Published at 17th of September 2024 5:15 pm

Chapter 85 The Last Shadow: 8 Gathering Storm

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As the first rays of dawn pierced the horizon, Kojiro and Katsuro made their way through the narrow alleys of Konoha, keeping to the shadows. The weight of the map and the Weaver’s revelations lingered heavily between them. The clock was ticking, and they both knew it. The Order of the Abyss was preparing to unleash something unimaginable, and every second brought them closer to the Shattering.

Katsuro had been silent for most of the morning, his eyes scanning the streets with a calculating intensity. He knew they couldn’t afford any missteps. The village seemed peaceful, bustling with early risers and shopkeepers opening their doors, but beneath that veneer of normalcy, a storm was brewing.

“We need to be smart about this,” Katsuro finally said, breaking the silence. “There’s no way we can march into those mountains without backup, but we can’t draw too much attention. We’ll have to assemble a small team. People we can trust, who won’t question our motives.”

Kojiro nodded in agreement, but his thoughts were more complicated. His instincts told him to go straight to the Hokage, to lay everything on the table and rally the village’s might against the Order. But Katsuro’s caution made sense. The Order had eyes everywhere, and Konoha might already be compromised.

As they rounded a corner, Katsuro stopped in front of an old, nondescript building. The faded wooden sign above the door read “Nakamura’s Smithy,” but Kojiro had never paid much attention to the place before. It looked like any other blacksmith’s shop—functional, ordinary.

“This is our first stop,” Katsuro said, pushing the door open. Inside, the heat from the forge enveloped them, along with the steady sound of hammer on metal. A large, muscular man stood over the anvil, his arms glistening with sweat, but his movements precise and fluid. The blacksmith didn’t look up as they entered, his focus entirely on the piece of metal he was shaping.

“Kenta,” Katsuro called out, and the blacksmith paused mid-swing. He turned, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.

“Katsuro,” Kenta grunted, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. “Been a while. Didn’t think I’d see you around here again.”

Katsuro shrugged. “Had to keep a low profile. But I’m in need of a favor.”

Kenta set his hammer down, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “You don’t ask for favors unless things are bad. What’s going on?”

Katsuro exchanged a quick glance with Kojiro, then stepped closer to Kenta. “We’re dealing with something… bigger than either of us imagined. A group called the Order of the Abyss. They’ve been operating in the shadows for years, and they’re about to make their move.”

Kenta’s brow furrowed. “Order of the Abyss? Never heard of them.”

“They’re not your usual rogue ninja,” Kojiro added. “They’re planning something catastrophic. We need weapons, armor, anything you’ve got. And we need it fast.”

Kenta studied them for a long moment, his face unreadable. Finally, he nodded. “You wouldn’t come to me if this wasn’t serious. I’ve got some specialized gear in the back. Stuff I don’t usually sell. You can take whatever you need.”

“Thanks, Kenta,” Katsuro said, relief evident in his voice. “We’ll need to leave by nightfall.”

Kenta disappeared into the back room, leaving Kojiro and Katsuro alone by the forge. The heat from the fire was almost unbearable, but neither of them flinched. Kojiro’s mind was racing with the next steps. The weapons would help, but they still needed people.

As if reading his thoughts, Katsuro spoke up. “There’s one more stop we need to make.”

Kojiro raised an eyebrow. “Who’s next on the list?”

Katsuro hesitated for a moment before answering. “Her name’s Yui. She’s not exactly… easy to work with, but she’s one of the best trackers I know. If anyone can get us through those mountains without being detected, it’s her.”

Kojiro had heard of Yui before. She was known for her exceptional sensory abilities and her unconventional methods. Some called her a genius; others called her a wild card. But one thing was clear—she didn’t follow anyone’s rules but her own.

They left Kenta’s shop with a promise to return for the gear later and headed toward the outskirts of the village, where Yui was rumored to live. The further they got from the center of Konoha, the quieter the streets became, until they were walking down a narrow, overgrown path that led into the dense forest surrounding the village.

Katsuro moved with purpose, clearly knowing the way, while Kojiro kept his senses sharp. The forest was eerily silent, the kind of silence that made the hairs on the back of Kojiro’s neck stand up. He didn’t like it.

After several minutes, they reached a small, secluded cabin hidden among the trees. Smoke rose lazily from the chimney, and the door was slightly ajar. Katsuro stepped forward, knocking twice on the wooden frame.

There was no response.

Katsuro knocked again, this time louder. “Yui, it’s Katsuro. I need to talk to you.”

Still nothing.

Kojiro’s hand instinctively went to the hilt of his kunai, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees. “Something’s not right.”

Katsuro gave him a sharp nod, then pushed the door open and stepped inside. Kojiro followed, his senses on high alert.

The cabin’s interior was small but tidy, with a few personal items scattered around—a book left open on the table, a jacket draped over the back of a chair. But there was no sign of Yui.

Katsuro cursed under his breath. “She was supposed to be here.”

Just as Kojiro was about to suggest searching the area, a voice rang out from the shadows. “I wouldn’t draw those weapons if I were you.”

Kojiro and Katsuro spun around, their hands going to their kunai, but before they could react, a blur of movement appeared from behind the door. A slender figure dropped down from the rafters, landing silently on the floor in front of them.

Yui.

She was exactly as Kojiro had imagined—tall, lean, with sharp eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. Her long, dark hair was tied back, and her clothes were simple but functional, designed for stealth and speed.

“I didn’t hear you coming,” Katsuro muttered, a hint of admiration in his voice.

“That’s because you weren’t supposed to,” Yui replied with a smirk. Her eyes flicked to Kojiro, sizing him up in an instant. “And who’s this?”

“This is Kojiro,” Katsuro said. “We need your help.”

Yui crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. “You always need my help, Katsuro. What is it this time?”

Katsuro didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “We’re going up against the Order of the Abyss. They’re planning something big—something that could destroy everything. We need to get into their base in the mountains, but we can’t afford to be seen.”

Yui raised an eyebrow, but her expression didn’t betray much. “The Order of the Abyss, huh? I’ve heard whispers. Didn’t think they were real.”

“They are,” Kojiro said, stepping forward. “And they’re closer to pulling off their plan than anyone realizes.”

Yui studied him for a moment, then shrugged. “All right. I’m in. But you know the deal, Katsuro—I work alone. I’ll get you in and out, but once we’re there, you’re on your own.”

Katsuro nodded. “That’s all we need.”

With Yui on board, their team was starting to take shape. But Kojiro knew this was only the beginning. The real challenge lay ahead, in the mountains where the Order was preparing for their final move.

And with every step they took, the storm on the horizon grew darker.

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