The Adventurous Gamer Ninja - Daichi Hekima
Chapter 369 – Rescue Mission: The Bait

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The strange five man team of Leaf ninjas consisting of a Genin, Jonin, Sannin, Elder and a reanimated Kage, began their investigation. They wanted to gather as much information as they could about the barrier and hideout before they infiltrated it.

The Second Hokage very carefully probed into the defenses and quickly made his conclusions.

"Several hidden barriers," Tobirama said after a moment. "Subtle. They mask any underground structures and send alerts if someone with substantial chakra steps within range. We must be cautious."

"Indeed," Danzo agreed, voice low. He pointed to a faint shimmer in the moonlight. "That distortion there. It might be the edge of a detection barrier."

Daichi quickly activated his 'Observe' skill to glean more information. He focused on a particular section of air that looked slightly off, as if a curtain of chakra hung invisibly in front of them. At once, lines of text scrolled appeared in a box in front of him.

[High-Level Chakra Detection Barrier] [Rank: A]

[This is a specialized chakra detection barrier designed to sense any living creature with unusually high chakra reserves. It specifically alerts the caster if summons such as toads, slugs or monkeys approach, and if individuals of above average chakra capacity enter its field. The barrier feeds into a network of alarms, silently notifying its controller at all times. It also employs subtle Genjutsu to misdirect and slow down intruders.

Weakness: This is a barrier created using a Bigram sealing method. The barrier's anchors are hidden beneath two talisman stones. Destroying the talisman stone will dispel the barrier but it will alert the caster.

Note: Location of the Talisman stones are added to the map. This Barrier can be modified by someone with exceptional sealing skills.]

Daichi pressed his lips into a thin line. He looked at the map and noted where the talismans were.

'A sophisticated barrier that uses two tags,' he thought. 'Removing it will alert the caster. This won't be easy. But there are ways to get around this problem.'

He moved to the next defense he found and used Observe again.

[Minor Concealment Barrier] [Rank: B]

[This barrier layers over natural terrain, smoothing out irregularities that might hint at hidden entrances. It also dampens sound and masks scent trails. Limited in area, but effective in this environment.

Weakness: Created using a Trigram sealing formation method. This barrier is dependent on three ordinary looking stones arranged in a triangle formation around the area. Removing any one stone to disrupt the barrier is impossible. Only if two or all three talisman stones are destroyed simultaneously, will it cause disruption to the barrier. But that action will also activate a paralysis curse seal that will affect the intruder. The caster of the barrier will also be alerted.

Note: This barrier can be modified by someone with exceptional sealing skills.]

Daichi switched to mana-based sensory abilities—his Mana Scout skill. He sensed several presence. But soon focused on the stronger Mana energy. deeper underground. 'No doubt that's Orochimaru… Tsunade sensei and Shizune, their mental energy is weak. Especially sensei. I can barely feel it anymore.'

A pit grew in Daichi's stomach. 'Hang on sensei. Just hang on a little bit more.'

Jiraiya was a short distance away and was meditating. He was gathering nature chakra and observing his surroundings. Soon he opened his eyes and spoke softly, "They've got layered detection barriers. I sense multiple anchors. And I sense several presence inside, including Orochimaru. Tsunade and Shizune are definitely there, but… you're right. Her chakra is weak—very weak."

"He's also layered traps into the ground. So watch your step." The second Hokage warned everyone.

Danzo regarded the barriers with a critical eye. After studying it for several minutes he spoke. "If we attack the barrier anchors simultaneously, we might bring them down before a full alert goes out."

Tobirama shook his head and disagreed. "No. If we trigger any alarms, Orochimaru might kill his captives and flee or worse, move them away from here. We can't take such risks."

Kakashi adjusted his mask, peering through the dim light. "We can split tasks. Lord Second and I can handle the anchors. Elder Danzo can prepare a diversion if needed. Master Jiraiya and Daichi can infiltrate the base."

