Chapter 124

After about three hours of slow progress, we finally passed the relatively dangerous section of the gorge. After another scan of the surrounding area with Byakugan, we were able to use chakra to accelerate without risking injuring our feet or leaving an even more noticeable trail.

Even on rugged terrain, the average shinobi can reach speeds of about fifty kilometers per hour, so it was no surprise that we covered the remaining distance and dove into the next gorge within half an hour. It took us another half hour to run to the mountainous terrain, and once we crossed that, we would be almost at our destination.

However, just as the weather decided to give us trouble—the previously overcast sky began to drizzle slowly but steadily, quickly turning into a heavy downpour. While my cloak offered some protection from the moisture, reduced visibility and the danger of slipping on wet rocks forced us to exercise more caution. By the time the team reached the foothills, everyone, including the dog, was soaked to the bone and not in the best of spirits.

During a brief rest before the final ascent, everyone silently ate their rations, and I raised a pertinent question:

— Shouldn't we wait out the rain? Climbing in this weather… We might end up dead!

— We don't have time. The sky is completely overcast, so waiting for a few hours for improvement doesn't make sense, — Hizashi shook his head. — We could end up waiting all night with no sign of improvement, and crossing the mountainous terrain in such weather and darkness would be even worse. We should go now.

Shrugging, I finished my ration bar and, following the others, got to my feet, stowing the trash in one of the many pockets of my pants. In principle, it's not that easy for a shinobi to die, and anything else I can either heal or, at worst, seal in a scroll.

— In that case, I'll unlock the chakra, — I informed the team leader.

— Right now, this wall of water makes detection difficult even within hundreds of meters, let alone kilometers, — Hizashi nodded, wiping the droplets of moisture from his face.

— At least I can now securely attach chakra to the rock without fear of detection, — Tsume grumbled, and her dog barked in agreement. — Yes, Kuramaru, you can let loose now.

Sighing with relief and feeling the suppressed chakra returning to my Keirakukei, washing away the accumulated fatigue and bringing back the desire to act, I struggled to suppress the impulse to create something amusing or crazy.

After all, having too much energy really affects even a Nara's mindset, let alone everyone else. From my own experience, I know that critical perception tends to drop significantly in such situations, while the sense of false omnipotence and invulnerability often leads to underestimating opponents, with predictable results.

The greater the yang component in the chakra, the stronger this effect seems to be—there's a reason why jinchuriki tend to lose their minds during battles when using their hosts' powers. Bijuu have a very strong life force.

After a few minutes of calming down and regaining control over my impulses, I concealed my chakra as much as possible and nodded to the waiting Hizashi. We then quickly ran up the slope, occasionally avoiding patches of grass and scraggly bushes that somehow managed to grow in such harsh terrain. Sandal prints don't leave marks on rocks, especially in the rain.

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