26 Ghost Stories (1/2)
The following two days showed a drastic rise in activity as a surprisingly large number of shinobi clans within the Land of Mountains were converging onto Kagero Village.
However, they weren't alone. Apparently, the Land of Wind wasn't prepared to let go of the deal and expecting an imminent attack by Konoha had sent reinforcements to help set up defensive measures and strengthen Kagero's fighting force.
According to Akata's estimations, it should measure well above a thousand combat ready shinobi, yet there was no way to be sure as on the second day of observing an unnatural sandstorm appeared, which like a natural barrier surrounded the entirety of Kagero Village hindering their attempt to gather information.
At another mission, Akata had experienced the danger this jutsu held and cautioned them to remain outside its perimeter. It was a widescale contact-type perception ninjutsu able to detect intruders and prevent most sensors.
Koda, who turned out to be the eagle-masked sensor, had tried but wasn't able to see through it and the same held true for Fuzen, much to his own surprise. Entering his realm of darkness, he could see nothing besides one uniform shadow encompassing the entire village. There were no distinct shapes of buildings, rooms or people. Nothing showed. To his vision, it appeared like everything had melded together and become part of the same entity.
In order to scout, Akata had their current three-man team monitor the main road leading into the village. It was a tedious yet necessary assignment since it would help the Hokage plan a course of action when he arrived with his force.
With his shift over, Fuzen teleported back to their cave just time to join Akata and Koda's debate on their next move.
”We should go meet up with the Hokage. It should be about time for them to arrive anyway,” Koda argued.
”You're right, I suspect it won't be long until they manage to find this cave with the rate their guarding perimeter expands by the hour,” Akata nodded her agreement. ”Gaijin, can you teleport us somewhere below the ridge we passed over here?” She pointed to a location on the map.
”Sure, but it wouldn't surprise me if Suna already has placed a guardpost up there. It's defensible and has excellent sightlines to see approaching enemies.”
”That's what I'm counting on,” she gave him a wicked smile hot enough to make a weak man cum. ”Knowing the Hokage, he wants to launch a surprise attack and to do that...”
”We need to destroy their outposts so we can avoid notice,” Fuzen finished for her.
”Exactly! Now, let's get going. Find me, someone, to kill.”
Letting Akata and Koda follow him into the realm of darkness, Fuzen moved east towards the ridge she'd indicated and rematerialized them inside the shadows of a tree-crown.
While Akata appeared unfazed by the trip across his shadow realm, Koda wobbly stance suggested he hadn't been as fortunate.
Fuzen was about to comment when Koda held up a finger in warning. ”Not a single word!”
Realizing the mistake of his sudden motion, Koda awkwardly jumped away to another tree branch almost slipping in the process and removed his mask just in time before he started vomiting.
Akata and Fuzen watched him in disgust and wanted no part of what he was going through.
When he finished, Koda put on the mask and returned to his previous spot. ”I'm not doing that again anytime soon.”
”Hmm... It's the first time anyone has reacted this badly. Perhaps if we do it a couple more times you'll get used to it?” Fuzen said.
Kado shook his head. ”I'll stick to running, thanks.”
”Well, suit yourself,” and directed their attention upwards. It was plenty a distance away, meaning there was little chance the enemy having a sensor skilled enough to detect them. ”Up there atop the mountain, I found two squads stationed, twenty-five in total.”