Jiraiya thought about the plan and shook his head, disagreeing. "Locating the anchors will take a good while. And moreover, like Lord Second said, if we make a move without getting that Snake away from those two, any number of things could go wrong. We need another plan."

The search and investigation field was large. It took almost an hour but the team soon identified all the barriers and regrouped. They stayed well outside the perimeter and made sure not to trigger any traps.

"There are seals preventing me from using Summoning jutsu. I think that's why Katsuyu couldn't reverse summon Tsunade or get to her." Jiraiya analyzed the seals and recognized their uses.

"Does that mean you can't get inside without alerting him?" Danzo asked with an impassive gaze.

Jiraiya shook his head. "No. I can get in. But I will have to keep my distance. Saving those two will be tough if Orochimaru doesn't leave their side."

"Then we need a distraction to lure Orochimaru out." Kakashi spoke.

"We would also need to keep his guards occupied." Tobirama crossed his arms and closed his eyes as he thought about a strategy.

"I'll do it." Daichi suddenly spoke, getting everyone's attention. "I'll use myself as bait. Orochimaru is after me. And even though he knows I'll be stronger than the average Genin, he won't feel threatened. That way he won't do anything rash."

"What are you saying Daichi?" Jiraiya frowned as he looked at the boy.

"I'll break the barriers from the other side. It will alert Orochimaru. Once he finds out it's me, he and his guards will come outside the building. I'll try my best to lure them out. At that time, you and Lord Second can quickly get inside and rescue sensei and Shizune. With your Teleportation jutsu, getting them out would be easy." Daichi laid out his plan. "If a battle breaks out Kakashi sensei can back me up."

Two sets of eyes in particular were scrutinizing the boy.

One was the second Hokage. He silently gazed at Daichi and measured his resolve. 'He really intends to use himself as bait while we go in. There is no hesitation in his eyes… This kid certainly is fearless.'

Another set of eyes that drilled into Daichi was Danzo's. The Genin using himself as a sacrificial piece brought back an uncomfortable memory for him. 'It's like what happened that night. This child. He's acting just like… Not even hesitating for a moment to save his teacher.' Danzo kept an impassive face but his fists slightly clenched.

"No! Absolutely not. That's far too dangerous." Jiraiya vehemently objected to Daichi's plan.

"Master Jiraiya, why do you oppose that plan?" Kakashi asked. He didn't speak in any accusatory tone. He was merely curious.

The white haired Sannin raised an eyebrow as he looked at the one eyed Jonin. "Really? You're asking me why? If Orochimaru got what he wanted from experiments with Tsunade's blood, then there is a chance that he'll capture Daichi and flee during their confrontation. It's no different than trading Daichi for Tsunade and Shizune. And since Tsunade's life is in danger, Daichi might be the only one who can save her." He looked at the Genin and spoke in a stern tone. "I'm sorry Daichi. But the risks are too high."

The gamer ninja was silent as he looked at the man. He could figure out the other reason Jiraiya disagreed. 'He's worried about Tsunade as well. If she was saved but knew I got captured for it, she'll blame herself and he knows that.'

"Jiraiya is right." Tobirama suddenly spoke. "That plan has a few flaws. We can't be sure if Orochimaru himself will show up or if he'll just send his guards. And if he senses only you appearing, he'll be suspicious. He would know that after Guren's attempt, we would keep a close watch on you. So if you appear alone he will most certainly sense a trap and he'll have his guard up."

Everyone was silent for a few seconds. As they thought about it Danzo suddenly spoke. "You're right Lord Second. If it looked like Daichi came here alone, Orochimaru might sense something amiss. But what if his sensei was with him?"

Danzo then turned his head and gazed at Kakashi. "If both you and Daichi appear together, Orochimaru might become less suspicious. After all, you're known to put your teammates above the mission. Going after your student in an attempt to save his teacher is something that you would do. It's within your character."

Kakashi silently gazed at the elder. 'Why does it feel like he's criticizing me?'

