Deployment Everywhere

Takigakure, the mysterious Hidden Waterfall village, nestled in a small, unnamed country between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth.

Despite its tragic past, the village had forged a formidable reputation for frequently producing skilled jonin and, more recently, for being the only non-Great village harboring a tailed beast, a distinction typically bestowed upon the five Great Ninja Villages.

But the village's secrets ran deeper still, for veiled beneath the surface of the village was an elusive, mysterious substance known as Hero Water, capable of multiplying a ninja's chakra tenfold, at the cost of a shortened lifespan.

However, despite housing such powerful treasures, the village still managed to survive in its own way.

Unlike the other villages out in the open, the entrance to Takigakure remained concealed behind a majestic waterfall.

And even those who managed to breach this barrier faced the formidable challenge of navigating the labyrinthine underwater caves hidden beneath the cascade – a natural defense mechanism protecting the village and its treasures. Not only that, deadly traps decorated the meandering routes, ready to bury unsuspecting intruders in this underwater tomb.

It was this hidden sanctuary that had safeguarded Takigakure, preserving its secrets from prying eyes.

However, on this day, the village was unknowingly infiltrated by an unexpected visitor.

Puff. A drenched head broke the water's surface, expelling a mixture of water and bugs from his mouth. With a face adorned with a thick black beard and graying temples, the man's keen eyes surveyed the vast lake before finally settling upon a towering tree sprouting from the center.

His gaze then shifted to the nearby shore, where the village, imbued with Southeast Asian aesthetics, stood.

Exhibiting an air of tranquility, the man stealthily approached the shoreline, his arm stretching out, wrapping around a tree and reeling him into the concealment of a tree's shadows, avoiding the watchful eyes of the few patrolling ninjas.

Nestled within the tree's embrace, droplets of water cascaded from his tight-fitting, full-body blue suit, marked with a prominent number four emblazoned across his chest.

As he observed the village below, a gentle heat dried the water stains as his lips curled into a self-assured smile, his musings escaping in a hushed tone, "This place might have a few hundreds years on me and mine, sure... But I'm Reed Richards. Nobody's smarter than me."

"Who's there?!" A voice suddenly reverberated from the nearby forest, prompting a vigilant ninja on patrol to rush over.

"Oops. The village look peaceful, but nothing is ever what it appears... it's the mysteries and the unknown that make life interesting," Reed muttered, his body becoming a conduit for a blanket of bugs emerging from within his flesh. In an instant, he vanished into thin air.

Tap. A ninja landed gracefully on a neighboring tree, scanning his surroundings with an air of suspicion. After a moment, he murmured, "Must have been my imagination. Just getting jumpy, I guess."

Just as the ninja turned to depart, his body seized up, eyes widening in horror as he felt the stiffness spreading through his body. He attempted to cry out, but even his throat was paralyzed.

As a minuscule mosquito floated away from the ninja's neck, Reed gradually materialized behind him, his hand resting upon the hapless ninja's head.

A while later, the Reed's form stretched and contorted, mirroring the ninja's appearance, before flames erupted in Reed's palm, reducing the NPC ninja to a heap of smoldering ashes. Reed scrutinized his hands, their transformed state prompting him to mutter, "Odd. I'm not sure if it's organic, but...it doesn't appear to be entirely synthetic either. Fascinating. "

After a brief inspection, his gaze then turned toward the village, his expression growing somber. "To target a young lady, how else can I plead but… 'guilty'! But in order to protect my world from Strange, I've become a trailblazer, and now I'll have to get in there and blaze that trail."

With unwavering determination, Reed positioned himself within the village, relying on fragmented memories he had plundered to assume the guise of a ninja patrolling the streets. Patiently lurking, he awaited the opportune moment to fulfill his secret mission.

Emerging from the confines of the prison compound within the cavern, Kurenai's crimson gaze fixated upon Shino, who leaned against the wall of the building, arms crossed, engrossed in the broadcast of Reed's audacious infiltration into the Hidden Waterfall village.

After a brief pause, Kurenai mustered the courage to speak in a soft voice, "I've spoken to her."

Shifting his attention away from the intriguing broadcast, Shino turned towards Kurenai, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. He inquired with a hint of intrigue, "Are you certain you want me to proceed with this?"

Closing her eyes and averting her gaze, Kurenai's body trembled, betraying the conflict she felt, before she replied in a soft voice that seemed to drain her strength. "As Karina mentioned, it's for her own good."

