Chapter 160: Konoha?

Day 5.

The night was approaching, and the port of the Land of Waves was wrapped in an apparent calm.

Noriaki Kuroba and his men continued to move cautiously, without showing the slightest sign of weakness.

But the pressure was about to increase.

Because the mist of Kirigakure was not fought with strength alone.

It was fought with illusion.

The Night Before - Borei

"The First Phase is the Call of Vice."

At the heart of the port city, the taverns and teahouses were filled with travelers and sailors.

It was here that the lesser ninjas of Kumogakure had let their guard down.

And it was here that Borei had decided to begin their attack.

But to execute the plan, there was one small problem.

"Absolutely not."

Hokujin crossed his arms and took a step back.

"Forget it."

Kagerō looked at him with the same expression as someone who had just heard absolute madness.

"You're joking, right?"

Borei remained expressionless.

"No."

Hokujin stared at him, then gestured at himself and Kagerō.

"The two of us. Dressed as women. Using the transformation Technique."

Borei nodded.

"Yes."

Kagerō ran a hand down his face.

"There's a limit to everything."

"I have an image to maintain," Hokujin protested. "And it does not include… this!"

"This is not a request," Borei replied with the same seriousness as if he were ordering an assassination.

Kagerō turned to Hokujin.

"Let's go."

Hokujin's eyes widened.

"Wait, you're just accepting this?!"

Kagerō sighed.

"Do you really want to say no to Borei?"

Hokujin looked at him, then at Borei—who hadn't even changed expression.

Finally, he scoffed and raised his hands in surrender.

"If you ever tell anyone about this, I swear I'll kill you."

Borei didn't respond.

He was already transforming.

- - -

One hour later.

Three beautiful women stood outside a teahouse, attracting the attention of the Kumo ninjas.

One of them had long, glossy hair and a captivating smile.

Another moved with grace, like a true courtesan.

The third, however, had her arms crossed and her gaze lowered.

"Don't say a word," Hokujin whispered.

Kagerō glanced at him.

"It doesn't look that bad on you."

"I hate you."

"You were the one who didn't want to do it."

Hokujin slowly turned to him.

"Do you really want to start this conversation? With me? Right now?"

Kagerō barely smiled.

"No."

Borei completely ignored their exchange.

When the first prey took the bait, the plan unfolded smoothly.

A Kumo ninja was lured into the alley.

Then collapsed with a sharp strike.

Then another.

And another.

The Kumo ninjas were disappearing, one by one.

When the job was done, Borei, Kagerō, and Hokujin regrouped in a secluded spot.

Borei removed his transformation with a swift motion.

Kagerō followed immediately after, massaging his temple.

"I hope no one saw us."

Hokujin remained motionless.

Borei turned toward him.

"Hokujin."

Silence.

"Hokujin."

Hokujin slowly turned around.

He was still transformed.

Kagerō's eyes widened.

"Why are you still like that?!"

Hokujin shrugged.

"I got used to it."

Borei stared at him for a few seconds.

Then, with his usual glacial seriousness, he said:

"You might have a future in this field."

Hokujin stared at him for a long moment.

Then he sighed.

"I won't decide today whether to feel insulted or flattered."

Kagerō massaged his temples.

"Can we get back to the mission?"

Borei nodded.

They had now taken the place of the Kumo ninjas.

The plan was about to enter the next phase.

- - -

"The Second Phase: Kumo's Enemy is Konoha" - Borei

Three days later, a suspicious vessel appeared in the port.

It was neither large nor luxurious.

Just a simple trading boat, with worn-out sails and old wooden planks.

But the problem wasn't the boat.

The problem was the people who stepped off it.

A grown man and three youths.

Dressed as civilians, but their demeanor was too careful, too measured.

They didn't look around with the curiosity of newcomers.

They moved with precision.

They observed.

They analyzed.

And that immediately put the Kumo ninjas on alert.

Noriaki Kuroba noticed them immediately.

From his vantage point, he watched the group advance.

He made a slight gesture to the second Kumo ninja.

No words.

Just a clear order.

"Find out who they are."

But the Truth Was Different

The four civilians were not real.

They were shadow clones, disguised with the Transformation Jutsu (Henge no Jutsu).

And when the Kumo ninjas began following them, they noticed something was off.

The four civilians acted too suspiciously.

Too silent.Too calm.Too… ninja.

The idea that they were undercover Konoha agents crept into Kumo's ranks.

And now, their biggest problem was no longer Kirigakure.

But the risk of being discovered by Konoha.

Borei, Kagerō, and Hokujin watched everything from a distance.

Borei narrowed his eyes.

The plan was working perfectly.

Now, Noriaki Kuroba had to make a choice.

Act… or wait.

And whatever his next move would be…

The ANBU of Kirigakure would be there to exploit it.

"The Third Phase: Hunt and Deception" - Borei.

The night was silent.

Not even the wind seemed willing to speak.

Shōgeki, the other Jonin that was with Noriaki, moved cautiously, his breathing barely perceptible.

For days, someone had been toying with Kumo.

First, the disappearances.Then, the rumors.Now, the paranoia.

And he did not believe in coincidences.

One of his men had been acting strangely.

Nothing obvious.

Nothing blatant.

But just enough to trigger an alarm.

A trained ninja never lets his guard down.

A Kumo ninja doesn't walk looking over his shoulder.

And yet, that man had done just that.

Just for an instant.

Just a small detail.

But Shōgeki had noticed.

He didn't follow him immediately.

First, he tested him.

He ran into him "by chance" at the port.

An apparently casual encounter.

"You."

The ninja turned, composed.

"Yes?"

Shōgeki scrutinized him with impassive eyes.

"Where did you patrol tonight?"

A moment of hesitation.

Invisible to anyone else.

But not to him.

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