Hidden Sound Secrets

Shivaroku and Shikamaru stopped and perched on a branch once they entered Hidden Sound territory. Shivaroku closed his eyes and began to concentrate. Within a few seconds, he was able to sense all chakra around him. He then focused more so that he could isolate only people's chakra, but he couldn't sense anyone yet.

"I don't sense anyone in the immediate area," said Shivaroku.

"Hmm…that's odd. Maybe we need to move in a bit deeper," said Shikamaru.

They did just that, and after leaping from tree to tree for a few hundred more yards, Shivaroku tried again.

"I sense three…no four people to our left. I can't tell if they're shinobi, though," said Shivaroku.

"Alright I'll go check it out, you stay here. If you sense anyone else, let me know," said Shikamaru.

Shikamaru then headed to the left to observe the people Shivaroku sensed, all the while Shivaroku focused his chakra sensing. Fortunately, Shivaroku couldn't sense anybody else, but that may have been because of his limited range of chakra sensing. Only about two minutes had passed when Shikamaru returned, and he said, "They were all Shinobi. It seems we're heading in the right direction."

"How should we proceed?" asked Shivaroku.

"We need to be as stealthy as possible. We can't afford to be found out, since we don't have a quick escape route."

"Actually, we can escape lightning fast if we need to."

"What? How?"

"I can summon something called a Flying Nimbus. It flies through the air faster than any other creature, and it can carry the both of us."

"Convenient…but let's keep that as our last option."

"Agreed. Also, I was thinking. I can expand my sensory range."

"Since you haven't already done so, I'm assuming there's some sort of drawback?"

"Kinda. I have to enter Sage Mode to do it. Problem is it takes me about one full minute to do so, and I have to be as still as possible. The other issue is that it's only temporary."

"Sage mode? I've never heard of that. How does it work?"

"The short version is that I absorb a certain amount of nature chakra, which gives me a significant power, speed, and sensory boost. The added chakra gives me more stamina too."

Shikamaru was surprised for the very first time since Shivaroku met him as he said, "That's amazing. I don't think you have to worry about being still, since we haven't been spotted. Go ahead and activate it."

With that, Shivaroku sat on the branch, closed his eyes, and put his arms together as if he were about to start meditating. His breaths were slow and he didn't move even a centimeter. Slowly black squares began to appear on his forehead and arms. His eyelids changed color from tan to a light green. Shivaroku opened his eyes, which transformed into ones that resembled that of a turtle. He stood up and said, "There. It's ready."

"So this is what Sage Mode looks like," said Shikamaru.

"This is what Turtle Sage Mode looks like. There are many types of Sage Mode, but they all work the same," responded Shivaroku.

"I see."

"Right, let me see if the larger sensory range catches anyone else," said Shivaroku as he closed his eyes once more and began to concentrate. This time, sensing chakra was much easier and quicker, and he could easily feel the difference in range. He was instantly able to sense a huge group of people to their Northwest. They seemed to be moving more North, and they were moving in a line. Shivaroku reported the information to Shikamaru, making him smile.

"I guess we found them…or you did," said Shikamaru.

"Okay, let's head towards them and find out what exactly they're transporting," said Shivaroku, eagerly.

"Don't be so hasty. A large group of Hidden Sound shinobi are bound to have a few sensory types. They'll most definitely spot us if we get close enough."

"Damn…you're right, what should we do?"

"Remember that group of four shinobi we found before?"

"Yeah what about them?"

"Well if we can take them down, we can assume their identities and then infiltrate the larger group."

"That's smart…man good thing you're the lead of this mission."

Shivaroku and Shikamaru headed over to the four shinobi they sensed earlier. Shikamaru caught them all by surprise with his shadow paralysis jutsu. Shikamaru then forced them to cover their mouths so that they would not be able to alert anyone else. Unable to move or call for help, they were totally helpless as Shivaroku knocked them out from behind.

"We can't just leave them here, can we?" asked Shivaroku.

