"Since we're operating at night, let's do something different this time."
Shigure didn't know the exact location of the Root Organization's base, but he was sure it was hidden deep beneath Konoha. Even when Pain unleashed Shinra Tensei, it hadn't been destroyed.
That alone spoke volumes about how well-hidden it was.
To infiltrate it, the first step was to locate its entrance.
But in a village as vast as Konoha, finding that entrance wouldn't be easy.
Unless… he relied on ninjutsu.
Shigure's eyes flicked to his passive skill bar.
On his Basic Training page, he had three Chakra Refinement techniques, one Genjutsu, one Taijutsu, and two Ice Release: Freezing Moment techniques.
On his Combat Skills page, there were two Breathing Techniques, two Ice Release techniques, two Cloud Release techniques, and one Chakra Refinement technique.
None of those configurations suited a stealth mission.
He began making adjustments.
Passive Slot 1–2: Transparent Escape — maintaining invisibility at all times without consuming chakra, so he could move unseen.
Passive Slot 3–4: Cloud Release — these would be the core of tonight's plan.
Passive Slot 5–6–7: Chakra Refinement — maximizing recovery speed so that, if discovered, he could fight back with every ninjutsu available. Escape techniques and Ice Release would be his last resort.
This setup was essentially a second combat loadout.
By the time his preparations were complete, night had fallen.
[Great Sage:Current natural energy invasion — 3.4%]
The rate had been climbing quickly, and ever since returning to Konoha, it was increasing noticeably.
At eight o'clock sharp, Shigure decided it was time. Tonight, he had two objectives:
Locate the Root Organization's entrance.
If that failed, attempt to steal the Scroll of Seals.
Even if it meant risking discovery by the Sandaime Hokage, he couldn't afford to waste time.
"Fortunately, all those Cloud Release calculations the Great Sage ran these past days will finally pay off," he muttered.
Looking up at the sky, Shigure began forming the long and intricate sequence of seals unique to him — the Shigure Seal.
Once complete, his eyes snapped open.
The chakra within him surged like floodwaters breaking a dam. If it weren't for the two Cloud Release techniques reinforcing each other, his reserves would have been drained in mere seconds.
"Cloud Release — Thundercloud!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Crackling lightning lanced through the night sky as dark clouds rapidly gathered over Konoha.
On the streets, shinobi looked upward.
"Thunder? I hope it doesn't rain… I'm on duty tonight."
"Strange… there was no sign of rain earlier today."
"Yeah, but maybe it's just passing thunder. Probably won't rain."
Shigure's hands blurred through a second sequence of seals.
"Cloud Release — Raincloud!"
Fusion: Thunderstorm!
The sky answered instantly. Sheets of rain poured down, accompanied by the roar of thunder and flashes of lightning.
This was no acidic rain — just a heavy, natural downpour. But under the cover of a thunderstorm, visibility dropped sharply, and the streets quickly emptied.
Those still outside hurried home.
From the Hokage's office, the Sandaime Sarutobi looked out the window. Something about the storm felt off, but there were too many other matters demanding his attention. A sudden downpour wasn't enough to warrant immediate action.
His only concern was the sheer volume of rainfall — enough to strain Konoha's drainage systems.
The rain continued to pound relentlessly.
...
Shigure gazed at the raging storm outside. The results were exactly as he had envisioned.
This technique would continue as long as he maintained it — but the cost was constant, relentless chakra drain. The amount consumed was staggering, unlike anything he'd used before.
Forming a seal with his left hand, he brushed his right hand across his face as though changing masks.
"Cloud Release — Cloud Mask."
A white mask of swirling vapor formed over his features, shaped eerily like the one from V for Vendetta.
When he first learned the technique, Shigure had dismissed it as useless. But now, he saw its true value. With it, even the Byakugan couldn't pierce his disguise. If someone managed to spot him tonight, they still wouldn't see his real face.
Next, he activated Transparent Ninjutsu, his figure vanishing entirely — along with his very presence.
As a precaution, he left a shadow clone at home.
When his door closed, his true body was already gone, slipping into the darkness.
At a rain-slicked corner of Konoha, where the street's drainage water pooled into a small stream, Shigure crouched on a stone pier. Hidden by both heavy rain and his Transparent Ninjutsu, even an ANBU passing inches away wouldn't sense him.
"Cloud Release — Fish in the Cloud."
He dipped a hand into the stream, releasing wisps of mist from his palm. In moments, tiny fish-shaped clouds emerged, darting away before vanishing into the water.
Light enough to swim in both air and water, these cloud fish were perfect scouts. Under cover of the storm, they could slip unnoticed into even the smallest openings.
Each was no larger than a tadpole, easy to overlook, and if discovered, they would instantly dissolve back into harmless mist.
Perfect for finding the Root Organization's hidden entrances.
Shigure continued releasing wave after wave of them — tens of thousands in total — before standing and moving on.
While the cloud fish scouted independently, he would also search on foot. If he could spot Root operatives moving through the village, he might be able to follow them to the base's location.
A two-pronged approach — maximum chances of success.
The white, misty fish scattered into the night, riding streams and gutters toward every corner of Konoha.
Closing his eyes, Shigure concentrated. Each cloud fish had a detection range of about one meter, and with tens of thousands released, a detailed, three-dimensional map of Konoha began forming in his mind.
Minutes passed. The mental map expanded. Then—
Shigure's eyes snapped open.
"Found it."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"I didn't expect it to be hidden in such an inconspicuous place…"
...
TN:
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