Chapter 14: Forbidden Jutsu
Hunger gnawed at Arthur's stomach.
Ramen, despite its questionable appeal to him, would have been welcomed since he had skipped breakfast this morning. However, staying true to his solitary nature and the urgency of his mission outweighed any social benefits.
He retreated to a secluded section of the forest within the village, surrounded by dense foliage. Here, amidst the quiet air, he waited patiently.
For a full hour, Arthur remained motionless, his senses attuned to the slightest sound. He was alone, so he believed. Without any hand signs needed, he activated his smoke jutsu. His body quickly dissolved into a wispy cloud.
He drifted through the village, his destination the Hokage's office. When he got there, he remembered the many times he'd seen characters traversing in and out of the different rooms. He navigated the familiar corridors, bypassing guards with ease. His target: the Scroll of Seals.
The Scroll of Seals is a forbidden scroll containing instructions for powerful and dangerous jutsu. Following a war, the first Hokage sealed away these techniques to prevent misuse. It's kept by whoever the current Hokage is, and only it's accessible to them.
Naruto was the first character to be shown taking the giant scroll and learning the Shadow Clone jutsu from it.
Arthur located a locked room, one filled with various items. For a normal person, the door would have posed a significant obstacle. But for him, it was a mere inconvenience.
He phased through the keyhole, his smoke form reforming on the other side. The room was dark, but he was used to it. Locating the largest scroll in the room, he unfurled it and read cautiously. This was it—the Scroll of Seals.
Without hesitating, he reused his smoke jutsu and returned the scroll back to its original spot.
There was no need for him to read it out loud. Reading while still a wisp of smoke provided a practical advantage. Should someone enter unexpectedly, they wouldn't be able to detect his presence in the dimly lit room.