispered urgently in his ear. Genshi listened, nodding slightly.
"Good. Go fetch Aming and Tetsuya."
He tossed the scroll into the nearby fireplace; it flared and disappeared in seconds.
"How's the frontline holding?"
Genshi asked.
"The Kaguya clan's assault is fierce. They've pushed up to the Mizukage's office, but our men are holding strong under Lord Áo Péng. The battle's at a stalemate, but casualties are heavy…"
Kishaku Kōta reported.
"Mm."
Genshi grunted, then paused, lost in thought. After a while, he spoke again.
"I remember—you used to serve under Suikasanzameoni, didn't you?"
Kishaku Kōta stiffened, then replied, "Yes, I once served under Jōnin Suikasanzameoni."
Genshi was silent for a moment, then sighed.
"No matter how a stream flows, it always returns to the sea. But if the sea itself disappears, where does the stream go then? What do you think?"
The words were cryptic, heavy with meaning. Kishaku Kōta was left speechless, unsure how to respond.
Just then, two masked ANBU—one male, one female—entered.
Genshi beckoned to the woman. "Aming, pick twenty ninja and escort Rin to Safe House Number Four."
Aming hesitated. "Master Genshi, there's a problem."
Genshi frowned. "What problem?"
"Since this morning, Rin's been in a deep coma. Her chakra's acting strange… almost like—"
"Like what?"
"Like she's under a genjutsu."
Genshi's brow creased in concern, deep in thought.
"She hasn't been near anyone else, has she?"
"No, I've been with her the whole time."
"Hmph! Someone's already reached into my estate."
Genshi slammed his cane against the floor, his old eyes suddenly sharp.
"For something like this to happen now… none of it's coincidence. Ao's instincts were right—this place isn't safe anymore.
The situation's urgent. We'll deal with the genjutsu after the battle. Get a stretcher—carry her if you must! I'm coming with you."
Even through her mask, Aming looked shocked. But Genshi's tone brooked no argument.
"Tetsuya."
"Here!"
The male ninja bowed.
"Take the rest of the ANBU and reinforce the front. Work with Áo Péng—wipe out every last Kaguya lunatic. Leave none alive!"
Genshi was fired up, his cane thudding rhythmically on the floor.
Tetsuya paused, then quickly replied, "Yes, sir! I'll assemble the troops now."
He turned and left.
"You'll come with us," Genshi said to Kishaku Kōta. "We'll exit through the rear."
...
The ANBU moved fast. Within moments, a small squad carrying a stretcher hustled out the back, vanishing into the forest. At the same time, two hundred ANBU poured out the front gate, heading straight for the Mizukage's office.
Kishaku Kōta glanced at Rin on the stretcher. She looked trapped in a nightmare—face pale, brows furrowed, muttering in her sleep, limbs twitching. To keep her from thrashing, Aming had tied her down. It didn't look fake.
What the hell was going on? This was the worst possible time for surprises.
If he had a chance, he'd try to help, but with Rin's eyes shut and Aming glued to her side, there was no opening.
Step by step, he'd have to play it out.
As they walked, Kishaku Kōta dropped a small piece of dried grass—a tumbleweed leaf, native to the deserts of Wind Country but impossible to find in the Land of Water. (The kind used for making grass dolls.)
If you were paying attention, you'd realize: this Kishaku Kōta was actually Fugaku Uchiha in disguise.
Still, Ao's scroll hadn't been tampered with—just intercepted by Koharu Utatane. And now, Safe House Number Four was anything but safe.
Two hundred guards had been reduced to twenty. The mission was ten times easier, and the odds of "rescuing" the Three-Tails jinchūriki had skyrocketed.
"We're here. Go inside."
Genshi commanded.
After nearly two hours of trekking, the group arrived at their destination—a three-story cylindrical tower, like a blockhouse, sturdy enough for defense and shelter.
Fugaku Uchiha dropped the last piece of dried grass, scanning every face in the group.
Maybe I should take out one of them now—make the coming fight a little easier.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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