The Mystery
Shirō wasn't lying—he really wasn't sure. All he knew for certain was the existence of the forbidden technique Death Possession Blood, but who could say whether Hidan's cult had other curse-style Ninjutsu?
Besides, decades had passed since that era. Conditions could have changed. If their rituals now required different mediums or sacrifices, things could get complicated fast.
So all Shirō could do was warn the team to be cautious of curse techniques.
"Is that all?" Shikamaru frowned.
"That's all. The old texts don't mention much more."
"Then let's call it a night," Nakamura suggested. "Gray Snake still needs time to gather intelligence. Tomorrow, we'll regroup with a clearer plan."
"Mm. Agreed." Shikamaru nodded. For now, they simply lacked the intel to move forward.
"You all go first," Shirō said. "I want to look around—see if there's anything useful in the village."
"Fine, but stay sharp. If something happens, make it loud enough for us to hear. We'll rush over."
"Don't worry, Captain. Nothing's going to happen here."
"Still," Nakamura reminded, "stay vigilant. We'll rest for now."
After parting ways with the team, Shirō wandered through the market streets of Yugakure, the Village Hidden in Hot Water. His eyes scanned the stalls, searching for items that might serve his purpose.
Everything was in preparation for the creation of a Magic Crest.
With his Projection of Rule Breaker, Medea's knowledge of thaumaturgy, and the support of his damaged system, the actual process wasn't the problem. The real issue was materials.
He had just enough ryo to afford chakra metal—the core medium—but a true Magic Crest required a host of auxiliary catalysts. Worse still, transplantation always risked rejection, and suppressing that backlash required specific stabilizers.
Some of the rarest reagents didn't even exist in the shinobi world. Shirō would have to improvise, replacing them with equivalents where possible. That was the hardest part.
Luckily, only two rare substitutes still eluded him. So whenever he had free time, he scoured the markets, hoping luck would favor him. But Shirō's fortune was only rated at "C," and so far, nothing.
Still, he wasn't discouraged. This was always a gamble.
To test materials, he relied on magecraft:
"Synchronization, initiate.
Basic Material Analysis.
Composition Material Analysis."
Through Reinforcement's foundation, he could read a substance at a glance. With one touch, he grasped its nature, its functions, and whether it could substitute for what he needed.
It was fast, efficient. But after combing the entire market, he came up empty. With nothing left to try, Shirō returned to the inn. He couldn't craft the Crest yet anyway—so there was no point sulking.
---
The Next Morning
At dawn, the team assembled, waiting for Gray Snake's report. Only one location remained unchecked.
Moments later, the serpent coiled at Shirō's side.
"Investigation complete," Shirō relayed.
"What did it find?"
"Three locations. Gray Snake detected people, but can't confirm whether they're bandits or something else." He pointed to the marks on the map.
"Three bases, huh…" Nakamura considered. "Shirō, Isshin, Toyota—you three investigate separately. Taichi and Uchiha Tsuki, you'll provide backup for Isshin and Toyota. Shirō, can you handle reconnaissance alone?"
"Don't worry. I'll keep my distance. They'll never notice me."
"Good. I'll go with Shikamaru to check the last site myself. I need to confirm a suspicion."
"No problem."
"Then let's move."
"Right!"
---
Shirō chose a mountainside vantage point—high, remote, and naturally concealed. At that range, only a Byakugan could detect him. Even the Rinnegan, whose perception leaned toward chakra flow, wasn't focused on such long-distance searching.
Still, to be safe, he Projected an Invisibility Cloak to mask his presence. Then, lazily, he observed the suspected base.
It wasn't perfect; this method only revealed the enemy's general nature. He'd still have to approach under cover of night. But for now, safety outweighed thoroughness.
Meanwhile, Toyota was doing it the shinobi way—creeping close, molding chakra, and casting sensory techniques to feel out the camp. Uchiha Tsuki lingered in the shadows, ready to counter any threat.
Isshin, by contrast, sent a swarm of kikaichū beetles into the stronghold, their tiny bodies slipping through cracks and corners to collect information.
Beside him, Taichi shuddered. "Ugh… I'll never get used to this." He finally understood why Uchiha Tsuki had eagerly chosen Toyota as his partner instead.
---
Elsewhere, Shikamaru and Nakamura arrived at a half-collapsed underground chamber.
"Shikamaru, this place looks abandoned," Nakamura noted.
"That's exactly why it's suspicious," Shikamaru muttered. He traced the scuffed floorboards and broken walls. "See? These traces were planted to look accidental. Someone wanted to hide something here."
"True. But it seems stripped clean." Nakamura frowned. "Perhaps we should bring Shirō. His summoned beasts might pick up what we can't."
"Right. He also has that image-reconstructed Ninjutsu. With it, we could replay what happened here."
Just then—
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
A flurry of shuriken whistled from the shadows, each blade charged with Wind Release chakra, sharp enough to tear stone. Whoever attacked intended to kill them outright.
But Shikamaru and Nakamura were ready. Their earlier words had been bait—to lure the assailants into striking. In an instant, both shinobi swapped themselves with wooden logs using the Body Replacement Technique.
The wind-blades shredded only timber. Their attackers had revealed themselves.
"Shadow Imitation Technique!" Shikamaru's shadow snaked out, locking one enemy in place.
"Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique!" Nakamura's hands slammed the ground, dragging another beneath the earth up to the neck.
Two enemies immobilized in a heartbeat.
"Hah! Nicely done, Shikamaru," Nakamura grinned. "At least jōnin-level opponents, and you snagged one in a single move!"
"Don't celebrate yet," Shikamaru muttered, sweat on his brow. "I can't hold this long. Help me finish it."
"Tch, fine, fine." Nakamura formed seals.
"Sealing Technique—Four Limbs Heavy Seal!"