Plotting

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Leaving the meeting, Horyu followed Tsunade as they made their way to the long-unused Senju Compound. Hinata and Ino asked for permission to visit their families, and Tsunade sent them off, leaving just Tsunade, Shizune, Horyu, and Tonton, comfortably nestled in Shizune's arms. As they walked, the conversation drifted to mundane topics, so casual that an eavesdropper would assume they were merely discussing the weather and the poor crop yields of the season.

"It's been unusually dry this year," Tsunade remarked, looking up at the sky.

"True, the fields could use a good downpour soon," Horyu agreed, his voice casual.

Only after they arrived at the Senju Compound and Tsunade drew a few seals did both get serious. Tsunade looked at Horyu with a playful smirk. "So, brat. Have you learned from Grandma?" she asked.

Horyu chuckled and waved his hand, enhancing the seal Tsunade had cast. "I learned a trick or two," Horyu said casually.

Tsunade was taken aback, her expression a mix of shock and curiosity. The technique he used was advanced, something she had seen Mito use years ago. The barrier not only blocked eavesdropping but now also generated random conversations within its confines. Tsunade's eyes widened in surprise. It created a layer of deceptive noise, making it impossible for even a skilled sensor ninja to discern their real conversation. "You've been busy, I see. How did you manage to pick this up so quickly?"

Horyu shrugged, a faint smile on his face. "Let's just say I had a good teacher and leave it at that."

Their conversation shifted back to the war situation. "With the Cloud proposing a truce, things might calm down on one front at least," Tsunade said, her tone thoughtful as she considered the implications.

Horyu shook his head, his expression serious. "On the contrary, Tsunade-sama, I think the Cloud has something sneaky planned."

Tsunade frowned, a hint of skepticism in her tone. "What could they do? Launch a surprise attack from within? They aren't sending a Jinchuriki, just a Jonin Commander and a few shinobi."

Horyu frowned, pondering the possibilities. As far as he knew, Kyubi was still missing. Naruto was alive, but whether Kyubi was sealed within him again in this reality was unclear. Minato and Kushina had vanished along with Naruto and Kyubi, leaving no clues behind. Could it be that Cloud had found Kyubi and planned to unleash it within the village? Yet, with Shisui and Itachi both possessing the Mangekyo Sharingan, subduing Kyubi would be feasible.

Horyu shrugged, "It's just a hunch." He didn't let on how much he actually suspected.

Tsunade pondered silently for a moment before dropping a bombshell, "We found Uzumaki Naruto and his sister."

Horyu's surprise was genuine. He had quests in his system about Naruto, and although he wasn't planning to follow Naruto's idealistic path of world peace through Talk-No-Jutsu, he did have subquests to complete that involved the young Uzumaki. "Oh? Where are they?" he asked, keeping his tone even.

"In the Rain Country. With Kakashi, Obito, and Rin," Tsunade revealed.

That made sense to Horyu. When he first reincarnated, one of the initial choices presented by his system was to either assist or hinder Kakashi and his team. He had chosen to assist them, a decision that didn't sit well with the Uchiha Police Force at the time. He still remembered the consequences he faced. It was a tough day, one that had cost him a lot of physical pain.

Horyu thought about the situation in the Rain Country and realized that there were a few more clues to consider based on their location. Since they were in Rain, it was likely they were with Akatsuki. Obito never died, which changed things; Madara had a different successor, and Nagato hadn't received the Rinnegan, meaning Yahiko was probably still alive. Akatsuki could still be a group aiming for peace in their hometown, and with Kakashi, Obito, and Rin with them, they were possibly stronger than before.

Previously, Horyu had considered pulling Rain into the war to push the Cloud back with Akatsuki's help, but that seemed less viable now. He wasn't one to let emotions rule him, but he had his reasons for needing Naruto out of the spotlight. If Rain got drawn into the war, Naruto wouldn't just sit on the sidelines.

So far, Horyu had always avoided the Rain Country. He never dared to step into it, not even while recruiting spies from all over the world. The reason was simple: stepping into the land of Rain was dangerous. If Hanzo was alive, it was perilous, and if he was dead, it was even more uncertain. Thus, he didn't know much about that place. But now, it seemed like he had to rethink his plans. He couldn't pull Rain into the war.

He then turned to Tsunade, pulling out a dozen seals from his coat. "Tsunade-sama. Mito-sama informed me about Shisui's possible abilities and instructed me to deliver these seals to you." He handed them over. "They contain her Adamantine Sealing Chains and can break a person from the strongest Genjutsu depending on Chakra Shisui put behind his technique. If it is too strong, all the seals together might barely break it, if it is weak, a single seal should be enough. I also have another half dozen for us. If either of us shows any sign of being beguiled, we can free each other. But Mito-sama said, it's not enough to free others who have been under Shisui's control for years. For that, she herself would need to act."

Tsunade nodded, taking the seals and storing them carefully. "How do you feel about betraying your Kage and clan?" she then asked, watching him closely.

Horyu shook his head as he replied, "I grew up alone, without a family, clan, or village. I don't feel bonds or ideals like the Will of Fire, patriotism, or racialism. Since childhood, I've always seen things from an outsider's perspective and acted based on my benefit and those around me." His voice was matter-of-fact, knowing that Tsunade had Mito's seals that could differentiate between truth and lies. There was no reason for him to lie.

Tsunade seemed to take this in, her face unreadable for a moment before she responded, "That's a very pragmatic way to live. Not many can manage it."

The room fell silent as they both considered the weight of their conversation. Tsunade then shifted the topic, "We need to prepare for the Cloud's delegation. Your insights might be useful. Any thoughts on their strategy?"

Horyu paused, considering his answer carefully. "It's likely a diversion," he finally said. "They might be aiming to distract us while preparing a bigger move elsewhere. We should strengthen our surveillance around the borders, not just where they are expected."

"Good point," Tsunade agreed, making a note. "I'll suggest it to Shisui."

As they wrapped up their discussion, Horyu thought about his next steps. With the war escalating and the Cloud making moves, he needed to keep his skills sharp and his allies closer.

"Anything else we should be aware of?" Tsunade asked, as they stood to leave.

"Just one thing," Horyu added. "Keep an eye on the smaller villages and nomadic groups. In times like these, they often get overlooked, but they can be barometers for the larger shifts happening in the shadows."

"Will do," Tsunade acknowledged, nodding her understanding. "Stay safe, Horyu. And remember, you're not as alone as you think."

Horyu offered a rare, small smile in response. "Thank you, Tsunade-sama. I'll keep that in mind."

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