Naruto: The Teaching System - 237

Chapter 237: Infiltrating Fuko Canyon

"What do you mean 'why'? Haven't you noticed the family's resources have been scarce recently?" Kawajiro finished the cigarette in one long drag, then after a prolonged pause, exhaled a thick cloud of smoke with a weary sigh.

Kento fell silent at these words. How could he not know? He just believed the clan head could definitely solve it. For so many years, the former young master—now their clan head—had always supported their family's survival, perfectly resolving every crisis they faced.

"I believe the clan head can definitely do it!" Kento shook his head firmly, his voice carrying stubborn conviction.

Kawajiro didn't respond. As an elder who'd seen far more winters than the young man beside him, he knew truths that naive optimism couldn't change.

The sound of a bird call echoed from the distance behind them—a familiar signal. Kawajiro turned his head, a relieved smile crossing his weathered features. "The relief team is here. Go back, wash up, and rest well, Kento."

This is the shift change signal. At this time, this pattern should be correct—

No, wait. Something feels wrong—it should be different—

Kawajiro's face instantly drained of color as realization struck, but before he could process what was amiss, before even Kento behind him could react to the sudden tension—

A hand landed heavily on Kawajiro's shoulder, making the already pale-faced guard gasp in shock. He whirled around, his voice carrying slight irritation born of fear. "Kento! This isn't something to joke about—"

His words died in his throat. What met his horrified gaze was a head completely covered in writhing black insects, their bodies glistening darkly in the dim light.

The sickening crack of breaking bone echoed through the fog. Kawajiro's body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

The parasitic insects that had covered what appeared to be Kento flew outward in a coordinated swarm, gradually coalescing into a human figure. Once fully materialized, Muta unconsciously shook his head, looking down at the corpse at his feet with genuine disbelief clouding his features.

"What's wrong?" Sawada approached, effortlessly lifting both corpses as he studied Muta's troubled expression.

"Sorry, Sawada-san. I nearly compromised the mission," Muta said, his face full of professional chagrin. He had clearly controlled Kento through his insects, yet somehow Kento, with only the faintest trace of consciousness remaining, had managed to reach out and touch Kawajiro—issuing a warning through that simple contact.

If Sawada hadn't appeared in time to neutralize Kawajiro, this entire infiltration plan might have collapsed before it even began.

"This person's kekkei genkai slowed the release of my neurotoxin," Muta explained, analyzing the unexpected resistance. "His Smoke Release provided some protection against my parasites."

Sawada raised an eyebrow with interest. "Smoke Release, huh? Worth studying."

The Aburame Clan's parasitic insects weren't ordinary creatures—they were specifically bred and enhanced through generations of selective cultivation. That this guard could actually delay the onset of their neurotoxins using his bloodline limit, even unconsciously, spoke to Smoke Release's potential defensive applications.

Without wasting time, Sawada pressed both bodies against the solid wall. The release of his chakra caused ripples to spread across the stone surface like water disturbed by a falling stone. Within moments, the two corpses were embedded into the wall itself, hidden from casual observation.

Immediately after, Sawada's form shifted and morphed, transforming into Kawajiro's appearance, while Aburame Muta became Kento through his insect replacement jutsu.

"Don't panic during the handoff. Their contact signal uses specific bird calls," Sawada instructed quietly. The reason Kawajiro had thought so much before his death was because he'd been under Sawada's subtle genjutsu influence, his mind clouded just enough to slow his reaction time.

"Understood!" Aburame Muta acknowledged the plan with a curt nod. The two continued their charade, standing guard as though nothing had occurred.

Soon, a clear bird call drifted from the entrance shrouded in perpetual smoke behind them.

Sawada and Muta exchanged meaningful glances, then mimicked the required response—soft cooing sounds directed toward the call's origin.

This was the authentication signal for this particular shift change. The sound Kawajiro had heard earlier was merely the initial contact, not the proper sequence.

"Yo, Kawajiro! Didn't expect you to actually not be slacking off today," one of two men emerging from the dense smoke said with a teasing grin, his tone carrying familiar camaraderie. "Hurry up and get out of here. I've been exhausted all day!"

The disguised Kawajiro responded with characteristic displeasure, then gestured curtly to 'Kento' beside him before walking into the concealing smoke without looking back.

