Along the way, Ishiki had mostly recovered from his exertion.After all, chakra was formed by refining both physical and spiritual energy.
His spiritual reserves were naturally strong, and his physical stamina had begun to regenerate, allowing him to get back into fighting shape quicker than most.Even without a Tailed Beast as a chakra reactor, Ishiki figured his own growth alone would eventually bring him to a formidable level.
Without bloodlines, Kekkei Genkai, or external power-ups, the maximum chakra output a shinobi could reach was likely around the level of the Third Hokage.But Hiruzen Sarutobi had mastered a vast array of secret techniques—some of which may have even temporarily boosted his chakra levels.
Still, the Third was undeniably god-tier in his prime, but Ishiki didn't think his late-game power level was anything to write home about.
Which meant: if Ishiki wanted to be strong, it wouldn't just come from ninjutsu training.His Stand abilities would remain his true ace in the hole.
As for Tailed Beasts, special bloodlines, or unique dōjutsu—those weren't things one could just stumble upon.Even acquiring them came with enormous risk, and implanting something like a Kekkei Genkai wasn't as easy as it sounded. This wasn't just plug-and-play.
The squad climbed up Mount Uname and settled at a concealed location to rest.
All they had to do now was wait for Uchiha Shisui to return.If any Kumo-nin tracked them here, they'd adjust their tactics accordingly.
Fortunately, that didn't happen.Four hours after reaching their rendezvous, Shisui followed Aoba's trail markers and found them.
Once they confirmed identities via their pre-arranged counter-signs, Aoba immediately debriefed him on the intel gathered through interrogation.
Ishiki listened carefully.
It turned out their mission target had already been compromised before they arrived—which explained the heavy Kumo presence.Mount Kurou, their original destination, had already been turned into a trap. Anyone entering it would be ambushed instantly.
The agent they were supposed to extract was still alive—for now—being kept as bait.
"Captain, what now?"
Even if the agent had been captured, the intel didn't confirm whether he had talked.This could be a setup—or perhaps he had hidden the intel before being taken.
At this point, they had the option to declare mission failure and return to the Fire Country's forward command.
And truthfully, Ishiki leaned that way.Kurou Mountain sounded like a death trap, and the risk-to-reward ratio was abysmal.
But the final say rested with Captain Shisui.
"The mission hasn't failed," Shisui said calmly. "So long as the operative's body remains, we've got a job to do.Our orders were always twofold: either extract the operative and the intel, or, if that fails, retrieve his head."
It sounded cruel, but this was the true mission.
Ishiki frowned.He wasn't sure if Konoha even had a way to extract intel from a corpse. He remembered Yamanaka Inoichi needing the brain to be alive.Maybe he was misremembering. Or maybe the agent had sealed intel inside his brain before capture.
Either way, the issue wasn't why, but how they'd retrieve the "mission item."
"My plan is to go in solo," Shisui declared. "I'll infiltrate Mount Kurou alone."
"You can't be serious!" Mirina snapped immediately. "I'm the one who specializes in infiltration and disguise!"
"No. It's too dangerous," Shisui shook his head. "I've already considered all variables.With my Sharingan, infiltration won't be hard—the problem will be the escape after blowing my cover.That's where you come in. Your job is to create enough chaos outside to help me extract safely."
The group huddled over the map of Kurou Mountain.Shisui smiled at their determination.
"I suggest we split up to cause confusion," Ishiki said. "Coordinated feints from three directions will force Kumo to spread their forces thin."
He had no illusions now about "completing the mission."His goal had shifted to survival—and to make it out, he'd need to go all out.
But even so, he couldn't risk exposing the Sharingan, or the high-level Fire Release techniques stored on his stolen Uchiha disc.
Techniques like Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire or Blazing Meteors were far too distinct.If Kumo analyzed them afterward, they'd trace them back.
Which meant: working solo gave him more flexibility.
"Three directions, huh?" Shisui mused. "Could work. But it increases the risk. Each of you would be exposed."
He glanced at Ishiki.
Aoba was a skilled recon ninja, solid with diversion tactics.Mirina excelled at stealth and assassination.But Ishiki, a medical-nin, was more vulnerable.
"I propose Ishiki and Mirina work together," Aoba said, marking the map. "I'll handle the third flank solo."
Aoba had confidence in his tracking and delay tactics.
"No," Shisui cut in. "Kumo definitely has sensory-nin in their ranks.One person handling multiple fronts will stick out like a sore thumb.And more importantly, we need to kill some of their men.We have to sell the illusion that our squad is trying to annihilate them."
That was the only way to bait Kumo's hidden forces into revealing themselves,giving Shisui room to operate.
"We can't afford to spread ourselves too thin," he added.
Ishiki nodded, then pointed at several kill zones on the map.
If they took out enough enemy shinobi quickly, they'd trigger panic,and shift Kumo's strategy toward defense instead of offense.
And panic?That was when Shisui of the Body Flicker would strike.