Here is fourth chapter

Date : 4 December 2024

Chapter 4: Shadows on Coruscant

Coruscant Underlevels

The streets of Coruscant were a chaotic symphony of sound and movement, a far cry from the barren sands of Tatooine. Jiraiya strolled through the lower levels, blending seamlessly into the crowd of merchants, mercenaries, and travelers. His brown duster coat flapped slightly in the artificial breeze of the exhaust vents, and his leather hat was tilted just low enough to obscure his features. A simple scarf wrapped around his neck added to his unassuming disguise.

Blend in. Learn, listen, observe. That was the plan. He had suppressed his chakra or Force levels so that others wouldn't be able to sense him. 'If I can feel them, what if they can feel me as well? ' That had been his thought.

Above him, endless tiers of city life sprawled into the skyline, each layer more opulent than the last. Here, in the underlevels, the air was dense with the scent of machinery, fuel, and desperation. The lights were dim, flickering neon casting shadows on the grimy durasteel walls. Jiraiya's sharp blue eyes scanned the environment, taking in every detail.

Coruscant's underworld is more alive than I expected, he thought. And yet, it feels... fractured. No unity, just groups fighting to carve out their pieces of the city.

Jiraiya's first step had been exploring a dingy cantina nestled between two towering industrial complexes. The establishment reeked of stale alcohol and bad decisions, its patrons a mix of smugglers, bounty hunters, and opportunists. Perfect for what he needed.

He approached the bar, nodding to the barkeep, a scruffy Twi'lek with sharp eyes and ordered a cheap drink. As he sipped, he let the hum of conversation wash over him, his ears attuned to anything useful.

"...the Senate doesn't care about us down here. They're too busy fighting their war up top."

"I heard the Jedi took down a Black Sun cell last week. Dunno why they're getting involved now."

"Yeah, but did you hear Clones ? They are turning tables "

Jiraiya's ears perked up at the mention of the Clones. 'So am not the only one ?' he thought as he smiled faintly but didn't react otherwise, letting the conversation flow naturally. Instead, he filed the information away. The presence of Jedi interfering with organized crime intrigued him. It seemed they weren't just warriors but also enforcers of some moral code.

He leaned closer to the barkeep, placing a few credits on the counter. "Know where a guy can get reliable information around here?" he asked casually, his voice carrying just enough edge to sound like someone who knew how to handle himself.

The Twi'lek eyed him warily but took the credits. "Depends on what you're looking for. Politics? Crime? Bounty ? Or?"

"The Jedi," Jiraiya said, his tone lowering slightly. "And maybe the Senate."

The barkeep looked at him as if trying to read his motives and then nodded toward a darkened corner of the cantina. "Talk to Fenn. He's got connections. If you can afford him."

Jiraiya thanked the barkeep and made his way over to the table, where a grizzled Duros sat nursing a drink. His sharp, red eyes flicked up as Jiraiya approached, and his thin mouth curled into a smirk.

"Looking for information, eh?" Fenn said, his voice gravelly. "You've got the look of someone who shouldn't be asking about the Jedi."

Jiraiya slid into the seat opposite him, his relaxed posture masking his alertness. "Let's just say I have an interest in understanding who runs the galaxy. Jedi, the Senate, anyone with power."

Duros chuckled. "Fair enough. But information doesn't come cheap."

Jiraiya tossed a pouch of credits onto the table. "This should cover your curiosity."

Fenn's grin widened. "Alright. What do you want to know?"

Over the next hour, Jiraiya listened carefully as Fenn spoke. The Jedi were protectors, keepers of the peace, wielders of the mysterious Force. They served the Republic Senate but were often seen as separate, an elite order that followed their own ancient code. Their headquarters, the Jedi Temple, was a sanctuary and a fortress.

"They're not invincible, though," Fenn added, leaning in conspiratorially. "Word is they're stretched thin. The wars have them fighting all over the galaxy. And the Senate? Half the senators are already sold, the other half are too scattered to matter."

Jiraiya absorbed the information, his mind racing. So, the Jedi are powerful but flawed. And the Senate... it's as fractured as the rest of this galaxy.

