章 76: ANBU

Chen remained seated next to the bed where Konan slept peacefully. The soft sound of her breathing mingled with the constant patter of rain against the window, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Careful not to disturb the girl, he took out a scroll from his clothes. It was the Sage Mode training method he had acquired a few days ago and hadn't yet had the opportunity to study in depth.

Unrolling the scroll delicately, he began to absorb the information contained within.

Sage Mode, also known as Senjutsu, was a complex technique. Its fundamental principle lay in the perfect balance between three types of energy: spiritual energy, physical energy, and natural energy.

This delicate and precise balance was the key to unlocking a new type of Chakra.

If a user gathered too little natural energy, the Sage techniques would be ineffective, like an engine without enough fuel. On the other hand, if too much natural energy was absorbed without proper control, the consequences could be catastrophic: the user would turn into a stone statue, their consciousness trapped forever in an immobile body.

Despite these dangers, the benefits of Sage Mode were undeniable. This technique could increase all aspects of a ninja's strength dozens of times over. Not only that, but it also greatly enhanced ocular power, activated the body in unimaginable ways, significantly reduced pain perception, and increased endurance to superhuman levels.

'It's like a comprehensive transformation,' Chen thought. 'An improvement that encompasses every aspect of being.'

However, the cost of cultivating this ability was proportional to its power. The training was arduous, dangerous, and a single mistake could prove fatal.

But thanks to his lineage, his physical body was already exceptionally unique and special, surpassing even Hashirama and Ōtsutsuki Ashura by far. Moreover, with the elementalization of the Pika Pika no Mi and the Goro Goro no Mi, he didn't fear failure.

Therefore, while Sage Mode is very difficult for others, it isn't for Chen.

Chen was absorbed in reading when a movement on the bed caught his attention.

Konan woke up slowly, her eyes still clouded with sleep. She looked at Chen with amazement and fear, as if afraid everything would disappear at any moment.

"Big brother," she whispered, "am I really not dreaming?"

Leaving the scroll aside, he approached the bed. With a soft smile, he gently stroked Konan's hair.

"No, Konan, you're not dreaming," he replied warmly. "This is real. In fact, I asked sister Mikoto to prepare some hot porridge for you. Soon you'll be able to eat something delicious."

Before Konan could respond, the door opened softly. Mikoto entered, carrying a steaming bowl of meat porridge, with Kushina following closely behind.

Mikoto approached the bed, her face lit by a kind smile. "You must be Konan, right?" she said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Come on, I brought you something to eat."

Carefully, she took a spoonful of the porridge, gently blew on it to cool it down, and offered it to Konan. The girl looked at Chen, seeking his approval, before accepting the food.

As Konan ate, color began to return to her cheeks. The sickly pallor that had characterized her began to give way to a healthier tone.

Chen observed the scene with satisfaction. "Mikoto, could you help Konan bathe and put on clean clothes?"

Mikoto nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, but... what clothes will we put on her? Ours will be huge on her."

Chen stood up and went to a bag in the corner of the room. "When I was coming back, I passed by an abandoned clothing store and took some clothes that might fit her well," he explained, pulling out some children's clothing items.

Kushina raised an eyebrow but didn't comment on the origin of the clothes. In times of war, normal rules were often relaxed.

"Well then," said Kushina, taking Konan's hand. "Let's give you a good bath, little one."

Chen nodded and left the room, going down the stairs to the common area of the hotel. The atmosphere there was one of boredom. Several of his companions were sitting near the windows, observing the incessant rain with distant expressions.

Upon hearing the footsteps, everyone turned to look at him. Curiosity shone in their eyes, clearly eager to know more about the new addition to their group.

"Chen, is it true you brought a girl with you?"

Minato was the first to break the silence.

Chen nodded. "Yes, her name is Konan. Her situation was... quite pitiful."

He approached the window, watching how the raindrops slid down the glass. "It seems the rain is easing up," he commented, subtly changing the subject.

Inoichi, animated by this observation, exclaimed: "Finally! If it continues like this, we'll be able to leave this damn place soon."

However, Shikaku, leaning against the wall with a bored expression, didn't share the enthusiasm. "Don't celebrate too quickly. We're in a monumental mess. We should be in Konoha, not in this nest of problems."

Suddenly, Chen stiffened. "Silence," he hissed, his voice loaded with urgency. "We're not alone. Someone's approaching."

And I can hear their conversations, and through the conversations between them, I learned that the other party is coming for them, or more specifically for Tomo, the Jinchūriki of the Kyubi.

The change in Chen's tone was like an electric shock to the group. Nawaki, with eyes wide open, whispered: "Enemies? Here?"

Meanwhile, Hizashi activated his Byakugan, scanning the surroundings. His voice trembled slightly as he reported: "Damn... Chen is right. I detect several powerful chakras. They're... they're Jōnin, no doubt."

The news fell like a weight on the group. Jōnin represented a level of threat that, despite their recent victory against the rogue ninjas, they knew was beyond their current capabilities.

"One of them seems to be a sensor ninja," added Hizashi, his forehead beaded with sweat. "He's moving towards the outside."

"We have to leave. Now! We're not prepared to face Jōnin." Shikaku, losing all his previous laziness, urgently suggested.

But Chen, surprisingly calm, leaned against the doorframe. "It's too late. They're only two Jōnin. Don't panic."

Minato, intrigued by Chen's calmness, asked, "Chen, how can you detect them? I thought you didn't have the Byakugan."

Chen, with an enigmatic smile, responded. "The Byakugan isn't the only way to detect. The Uzumaki clan has its own detection abilities, equally powerful."

All eyes turned to Tomo, who, uncomfortable under the attention, muttered: "It's... it's true. Our detection abilities are powerful, but rare. Only the most gifted can master them."

At that moment, Mikoto and Kushina came down the stairs with Konan.

"Are they enemies, Chen?" Mikoto asked with concern.

Kushina, with a frown, answered before Chen: "I don't need to ask. I can feel their bloodlust from here. They're coming for us."

"They're dressed like ANBU, but without forehead protectors. This is bad. Very bad. It could be any village, even ours." Shikaku, always analytical, observed.

The absence of forehead protectors was a common tactic in covert missions, designed to conceal identity and affiliation. On the battlefield, this could be dangerous, as it increased the risk of friendly fire. But for ANBU, anonymity was crucial.

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