Published at 17th of September 2024 5:12 pm

Chapter 81 The Last Shadow: 4 Into the Abyss

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The morning light crept over Konoha, casting long shadows across the village as Kojiro packed his belongings. His movements were deliberate, his mind focused on what was ahead. There was no room for sentimentality anymore. The tea shop, his peaceful life here—it was all a façade. For years, he had built these walls to protect himself from the world, but they had crumbled overnight. He didn’t know when—or if—he would return.

He secured his kunai pouch to his belt, feeling the familiar weight of it after so long. The kunai, shuriken, and small scrolls reminded him of a life he had once lived, a life he had tried to forget. But as much as he wanted to leave that part of himself in the past, the world wasn’t done with him.

Kojiro glanced around the shop one last time, his gaze lingering on the small, neat space that had been his refuge. He thought of Hina, who would likely be surprised when he didn’t return later today. But he couldn’t afford to worry about her now. He pushed the thought aside, turned, and walked out the door, locking it behind him.

The streets of Konoha were already bustling with activity as he made his way toward the village gates, but Kojiro moved through them like a ghost. His mind was already far away, on the road ahead, on the enemies lurking in the shadows. He knew that once he left the village, there would be no turning back. He had made his choice, and now he would have to live with it.

When he reached the outskirts of the village, Katsuro was already waiting for him. The young shinobi was leaning against a tree, his arms crossed, watching the gate with sharp eyes. When he saw Kojiro approach, he straightened up, a slight nod of approval passing between them.

“Ready?” Katsuro asked, his voice steady but with an undertone of urgency.

Kojiro gave a curt nod. “Where are we going?”

“There’s a lead,” Katsuro said, turning toward the road. “A small outpost near the border of the Land of Rivers. It’s one of their old hideouts, abandoned for years, but I’ve heard rumors that it’s been active again.”

Kojiro followed Katsuro as they began their journey, moving swiftly through the dense forest surrounding Konoha. The air was cool, the early morning mist clinging to the trees, but the atmosphere between the two men was heavy with unspoken tension. Katsuro moved with the confidence of someone who had done this a hundred times, his eyes scanning the surroundings, his senses sharp. Kojiro, on the other hand, was still trying to shake off the weight of years spent in hiding. His body remembered the movements, the stealth, but his mind was clouded with doubt.

As they leapt from branch to branch, Katsuro spoke. “I know this isn’t easy for you, Kojiro. You’ve been out of the fight for a long time.”

Kojiro remained silent, focusing on the path ahead. He didn’t need a reminder of how far he had fallen from the shinobi he once was.

“But you have something they don’t,” Katsuro continued. “You know how they think. You’ve survived them before. That’s why I need you.”

Kojiro glanced at him. “What exactly do you know about these people?”

Katsuro hesitated, his expression hardening. “Not as much as I’d like. They’re careful, covering their tracks, using proxies to do their dirty work. But from what I’ve pieced together, they’ve been operating in the shadows for years, stealing forbidden jutsu, manipulating events from behind the scenes.”

Kojiro nodded. He had seen their handiwork firsthand. “And this outpost—what makes you think they’ll be there?”

“I’ve been tracking their movements for months,” Katsuro explained. “Small clues, patterns in the way certain missions are carried out. It all points to this region. They use places like this to regroup and plan before making their next move.”

“And if they’re not there?” Kojiro asked, though he already knew the answer.

“Then we keep searching,” Katsuro replied without hesitation. “Until we find them.”

For hours, they traveled in silence, pushing themselves through the wilderness at a relentless pace. The sun climbed higher in the sky, the warmth burning away the morning mist. Kojiro’s muscles ached with the strain of the journey, but he forced himself to keep going. There was no room for weakness now.

By midday, they reached the outskirts of the Land of Rivers. The terrain had grown more rugged, with rocky hills and steep cliffs replacing the dense forest. Katsuro led the way with purpose, his eyes fixed on the distant mountains.

“Up ahead,” he said quietly, pointing to a narrow path winding between two cliffs. “The outpost is hidden in the caves beyond this pass.”

Kojiro felt a surge of anticipation as they approached the narrow path. His senses sharpened, every sound and movement magnified in his mind. If this really was one of their hideouts, then they were walking straight into enemy territory.

As they moved deeper into the pass, the air grew cooler, the cliffs on either side towering above them, casting long shadows over the path. Kojiro could feel the tension building with each step. Katsuro was moving more cautiously now, his hand hovering near the pouch on his hip, ready to draw a weapon at a moment’s notice.

When they reached the entrance to the cave, Katsuro signaled for Kojiro to stop. They crouched behind a cluster of rocks, surveying the area.

The cave entrance was partially hidden by overgrown vegetation, but it was clear that it had been used recently. The ground near the entrance was disturbed, the tracks of several people visible in the dirt. Kojiro’s eyes narrowed as he studied the marks. These weren’t the tracks of ordinary travelers.

“They’re here,” Katsuro whispered, confirming Kojiro’s thoughts. “We need to be careful.”

Kojiro nodded, his hand already gripping the hilt of his kunai. He could feel the familiar pulse of adrenaline coursing through him, sharpening his focus. For the first time in years, he felt like a shinobi again.

Without a word, they moved toward the cave, Katsuro leading the way with silent, practiced steps. Kojiro followed closely behind, his senses on high alert.

The inside of the cave was dimly lit by a few flickering torches mounted on the walls. The air was thick with the musty scent of damp stone, and the sound of dripping water echoed through the cavern. Kojiro could hear faint voices deeper within the cave, though he couldn’t make out what they were saying.

Katsuro motioned for him to stop as they reached a bend in the tunnel. He leaned close, speaking in a low voice. “We’ll split up. You take the right path—I’ll take the left. Meet back here in ten minutes. If you find anything… don’t engage. We’re just scouting.”

Kojiro hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He knew Katsuro was right. Rushing in without knowing the full extent of the enemy’s strength would be suicide. But the thought of letting them slip away gnawed at him.

They parted ways silently, Kojiro moving down the right tunnel. The path narrowed as he went deeper into the cave, the walls closing in around him. His heart pounded in his chest, the tension mounting with every step.

Suddenly, the tunnel opened into a larger chamber. Kojiro pressed himself against the wall, peering around the corner. His eyes widened as he took in the sight before him.

A group of shinobi stood in the center of the chamber, gathered around a large stone table covered in scrolls and maps. Their faces were obscured by masks, but Kojiro could sense the dark, ominous energy radiating from them. These weren’t ordinary shinobi. They were part of something much more dangerous.

Kojiro’s breath caught in his throat as he realized what he was seeing. This wasn’t just an outpost. It was a command center.

The group’s leader, a tall figure clad in dark robes, stepped forward, unrolling one of the scrolls on the table. Kojiro couldn’t make out the details from his position, but he could see enough to know that it was some kind of map. And whatever they were planning, it was big.

Kojiro’s mind raced. He had to get back to Katsuro. They needed to regroup, to—

Before he could move, one of the masked shinobi turned suddenly, his eyes locking onto Kojiro’s hiding spot.

Kojiro’s blood ran cold.

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