As Jiraiya left the cantina, his thoughts turned inward. That ripple he'd felt when he first landed on Coruscant was unlike anything he'd experienced before. The Force wasn't just a vague concept here; it was alive, flowing through the city like an unseen river. And the closer he got to the Jedi Temple, the stronger it became.

He paused in the shadow of a towering skyscraper, closing his eyes and reaching out with his senses. It was there again that pulse, steady and rhythmic, like a heartbeat. It wasn't hostile, but it was overwhelming, as though the city itself was alive with the energy of the Force.

For a brief moment, he felt the presence of someone or something grazing his awareness. His eyes snapped open, and he steadied his breathing.

So that's what it feels like to sense another Force user, he thought, a mix of awe and unease settling over him. It wasn't like sensing Boss's aura or Shim's calm presence back on Tatooine. This was different, focused, disciplined, and potent. He could feel some infants as well. 'So they take them away from their parents' He thought.

From his fragmented memories, he recalled that his homeworld, wherever it was, had never ventured beyond its own planet. He wondered how the people there would react if they realized their system was just a small one among billions scattered across the galaxy. The sheer scale of this universe was staggering, and his homeworld, advanced in its own way, had never matched this level of technology. But despite that, they had been undeniably powerful.

He could confidently say that even if the people from his world weren't as strong as he was, an average fighter from his planet could easily take on five to ten armed personnel from here. The mercenaries and guards he faced during his confrontation with Jabba's forces had been laughable by comparison. Their movements had been clumsy, their tactics unimaginative, and their reactions far too slow.

Killing Jabba had been the easy part. The real challenge had been dismantling the vast criminal empire he had left behind. Jabba's reach extended far beyond his personal guard. There were tens of thousands of enforcers operating across Tatooine alone, each one deeply entrenched in the planet's underbelly. Naruto had made it his mission to root out every last one of them. Even though some of them were now hiding like cockroaches, he was flushing and killing them out.

It hadn't been simple. Jabba's network was a labyrinth of alliances, mercenary groups, and informants. Taking down the enforcers on Tatooine had required months of relentless effort. Every hideout, every smuggling route, and every stash of ill-gotten goods had to be located and neutralized. Naruto and his clones had waged a silent war in the shadows, systematically breaking down the infrastructure that had kept the Hutt's empire running.

And that wasn't even the worst of it. Jabba's influence stretched beyond Tatooine, with allied mercenary factions and contacts among the other Hutts. The Black Sun, the Red Key Raiders, and remnants of the Kintan Striders were all tied to Jabba's criminal network. These groups were scattered across the Outer Rim, and Naruto was still dealing with them, hunting down their remnants like the cockroaches they were.

Every operation felt like peeling back another layer of rot. Jabba's enforcers and allied mercenaries had gone to ground, hiding in the desert wastes, abandoned ruins, and even within the slave markets he'd been working to dismantle. Some had regrouped, thinking they could mount a resistance, but they had clearly underestimated him. Naruto was after them, and his clones ensured there was nowhere to hide.

Jedi Temple, Coruscant

The meditation chamber of the Jedi Temple was silent, save for the gentle hum of the city beyond its walls. Master Yoda sat cross-legged on a raised platform, his gimer stick resting beside him. The chamber was bathed in soft golden light, a tranquil haven amidst the chaos of the Wars.

Eyes closed, Yoda reached deep into the Force, letting its currents guide him. Its familiar ebb and flow surrounded him, soothing and eternal. Yet, beneath its surface, he sensed turbulence—ripples of uncertainty and change.

A vision attempted to take shape, hazy and fragmented. Shadows loomed, indistinct figures moving through a barren desert. He glimpsed fleeting images of several figures: a white mask with crimson markings, a pair of striking blue eyes, and a presence that felt at once familiar and yet alien at the same time. The Force pulsed, as though urging him to see, but the vision dissolved before it could solidify.

"Hmm..." Yoda murmured, his brow furrowing as he let the Force's whispers fade. He opened his eyes, his gaze distant and contemplative. "Clouded, the future is. Strong, the currents of change are."

