Forbidden Ground

"Doctor Shinnō, what are you doing here?"

Suddenly, a voice came from behind, startling Shinnō so much that his heart skipped a beat and cold sweat broke out across his skin.

He held his breath and turned around, only letting out a sigh of relief when he saw who it was.

It was just Uchiha Akashi, that annoying brat.

"Ah, I'm just wandering around. I just finished dinner, and it's a good time for a stroll, hahahaha... The night view of Konoha is truly magnificent." Shinnō deflected, though his peripheral vision kept darting toward the library.

Akashi, naturally, knew exactly what he was thinking and feigned enthusiasm.

"How about I show you around? I know Konoha like the back of my hand."

"No need, no need. I'll be heading back soon; I still need to prepare for my lectures over the next two days."

"Then be careful. By the way, that area over there is a restricted zone. It houses many of Konoha's historical documents and forbidden jutsu records, so it's best for outsiders to stay away."

Akashi offered the warning with a look of well-meaning concern.

As I thought, Shinnō mused, though his expression remained calm, suppressing the joy in his heart. "Understood. I'll go for a walk by the river instead."

"Then I'll see you later." Akashi waved goodbye and ran off in the opposite direction.

"See you, see you."

Having finally brushed off Akashi, Shinnō's gaze narrowed, turning sharp.

He had been lurking for several days, and his target was right before his eyes. He had to seize the opportunity while everyone's guard was down. Once he obtained what he wanted, he would leave Konoha immediately to avoid any complications.

Having made up his mind, Shinnō did not head toward the river but instead ducked into a secluded corner.

Akashi, hiding in the shadows, saw everything clearly.

It seems he's about to make his move. I'd better get ready myself.

The night was dark and windy.

From a patch of dense trees, a rustling sound emerged.

Suddenly, half a head peeked out from the grass. Akashi, with leaves stuck in his hair, remained as still as a stone, staring fixedly at a building in the distance. Aside from the wind, there was no other sound.

This was not a place one could just wander into. There were four guards stationed nearby, and alerting them would be troublesome.

Even so, the security was not exactly airtight.

The guards were chatting idly while patrolling, some even puffing on cigarettes.

They never imagined that someone would dare to steal from the library. Who would be foolish enough to pull such a stunt inside the village? Were they not afraid of being discovered by the Hokage?

In truth, Akashi had always found it incredible.

How did Shinnō manage it?

Naruto stealing the Scroll of Sealing was likely orchestrated by the Third Hokage behind the scenes. Orochimaru breaking into the library to plunder forbidden jutsu was a feat of raw power. But Shinnō was a man of mediocre ability; how did he manage to steal the Eight Inner Gates and the Zero-Tails jutsu formulas in a heavily guarded Konoha?

Aside from the fact that Konoha was currently in a weakened state with a shortage of personnel, there had to be another reason.

In a place where such important items were stored, there were not only guards but surely sensory barriers as well. If one couldn't bypass them, they would be discovered the moment they broke in.

On this point, Akashi was absolutely certain.

"He's here."

A figure entered his line of sight. Seeing the man's appearance, Akashi held his patience and pressed himself into the grass.

He was waiting. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

It would be best if Shinnō succeeded, and then he could catch both Shinnō and the stolen goods in one fell swoop.

Unable to contain his ambition any longer, Shinnō finally made his move. He carried a small cloth bag, walking leisurely as if he were just passing by on a casual stroll, his disguise appearing incredibly natural.

The guards recognized him and quickly stepped forward. "Doctor Shinnō, why have you wandered over here? This isn't a convenient place for a stroll."

Shinnō feigned ignorance, stopping a short distance away with a cheerful smile. "I'm just walking off my dinner. Oh? 'No Entry'? What kind of place is this?"

"This is the library where important documents are kept. Without the Hokage's permission, no one is allowed inside."

"So that's it. I saw people here and thought you were having a gathering."

Shinnō laughed and pulled out a few small blue pills.

During his days at Konoha Hospital, he had cultivated a very bright image; the titles of a highly skilled doctor and a virtuous elder were deeply ingrained in people's hearts.

Seeing him take out the pills, the eyes of the guards couldn't help but drift toward them.

"These are small nourishing pills I developed. They can increase chakra levels and replenish energy. They are perfect for those of you who have to stay up late or stand for long periods. Let me give each of you one."

"Doctor Shinnō, we couldn't possibly..."

"Since Doctor Shinnō is offering, I'll be shameless and accept."

"I'll try one too!"

At first, some hesitated, but once one person accepted, everyone else followed suit. In their eyes, how could Doctor Shinnō possibly harm them? Besides, this post really did require long hours of standing and staying up late, which took a toll on the body.

Ninjas were human, too; they needed a boost.

Shinnō was delighted. Watching them swallow the pills, he smiled, exchanged pleasantries, and turned to leave.

Everything returned to normal.

In the grass, a rustling sound rose again as Akashi poked half his head out.

He stared for twenty minutes, but saw no changes whatsoever.

Are the pills I gave them problematic? Or is this just a simple probe? This guy's actions are hard to guess. Akashi waited for a long time, and seeing that Shinnō did not return, he could not help but hesitate.

Just as he was wavering, the footsteps of the four guards suddenly froze, and they stood motionless.

After a while, they began to pace back and forth mechanically.

They looked like clockwork dolls.

Shinnō appeared once more, brazenly approaching right under their gazes before forming hand seals to break the sensory barrier using the hand of one of the guards.

He then swaggered across the seal and slipped inside.

The words "No Entry" were effectively useless.

Akashi noticed the strange state of the guards and stepped forward to investigate, only to see that their eyes were dull, yet they had not collapsed into unconsciousness; it was as if they had fallen into some kind of dream.

Could it be a hallucinogenic potion?! A thought flashed through Akashi's mind.

Indeed, if he had used drugs to knock these people out directly, it would have been difficult to bypass the sensory barrier, and it might have alerted other ninjas. If anything had gone wrong, Shinnō's tracks would have been completely exposed.

Using a hallucinogenic potion not only solved the barrier issue but left no traces behind.

By the time they woke up, everything would be exactly as it was, and it would be as if Shinnō had never returned a second time; even if he fled, he would not be wanted by Konoha.

He's got some tricks up his sleeve—truly worthy of being called Doctor Shinnō!

While praising Shinnō in his heart, Akashi followed in his footsteps, sneaking into the room on tiptoe. Akashi had intended to use Shinnō all along, so he certainly wouldn't wake those guards; all he had to do now was keep Shinnō under control.

This room, which hid many of Konoha's forbidden techniques and secret scrolls, could be called a massive treasure trove.

Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation and Eight Branches Technique both originated from here; beyond that, there were many precious documents and materials recording ancient legends and unknown secrets.

Having arrived at a mountain of treasure, how could he return empty-handed?

He had struck it rich this time.