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When Shisui and Itachi finally wrapped up the Sand front, the report of recent events hit Shisui like a ton of bricks. He stood there, his usually calm demeanor replaced by visible shock and confusion.
"What happened?" Itachi asked, noticing the change in Shisui's expression.
Shisui shook his head, trying to process the information. "Apparently, six Uchiha attacked the Cloud Village and kidnapped Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki. And if that wasn't enough, Danzo kidnapped Yagura, the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, from the Mist. Now, supposedly, Konoha has three tailed beasts."
Itachi's eyes narrowed. "That's impossible. We lost the Nine-Tails long ago. We don't have any of the tailed beasts."
Shisui clenched his fists, frustration evident in his voice. "I know. This is a setup. Someone is framing us, making it look like we're the aggressors. And now, Raikage A and Killer Bee are furious. They've accused us of the same treachery we supposedly committed against the Sand Village."
Itachi's expression turned grim. "This could ignite an even larger conflict. We need to find out who's behind this and clear our name."
Shisui nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "But before we can address this, we need to deal with the immediate threat. The other villages are already on high alert, and our forces are spread thin."
At that moment, an ANBU appeared beside them, kneeling respectfully. "Shisui-sama, Itachi-sama, the report from Horyu-sama."
Opening and reading the report, relief spread across Shisui's face, which then turned into a full scowl.
"What happened?" Itachi asked, his concern evident. He was worried about Konoha and, mostly, about Sasuke. Horyu being at Konoha meant something significant had happened. The initial relief on Shisui's face suggested it wasn't entirely bad news, but the subsequent scowl indicated complications.
Shisui looked like he was about to lose his composure. "Horyu coordinated with Jiraiya, Tsunade, and others and defeated the League of Immortals. All members are either dead or captured. Orochimaru is under arrest."
Itachi sighed in relief. This was a significant achievement. He was genuinely surprised Horyu had managed it. However, remembering Shisui's scowl, he asked, "Is that all?"
Shisui shook his head. "Orochimaru summoned the First and Second Hokage to aid him. Horyu freed them, and now they are both at Konoha."
Itachi looked confused. "Isn't that a good thing? Why the scowl?"
Shisui's thoughts were in turmoil. He couldn't explain his real concern. Even his best friend didn't know that he controlled everyone with his Sharingan. With the First and Second Hokage back, his position as Hokage was at risk. If Itachi knew about the manipulation, his trust in Shisui would diminish. Itachi was loyal to Konoha and the Uchiha but Shisui wanted that loyalty directed towards him.
Shisui knew he had to tread carefully. "The Second Hokage had a notorious hatred for the Uchiha. His return could complicate things for us," Shisui finally said, masking his deeper concerns.
Itachi nodded slowly, understanding but still wary. "We need to handle this delicately," he agreed. "For now, let's focus on stabilizing the situation."
As the reality of the situation settled in, Shisui and Itachi knew they had to act quickly. The presence of the legendary Hokage could either be a boon or a bane, depending on how they navigated the political landscape.
Back in the quiet of his quarters, Horyu opened the system interface to check his latest achievements and quests. The defeat of the League of Immortals had triggered several notifications, and he wanted to see what new opportunities awaited him.
[System Notification: Hidden Quest "League of Immortals" Completed. Reward: "Immortal Slayer" Title and "Forbidden Knowledge" Skill Book Unlocked.]
Horyu smirked as he read the notification. 'The title "Immortal Slayer" has a nice ring to it,' he thought. His fingers flicked through the system interface, eager to understand the rewards in detail.
The title "Immortal Slayer" added a unique boost to his stats and abilities, enhancing his damage against reanimated or undead enemies. It also granted a small passive increase to his overall combat effectiveness, a fitting reward for the grueling battle he had endured. This title not only acknowledged his victory but also solidified his reputation as a formidable opponent against those who defied natural death.
Next, he opened the skill book titled "Forbidden Knowledge." As he did, a cascade of information flooded his mind, centering on one long-forgotten technique: "Spectral Rend." This powerful jutsu combined illusions with real damage to the soul, creating attacks that targeted an opponent's spirit directly. The illusions would disorient and confuse, but the true power lay in their ability to cause genuine harm to the soul, inflicting lasting damage that could not be easily healed. Horyu knew that mastering Spectral Rend would give him a significant edge, allowing him to strike at enemies in a way that few could defend against.
Horyu leaned back, satisfied with his progress. Both the title and the new skill were highly valuable, and he began formulating ideas on how to best utilize them. Just as he was deep in thought, the door creaked open, and Ino stepped in, her smile both coy and shy.
"Horyu, Tsunade-sama is calling for you," she said softly, her eyes lingering on him.
Horyu's gaze met hers, noticing the way she seemed to almost dance across the room, her steps light and graceful. It had been three years since they had last seen each other, and their reunion had been brief before he was sent to the Cloud front for war. Throughout his absence, her heart had been in her throat, constantly worried about his safety. Now that he had returned, they had barely had time to reconnect due to his responsibilities with the defense forces.
Ino approached him slowly, her fingers brushing against his arm as she came closer. "It's been so long," she murmured, her voice carrying a hint of longing. "I missed you."
Horyu looked at her, his expression softening slightly. "I missed you too, Ino," he replied, his tone measured but sincere. Despite his reserved nature, the connection between them was undeniable.
Ino's eyes sparkled with a mix of happiness and nervousness. She took another step closer, her hand lingering on his arm. "You look different," she observed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Stronger."
Horyu smirked slightly. "War tends to do that. But you've changed too. More confident."
Ino blushed, her fingers tightening on his arm. "I've had to be. It's been hard not knowing if you were safe."
He looked at her, his gaze intense but soft. "I'm here now."
Ino took a deep breath, her heart pounding. She moved closer until their bodies were almost touching. "I've been thinking about you every day," she confessed, her voice trembling slightly.
Horyu's hand moved to her waist, pulling her gently against him. "And I've been thinking about you," he admitted, his voice low.
Ino's eyes widened slightly in surprise at his candidness. She leaned into him, resting her head against his chest. "It's been tough," she said quietly. "But knowing you were out there, fighting for all of us, it gave me strength."
Horyu wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "We'll have time to catch up," he assured her, his voice steady. "For now, we have duties to attend to."
Ino nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation. But for a brief moment, she allowed herself to enjoy the warmth and comfort of his embrace.
After a few moments, she pulled back slightly, looking up at him with a soft smile. "Tsunade-sama is calling for you," she reminded him, though she made no move to step away completely.
Horyu nodded, his hand lingering on her waist for a moment longer. "Let's not keep her waiting," he said, his tone back to its usual calm and collected self.
They walked together towards the command center, their hands occasionally brushing against each other. Despite the seriousness of their surroundings, there was a sense of peace in their small, shared moments. As they reached Tsunade's office, Horyu gave Ino's hand a gentle squeeze before letting go.
"Thank you, Ino," he said, his voice sincere. She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips, before stepping back to allow him to enter.
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