First things first. I needed confirmation. The Yamigami could talk to each other over a long distance. But whatever seals were used to hide the lab were somewhat effective in hindering the connection. I needed confirmation. There's a saying. If you go for the king, you better not miss. And I was going for one. This cannot go wrong. I ran intonthe training grounds at the edge of the village. As quietly as I could. The signal got stronger with each step, But it still wasn't good enough for communication.
When I finally zeroed in on the location. I found Maito Duy in that training ground. Perfect! An excuse.
I walked up to him while instructing the Yami to convey the intent of rescue and ask for intel about the base while I talked.
"Hello Lord Duy!"
"Hello my friend. How can I help you?" he asked. Without actuattly stopiing the pushups he was doing.
"I wanted to ask if you would be interested in joining my clan?"
It was pure bullshit but it made sense to a normal person. At least somewhat.
This finally made him pause. "Connection Established. Sending and receiving info." The Yamigami chimed. Alright, I have to keep him talking for a while more. Don't want the lookouts getting any idea. My appearance here will be suspicious. But not enough to move this place.
"What do you mean? What clan are you from?" Of course the muscle head didn't know me. But this was good. I spent the next few minutes explaining what my clan is, what it does, and origins. By the end the great Duy was crying. "The power of youth you and your clan have displayed so far has moved me. You truly are a the picture of what a youthful young shinobi looks like." He hygged me. It was eerily uncomfortable seeing a grown man cry and hug. But I endured for Taku's sake.
"Are we done yet?" I asked the YamiGami internally.
"Information, yes, Seals on the door no. They will have self destruct mechanisms and alternative routes to run. They aren't fools. I have the map and structure till their lab."
"Is it enough in there to clearly establish guilt.?"
"More than enough."
I stopped Duy's continuing tirade. "So, are you willing to join?"
He pause. Unsure. "My family had never been part of any clan before. Plus, you sound like big deals, Or at least future big deals. Why do you want to hire an eternal genin like me? Especially since you guys don't even have a taijutsu wing."
I paused. Was this guy actually considering it? Was this alright? Won't this drastically change the timeline regarding Guy, Kakashi and the seven swordsmen of the mist?
Oh what the hell. Orochimaru is getting caught roughly 2 decades ahead of schedule.
"Exactly. We don't have a taijutsu wing. I want to establish a Taijutsu for my clan. I asked around for Taijutsu masters capable of making an art specific to my clan. But if someone else makes it, it will have the risk of being spread out. And an art that whose weaknesses are known isn't an edge but a curse."
Duy listened seriously. I know I was here to rescue my guy, but wanting to have a massive gain in the form of Duy and the future Guy, can't be considered unfilial right? For some reason it felt that way. It was not a good feeling at all. But the Yamigami was still learning the seals in the place.
"You have poor ninjutsu, but excellent comprehension of Taijutsu from what I hear. Plus you have no other allies or relationships. You're perfect for induction. As long as you promise to develop an art specific to the clan over the next 20 years. I will support your growth financially. For both the art you are making and the one you will make."
"I understand what you are saying, but the technique I am developing is aimed for my family. Sharing it will be a bit.."
Of course. Families and clans. I decided to play the transmigrator card. I knew that Duy was always underestimated
"Well if you jouin, you will be Kurosawa Duy, We will be your family. But considering. Your efforts. I understand. I have had a few people watch over you for a while now. And I believe you are destined for greatness. Even if nobody else sees it. So, I propose this. The art you are already making will be a family art you do not have to share."
Not that I could find training maniacs to practice it anyway. Besides, my clan had no talent for Taijutsu capable of that even in they wanted.
"You will only have to share the art that you make for the clan. And of course. You will have to answer our calls to war if we have any like any other clan."
"I got it all."
Good. It's time to go.
"I am not asking for your answer today, but remember, If you join, you and your family you wish to prosper will have the support of an entire clan as they grow. You don't have to give me an answer today. Just think it over. If you want to discuss more. Find me at the Kurosawa compound near Ichiraku Ramen."
I bowed and ran out.
"Tell me, how bad is it?"
"Not too bad actually. He is not yet the Orochimaru from your memories. The experiments are fatal and painful. But he still treats them with a modicum of respect. For structure there are 2 seals. Taku was knocked out, his Yami wasn't. The first seal at the entrance. Is a simple identification seal.
The second one at the main door is a guarded seal that only the doorkeepers can open. The internal structure are at least 3 linearly connected halls. One looks like a reception come living area. The second is the lab where Taku and the rest of the subjects are. And the final one seems to be a storage. But he hasn't been inside. And his fellow prisoners have seen people only bringing stuff out and not taking it in. Which means that either the storage is titanic. Or simply has another exit. "
We have more than one hostages. How the hell did Orochimaru progress so fast. Didn't he start researching at the very end of the second shinobi war?
Anyways, time was running out. And now with the mission confirmed. It was time to get reinforcements.