Chapter 4

The group continued on at a methodical pace. Every time they came across a larger group, they would mark their location and move on. If the enemy were manageable then they would execute them. Ashidon proved time and time again his skill at detecting enemies long before any confrontation. But the deeper they went, the more worried Ashidon became. And he took every opportunity to voice his concerns. Sadly, Kyusai continued to brush off his concerns.

They had just avoided another group of stone nin before Ashidon called a halt. The other nin at this point trusted his instinct and stopped. Kyusai on the other hand looked annoyed that Ashidon would issue commands despite the fact that he was in charge.

"Why have you called a halt? We need to keep moving." Kyusai said.

"We are surrounded, captain." Ashidon replied.

The other nin looked shocked and became tense. They looked outward as if they would notice a stone nin hiding in some bush waiting to end their life. Kyusai didn't appear at all concerned by this news and took another step towards Ashidon.

"Which direction is the weakest?" He asked.

Ashidon looked at him oddly before replying. "Captain, I don't see why that matters. We won't be able to simply force our way through, the net has been cast and we are caught. I would also like to note that this group consists of the same groups we left behind."

"What did you say?" Kyusai asked threateningly.

Ashidon had no personal issue with Kyusai, but he didn't agree with his decision. Now they are in a terrible position, and he wasn't sure if they could come out in one piece.

"Captain, I suggest we make our stand here, we have some time before they get here. We can set up some traps, or, I don't know, do something other than run!" as Ashidon spoke he became more animated to the point he was yelling at the end.

"I am the captain of this squad, and you will follow my commands. Now I'll ask again, which direction is the weakest?" Kyusai spoke with clenched teeth.

Ashidon just stared in his eyes for a moment before sighing. If he didn't comply, things would only become difficult for him later on. All he could do was hope that Kyusai's plan worked. If anything, Ashidon was confident in his ability to protect himself.

"Towards the west, Captain."

Kyusai nodded and ordered the group to move out. They ran as fast as they could in an attempt to smash the weakest point in the encirclement. Attack one force before the others could react, thus providing them an opportunity to slip the net.

This plan would have been effective if not for the fact that the enemy surely had sensors of their own. And while their range wasn't on the same level as Ashidon's, they were competent enough to adapt quickly. No matter how fast they moved Ashidon could feel them adjust their encirclement.

"I thought you said we were being encircled; how come we haven't come across any enemy nin?" Kyusai asked in a tone of ridicule.

"Captain, my sensory range isn't as great as Ashidon's, but I can now sense them. We are surrounded and the closer we get to the target group; they retreat allowing the others to close in." One of the jonin spoke up, she was a kunoichi, a female shinobi. The other sensory nin of the group.

"It is as Sumari senpai says, we have no choice but to face them head on." Ashidon added.

"Tch, very well. We stop here and set up traps." Kyusai conceded.

"Captain, the time for traps has long passed. If you had listened to my suggestions earlier, we would have had the time." Ashidon replied spitefully.

"They are here." Sumari interrupted before Kyusai could respond.

The group came to a halt at Sumari's declaration. They scanned the trees for signs of the enemy. The forest was silent, all except the breathing of the group. Ashidon was aware of the enemy, they could not escape his eyes. After a prolonged pause, the enemy finally made themselves known. Fourteen stone nin appeared in the treetops looking down at Ashidon and the others.

"Looks like we finally caught you. Did you think we didn't notice you leaf scum scurrying around? You've been causing us nothing but trouble, but you made a mistake. I'd say I enjoyed this little game of cat and mouse, but it ends here." one of the stone nin stepped forward and spoke. He appeared to be the leader of the group and he gave his little monolog.

Ashidon ignored him and focused within himself. This whole time they've been on the move he's been collecting souls nonstop. Stray souls that he came across, human and animal alike. The few groups of enemy nin they managed to eliminate, he made sure he collected their souls as well.

All that power being stored within him, being cycled through his body, saturating it with their power. Before he came to this world, he was given one wish, and that wish was to design his own clan. He created his own clan Keke genkai, jutsus, techniques, down to the very genetics. This meant that he was very aware of what he was capable of. This allowed him to use his clan techniques without issue. Every ability he's used has been a product of that wish. And now he planned to unveil a new ability.

'I've absorbed enough souls by now. I could just use my crows and slaughter these stone nin, but that has its own risks. Despite them not being able to see my crows, there is the possibility that the enemy could adapt in time to deal with them.

Not only that, besides my two black ghosts, who are at jonin level in terms of physical prowess, the crows are at best chunin level. Besides, I need to unlock my remaining abilities as soon as possible. And the only way to do that is by absorbing the necessary number of souls and infusing them within my body. I've already got access to the ghosts and the soul-based abilities. Now it's time to unveil the void smoke.'

Ashidon opened his eyes and spoke in an even voice. "I only need you to buy me some time. I only need a minute and I'll be able to handle this."

The other Jonin in his group turned to him in shock. They weren't sure what to make of his words, could this kid, this boy who only just a few days ago was promoted to jonin really turn this around? But just as they began to doubt, a scene played in their minds. Not just a scene but a sound, a scream that sent chills down their spines even now. This gave them hope and they wondered if this kid could do the same thing again. With that thought held tightly in their minds they quickly formed a circle around Ashidon.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!? We don't have time for this kids' games!" Kyusai yelled but none of them paid him any mind.

"I only need one minute." Asidon repeated before closing his eyes, but not before creating a crow for each of his group, except Kyusai of course.