"Oh," Shino chuckled softly, a hint of darkness threading his words. He began to make his way towards the prison, his voice carrying a playful undertone, "Then, I shall help myself."

Without casting a backward glance, Kurenai strode away in the opposite direction, her soft voice carried by the breeze, "Do as you wish. I'll go and check on the children at the orphanage."

In a dilapidated section of Oujisama city, a weathered old granny, her face adorned with wrinkles and her hair bundled up in a grey bun, stood before a dilapidated building with a sense of purpose.

With a keen crimson gaze, she surveyed the surroundings, ensuring the coast was clear before pushing open the creaking wooden door, granting her entry into a sparsely furnished room with worn-out wooden furniture.

Inside, she made her way to the basement through a concealed trapdoor. Executing a series of precise hand signs, she unleashed a subtle surge of chakra, causing a previously ordinary section of the stone wall to warp and morph into a doorway.

With a sigh of familiarity, the granny pushed the door open, revealing a dimly lit corridor that stretched ahead.

As she ventured further down the corridor, the distant echoes of children's voices reached her ears. A gentle smile crept upon her aged face as she quickened her pace, soon arriving at a lavishly furnished underground cavern.

There, a group of children sat attentively on the cold stone ground, their gazes fixed on a female teacher who was imparting knowledge to them. If any ninja happened upon this scene, they would be shocked because the knowledge being taught closely resembled that of Great Village ninja schools, and maybe even beyond! Paying closer heed would reveal a curriculum that touched upon topics including freedom, equality, and science!

Upon the granny's arrival, the female teacher glanced over, adjusting her glasses and pouting slightly. "Ah, you're here. I'll leave the rest to you. I still need to handle matters over at the Waterfall village while my dear is...occupied."

Nodding in understanding, the old granny acknowledged the departure of the teacher, who bid the children farewell, "Until next time, you brats!"

The children, undeterred by the teacher's disrespectful demeanor, responded with heartfelt gratitude. "Thank you, Shina sensei!"

As the beauty's form shifted into a swarm of bugs and scurried away, the children erupted into laughter, unafraid of the seemingly horrifying sight. They promptly rose from their places, some scampering off to engage in play, while the older ones dedicated themselves to practicing ninjutsu.

One child approached the old granny and bowed respectfully. "Hiyu Oba-san, you're back."

Her crimson gaze fixed upon the child, who exuded a maturity beyond his years. With a gentle touch, she ruffled his hair and replied, "Yes, I have returned, Hiru. And I've brought more supplies."

Hiyu presented a ninja scroll to the child, whose eyes sparkled with hope and happiness as he received it. Waving the scroll triumphantly toward the other children, he called out, "Everyone, Hiyu Oba-san has brought us more delicious food! Form lines, and each of us will have our share!"

"Yata! Hiru-oni-san, hurry up!" Cheers of excitement filled the cavern as the children rushed to form orderly lines.

"Hana and Oda, watch over them! Make sure they feed our companion given to us by Lord Kano. We don't want it to starve to death before we actually become ninjas!" Hana and Oda were appointed by Hiru to oversee the distribution, ensuring that everyone received their portion of the provisions.

With a contented smile, granny Hiyu observed the joyful scene, yet inwardly, a hint of melancholy tugged at her heart.

It was their fortune to be rescued from the clutches of the auction house and cared for by him, but it was also their misfortune. After all, their fates had been bound to that man due to the implantation of the zerg.

It was a cruel twist of fate. Alas, she was helpless and unable to alter their destiny, but perhaps this may be a good thing for them. After all, they now had hope.

Casting her eyes over the lively group, Hiyu noticed one child was conspicuously absent. Concerned, she inquired, "Where is Kapo?"

Hiru, the child with a mature temperament, hesitated and bowed his head, his foot shuffling against the floor.

Granny Hiyu sighed, understanding the situation. "Did he sneak out again?"

Nodding with a touch of guilt, Hiru looked up, explaining, "Brother Kapo didn't mean to break the rules... this time. You know, he admires Lord Kano the most and always wants to prove himself. When Shina sensei mentioned the need to distribute books in the capital city, he rushed to offer his help."

Sighing once more, Hiyu acknowledged the circumstances. "I understand. Go, Hiru, and make sure you get your share."

Hiru nodded, joining Hana and Oda in the distribution of food. As Hiyu observed the children's bustling activities, she closed her eyes, extending her senses to reach the bugs scattered throughout the capital. With precision, she located the bug assigned to Kapo and witnessed his predicament.

