Jiraiya let out a sigh, relief momentarily washing over his features. "Glad I arrived in time. Neither of you is hurt. Let's return to the village; I wanted to speak to you anyway." His statement, casual yet filled with an undercurrent of seriousness, piqued Itachi's curiosity.

"What did you want to talk about, Jiraiya-sama?" Itachi inquired, his tone betraying his interest.

Jiraiya took a moment, his gaze wandering off into the distance as if weighing his words. Finally, he said, "I've discussed with Hokage-sama about taking Sasuke as my disciple."

The revelation struck Itachi, unexpected and significant. The prospect of Sasuke training under Jiraiya, a shinobi of unparalleled prowess and varied abilities, was not something he had anticipated. Yet, the benefits were undeniable. Jiraiya's tutelage could offer Sasuke a path to growth and strength unattainable within the traditional confines of their clan teachings.

Meanwhile, in the secluded depths of the Uchiha compound, Horyu Uchiha stood alone, his gaze fixed on the horizon as the sun dipped below it. The quiet of the evening was a stark contrast to the chaos of the day, a rare moment of peace in the life of a shinobi. Yet, peace was a luxury Horyu seldom afforded himself.

As he mulled over the possibilities, Horyu couldn't help but think of the complexities that lay ahead. The Plane of Specters, a realm barely touched by the knowledge of the shinobi world, now lay open to him, a path shrouded in darkness and intrigue. "Guess I'll be paying a visit to the library soon," he muttered to himself, the idea of delving into ancient texts and forbidden scrolls appealing to his inquisitive nature.

Taking out the rewards of the first Subquest of the World Quest, Path of Shisui, Horyu examined the familiar reward, a Bloodline Purifying Pill. He drew the small, unassuming box from his inventory, eyeing the pill that had once allowed him to awaken his Sharingan. With two tomoe in each eye staring back at him from his reflection on a nearby surface, the temptation to dive into further evolution was palpable. But deep down, he knew it wasn't the right time. The idea of gifting this power to someone else never entertained his thoughts. Although the prospect of strengthening his friends lingered in the back of his mind, Horyu was well aware that the power would serve its greatest purpose in his own hands. Therefore, his primary goal remained clear: to fortify his own abilities. However, now was not the moment for such advancements.

Awakening his Sharingan further to three tomoe at his current age could spell danger. The analogy that being too bright could harm the eyes resonated with him more than ever. Contentment with his current capabilities overshadowed his ambition, a rare moment of cautious pragmatism for someone as driven as Horyu.

"Taking this now would be like lighting a beacon in the night. Attracting all sorts of moths... or worse, predators," Horyu mumbled to himself.

The idea of achieving Mangekyo with the pill was a fleeting dream, an ambition tempered by the reality of his situation. Horyu had a hunch that the second pill's effect would diminish compared to the first, making the leap to Mangekyo nothing short of a gamble. His analytical mind weighed the risks, concluding that the leap to three tomoe, while enticing, was fraught with dangers he wasn't prepared to face. "Being too bright could indeed hurt," he reiterated, setting the pill back into his inventory with a decisive click.

As he pondered the intricacies of his situation, Horyu couldn't help but scoff at the irony of it all. "Here I am, holding a key to unimaginable power, and I'm choosing to let it gather dust. The old Horyu would have laughed at the absurdity," he quipped, the shadow of a smile playing on his lips. "If only they knew what I was holding back. They'd probably fall over themselves trying to get a piece," he mused.

Horyu started to plan ahead, his thoughts firmly on the Uzumaki clan and the secrets that lay in the ruins of Uzushiogakure. It was a daring ambition, shadowed by the risks of venturing into a land known for its potent sealing techniques and, potentially, its unexplored dangers. Yet, the allure of uncovering hidden knowledge and perhaps, finding artifacts that could enhance his prowess, was too tempting to ignore. The idea of taking a prolonged leave from the village, however, presented a significant obstacle. Convincing Shisui, the Hokage, would require a well-crafted excuse, a narrative compelling enough to grant him this unusual request.

"I need something bulletproof," Horyu muttered to himself, pacing his room. "Something that even Shisui can't argue against." His first excuse was risky but potentially effective: claiming he'd return to the summon realm to train with the Kurohane Owl Tribe. It was a secret he'd guarded closely, a leverage he'd hoped to preserve for a dire situation. But if spinning this tale could secure his leave, then it was a card he was willing to play.

The second excuse leaned on his skills as a spy. With the recent upgrade to his Henge ability, now transformed into something more potent by the system, Horyu possessed an unparalleled edge in espionage. "This new form...it's perfect," he acknowledged, the system's message still fresh in his mind.

[[System Update: Henge Evolution Unlocked - Shadow Persona Technique]

Congratulations, Horyu Uchiha. Your mastery over the Henge no Jutsu has evolved, giving rise to the Shadow Persona Technique. This advanced form of transformation transcends mere physical mimicry, allowing for a deeper integration of essence and energy.

Shadow Persona Technique - Detailed Overview:

Essence Mimicry: Beyond altering appearance, you can now assimilate the behavioral nuances and chakra signatures of the individual you transform into. This makes detection nearly impossible, even by those familiar with the original person.

Chakra Cloak: A subtle layer of chakra envelops your transformation, effectively shielding your true chakra nature from sensory detection. This cloak adapts to mimic the chakra signature you are impersonating, further enhancing the disguise.

Memory Imprint: Gain the ability to briefly 'scan' individuals, acquiring minor mannerisms, vocal patterns, and superficial memories for a more convincing impersonation. Limited to surface-level traits to avoid deep memory intrusion and detection.(Derived from Yamanaka Techinques)]

With a smirk, he considered the irony of using this advancement as his pretext. "Shisui's always harping on about gathering intel from other villages. He'd be a fool to pass up this opportunity," he reasoned.

His thoughts drifted to the mechanics of his plan. Traveling to Uzushiogakure wouldn't just be a simple excursion; it was a journey into the unknown, a challenge that piqued his adventurous spirit. "I'll need supplies, scrolls on Uzumaki seals...maybe even a disguise or two," he mused, mentally compiling a list of necessities. The prospect of diving into the depths of Uzumaki lore, uncovering techniques lost to time, sent a thrill through him. "Who knows what kind of power they were hiding? Seals that could make even the Sharingan blink."

The challenge now was to present his case to Shisui. He anticipated the Hokage's skepticism, the wary glance, the probing questions. Horyu rehearsed his argument, polishing each word, each phrase, to ensure they hit the mark. "Training with the Kurohane Owl Tribe will enhance my capabilities beyond the confines of traditional shinobi arts," he planned to say, injecting a tone of earnestness into his voice. "And my improved Henge ability opens up unprecedented espionage opportunities."

He knew Shisui's counterarguments before they were even spoken. The risks, the timing, the potential backlash of a prominent Uchiha scion disappearing for years. "I'm not disappearing; I'm investing in Konoha's future strength," Horyu would retort, ready to parry any objections with the sharpness of his wit.

His plan to visit the Kurohane Owl Tribe was no mere fabrication. The allure of honing his skills under the guidance of creatures renowned for their wisdom and mystical powers was genuine. Yet, it was the quest for Uzumaki knowledge that truly drove him, a desire cloaked beneath the guise of training and reconnaissance. "If I play this right, Shisui will be handing me the keys to the kingdom," he thought, a wry smile curving his lips.