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For those who crossed a line into darkness, Horyu was merciless, a swift judge delivering justice with a cold finality. Yet, for those led astray by desperation, he offered a second chance, branding them with a seal that bound their fate to his. This seal was not just a mark of servitude but a beacon, calling them to a higher purpose under the banner of Zenkage.
He also made significant strides in mastering the Feather-Wing Kata, particularly the first step, Silent Movement, which now seemed like second nature to him. With Silent Movement mastered, Horyu's focus shifted towards Ethereal Agility and Precision Strikes. The former emphasized swift, fluid motion that mimicked the flight of an owl, allowing Horyu to move with a grace that belied the strength behind each leap and dodge. The latter honed his ability to deliver strikes with pinpoint accuracy, targeting vital points to incapacitate foes efficiently.
Ethereal Agility came naturally to Horyu. Even without the wings of an owl, he could glide down from great heights, landing with barely a sound. This skill, though challenging, felt like an extension of his own capabilities, blending seamlessly with his innate agility and stealth.
Precision Strikes, on the other hand, reinforced what Horyu already knew well. His proficiency in targeting vital points, developed over years of combat experience, found new depth with the kata. Each strike, whether delivered with fingers, palms, or elbows, carried the deadly precision of an owl's talon strike.
After establishing his reputation in the Wave Country, Horyu needed a boat to travel to the Whirlpool Country. Tazuna, renowned for constructing the bridge that boosted the nation's economy, could have easily provided one. They were acquainted, which would have made it straightforward for Horyu to arrange the boat through him. However, Horyu opted to avoid exposing his true identity. Despite his confidence in concealing his disguise, the favor wasn't significant enough to justify the risk.
Walking along the coast of a city that had seen remarkable growth lately, Horyu, with his disguise of blue hair and eyes, moved among the people. Nods and whispers of recognition followed him. Despite the secrecy of his deeds, his reputation had spread far and wide. The unique features of his disguise were enough for many to speculate about his identity. Furthermore, the influence aura bestowed by the system made those grateful to Zenkage feel an innate sense of gratitude towards him, even if they couldn't match the name to the face directly.
Approaching an old man with the demeanor of someone accustomed to the sea, Horyu's tone softened, adopting the elusive voice of Zenkage, "I need a vessel."
The old man, while not recognizing Horyu, felt a compelling urge to assist, a testament to the influence aura Horyu had cultivated over the past months. "I can lend you a boat," he offered after a moment of thought, "but be warned, the sea's not safe this time of year."
Intrigued, Horyu inquired further, "What do you mean?"
The man glanced around before leaning closer, his voice dropping to a whisper, "Rumors say the wailing souls of Uzumaki make the sea restless."
Horyu frowned at the mention. Dismissing the superstition outright seemed rash; after all, the Uzumaki were known for their sealing techniques. 'Could it be a defensive measure?' he pondered briefly.
He still decided to go with his plan to sail today. Horyu was neither reckless nor prone to taking unnecessary risks. He had a backup: he could always summon a giant owl to save his life in the ocean. It would tire his summon to fly all the way back, but it was an option. That's why he sought a boat in the first place.
"Thank you. I'll take my chances with the sea," Horyu said to the old man, his tone steady. The thought of Uzumaki's wailing souls intrigued him, but he pushed it to the back of his mind. There were more immediate concerns to address.
The old man nodded, understanding the determination in Horyu's eyes. "Be careful, young one. The sea gives and takes without prejudice."
With a boat secured, Horyu set out from the coast as the sun began its descent, painting the sky in hues of gold and orange. The sea was calm, a gentle breeze filling the sail and guiding the vessel steadily forward.
He thought about what the old man had mentioned earlier, "The emergence, huh?" He couldn't help but mutter to himself, pondering the odd choice of words. It was a peculiar way to describe the sea's restlessness. The old man had labeled it as mere rumors, but whispers in the villages spoke of times when the seas surrounding the Whirlpool Country turned treacherous without warning. Some said it was the angry spirits of the Uzumaki, disturbed and seeking vengeance, that stirred the waters into a frenzy.
As Horyu sailed, he kept a vigilant watch over the calm seas, half-expecting the rumors to manifest into reality. Yet, the journey remained surprisingly peaceful, the only sound being the gentle lapping of the waves against the boat's side and the occasional call of a distant seabird. The simplicity of the voyage allowed Horyu's thoughts to drift to his upcoming tasks in the Whirlpool Country and the complexity of expanding his network to this isolated region.
Despite the serenity, Horyu couldn't shake off the sense of anticipation. The Uzumaki Clan, with their fabled sealing techniques, had always intrigued him. The notion that remnants of their power could still influence the sea lent a certain gravitas to his mission. 'Could there be truth to the tales?' he wondered, his eyes scanning the horizon. 'And if so, what other secrets does the Whirlpool hold?'
The boat creaked softly as it cut through the water, the sun setting behind him, casting a golden glow that seemed to light the path ahead. Horyu's grip on the tiller was steady, his gaze fixed forward, yet his mind was awash with thoughts of the Uzumaki and the potential challenges that awaited him. He knew that understanding their legacy could be key to unlocking new abilities and strategies that could greatly aid his cause.
However, Horyu was no stranger to the dangers of delving into the unknown. He was well aware that the Uzumaki's knowledge was coveted by many, and not all of them had noble intentions. The possibility of encountering rivals or even enemies on his quest was high. Yet, the prospect of gaining new insights into sealing techniques, perhaps even discovering hidden jutsu, was a risk he was willing to take.
The journey across the sea, the endless drift across a monotonous sea of blue, felt like a drawn-out sigh to Horyu. Confined to the small space of the boat, he could only take a few steps in any direction, a stark contrast to the freedom he was accustomed to on land. "Good thing I wasn't reincarnated as one of those pirates," he mused, finding a bit of humor in his situation despite the boredom.
The journey from the Wave to the Whirlpool Country stretched long and monotonous, a vast expanse of blue that seemed endless. Horyu, confined within the small boat, found himself with limited options to pass the time. Yet, he had a plan to keep his mind occupied—he delved into the study of Sealing techniques. He knew better than to practice anything that might risk the stability of his small vessel in the open sea.
After several days at sea, a sight finally broke the monotony of the endless water: land appeared on the horizon. Horyu wasn't surprised by the sea formations encircling the island; the Whirlpool Country was aptly named, surrounded by naturally occurring whirlpools. This wasn't the "restless sea" the boatman had mentioned though, it was merely the natural state of the waters surrounding his destination.
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