(Revision note: Kawaki's tracking method is now based on resonance with Feng's Kāma.)
Midnight, July 28th.
The night was restless.
A shadow streaked through the dense tropical rainforest, cutting across the darkness like a blade.
Kawaki glanced at the Kāma pattern spreading across his palm, his gaze heavy with thought.
"Back then… I accidentally opened a space portal using the Kāma."
"After training, I can now succeed about once every ten tries."
"But something's wrong…"
"I can clearly sense Feng's location through resonance."
"I can even tell he's inside some enclosed space… like a living room, moving around."
"Yet no matter how many times I try…"
"I can't open a portal to reach him."
He lowered his hand slowly.
"Is it my technique…"
"Or is there something strange about the Hidden Shadow Village itself?"
The forest rushed past him.
"At this pace… I won't arrive until after sunrise."
—
High above him—
About a hundred meters in the air—
Something moved silently.
A black object.
Blending perfectly into the night sky.
Keeping pace with Kawaki.
Tracking him.
It was a reconnaissance drone—
A piece of scientific ninja tech deployed by Kara.
Much like the White Zetsu of old—
But far more advanced.
Originally, these drones hadn't been widely deployed.
But after Kawaki's escape during the airship incident—
Kara scattered them across the world.
The Five Great Nations were key surveillance targets—
Though Amado avoided flying directly over their airspace.
Instead—
They monitored surrounding regions.
And by coincidence—
Or perhaps fate—
One of those drones captured Kawaki's movements.
—
Inside Kara's base.
Outer member Bagu was watching surveillance feeds.
Half-asleep.
About to doze off—
Until something caught his eye.
"…Huh?"
On the Fire Country feed—
A figure darted through the forest.
"What's that… looks like some giant rat or something…"
He zoomed in.
And froze.
"…Wait."
"…WAIT—"
"That's the Vessel!!"
"The Vessel's been found!!"
His sleepiness vanished instantly.
He immediately contacted Amado.
—
Amado paused mid-bite.
"Bagu… are you sure?"
"Sending the footage now—see for yourself!"
The screen flickered.
Kawaki's image appeared.
Amado slowly set down his chopsticks.
"…It really is him."
Bagu grinned.
"Tell Jigen! The Vessel's alone—easy retrieval!"
Amado's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Too late."
"He already left."
"He's heading to Konoha."
"And as usual… he didn't bring any communication device."
Bagu frowned.
"Then what do we do?"
"He'll return empty-handed."
Amado stroked his beard thoughtfully.
Kawaki…
Why leave Konoha alone?
Running away?
Avoiding danger?
Possible…
But—
He zoomed in on Kawaki's face.
"…Oh?"
Behind orange-tinted lenses, his eyes gleamed.
"That expression…"
"Determined. Focused. Driven."
"That's not someone running away."
"…Interesting."
His gaze sharpened.
Unexpected variable…
But perhaps… useful.
—
Whether in the original timeline or this one—
Kawaki's escape had always been part of Amado and Koji's plan.
They had long intended to break free from Isshiki.
Step one: let Kawaki fall into Konoha's hands.
Expose Kara to the ninja world.
Use Naruto and Sasuke to eliminate Isshiki.
Step two:
Remove loyal Kara inner members.
Victor—already gone.
Next targets:
Boro.
Deepa.
Fanatics devoted to Isshiki's promise of immortality.
—
Amado exhaled.
"Nearest Inner member to Kawaki's location?"
Bagu checked.
"…Deepa."
"Location: a tavern in the Land of Haze."
"…Though, uh… everyone there's probably already dead."
Amado nodded calmly.
"Of course."
"The clown prefers his wine and steak… in silence."
"Notify him."
"Have him track the Vessel."
"But tell him—do not act recklessly."
"I want to know where Kawaki is heading."
"If someone is connected to the Vessel's disappearance…"
"We eliminate them all at once."
A perfect excuse.
Even for not retrieving Kawaki immediately.
Bagu hesitated.
"…Is that safe?"
"Deepa's a maniac."
"If he fights, he won't hold back."
"What if he kills the Vessel?"
Amado paused.
"…Good point."
Then—
He glanced behind him.
"Boro."
"For insurance… you go as well."
"Keep Deepa in check."
"And handle any… unexpected complications."
Boro's eyes lit up instantly.
"Hoho~ me?"
He grinned widely.
"Finally something interesting."
Unlike his usual role—
Running cult operations.
Spreading faith.
Manufacturing disease to sell "miracles"—
What he truly enjoyed…
Was combat.
Pain.
Despair.
Watching opponents struggle before death.
"That sounds fun."
Amado added calmly:
"Be careful."
"The world isn't peaceful right now."
"Especially… Uchiha Akira."
"He has space-time abilities."
"If you run into him…"
Boro waved dismissively.
"Yeah, yeah… got it."
But inwardly—
He was excited.
Uchiha Akira…
From that footage?
Just some half-mechanical trickster.
Using absorption and gadgets.
Pathetic.
The Rinnegan is wasted on him.
If I meet him—
I'll take those eyes for myself.
Only someone like me… deserves them.
—
At that very moment—
Above Konoha—
A black spatial rift tore open.
"Whoosh—"
Jigen stepped out.
Descending from the darkness.
His gaze calm.
Cold.
And inevitable.
The storm—
Had arrived.
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