Opening her eyes, a flicker of worry crossed her features as she muttered to herself, "It appears that Kapo is in a bit of a pinch. However, the circumstances are a bit special and difficult to handle. I will report to Karina and see if she has a solution."

Meanwhile, in the dimly lit alleyways of the slums of the city, where shadows danced like ghosts, a young teen with a dirty face navigated the labyrinth of broken dreams and desolation. The air was heavy with the scent of decay, desperation, and hidden secrets.

The boy, barely in his teens, moved with the grace of a shadow, his every step cautious and deliberate. His eyes darted from side to side, scanning the murky corners for any signs of danger. His target was close by.

As he sneaked deeper into the slums, his heart pounded with a mixture of fear and anticipation. The package he carried, concealed within the folds of his tattered jacket, held the promise of something valuable. A mission that would change his life, or so he had been led to believe. He couldn't afford to let his guard down.

Finally, he arrived at the predetermined meeting spot - an alley so narrow it felt like a forgotten crack in the city's facade. He glanced around, confirming that he was alone.

Moments later, a masked figure emerged from the darkness, his face obscured by shadows. The masked man exuded an air of mystery and danger, his presence fierce and ominous, entailing the arduous life he lived in.

Without a word, the young teen pulled out the package and held it up for the masked man to inspect. The dim light lit the object, revealing its mysterious allure. Their eyes met briefly, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

"Is it what I asked for?" the masked man questioned in a low, gravelly voice, his tone laced with caution.

The young teen nodded, his eyes flickering with a mix of trepidation and determination. "It's exactly as promised, every ounce is worth its money," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

The masked man reached into the folds of his cloak and produced a small pouch. He tossed it to the teen, who deftly caught it with practiced ease. The sound of clinking coins echoed through the desolate alley, marking the completion of their silent transaction.

However, before they could part ways, a sudden gust of wind seemed to carry a whisper.

A shadowy figure lurking with the masked man materialized on the ground and revealed the flattened form of Jiraiya. With swift precision, Jiraiya inflated as he arose from the ground and with lightning speed, he struck the masked man, rendering him unconscious. The package slipped from his hands, falling into Jiraiya's grasp. "Oto. It seems I've finally caught some fish after waiting for so long."

The young teen, startled by the unexpected turn of events, attempted to escape, but Jiraiya was quicker. His grip tightened around the boy's arm, lifting him up into his arm and preventing any chance of evasion.

"Let me go! Let me go you old geezer!" As the teen struggled in his grasp, Jiraiya's eyes bore into him with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine.

"You think you can dabble in these dangerous games without consequence, brat?" Jiraiya's voice was stern, his words laced with disappointment. "These paths lead to destruction, and you would do well to learn from this encounter. Now, be obedient and tell me who is behind your contact with this member of the Lord of the Hives cult."

The teen's defiance wilted under Jiraiya's gaze. He realized the gravity of his actions, the risks he had taken in pursuit of a better life.

Fear and regret washed over him, mingling with the dirt on his face. The package, once his ticket to prove himself, now felt like a burden too heavy to bear. He wasn't afraid of dying, he was afraid to see that man's disappointment.

The pouch of coins slipped from the boy's trembling hands, scattering its contents on the cold, unforgiving ground. After calming his emotions, he glared defiantly at Jiraiya defiantly, refusing to answer.

"Huh. A tough brat. But there are ways to make you answer." With a mixture of disappointment and sympathy in his eyes, Jiraiya muttered, "For now, let's see what important items you two are exchanging. Is it the method to grant normal civilians the abilities of ninjas?"

Jiraiya's hand deftly unwrapped the package, and when he saw the book laying within, he tilted his head, confusion displayed on his face, "The Road of a Sensei? What the heck is this?"

With a hint of curiosity, Jiraiya flipped open the book, but the moment his gaze grazed its forbidden contents, his eyes suddenly bulged as a trail of blood dripped down from his nose, his face flushing red as he panted, his other hand loosening, allowing the young teen to slump against the wall.

Chance! The young teen's hands swiftly swept up the coins before he rushed off, leaving behind the ero sage who was seemingly deeply engaged in the book, yet his eyes swept out towards the escaping child imperceptibly, a sly smile on his face before he turned his attention back to his book.

"Oh! This art style- this plot! I can feel the inspiration brewing within me!"