Chapter 3: Shifting Position
"Kaitan, this time it's an A-level mission. You really are my lucky star!"
Dunko laughed heartily as he spoke to Kaitan, who smiled in satisfaction.
During the war, recorded missions could be exchanged with the village for valuable resources like silver or Ninjutsu upon completion. An A-level task, for instance, would bring in a reward of at least one million ryo—a sum enough to purchase a hundred and eighty explosive tags.
For now, all resources were directed toward the war effort. Finishing the mission early was critical, as even minor oversights could lead to massive losses. Fortunately, this mission wasn't just about detecting the enemy. Reading their memories also counted as a task, making Kaitan's contribution a solid B-level accomplishment.
From the enemy's memories, it was revealed that this troop was an assassination unit sent by Iwagakure to target Konoha's logistics. These targets included the intelligence unit, corpse collection team, torture department, analysis squad, and even medical personnel. Had they not been discovered in time, Konoha's forces could have suffered devastating, unprepared losses.
"Captain, is there anything else?" Kaitan asked, his tone steady but curious.
Dunko smiled again before his expression turned serious.
"Based on the information we extracted, we can't confirm if the enemy sent out information about the location of our analysis team. We need to relocate immediately."
Kaitan's demeanor shifted as he nodded sharply. "Understood."
"Good. Get ready to move tonight," Dunko instructed before hurrying off to inform the others.
Left alone, Kaitan felt a tinge of worry but calmed himself, quickly activating his sensing Ninjutsu to ensure no enemies were within a kilometer. Once satisfied, he began decoding the sealing techniques that hid their supplies.
As part of the analysis team, Kaitan had resolved to contribute to Konoha's war effort with his unique skills. Protecting their position was paramount.
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That night, under the cover of darkness, shadows flitted silently through the forest. Every ninja moved with precision and stealth, their presence undetected even by the birds sleeping peacefully in their nests.
Kaitan was among them, blending seamlessly with the environment.
The silence of the team was a reminder of the core ninja quality: stealth. Watching this in action was far different from anything he'd seen in the anime, where ninja battles often felt more like grand spectacles. Now, Kaitan fully grasped that ninjas were assassins at heart, trained to be ghosts in the shadows.
Even the youngest of their group, Shenu, was executing his role flawlessly. This realization made Kaitan question how Naruto ever managed to graduate. Was it really just because of the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu? It had to be politics—Naruto's promotion surely wasn't based solely on his abilities at the time.
Kaitan's thoughts wandered, considering ways to counter Naruto's signature technique. Shadow Clones, after all, returned their experiences to the original upon dispersal. His mind-reading abilities provided a unique solution: inflicting pain on the clones and transmitting that pain back to the original.
He called this technique Mind-Reading: Pain. Over time, Kaitan had honed it into a weapon of survival. With limited chakra and no bloodline inheritance, he'd developed strategies tailored to his strengths: perception and mental manipulation.
The technique involved absorbing the pain of various enemies during mind-reading sessions, sealing that pain as Ninjutsu, and releasing it through Genjutsu. A single moment of vulnerability was enough to turn the tide, and Kaitan knew how to exploit those moments to deadly effect.
Though he couldn't yet rival elite Genjutsu users like Uchiha Itachi, Kaitan believed his potential could carry him far. If nothing else, he could at least match the skills of an average Jōnin.
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"We've arrived. Everyone, set up camp immediately," ordered Yamanako, the leader of the analysis team.
"The Anbu guards will patrol the perimeter. Ensure no enemy information reaches the outside."
"Yes, sir!" came the unanimous response.
As everyone began their tasks, Kaitan joined an Anbu squad assigned to patrol the area. His sensory abilities made him an invaluable asset for detecting hidden threats.
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Several days passed after the relocation, and the analysis team resumed their work. Kaitan followed his routine of practicing Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu development. His training methods, a fusion of learned and self-created techniques, were growing increasingly effective.
One of his responsibilities was to report any unique or optimized enemy techniques to Konoha for rewards. This system not only strengthened the village but also allowed Kaitan to sharpen his skills.
His chakra reserves had improved significantly. Where he once struggled to form three solid chakra threads, he could now manage five with ease, sustaining them through extended battles.
Spiritual energy and physical energy—the two cornerstones of chakra—had become his primary focus. The ongoing war provided countless opportunities to refine these elements.
Despite his progress, Kaitan couldn't shake a lingering fear. Their camp was perilously close to the frontlines of the Fire Country, just behind the main battle zone. This proximity meant daily encounters with enemy forces, and Kaitan never let his guard down, regularly deploying sensing Ninjutsu to monitor their surroundings.
Iwagakure's aggression was relentless, pressing hard against Konoha even as battles raged simultaneously with Kumogakure.
Though Konoha had the advantage of advanced medical systems and legendary warriors like the Yellow Flash and Orochimaru, the strain of the war was palpable. Kaitan found himself yearning for the return of Tsunade and Jiraiya, fearing any deviation from the anime's storyline could spell disaster.
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In one enemy's memory, Kaitan glimpsed a white-haired figure wielding Lightning Style. The man bore a striking resemblance to Namikaze Minato. Accompanying him were two younger figures: a boy wearing goggles and a girl with a distinctive bob haircut.
The sight filled Kaitan with a mix of awe and unease. The war was pushing everyone to their limits, and even Konoha's brightest stars were being tested.
For now, Kaitan focused on his role within the analysis team, determined to keep contributing. Every battle, every mission brought him closer to his goal: ensuring Konoha's survival in this brutal war.
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