Understanding Danzo's reasoning, Jiraiya, Kakashi and Tobirama mulled it over.

"That could work. But it needs to look real." It was the copy-cat ninja who spoke. "I'll break the barriers from the east side of this location while Daichi infiltrates from the west as stealthily as he can but I'm certain the defense barriers will alert Orochimaru. I'll make sure to subtly let him sense my chakra as well in a bit more obvious manner. That way Orochimaru will think I'm trying to get his attention while having Daichi secretly infiltrate his base from the other side. He'll believe he saw through our plan and will most likely send his guards to deal with me and he'll come outside to meet Daichi himself."

Daichi and the others immediately understood Kakashi's strategy. "You're basing this on Orochimaru's psychology and mental profile aren't you? He wants everyone to know he's smarter than them and always one step ahead. And after seeing through such a plan he might not be able to resist flaunting his superiority over us."

"But what makes you think he'll come outside? He could just as easily wait for you inside and let you come to him." Jiraiya questioned the validity of the plan.

"He'll want to confront the boy outside." It was Danzo who spoke. Getting everyone's attention, he continued. "Right now he's in the middle of a critical experiment. He wouldn't want anything to go wrong. Daichi is an outside factor and he would want to control any problems that might arise far away from his test subject. He will confront the boy away from his lab. Most likely outside the base."

Tobirama and the others were silent as they mulled over this strategy. "Yes. This plan could work."

"It's still far too risky." Jiraiya frowned.

"But if this plan succeeds, we can get that bastard away from those two. You'll be able to move forward with the rescue mission easily." Daichi tried to convince the larger man.

"And how long do you think you can keep Orochimaru occupied? He'll toy with you at first but you won't be able to fool him for too long." Jiraiya knew his former teammate's mind. He knew that once Orochimaru figures out Daichi's plan, he'll become even more dangerous and unpredictable.

"You don't need to worry about that." Tobirama spoke up. "Tsunade will no doubt be restrained. But I'm sure you can free her and her student. I will focus on Orochimaru. The moment he's out of the base, I'll move in for the kill."

"No." Daichi shook his head and opposed. He quickly began explaining his reasoning. "We don't know what he did to sensei. We need him alive. Maybe not in one piece. But we definitely need him alive. We have to be careful about this."

The Second Hokage and the others pondered on that option. "It'll be a bit more of a headache but it's doable." Tobirama agreed.

"I have an idea that can minimize the risks even further…" Danzo suddenly spoke.

As everyone turned to him, Danzo began to lay out his strategy. After hearing his plan Daichi and Kakashi were surprised but Jiraiya and Tobirama were weary.

The second Hokage looked at his former student and frowned. 'What are you really going to do Danzo? Is your plan just to minimize our losses or is there something more?'

After several minutes of discussion they came up with a strategy. And a few moments later they all vanished from their spot and got ready.

As Daichi got into position he suddenly received a message from his shadow clone - Dragon.

"I'm here. Found the western base. I'm currently a few hundred meters outside the barrier. Need me to go in now?"

"No. Not yet. After I complete my mission here, you can go inside. Take everything of value and destroy the place."

"Understood. When you want me to make my move, just send me the signal."

And so, as Dragon waited, the real Daichi was waiting near Orochimaru's main hideout, getting ready to go in.

March 23: 3:02am.

Rescue Tsunade Senju: Quest Time Remaining - 15 hours 58 minutes.

Author's Note:

When I first gave the time limit, as I wrote chapter 283, I had a few more things planned before the rescue mission was done.

So that by the time Daichi got to this point he would only have less than 3 hours left.

But as I began writing and completing this loooong looong arc, I had to cut them out so that this didn't take even more delay.

So the 15 hours time limit might not seem like a nail biting thing…

But other than that, all of this, all the arcs, the battles and interrogations scenes, they were all planned even before writing the Naruto Graduation arc.

Yes. Bow to my greatness. Muahahaha

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/MonkWithAPen