As Yoda's meditation ended, the chamber door slid open, revealing Master Mace Windu. Clad in his traditional Jedi robes, Windu stepped inside, his stride purposeful but respectful of the chamber's serenity.

"Master Yoda," Windu greeted, bowing slightly.

"Mace," Yoda replied, tilting his head. "News, bring you do?"

Windu nodded, stepping closer. "I've just returned from Ryloth. The Separatists attempted to secure the planet as a supply route for their droid army. The battle was... intense."

Yoda tilted his head, sensing the weight in Windu's voice. "Victory, achieve it you did?"

"We did," Windu confirmed, his tone measured. "But at a cost. The clones fought valiantly, as always. Their coordination and adaptability continue to impress me. Without them, Ryloth would've fallen."

"Valiant, yes," Yoda said softly. "Yet tools of war, they should not be."

Windu's expression darkened slightly. "I agree. But the war gives us little choice. The clones have become indispensable. Their loyalty to the Republic and to us cannot be questioned."

"Hmm." Yoda closed his eyes briefly, his mind returning to the vision. "Much, the Force tries to reveal. A great change, feel it I do. But unclear, the path remains."

Windu folded his arms, his brows furrowed. "You've sensed something?"

Yoda's ears twitched as he nodded. "Whispers, the Force gives. Desert, shadowed figures, and a presence unfamiliar. Warned we are, but what, uncertain it is."

Windu's thoughtful silence lingered before he spoke. "If the Force is warning you, Master Yoda, we should tread carefully. The galaxy is more unstable than ever. The Separatists grow bolder, and the Senate grows indecisive."

Yoda opened his eyes, his gaze piercing. "Meditate, you should, Mace. Strong, your connection is. Clarity, find it we must."

Windu gave a slow nod, acknowledging the wisdom in Yoda's words. But before he turned to leave, he paused. "There's something else. During our mission on Ryloth, we captured a Separatist commander. While interrogating him, he let something slip."

Yoda's eyes narrowed slightly, his focus sharpening. "Slip, what did he?"

Windu's tone lowered. "The Separatists are planning to make contact with a figure known as the Fox Lord. We already know he's established himself on Tatooine, supposedly freeing the planet from Hutt control. The details are scarce, but like some of us here in the republic they believe he could be a potential ally. And apparently their mission has already been sent so we must do something as well."

Yoda stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm. Tatooine... a desolate world, home to darkness it has been. This Fox Lord, know him we do not. But any ally to the Separatists, dangerous it would be."

"Agreed," Windu said firmly. "I'll make sure our operatives gather more intel on him. If he's as good as they claim, we can't afford to ignore him."

Yoda nodded, though his expression remained distant. "Much at play, there is. The Force... uncertain it feels. Beware, we must."

Windu gave a final bow. "I'll meditate on this as well, Master Yoda. The war is getting intesense, and we need to be prepared for whatever comes."

"Prepared, yes," Yoda said quietly. "But ready, never are we, for what the Force has planned."

The Galactic Senate, Coruscant

The Galactic Senate building loomed like a colossal dome of authority amidst the endless sprawl of Coruscant. Jiraiya, now fully transformed into a nondescript councilman having stolen said identity made said man out of commission for next few hours, adjusted his appearance in the polished reflection of a durasteel wall before stepping forward. His disguise was impeccable: simple senatorial robes of muted tones, a clean-shaven face with streaks of silver at the temples, and a calm, composed gait that suggested years of bureaucratic experience.

His reasoning for infiltrating the Senate first was simple: it seemed the safer choice. Unlike the Jedi Temple, which radiated a concentrated Force presence that prickled his senses, the Senate was a civilian institution, at least on the surface. He didn't know what kind of security measures the Jedi employed or whether their sensitivity to the Force could detect him like he could sense them. Here, among politicians and aides, he could blend in easily.

'Let's see how much of this so-called Republic is worth trusting', he thought, stepping into the Senate's grand atrium.

