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Shisui shifted his attention to the east on the map after he decided to send Hyuga to Stone Front. "What about Mist? I was counting on Hyuga to counter their annoying Mist Jutsu."
Horyu thought for a moment before responding. "Danzo and specialized Wind Release users can go there. What Mist uses most is a combination of Water and Lightning Jutsu. Wind counters Lightning, and can dispel Mist. This way, there won't be any problem for vision."
Shisui nodded, seeing the logic in the strategy. "That would work. I'll send Uchiha to the west, to face Sand. They primarily use Wind, and Fire can counter them."
Horyu agreed with a nod. He knew Sand also used poison and puppets, but he kept that to himself. Uchiha's ability to see chakra threads meant puppet masters wouldn't be a hidden threat against them.
Tapping the table thoughtfully, Shisui said, "Itachi will lead against Sand. Danzo will handle Mist. Sadly I cannot send the Third. Although retired, he is still a Kage." He then looked at the map, his finger hovering over the Stone area. "To Stone, I will send Hiashi and Hizashi. They should be able to hold there. That leaves Lightning."
He traced his finger toward the Hot Water and Frost countries that now became a battlefield for Lightning. "With their perfect Jinchuriki, they will be our biggest enemies," Shisui frowned, concerned about the formidable challenge.
Horyu listened, his expression unreadable, as he absorbed the strategic layout.
"Okay, let's get these plans into action. I'll coordinate with the Hyuga clan and prepare our Taijutsu units," Shisui decided, energized by the clear path forward.
Horyu got up and bowed slightly. "I will take my leave, then, Hokage-sama."
Shisui looked at him approvingly and declared, "Uchiha Horyu, from now on, you are a Regular Jonin of Konoha."
Horyu smiled. "It is an honor," he said, his voice carrying a note of pride that could fool best of Shinobi.
With this new status, Horyu knew he had just gained more influence within the village and the Uchiha clan. As he stepped out of Shisui's office, his system chimed with a notification that drew a private smile from him:
[System Notification: Hidden Quest Completed: Ascend to Jonin Rank. Reward: +1000 XP, +100 SP, Chrono Anchor: A small, pocket device that allows Horyu to revert to his physical state from three seconds ago, once per month, retaining all memories of the intervening period.]
Looking at the quest and item, Horyu was stunned for a moment. This was the first hidden quest he had encountered, and the reward took him by surprise. This item is amazing, he thought, already considering its strategic potential. This thing can even bring me back from the brink of death.
As he made his way to his home, which he hadn't visited for three years, Horyu's steps echoed through the almost silent streets of Konoha. The usual joy that painted the village faces was dimmed now, replaced by a tense anticipation of war. A year ago, when small skirmishes began, everyone hoped they would only cause minor conflicts that would soon be resolved. But as months passed, these hopes had faded, giving way to the reality of an escalating war.
Sighing, Horyu looked at the reward notification from the System once again. 'Although the conditions are pretty harsh—once a month and only a three seconds reversal—it's an extremely powerful ability. I can use it in many situations.' He was aware that this little tool was not a time machine but a reversal artifact, designed to rewind his body to the condition it was in three seconds earlier. It wasn't about turning back time to fix a mistake before it happened, but rather, it provided a chance to undo the immediate consequences of one, so long as he wasn't dead.
Reaching his home, Horyu first checked the clever non-shinobi traps he'd set up—simple mechanisms meant more to alert than to harm. None had been disturbed, which eased one concern. Next, he inspected the shinobi fuin, intricate seals that would indicate if anyone unauthorized had entered. These too were untouched. Satisfied, he pushed open the door, only to be greeted by the sight of a house as simple as he remembered but covered in dust.
Inside, Horyu set down his things and glanced around. The familiarity of his own space brought a brief respite from the heavy thoughts of war and duty. 'Time to clean up,' he thought, not just in reference to the dust. There was much to be done, and his homecoming was just the start.
As he swept, his mind wasn't on the dust but on the strategic uses of his new System reward. The Chrono Anchor could be a game-changer in battle, giving him a literal second chance if things went wrong. 'But it's a once-a-month trick,' he reminded himself. 'I need to save it for truly dire moments.'
Once the cleaning was done, Horyu settled into the old, creaky chair by the window. He needed to plan his next moves carefully. The village's atmosphere was thick with the pressure of impending battles, and every shinobi would need to be at their best. Horyu was no exception.
Horyu sat in his chair, the evening light casting long shadows across the room, reflecting his mood. The dusty air from his old home didn't bother him as much as the looming choices of where to deploy himself in the war. 'I can manipulate Shisui to send me to any battlefront I want. The question is where to go.'
He tapped the armrest, thinking hard. 'My best chance to stay alive would be at the Wind Front, but Itachi and probably Sasuke will be there too. I need to keep my abilities and secrets under wraps, and Itachi is too sharp. Even though he's not as sharp as his anime version, he's observant. Mist might be a better choice. I have some hidden cards to play there, and if I can swing the battle, it'll boost my standing in both the clan and the village.'
He didn't want to join the fighting at the Cloud and Stone fronts. 'Although I can handle A and B with my Sharingan, and B's generally laid back, it's too risky. And Stone's too unpredictable.'
Over the three years, his spy network had expanded significantly, especially over the last year. He knew that Hanzo, the so-called 'Demi-God,' was still very much alive, which meant that Akatsuki was likely different from what was portrayed in the anime.
'Bringing Rain into the war might work,' Horyu thought. If he could push Rain against Cloud, that would simplify things. Lightning was bound to pass through Rain Country if the war escalated.
Horyu got up and paced the room, weighing each option. His thoughts were clear and focused, not on the dangers to himself, but on the strategic advantages each decision could bring. He needed to position himself where he could be most effective, without drawing undue attention to his abilities or revealing too much.
Sitting back in his chair with a heavy sigh, Horyu mused over his choices. "I'll decide tomorrow. I need to see what Tsunade's up to first. If she's joining the war, Ino and Hinata will be right there with her. I should be nearby—just in case."
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