Through the land of River, Ryu, Enjomi Kaori, and Mukai Kohinata were going. As they neared one of the rivers, Mukai Kohinata's body tensed.
"We've got company following us," Kohinata said.
Kaori replied quickly, "They must be the same ANBU."
Mukai's eyes narrowed as he shook his head. "No," he said. "That doesn't seem to be the case." Mukai sensed something else. "There's another group of enemies near our ANBU friends. My best guess is there are multiple enemy companies, and the target is us, more specifically, him," he said, looking at Ryu.
A sense of dread enveloped them all, a chilling realisation sinking in. Next to him, Kaori adjusted her stance and focused by forming a hand seal. She released the holds on her chakra, allowing her senses to flare outwards. Her eyes widened slightly under her calm exterior. The atmosphere around her demeanour grew tense as she sensed the distant clash of chakras. Just as Mukai had warned, the tension in the air confirmed her fears.
"It is as you had said," Kaori confirmed, her voice tight with surprise and a hint of worry. "They are all fighting. I can sense multiple enemies, almost twenty, maybe more, outside my sensing range. And they clearly outnumber the ANBU behind us."
"So, not holding back now, Ms. Secretary," Ryu said, a subtle note of understanding in his voice. Kaori was now using a high-level sensing technique without the usual suppression, a necessity when their lives were in danger.
Mukai's surprise at Kaori's suddenly revealed sensing capability was evident for a fleeting moment. "Is she also a hidden guard?" he thought. "Lord Hokage wouldn't let a spy get this close to the boy if he was this committed to protecting him."
Mukai made a quick decision. "I will hold them," he stated, turning to Ryu and Kaori. "You two escape towards the River City."
"But there are too many," Kaori protested, looking in the direction of the approaching threats.
"I know," Mukai said, his resolve hardening. "It will take some elites, a few Jonin at least, to hold me. That should thin the herd for you."
Kaori recognised the strategic necessity of sacrificing one team member to divert the enemy forces, ensuring the safety of the remaining members—a common and challenging calculation in the treacherous life of a ninja. The enemy outnumbered them greatly, presenting a formidable challenge that seemed insurmountable. It was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed. The most logical tactic was to create a diversion, splitting the enemy forces and holding back their powerful members to give Ryu a chance to escape.
Ryu thought about denying it. He thought, " I don't like this idea. But they wouldn't listen to a kid like me. Both of them have a mission of their own. What should I do?"
"I agree," Kaori said, nodding. "But just focus on buying time, Kohinata-san. Don't necessarily go for the kill right away." They would be expecting that from an elite Jonin. "Just hold them back for as long as you can." She then asked, "Do you have any long-range jutsu?"
Mukai shook his head, emphasising, "No, I specialise in close-range combat techniques. My expertise lies in swift and precise close-quarter engagements."
Ryu thought about the situation and then decided, "I will let them do as they please for now, but I need to ensure their survival."
After Mukai's confirmation, Ryu produced a small fuinjutsu scroll. "Take this, Mr. Kohinata," Ryu said, handing them over.
Mukai accepted the seal scroll, examining it curiously. "What is it?" he asked.
Ryu gave him a brief explanation. "It's an automated barrier seal called [ReflexGuard: Advanced Barrier]."
[ReflexGuard: Advanced Barrier]: This seal is a perfect defence that can be used by a single person. Its efficiency is also very high, as it is not active all the time. It can even block ninjutsu from blind spots by sensing chakra through inbuilt detection wards. The seal's main limitation is that for physical objects devoid of chakra, it can only block what the user can see coming.
Ryu continued and said. "Once it activates, it works based on your senses and subconscious thoughts of danger and chakra of the enemy using inbuilt detection wards. If you feel a threat greater than you can handle alone, the seal will automatically create a defensive barrier."
"I have heard rumours about this seal's exceptional defensive capabilities," Mukai said. "It is a perfect seal for our situation."
Ryu said, "Yes, it works best when surrounded by the enemy."