The interior of the Senate building was breathtakingly vast, its sheer scale designed to intimidate and inspire. Towering columns stretched high into the dome, their polished surfaces gleaming under the soft light of countless chandeliers. The air hummed with the energy of debates, whispered deals, and hurried footsteps. Holograms flickered everywhere, projecting reports, maps, and even live feeds of various ongoing planetary disputes.

Jiraiya moved with practiced ease, slipping into the crowd. Senators, aides, and bureaucrats bustled around him, their faces a tapestry of emotions: worry, ambition, pride, and frustration. He kept his senses attuned, feeling the subtle currents of their intentions.

As he activated his senses, The Force or whatever this galaxy called it was alive here, but it carried a different flavor than what he had experienced in the streets of Coruscant or during his journey through the Outer Rim. It wasn't raw or overwhelming. Instead, it was subtle, tainted by the myriad intentions of the beings around him.

He could feel them as he passed, A middle-aged senator with a kind smile radiated sincerity. A good one, Jiraiya noted, filing the impression away. A younger councilman, his polished appearance barely masking a festering greed and hunger for power. The aura of negativity around him was so obvious to his senses, making Clone's skin crawl. A cluster of aides, their emotions a swirl of loyalty and mild frustration, likely trying to keep their superiors' egos in check.

As he walked deeper into the Senate, his attention sharpened. Subtle tendrils of darkness emanated from the higher levels, like faint whispers in the air. His brow furrowed as he glanced upward toward the massive central tower.

"Figures," he muttered under his breath. "Politicians always have negatives. Nothing new there. Higher they go more corrupt they become"

But then, something caught his attention, a presence so strikingly different it stopped him in his tracks. It was like a burst of clarity in the murky haze of the Senate, pure, unwavering, and free from the corruption that seemed to taint so many around her. Intrigued, Jiraiya followed the sensation, weaving through the crowd with practiced subtlety until he found the source.

She stood near one of the Senate balconies, her posture graceful yet firm. Her soft brown hair framed a face full of determination, her features radiating compassion and strength. Her aura was like nothing he had encountered since Shmi, a rare, untainted light in the galaxy's darkness.

"A pure one here?" he murmured, genuinely surprised.

He didn't know who she was, but her presence left an impression that lingered. She seemed wholly out of place among the machinations and power plays of the Senate. For a moment, he considered approaching her, but caution held him back. Later. Focus on the mission.

Navigating the labyrinthine halls of the Senate building, Jiraiya eventually found his way to one of the archive rooms. The dimly lit space hummed with the quiet whir of data terminals and the occasional beep of a droid assistant. Most of the Senate's attention was on public records and planetary disputes, so this area was largely deserted.

Sliding into a terminal, Jiraiya began his search. His fingers moved deftly across the interface, bypassing the basic security protocols with a skill he had picked up recently. He wasn't a professional, but he had learned enough to operate terminals effectively. Raiding Jabba's associates had made it necessary to develop this ability, allowing him to analyze the data he recovered. Thankfully, learning new skills was much faster with the help of his clones. The files were dense, but he sifted through them quickly, cross-referencing keywords and locations.

The Jedi Temple layout was buried deep, likely hidden among vast data here. The search took time, but Jiraiya's patience was rewarded when a schematic finally appeared on the screen.

"Jackpot," he muttered under his breath, a grin spreading across his face.

The file detailed the layout of the Jedi Temple, including its primary wings, meditation chambers, archives, and even key defensive points. It wasn't exhaustive, but it was more than enough to give him a tactical understanding of the building.

He downloaded the file to a discrete data chip tucked into his robes and logged out of the terminal, erasing his search history as he did. Standing, he adjusted his disguise and made his way toward the exit.

As Jiraiya stepped back into the bustling halls of the Senate, he cast a final glance upward toward the higher levels, where the subtle darkness still lingered. Then his gaze shifted to where he had seen the pure presence.

'The Jedi Temple comes next, I'll come back here for more information on factions and politicians later', he thought, his mind already racing with possibilities.

TBC.

Well, here's the Fourth chapter!
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