Seeing Kawajiro behave this way, the two replacement guards weren't surprised at all. After all, every single shift change saw Kawajiro practically sprinting back to his quarters, eager to escape duty.

"Heh, that guy—just because he's got seniority, always acting so superior," the man who'd just teased Kawajiro muttered with mild annoyance.

"Well, you know what he's like. Old veteran and all that," the other guard said dismissively, waving his hand before leaning casually against the wall to begin his watch—completely unaware that buried within that very stone were the corpses of Kawajiro and Kento, their bodies already cooling in their rocky tomb.

"That's true enough—" the first guard agreed, settling into position.

Deep within the smoke barrier, Sawada and Muta used their respective infiltration jutsus to emerge from the dense fog undetected.

Muta extended his hand, and a parasitic insect that had already penetrated deeper into the compound flew back to his palm, then slowly crawled up his sleeve to rejoin its colony. The scout had mapped the internal layout perfectly.

"Let's continue with the operation," Sawada commanded quietly.

"Yes, Sawada-san."

The two separated, each heading to different strategic corners to execute their assigned tasks with professional efficiency.

Sawada confirmed his direction through the mental map Muta's insects had provided, then pointed downward with one finger. His body began merging seamlessly with the earth beneath his feet, sinking like a stone into water.

"Earth Release: Mayfly Jutsu!"

This was ninjutsu Sawada had acquired some time ago, though the system had modified it extensively—it was no longer Wood Release in nature. Because of this fundamental change, he'd lost the ability to merge with plants and vegetation like Black Zetsu possessed. However, it remained incredibly practical for underground infiltration.

With this jutsu, the entire Fuko Canyon compound was like an open door to Sawada. He moved through solid earth as easily as swimming through water.

After navigating underground passages for several minutes, Sawada confirmed he was approaching the target location and began his careful ascent toward the surface.

Beneath the wooden floorboards of Fuko Canyon's clan head residence—a structure noticeably more majestic and well-maintained than the surrounding buildings—Sawada's form slowly emerged from the packed earth. As he studied the wooden planks above, considering his next move, a middle-aged man's urgent voice filtered down from the room above.

"Clan Head, Sunagakure sent another message—they're notifying us that if we don't act soon, they'll send troops to level Fuko Canyon completely."

The sharp sound of shattering porcelain rang out directly above Sawada's position. He propped his chin thoughtfully on one hand, listening with keen interest to the unfolding drama.

"Act?! Sunagakure wants our clan to serve as their vanguard—cannon fodder for their war!" A younger voice shouted, trembling with barely suppressed fury and desperation.

"But Clan Head, we must consider—"

"Let's leave it at that for now. I still need to think about this more carefully," the young voice interrupted sharply, cutting off the elder's counsel. The tone carried the weight of authority but also unmistakable uncertainty.

"Yes, Clan Head." The resignation in the elder's response was palpable.

The sound of footsteps approached the door steadily. The wooden door slid open with its characteristic rasp, then silence fell over the room like a heavy blanket.

Sawada underground remained perfectly motionless, his breathing controlled to near imperceptibility as he carefully observed his surroundings through his sensory jutsus, mapping every detail.

Heavy footsteps began moving deeper into the private chambers.

An opportunity—

A predatory glint flashed in Sawada's eyes. He began to act.

Inside the room above, a young man wearing a formal kimono embroidered with the Iburi Clan's distinctive emblem across the back stood gazing reverently at two portraits positioned on the family altar. Photographs of his parents, preserved and honored.

He slowed his pace respectfully, approaching the altar with measured steps. He lit incense and candles with practiced ritual movements, then knelt to worship his ancestors, seeking their guidance in these desperate times.

"Father, Mother—" His voice was thick with emotion and determination. "I will restore the Iburi Clan to its former glory! I will make Konoha and Sunagakure pay for what they did—I'll see them utterly destroyed!"

Before his vow could fully leave his lips, darkness erupted around him like living shadow—black ribbons of chakra-infused jutsu that moved with serpentine precision, directly enveloping the kneeling young clan head in an inescapable embrace.

"Bringer-of-Darkness Jutsu—!"

The young man's world plunged into absolute, suffocating blackness as Sawada's genjutsu took hold, stealing away sight and sound, leaving only terror and confusion in its wake.