Cascades Mountain is an inconspicuous formation that sits amongst large, steep mountains. Access involves an arduous hike across narrow pathways that ends in a pool of deep waters barricaded by jagged rocks.
To the wandering outsider with no information, their exploration ends here. But given that Itachi and Izumi are presented with direct access to confidential intelligence, they wade across a line of shallow, still waters and disappear behind a spectacular waterfall.
"We crawl through here?" Izumi frowns.
She looks to the map and gestures uncertainly at a muddy trail that leads to a dead end.
When Itachi surveys close, there is a small indent that traces a pointed path up amongst the rocks.
"We climb this. I'll go first," Itachi says, and he ascends, careful to have the tip of his toes pressed firmly against the indentations.
But the strange energy he feels does not immediately suffuse until he is a quarter way up. It takes him several seconds to realise that he is weakening, albeit in a slow manner that allows his body time to replenish.
"Izumi, my chakra is being absorbed, but I think it is okay for you to climb," he calls.
Below, he can see Izumi's troubled expression. The frown on her face morphs into disconcertment as she too appears to feel the disappearance of her chakra during the ascent.
When they rendezvous at halfway point, Itachi turns to Izumi, who is watching her surroundings with cautious avidness.
"Itachi, I feel as if my chakra is only half full, it has been like that for the past few minutes."
"Yes, it does seem like the absorption has stabilised," he replies thoughtfully.
"You reckon it's still absorbing?"
"I believe so. Turn on your Sharingan," he says.
They both activate simultaneously.
And as if witnessing a gentle stream of water, the chakras flow from them in a slow, delicate motion, enough for their bodies to continuously replenish.
"It's like our chakra is sitting at fifty percent," Izumi says surprisingly.
"The absorption rate accelerates if our chakra levels hit above fifty and slows down if it goes below fifty," Itachi adds.
"You noticed it as well, right? Using our Sharingan takes a lot of chakra, but at the same time, I can feel the absorption slowing down drastically in order for our body's replenishing rate to accelerate to fifty," Izumi says.
They test their hypothesis and confirm when their chakra percentage hits fifty. At the mark, they feel the increasing level of absorption in the atmosphere.
"What do you think it is?"
Izumi is looking troubled again.
"I don't know, but lets keep going. We can turn back if it is too dangerous," Itachi answers.
They climb another quarter way until the muddy trail transpires and disappears into a small gap between the rocks.
"The map says to use five percent chakra on either side," Izumi explains.
She looks to Itachi suspiciously.
"Show me your training here," he replies.
Together, they comply as instructed. And on contact with their chakra, the opening crumbles to a pile of dustless sand.
"After you," Izumi grins.
"Stay close," Itachi says.
Though the darkness sits heavy with an uncanny air, their journey through is remarkably short. On the other end, the same muddy trail leads to a set of steep, decaying stairs. Within the dismal atmosphere, the pungent stench of rotting vegetation and something that smells dubiously like blood lingers unsavourily in their noses.
At the top of the stairs, the outside world beckons, albeit darkness is settling.
"Itachi, is this…"
"Yes, this is Cascades Mountain."
"We left this morning and it has only been several hours, why is it getting dark so soon?" Izumi says waveringly.
She shuffles close and peers prudently over Itachi's shoulder.
"Stay close," and he leads the way.
The map indicates another mile's hike. The ascent, again, turns steep with the permeation of narrow paths and crumbling rocks.
Through the darkness, with the moon as their only source of light, they reach halfway point.
The weather does not spare them. Winds accelerate in speed with every step, until they are forced to use their chakras to maintain a firm grasp on land.
And the closer the destination, the more ferocious the elements.
Rain begins in light scatters, then gradually falls in rapid successions before increasing in intensity and frequency.
The map indicates a cave as their destination; its description states "the small crumbling one." Yet before them sits several large caves and two small dilapidated openings.
"Which one?" Izumi cries.
At first thought, Itachi almost disproves her question, but when he surveys close, the two smaller caves have cracked and crumbled - perhaps under the relentless brutal elements.
"Let's try-"
But his words are swallowed by the sounds of howling wind and thundering droplets.
Without thinking and acting on pure intuition, he takes Izumi's hand and drags her forward. They miss a giant tumbling boulder that is rolling merrily downhill and passing the spot they were in just seconds ago.
Horrified, they forge ahead, slipping and sliding against the wet grounds as their chakra fights to hold them against nature's rage.
Selecting one of the two small caves at random, they make for shelter - cold, breathless and drenched from the sudden impact of the mountain's bizarre weather.
Itachi does not take time to digest their new environment. Izumi's sudden hitch in breathing catches his attention.
"Izumi, are you okay?"
"Itachi…I-Itachi…"
Her voice is fearful, chillingly pitched to sound like gasps.
And though they are shrouded in blackness, minute traces of the moon's silvery beams give light to Izumi's petrified expression.
She is looking at something to Itachi's left, an area not in his line of sight.
"Itachi…w-what is that?"