"What do you mean 'why'? Haven't you felt that the clan's resources have been very scarce lately?" Kawajiro finished his cigarette in one puff, exhaling heavily after a long pause.
Sakuto fell silent upon hearing this. How could he not know? He just felt that the clan head would surely be able to resolve it.
After all these years, the former young master, now the clan heada, had always been supporting their clan's survival. He had perfectly resolved every predicament.
"I believe the clan head can definitely do it." Sakuto shook his head, speaking firmly to Kawajiro.
Kawajiro didn't respond. As an elder, he knew much more than Sakuto.
"Coo-coo—coo-coo—"
The sound came from far behind him.
Kawajiro turned his head, grinning as he said, "The relief team is here. Go wash up and get some good rest when you get back, Sakuto."
This was the sound they used when changing shifts. At this time, this sound should be correct.
No, it seemed it should be—
Kawajiro's face suddenly turned pale as he realized something was wrong, and even Sakuto behind him hadn't responded yet.
Snap—
A hand landed on Kawajiro's shoulder, making the already pale Kawajiro let out a breath.
He turned his head with a slightly displeased tone, saying, "Sakuto! This isn't something to joke about—"
His words stopped abruptly. What met his eyes was a head covered in black insects.
Crack—
The crisp sound of a neck breaking was heard. Kawajiro went limp and collapsed.
The insects that had been on Sakuto flew off, gradually converging into a figure.
As soon as he materialized, Muta unconsciously swayed, looking at the corpse at his feet with a hint of disbelief.
"What's wrong?" Shinji picked up the bodies of Kawajiro and Sakuto, looking at Muta and asking.
"I'm sorry, Shinji-sama, I almost messed up." Muta's expression was full of apology.
He had clearly controlled Sakuto, yet Sakuto, with only a sliver of consciousness left, had managed to reach out and touch Kawajiro, giving him a warning.
If Shinji hadn't appeared in time to deal with Kawajiro, the plan would likely have ended before it even began.
"The Kekkei Genkai on this person slowed down the release of my poison."
Shinji raised an eyebrow.
Smoke Release, huh? It seemed like an opportunity to learn more.
One should know that the Aburame clan's insects were not just any ordinary things. This young man could actually delay the neurotoxin due to his Kekkei Genkai .
Without further thought, Shinji pressed the two against the wall. The release of Chakra caused ripples to gradually spread across the wall. Soon, the two bodies were embedded into the wall by Shinji.
Then, Shinji transformed into the former Kawajiro, while Muta changed into Sakuto.
"Don't panic when we make the handover later. Their contact signal is the sound of birds." Shinji explained to Muta beside him.
The reason Kawajiro had thought so much for a moment was because he was controlled by Shinji's Genjutsu.
"Yes." Muta, now clear on the plan, nodded.
The two continued to pretend to be on guard.
Soon, a crisp bird call sounded from the entrance behind them.
Shinji and Muta exchanged glances, then made a "coo-coo" sound in the direction of the call.
This was the handover signal for this shift change. The sound Kawajiro had heard earlier was merely the sound they needed to make.
One of the two men who emerged from the smoke said with a teasing smile, "Yo, Kawajiro, I didn't expect you wouldn't be slacking off?"
"Hurry up, I've been tired all day." Kawajiro, disguised as Shinji, responded with great displeasure, then motioned to Sakuto beside him and walked into the smoke.
Seeing Kawajiro like this, the two men weren't surprised. After all, Kawajiro always looked very eager to go back every time he changed shifts.
The man who had just teased Kawajiro said with a slightly displeased tone, "Heh, that guy, he just relies on being an old timer, always so arrogant."
"Alright, you know what he's like, an old-timer." The other man waved his hand, then leaned against the wall and began his guard duty.
Within that wall, the bodies of Kawajiro and Sakuto were buried.
"That's true."
...
Using their respective methods, Shinji and Muta emerged from the thick smoke.
Muta reached out, and an insect that had already entered flew to his hand, then slowly crawled into his sleeve.
"Let's proceed with the plan."
"Yes."
The two then split up in a corner, each carrying out their tasks.
Shinji confirmed a direction, pointed his fingers, and gradually merged with the ground beneath him.
Earth Release: Mayfly Technique!
This was a Ninjutsu Shinji had acquired earlier, but it had been modified by the system and was no longer Wood Release. Because of this, he had lost the ability to merge with plants like Black Zetsu. However, it was already very practical.
At least, the entire Wind Gorge was like an uninhabited land for him, who possessed this Ninjutsu.
After wandering underground for some time, Shinji, confirming he was close to the target location, began to ascend.
Beneath the wooden floor of the clan head's residence, a building more solemn than the others.
Shinji's figure slowly emerged. As he looked at the wooden floor above, just as he was wondering how to proceed, a middle-aged man's voice sounded from above.
"Clan head, Sunagakure has sent another message, informing us that if we don't act soon, they will send troops to flatten Wind Gorge."
Crash—
The sound of a cup shattering echoed above Shinji. Shinji propped his chin, listening with interest.
"Action! Sunagakure wants our clan to act as the vanguard!" A slightly younger voice shouted, full of anger.
"But—"
"Let's leave it at that for now. I need to consider it further." The younger voice interrupted the person about to speak.
"Yes."
Thump-thump... Thump-thump...
Footsteps gradually moved towards the door. After the sliding sound of the wooden door, the room fell silent.
Shinji on the ground remained still, carefully sensing his surroundings.
Thump-thump—
Heavy footsteps began to move further inside.
An opportunity.
A glimmer of light appeared in Shinji's eyes, and he began to act.
Whoosh—
Inside the room, a young man dressed in a kimono with the Ibu clan crest embroidered on his back looked at the two portraits on the altar. He slowed his steps, approached the altar, lit incense and candles, and began to worship.
"Father, mother."
"I will definitely restore the glory of the Ibu clan and bring Konoha and Sunagakure to utter ruin—"
Before his words could fully fall, a darkness, like a pitch-black silk ribbon, covered the young man who was kneeling in worship.