Seven days had passed since they set out, and the group had finally arrived at the port of Takigakure.
While the crew busied themselves unloading equipnt and changing outfits for the next shoot, Sasuke quietly practiced his basic sword forms off to the side, careful not to disturb Shigure.
Shigure, anwhile, used the mont to review the progress of his Cloud Release developnt.
Over the course of the past week, the Great Sage had been continuously calculating potential new ninjutsu. Of the forty techniques generated on the first day, only one had impressed Shigure:
Cloud Release – Cloud Dragon Breathing Technique
A massive dragon head is ford from dense clouds and exhales a stream of searing, corrosive mist.
Though the technique was derived from Boil Release, the cloud state seed to draw influence from Wind Release Chakra, allowing the acidic fog to sweep across the battlefield at great speed. Its performance was comparable to the Fire Release: Fire Dragon Fla Bullet—rapid coverage, solid area denial, and respectable damage output.
The rest of the ninjutsu from that day were either redundant or too weak to be useful.
On the second day, another promising technique erged:
Cloud Release – Purple Smoke cha Squadron
Clouds are shaped into humanoid forms. The maximum number is 377, each with limited autonomous behavior. They can receive and execute orders from the caster, though the more complex the command—or the larger the number—the harder it is for the technique to function precisely.
They exhibited strong resistance to physical attacks, though they were a bit vulnerable to elental ninjutsu. Still, as reconnaissance units or trap testers, they had excellent utility.
The third, fourth, and fifth days were disappointing—no worthwhile results.
But on the sixth and seventh days, the Great Sage produced two more techniques that Shigure considered passable:
Cloud Release – White Doves of the Cloud
Clouds take the form of swift, white doves. These doves can swarm and strike the enemy. Although the impact force is weak due to their gaseous state, the cold air released upon detonation can freeze opponents on contact.
Cloud Release – White Cloud Vines
White smoke from the clouds takes on the form of creeping vines, which can entangle targets and immobilize them on contact.
In Shigure's assessnt, none of these were heavy-hitting jutsu. While they had strategic or supportive uses, they lacked decisive offensive power.
He began to reconsider how to better enhance and evolve Cloud Release in the future.
"Hmph! That guy's always spacing out. And you expect him to protect ?"
Fujikaze Yukie's voice rang out behind him, loud and biting.
"Third Doctor, I think you've completely lost it," she snapped at the film's producer.
Shigure glanced at her, unbothered.
This girl had been causing friction the entire journey. It was obvious she didn't like him—and likely never had—probably because he was the one who found her and dragged her back to the mission.
Had she said that to Sasuke or Naruto, they might've snapped back.
But Shigure wasn't a child, nor was he the type to be provoked by re words.
Ordinary people's opinions ant little to him.
Without reacting, he resud his training—this ti focusing on Earth Release nature transformation. As always, he trained with purpose.
And to ensure his skill slot setup supported his goals, he temporarily swapped one of the Chakra Refinent Techniques in slots 1–3 with Earth Release, to better facilitate nature transformation training.
Training like this drastically boosted his progress—nearly tenfold.
"Hmph! Just a brat. Even if he's a ninja, what good is he? I doubt he could even hold off a guard. And you're relying on him for protection?"
Fujikaze Yukie's voice cut through the salty ocean breeze.
Shigure frowned.
He had tolerated her complaints for days now, but this woman was getting bolder by the minute.
His gaze flicked toward her.
Without a word, Shigure ford a quick hand seal—subtle, unnoticed.
"Binding Technique."
In the next instant, Yukie froze—completely unable to move.
The film director, the so-called "Third Doctor," continued trying to coax her onto the ship. But seeing her fall silent and unresponsive, he had no choice but to wave soone over to carry her aboard.
Just then, Kakashi appeared behind Shigure.
"Technically, we're not supposed to use jutsu on clients."
"Especially when that client is the one we're assigned to protect."
Shigure grinned. "Got it, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi didn't press further. After all, Yukie had no idea what happened, and even if she suspected, she couldn't prove it. Either way, the mission would proceed—and the commission would still be paid.
What Kakashi found more intriguing, though, was what Shigure had been doing before the incident.
He's actually training nature transformation for Earth Release…?
"Is this kid seriously planning to master all five chakra natures?"
Should he say sothing? Maybe advise Shigure to specialize in one instead of spreading himself too thin?
But watching Shigure's focused expression and recalling his absurd talent…
Maybe… just maybe, he really can beco Konoha's next Ninjutsu Prodigy.
Later, as the boat cut through the waves, Shigure stood at the bow, practicing calmly while admiring the sea breeze and endless horizon.
Not long after, Fujikaze Yukie—now freed from the binding jutsu—stord toward him.
"What the hell did you just do to back there!?"
"You damn ninjas!"
Shigure didn't even turn around. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't play dumb! I know you used so trick on —paralyzed so I could be dragged onboard like luggage!"
"You ninja types… once soone throws money at you, you'll do anything. You people are just… rcenaries for hire! That's all you are!"
Shigure turned his head slightly, eyes calm and cold.
"If you're not here for anything important, don't bother ."
"You—!"
Yukie was furious. This guy… this arrogant kid—had he never seen one of her movies!?
So what if he was a ninja? That didn't make him better than a celebrity! She was a star! And she had been hired—protected! Why was he treating her like she was just a nuisance?
"Keep acting like this, brat. You'll regret it soon enough. Just wait. Let's see how long you can keep up this arrogant attitude."
She turned and stord away.
Shigure chuckled softly.
Regret?
Was she talking about the Snow Country's ninja?
Perfect.
He'd been looking for an opportunity to demonstrate his full abilities—to let his ninjutsu shine. And the Snow Country would be the ideal stage.
Especially to test how far his Ice Release Kekkei Genkai had progressed over this ti.
Just then, a larger vessel surged past their ship in the distance—cutting through the waves in the sa direction. A rare sight in such a vast ocean.
Shigure's eyes narrowed.
He could feel it—a presence. A faint killing intent brushed past him like a chill breeze.
There were shinobi on that ship.
A mont later, Kakashi appeared again.
"You feel it too?"
"Yeah."
"There are definitely ninja on that ship. Be on guard."
No wonder Shigure had sensed sothing off.
But… nothing happened.
The ship kept moving. It passed them and continued on its way without confrontation. The other shinobi never made a move.
"…Looks like they're just passing through. Probably on another mission," Kakashi said calmly. "Doesn't seem like they're after us."
But Shigure wasn't convinced.
That gaze… there was hostility in it.
And yet… no action.
Strange.
Too strange.
...
TN:
🔟 Pa-treon-com/Lordrlin
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