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As the meeting with Shisui and Hiruzen concluded, and they stepped out into the light of Konoha, Inoichi and the clan elders assembled before Horyu, their posture respectful. In a synchronized gesture that spoke volumes of their gratitude, they bowed deeply. "You did us great service, Uchiha Horyu. The Yamanaka Clan will remember this," they declared, their voices unified, a rare acknowledgment of debt to an outsider.
Horyu, maintaining his composure, bowed in return, his voice steady, "Prosperity should be shared. I did what I could." His words were modest, but the undercurrent of satisfaction was palpable to anyone who knew him well. The elders nodded in approval, and Inoichi placed a firm hand on his shoulder, a silent testament to the newfound bond between their families.
After exchanging a few more courtesies, Horyu bid them farewell and made his way back to his residence. The success of the day's endeavors weighed on him not as a burden, but as a foundation for future plans. His steps were unhurried, each one taken with the confidence of a strategist who had just secured a significant victory.
Upon entering his home, Horyu's first action was to review the events of the day, not aloud, as was sometimes his habit when alone, but in the quiet of his mind. The decision to withhold the most dangerous technique from the Yamanaka Clan, the calculated risk of presenting the Mind Stream technique, and Ino's burgeoning trust in him were all pieces of a larger puzzle he was assembling.
His thoughts were not of triumph, but of what came next. The alliances formed today, both overt and covert, were but steps towards a grander scheme. Horyu's aim was not just to strengthen his position within Konoha but to reshape its very fabric to ensure his survival and prosperity.
The realization that Ino had chosen to place her trust in him, to prioritize their shared vision over immediate clan loyalty, was a turning point. It wasn't just about the techniques or the missions; it was about forging bonds that could withstand the tumultuous politics of the shinobi world. Ino's decision to keep the Mind Echo technique a secret, based on his request, was a clear indication of her faith in him, a faith he did not take lightly.
Sitting at his bed, Horyu sketched out his next moves. The acquisition of the Insight Sigil, a tool to discern loyalty and intention, was particularly relevant. It would be crucial in navigating the treacherous waters of Konoha politics, where alliances were fluid and trust was a rare commodity. He planned to use it discreetly, ensuring the security and loyalty of those within his emerging faction.
Horyu meticulously reviewed his quests once again, his mind weaving through the complex web of objectives and strategies with the precision of a skilled tactician. The Path of Independence's Quest 2 posed a unique challenge; it demanded he thwart a plot against his yet-to-be-established faction. Crafting a false threat was within the realm of possibility, especially with the information network he had begun to entangle himself with. However, such a maneuver carried inherent risks. Once rumors or fabricated threats were loosed into the wild, controlling their spread and impact would be out of his hands. But Horyu realized he didn't need to force the issue. The quest structure allowed him the flexibility to proceed as he saw fit, and he opted to focus on Quest 3 of the Path of Independence first, aiming to create a secure base of operations. He reasoned that establishing a solid foundation for his faction would naturally attract attention, some of it undoubtedly covetous or malicious, thereby setting the stage for Quest 2 to unfold organically.
On the other hand, Horyu had already set his sights on accomplishing Quest 2 of the Path of Naruto, which involved partnering with Ino for a series of missions. The quest asked him to
enhance his friendship with Ino, a requirement that didn't necessarily conflict with his own ideas. After all, partners could share a bond that was as platonic as it was romantic; there was no inherent conflict in developing a friendship. As for Quest 3 of the Path of Naruto, which asked standing together against a scheme designed to exploit their relationship for political purposes, Horyu had already created a few plans, ensuring a threat to their bond and then thwarting them.
However, when it came to the quests associated with the Path of Shisui, Horyu found himself at a crossroads. Quest 2 and 3 of this path did not align with his vision or goals. Quest 2's requirement to mold Ino's outlook towards the prosperity of the Uchiha Clan was directly at odds with his own beliefs. Horyu had no interest in swaying Ino—or anyone, for that matter—towards serving the interests of the Uchiha. Quest 3's objective of strengthening the bond between the Yamanaka and Uchiha clans also did not align with Horyu's aspirations.
He sighed and took out a scroll, "I will deal with them later." Opening the scroll, Horyu observed its contents. It was blank, much like his Owl Tribe Contract had been before he signed it. This Phantom Brigade Summoning Scroll, promising the ability to call forth spectral warriors from a realm of specters, adept in the arts of stealth and surprise, was similarly untouched. With a deliberate motion, he sliced his thumb with a kunai, pressing his blood against the scroll's surface to sign his name. Then, with a series of precise hand seals, he initiated the summoning.
A puff of smoke heralded the arrival of something otherworldly. Before him materialized an ethereal door, its appearance strikingly familiar yet elusive in his memory. "Where have I seen this door?" he pondered, unable to shake the feeling of déjà vu. The door's design was imposing, reminiscent of ancient, robust architecture, yet it bore no name, no inscription, only the silent promise of a gateway to the unknown.
From the depths of this door, a creature emerged, its form spectral and humanoid, cloaked in an ethereal garment that seemed woven from shadows and mist. Its face was hidden, save for two glowing, unsettling eyes that peered through the darkness of its hood. The entity moved with an eerie grace, its feet barely brushing against the floor, leaving no trace, no sound, save for a cold chill that spread through the room and a faint whispering, akin to the rustle of leaves in a silent forest.
Horyu watched, his curiosity piqued yet his demeanor calm, as the spectral figure floated closer, the temperature in the room dropping perceptibly. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice steady, betraying no hint of the awe or apprehension that lesser men might have felt.
The figure halted, its glowing eyes fixed on Horyu, and in a voice that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere, it responded, "I am the harbinger of your will, the shadow beneath your command. What is it that you seek of the Phantom Brigade?"
Horyu considered the entity's words, his mind not wandering towards the poetic but staying firmly rooted in the pragmatic. "I seek allies," he stated plainly, "Specters adept in stealth and surprise, to aid me in my endeavors."
The spectral figure nodded, its form shimmering slightly as if amused by the request. "Then allies you shall have, Horyu Uchiha. But be warned, the power we offer is not without its price."
Horyu's response was immediate, a reflection of his unyielding resolve. "Price can be negotiated. My concern is the effectiveness of your... assistance."
"As silent as the night and as deadly as the deepest shadow," the specter assured, its voice a cold whisper that seemed to linger in the air. "We can move unseen, strike without warning, and vanish into the ether as if we were never there."
"Good," Horyu nodded, already considering the myriad ways he could utilize such abilities to his advantage. "I have tasks that require discretion and... a certain finesse. Can you provide that?"
The entity floated closer, its presence enveloping Horyu in a chill that seemed to reach into his very bones. "We are the essence of discretion, the embodiment of finesse. Your enemies will never see us coming until it's far too late."
Horyu felt a smirk tug at the corner of his mouth, a rare display of satisfaction. "Then we have an agreement. Serve me well, and I'll ensure your... contributions are well compensated."
The spectral being bowed, an action that seemed to warp the space around it. "We are at your command, Horyu Uchiha. When you call, the Phantom Brigade shall answer."
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