Expanding the Spy Network

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Mito and Horyu continued with the practice, Horyu applying a complex array of seals onto a dummy target they used for training. The seals activated flawlessly, impressing even Mito, who had seen generations of seal masters at work.

"This level of proficiency is rare," Mito admitted as they wrapped up for the day. "Keep this up, and you might even surpass some of the best seal users I've known."

"This combination... it's something new," Mito observed thoughtfully one day as Horyu demonstrated a hybrid seal. "You've created a nexus of Uchiha precision and Uzumaki power."

Horyu just nodded, keeping his satisfaction internal. The compliment from Mito meant he was on the right track, but he knew better than to get complacent.

And just like that, the day for Horyu to leave the Uzumaki Village had arrived. It had been a little over two years since he left Konoha, and he still had one more quest: Expanding his Spy Network. He thought a year should be barely enough with his newfound abilities. At the edge of the portal, Mito and Kenji stood. "It has been an honor, Mito-sama. Kenji-san," Horyu bowed respectfully.

Mito smiled warmly, "You have been an exceptional student, Horyu. I hope you keep your promises."

Horyu nodded firmly, "I will do my best, Mito-sama. As long as it's within my capabilities, I'll strive to achieve what I've promised."

Kenji let out a heavy sigh, and added simply, "Take care." Horyu knew these two words from the usually stoic man were as good as an emotional goodbye.

Smiling, Horyu turned toward the portal. The village's setup didn't allow anyone to exit directly—it was a precaution Mito had insisted on long ago to protect their secrets. Therefore, Horyu summoned Yoru. The owl arrived promptly, "Yo. I'll summon you to the Twilight Realm, and Toru is ready outside."

"Thanks," Horyu replied. With a wave of Yoru's wing, the owl vanished, and soon, Horyu did too, reappearing in the Twilight Realm.

Before Horyu could adjust to the darkness, Toru summoned him once again. He found himself just outside the barrier of the Uzumaki Village, looking in. Horyu sighed, "Time to complete the last mission," and walked towards the edge of the island.

There, he noticed Shinigami's slaves still locked away, more starved than he last remembered them. Toru commented with a chuckle, "Seems like your seal worked, Horyu."

Horyu nodded in agreement, "In a week or two, they will vanish completely. This will end the legend of Uzumaki Spirits haunting fishermen, but since the village is isolated, no one can enter anyway. But I was hasty. Mito-sama could have locked them down to death too, but she didn't. She wanted extra protection. I've now disabled that."

Toru snorted, "Don't worry. No one can enter this place."

"Right," Horyu replied. He then pulled the boat he used to arrive at the island from his inventory and once again rowed towards the Wave Country. It was time for Zenkage to appear again.

The first thing Horyu did upon returning to the mainland was check on his spy network. Due to the isolated nature of the Uzumaki Village, he couldn't send or receive any messages. This lack of communication had left Shisui extremely agitated. Horyu swiftly sent a message to calm him, explaining he was fine and had been trapped in a ruin but was now on his way back. Shisui ordered him to return immediately, but Horyu insisted he was close to finishing his exploration and would return soon.

He then checked on his other spies scattered across the Wave and Hot Water Countries. Some had perished during his absence, while others had flourished and gained significant influence. Horyu communicated with the remaining spies through the seals he had branded on them, gathering updates and reestablishing his control over the network.

Despite the urgency in Shisui's messages, Horyu planned to visit other countries. He couldn't cover every nation in a year, but he could still make significant progress. Just as he was mapping out his route, another message from Shisui arrived, crisp and alarming: "War is on the horizon. Come back as soon as possible and safely."

Horyu frowned, perplexed by the sudden shift in tone. He quickly interrogated his spies for more information. The civilians and bandits were mostly oblivious to any talk of war, noticing only the rising prices and an increase in shinobi presence in their areas. However, the spies he had taken over from Hitomi reported that the Cloud, Stone, and Mist villages were indeed getting restless, and the Sand had dispatched soldiers to their borders.

"Looks like the political winds are shifting," Horyu murmured to himself, weighing his options. The increasing military activity suggested that tensions were not just rumors but a brewing storm that could engulf the region.

But Horyu wasn't too worried about the prospect of war. He understood that such conflicts didn't erupt overnight; the initial skirmishes would be on a smaller scale, with no nation eager to commit fully until the perfect strategic moment presented itself. Observing the gradual price hikes and the movement of troops, he deduced that while a war was brewing, it was not imminent. This shifting of gears in the ninja world would, however, make expanding his spy network more challenging. Nations would be on high alert, making his usual targets—civilians and bandits—the most affected and, paradoxically, potentially the most useful.

Opening his Distress Map, Horyu tracked the system pings. His goal remained unchanged: to aid those in need and coerce bandits into his service. This method solved multiple issues at once. Bandits, under his control, would protect local crops and the people tending them. In return, these civilians would provide food. The cursed seal ensured the bandits followed orders and reported back regularly. It was a straightforward, effective system.

As Horyu surveyed the map, he pinpointed a troubled area where a small farming community was repeatedly harassed by a group of bandits. "Perfect," he muttered, setting his course.

Arriving at the village, he observed the damage. Fields trampled, homes ransacked—it was a grim scene. The bandits, feeling invincible in this lawless region, had become bold.

Horyu approached the village leader, a middle-aged man named Shiba, who looked wary but desperate. "I can offer protection for your village," Horyu stated plainly, "but it comes with a condition."

Shiba, skeptical yet intrigued, nodded for him to continue. "Your protectors will be those who harmed you. I will ensure they defend this village and cause no further harm."

"You can control them?" Shiba asked, doubt lacing his voice.

"Yes," Horyu replied, his confidence unshaken.

Without waiting for further affirmation, Horyu tracked down the bandits. They were holed up in a nearby forest, a makeshift camp that was little more than a few ragged tents. He approached them alone, his presence commanding.

The bandits, surprised and outnumbering him, laughed at his audacity. "What do you want, shinobi?" their leader, a rugged man named Kazuo, challenged.

"I offer you two choices," Horyu declared, his voice even. "Serve me and protect the village you tormented, or die in painful death."

Kazuo scoffed, "And why would we agree to that?"

In response, Horyu unleashed a small demonstration of his power. A precise burst of chakra knocked the weapons from their hands, his blue eyes glowing subtly under the hood of his cloak. The display was enough to make them reconsider.

"We'll do it," Kazuo said after a tense moment, his crew nodding behind him.

"Good choice," Horyu replied, applying the cursed seal to ensure their obedience.

Back in the village, Horyu explained the arrangement. "They will guard your village. Any misconduct, and you report directly to me through this," he said, branding Shiba a specially crafted seal that allowed communication alongside Kazuo and few others.

Shiba, still skeptical but recognizing the pragmatism of the solution, agreed. "We'll try your way, shinobi."

With the bandits in place and under strict orders, Horyu left the village. His next stop was another region where a distress signal had piqued his interest—a village plagued by a poisonous swamp encroaching on their land.

Upon arrival, he assessed the situation. The swamp's expansion was unnatural, likely the result of a disrupted natural seal nearby. After some investigation, Horyu found the old seal, damaged and leaking poison into the water.

Repairing it required delicate chakra manipulation, a task well within his capabilities thanks to his Uzumaki training. He restored the seal, watching as the swamp's advance halted, the waters slowly receding.

The village elder, an old woman named Keiko, watched in awe. "How can we ever thank you?" she asked, her voice thick with emotion.

"Keep your village safe and prosperous, and respond to my call when needed." Horyu answered simply, ready to move on.

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