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A year later, in the River Country that connected Wind to Fire, a young man of average height walked with a cloak covering his features. This man was Zenkage, also known as, "Shogun of Shadows." Over the years, Horyu, or his alter identity, Zenkage, had traveled through many nations and helped thousands of people. The System Percentage Tracker reached 60%. Although it was not as high as he would have liked, he wasn't solely focused on this task in his three years away from Konoha. He had only dedicated a little over a year to this endeavor, and during that time, he had helped thousands and subdued many bandits.
But in that year, the war also started to heat up. He heard that the River Country had turned into a warzone between Sand and Konoha, while on the other side, the Rain Country was used for the Stone, Hot Water for the Cloud, and the sea area between the Wave and Fire Country had become a battleground between Konoha and Mist. The war was escalating, and from the look of it, Konoha was once again set to face multiple adversaries simultaneously.
As Zenkage walked through the River Country, he could see the scars of conflict everywhere. Burnt fields, abandoned homes, and the frequent sound of distant battles painted a grim picture. Yet, despite the chaos, Zenkage moved unnoticed, his presence blending into the shadows as he went about his business.
Stopping at a small village caught in the crossfire, Zenkage approached the local leader, a middle-aged woman named Mariko, who was coordinating relief efforts.
"Need help?" Zenkage asked, his voice muffled by the cloak.
Mariko, looking up from her maps and plans, sized him up quickly. "Who are you? Another mercenary looking to profit from our misery?"
"No. I'm here to help. I can offer protection or aid in your relief efforts," Zenkage replied, his tone firm.
Mariko, though skeptical, was too desperate to turn away any offer of help. "We need medical supplies and someone to help fortify the west end of the village. It's the most vulnerable to attacks."
Zenkage nodded. "Show me the way."
Working alongside the villagers, Zenkage quickly assessed the situation and directed the fortification of the western defenses using debris and available resources. His efficiency did not go unnoticed by the villagers, who, despite their initial reservations, began to respect the mysterious stranger.
As night fell, Zenkage sat with Mariko, who shared more about the village's struggles. "This was a peaceful place once," she sighed. "Now, every day is a fight for survival."
Zenkage listened, his gaze on the dimly lit horizon. "War changes everything. But you're strong. You've kept your people together through all this."
Mariko looked at him, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "And what about you? Why do this?"
"I've seen enough of war to know that those who can help, should," Zenkage said simply, standing up. "I'll patrol the area through the night. Try to get some rest."
True to his word, Zenkage spent the night on watch, his keen eyes and sharp senses alert to any danger. When a small band of raiders approached under the cover of darkness, Zenkage intercepted them quietly, ensuring they would not bother the village or any other again.
By morning, word had spread of the mysterious protector. Zenkage, before leaving, spoke to Mariko again. "Keep your defenses up. I've dealt with the immediate threat, but there will be more."
"Thank you," Mariko said, her voice sincere. "Will you come back?"
Horyu shook his head, touching her shoulder lightly as he applied a small, discreet seal—a mark that would allow them to communicate securely. "This will let us keep in touch. Consider it a balance for my help," he explained briefly, knowing all too well that nothing in this world was free.
Mariko nodded, understanding the unspoken rules of survival in these harsh times. As Horyu turned away, his silhouette blended into the fading light, the cloak merging with the shadows as he moved towards the Fire Country.
His form shifted slightly as he approached the border, a change subtle but significant. Standing tall at 175 cm, his black hair tousled as ever, Horyu's abyssal black eyes scanned the horizon. Soon, a team of Konoha Anbu materialized to intercept him.
"Who are you?" asked one, his voice muffled behind a fox mask.
Horyu's lips twitched into a snort. "Uchiha Horyu, returning from a mission," he declared, his gaze intensifying as his eyes shifted to the recognizable Three Tomoe Sharingan.
Recognizing the significance of those eyes, the Anbu stepped aside, one of them relaying the Hokage's orders. "You are to be taken to the Hokage as soon as you're seen."
Horyu's smirk was barely visible in the dim light. "I'm on my way there already," he quipped, vanishing before they could react, a blur of speed that left the Anbu staring at the space he'd occupied seconds before.
As he neared Konoha, Horyu's thoughts turned to the tasks ahead. The System quests had given him a unique perspective on the world—a view filled with challenges and opportunities. Yet, as much as the quests shaped his journey, they remained his secret, a hidden aspect of his existence in this complex world.
Upon entering the village, Horyu sensed the palpable tension in the air. The whispers of war were louder here, the concerns about alliances and enemies a constant buzz in the background. Making his way through the familiar streets of Konoha, he noted the changes—more guards, less laughter, a community bracing for the impact of conflict.
Perched on a tall pillar in the center of Konoha, Horyu took in the view of the village. He remembered a scene from the anime where Naruto had stood in a similar spot, the village vibrant and bustling below him. Now, the atmosphere was different; the colors seemed muted, and a tangible tension filled the air, replacing the usual vibrancy with a sense of impending strife.
With a heavy sigh, Horyu hopped down from the pillar and made his way to the Hokage's office. The village felt different, its usually lively streets now lined with solemn faces and the hurried steps of shinobi preparing for what might come next.
Pushing open the door to Shisui's office, Horyu stepped inside, announcing his return. "Hokage-sama, I'm back."
Shisui looked up from a discussion with Shikaku, Inoichi, and the Third Hokage. With a swift gesture, he dismissed them, signaling that they needed to pause their planning. "We'll continue this later," Shisui said as they left, turning his full attention to Horyu.
The room felt suddenly quiet with the departure of the others, leaving just Shisui and Horyu. Shisui's eyes narrowed slightly as he assessed Horyu, noting the changes in him. The young Uchiha seemed taller, his presence more formidable than when he had left.
Inoichi in particular was both relieved and frustrated upon seeing Horyu. His daughter, Ino, was engaged to Horyu, and his sudden disappearance had caused much concern. Yet, there wasn't time to address personal grievances now. The priority was the ongoing situation facing Konoha.
"Horyu, finally remembered to return?" Shisui's voice was stern, breaking the tension as he eyed Horyu who just entered the office.
"Sorry, Hokage-sama, for not obeying your orders," Horyu started, his tone firm yet apologetic. "I had to complete the spy network as I reported repeatedly. If left half-done, it would ruin years of hard work."
Shisui sighed, his expression softening slightly. "And, did you complete it?"
Smiling slightly, Horyu rolled out a map across Shisui's desk. The map was dotted with red pins, each marking the location of a spy. Shisui's eyes widened a bit as he took in the spread of locations across the Shinobi World.
"You have spies in all these locations?" he asked, tracing some of the pins with his finger.
Horyu nodded, his posture relaxed but confident. "As of now, I can confidently say that I have 40% of the Shinobi world covered. Especially the other four great nations, and five smaller nations have my spies."
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