Ryu's expression was serious as he continued, "Its main limitation is for physical objects devoid of chakra; it can only block what the user can see coming towards them and the user's natural response to them, like danger."
When Mukai heard that the seal works to block the attack that the user could see coming, he grinned. Ryu caught that subtle smile.
"He's going to use this seal very well," Ryu thought. "Much better than Kakashi. It's perfect for his bloodline ability."
"But since it works on visual inputs from the user, this seal is perfect for someone like you, Mr. Kohinata. Use it well," Ryu said aloud.
Mukai was stunned for a second. "Does he know?" Mukai thought, "Does he know about my secret?"
Ryu said, "It's okay, Mr. Kohinata. Everyone has things to hide, so do not worry about it."
Mukai looked at Ryu, the subtle smile gone, replaced by a look of deep gratitude and something akin to desperation. "Thank you, Ryu-kun," he expressed gratefully. "I'll take down as many enemies as I can. Both of you must escape now," he emphasised to Ryu and Kaori.
Mukai then made a personal request, his voice quiet. "There's something I need to ask you… It's about my son."
Ryu looked at him, already knowing the unspoken plea. "Your son?" Ryu asked gently. "Is he sick?"
Mukai explained, his voice heavy with worry. "He's very sick. The doctors... none of them could treat him. I've spent every penny I've earned trying to find a cure, visiting every doctor I could, but no one could help him."
"I already know about it, Mr. Kohinata," Ryu thought, his gaze steady. "I also know your secret. I guess lack of money is what would have turned you into an enemy spy... well, not in this timeline. In this timeline, you will be my soldier."
"Don't worry about your son, Mr. Kohinata," Ryu said, his voice firm and reassuring. "I will take care of his treatment. And don't worry about the treatment costs from now on. Consider it handled."
With the plan set, the three looked at each other, the rushing river beside them a stark contrast to the impending conflict.
Mukai's breath hitched. He looked at Ryu, speechless for a moment, a wave of relief washing over him. "Thank you, Ryu-kun," he finally managed to say, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you." He steeled himself, turning back towards the sounds of distant conflict. "Now, leave. Go!"
With the plan set and a new understanding forged in the face of danger, Ryu and Kaori turned and began running towards the City of Rivers, while Mukai Kohinata ran towards the impending conflict with the [ReflexGuard: Advanced Barrier] seal in his hand.
Kohinata steeled himself, his muscles tensing as he assumed a defensive stance, ready to confront the approaching horde of ninjas. He was soon surrounded, a ring of grim faces closing in. At the front stood a hulking figure, clearly the leader. Mukai's gaze was fixed on the large ninja.
"Well, well," the leader's voice boomed, a rough, gravelly sound. "Mukai Kohinata. Commendable bravery, standing alone like this." He chuckled. "And thank you, of course, for delivering that twenty-five thousand Ryo bounty right into our hands."
Mukai recognised him instantly. "Kaminari," Mukai said, his voice calm.
Kaminari's expression briefly changed from one of surprise to one of pride. "Ah, so even an elite Leaf ninja knows my name?"
Kaminari puffed out his chest slightly. "I feel proud that my reputation precedes me."
"You have the same twenty-five thousand Ryo bounty on your head as me," Mukai stated.
Kaminari chuckled again, a deeper sound this time. "Ah, that was when you were just a Jonin, Kohinata," he replied, his gaze sharp.
Mukai's posture didn't change, but internally, he was surprised. "My promotion... it was only very recent. It's not common knowledge yet.There must be a spy in the village…Ryu-kun... you're the target of much bigger forces than just common rogue ninjas and bounty hunters."
Kaminari said, "We already know from our spies in the Leaf Village that you've been promoted to an elite Jonin, but that promotion was too late. Even your bounty is far too low for your skills. Nobody who faced you one-on-one survived to share the details of your secret jutsu. There were rumours that you hid your strength and only used it in one-on-one battles. Tell me what secret you are hiding."
Mukai also had a reputation that preceded him, and he, too, had things to hide, much like Ryu. So he ensured that anyone who discovered his secret did not live to tell about it.
##PoWeR StOnEs##
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