"I would've preferred that you take them out, but their bodies would have to be hidden anyway so it doesn't raise any suspicion," said Shikamaru.

Shivaroku turned to Shikamaru with a glare and said, "I only kill when I absolutely have to."

Shikamaru, slightly alarmed, said, "Message received, you don't have to be such a drag about it. Regardless, we need to hide the bodies and assume their identities."

Shivaroku and Shikamaru then proceeded to tie the four incapacitated Shinobi high up in a tree. Immediately afterwards, they both used the transformation jutsu and turned into two of the shinobi that they tied up. However, there was a problem.

"That's not good," said Shikamaru.

"What happened?" asked Shivaroku, confused.

"You're still in Sage Mode."

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Look at your arms."

Shivaroku looked down at his arms to see the Sage Mode markings still present on his body. "Wait it shows up even though I used a transformation jutsu?"

"It seems to be that way."

"Darn, this is gonna raise so much suspicion if they see me like this."

"Can you deactivate it?"

"No I can't. It may be temporary, but it goes away once the Nature Chakra wears off."

"How long is that gonna take exactly."

"I have no idea, and considering I'm not actually in battle, it may take a while."

"Well this is a drag. Hmm let me think here."

The two couldn't wait for Sage Mode to wear off, otherwise they may fail to get any information on what the Hidden Sound ninja were transporting. Shikamaru tried to come up with a plan that would prevent Shivaroku from being caught but would also allow the two to continue their recon. Then it hit him.

"Okay I have a plan. Revert back to your normal body," said Shikamaru.

"Alright," replied Shivaroku as he deactivated the transformation jutsu. "Now what?"

"I'll continue to assume the identity of a Hidden Sound shinobi, and I'll infiltrate their group. You on the other hand will continue to collect information while you are hidden."

"Okay hold on. I have two issues with that. First off, that plan puts you in more danger. If they find you out, I don't know if I'll be able to save you in time. Secondly, didn't you say that there would be sensory types that could find me even if I was hidden?"

"Valid concerns, but we don't have a lot of options here. Besides, if you get caught, it's all the more reason that they believe I'm one of them. They'll be expecting more Leaf Shinobi that are hidden rather than ones using a transformation jutsu."

"So you're expecting me to get caught?"

"Sort of. We just have to hold out as long as possible."

"Okay then what do I do if or when they find me out?"

"You need to just escape using your Flying Nimbus. A few of them will definitely follow you to capture you. Since you're in Sage Mode, you should be able to take them out. Once you do, use the transformation jutsu and return back to the main group, where I am still hopefully alive."

"It's still risky though…"

"Look, this is all we can do. I didn't expect Sage Mode to be such an inhibitor for this mission."

"Ugh…fine. But be careful, I don't want Ino and Choji hating me for letting you die, okay."

Shikamaru laughed, and said, "It's fine. They'll understand…hopefully. Besides, if everything goes according to plan, we have nothing to worry about."

"I gotta say Shikamaru, no wonder you were made Chunin."

Shikamaru and Shivaroku split off, one going up high and one on the ground, as they both headed towards the large group of Hidden Sound shinobi. They came upon a small army of Hidden Sound shinobi all moving as a group towards the North. They were transporting something large and bulky, but it was hidden under a tarp. Shikamaru seamlessly infiltrated the group, while Shivaroku continued to move amongst the trees while also keeping an eye on Shikamaru.

Luckily neither of them was caught yet, but things seemed too easy. The group of Hidden Sound Shinobi came upon a cliff. There was a paper seal placed on it, however, indicating an entrance into a cave. The leader at the head of the group called a few Shinobi up, who proceeded to perform a jutsu that removed the seal and revealed a door. The leader then called up a second small group of Shinobi. This group performed earth-style Justus that parted the door. This was a problem. Shivaroku and Shikamaru had to be separated for real now. Unless Shivaroku could find a way into the cave without being caught, Shikamaru was on his own.