Chapter 20: Ch 20- Replacing with the Fake
The castle was bathed in moonlight, its ancient stones glowing softly under the silvery rays. The corridors were silent, save for the occasional creak of the old floorboards or the distant hoot of an owl from the Forbidden Forest. It was the perfect time for a ninja to move unnoticed.
Kouchi had decided to take a night patrol around the castle. The events of the past few days, especially the troll attack, had heightened his sense of responsibility. He felt compelled to ensure that nothing else would disturb the precarious peace at Hogwarts.
As he moved silently through the corridors, his senses sharpened, and his chakra ready to react to any threat, he caught the faint sound of voices. His ears twitched, and he slowed his pace, pressing himself against the cool stone wall to listen.
The voices were hushed but urgent, coming from around the corner. Kouchi crept closer, his Sharingan activating to give him a clearer view. He recognized the figures immediately—Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Professor Flitwick, their faces shadowed but their concern evident.
______
"We must find it," McGonagall's voice was tight with worry. "The Philosopher's Stone is too dangerous to be missing."
"It didn't just vanish into thin air," Snape growled. "Someone took it, and we need to figure out who before it's too late."
Flitwick's voice, usually cheerful, was tinged with anxiety. "We've increased the security spells, but if someone was able to get past them once, they might try again."
Kouchi's heart sank. He knew exactly where the stone had gone—back to his village, hidden and secure. But hearing the professors' concern made him realize the gravity of his actions. The Philosopher's Stone wasn't just a magical artifact; it was a symbol of immense power and danger. Its disappearance had sent ripples of fear through the school.
He knew he had to act fast. If the professors continued their investigation, it wouldn't be long before they started questioning the students. And if they discovered the stone was missing, suspicion would fall on everyone.
Kouchi made a decision. He needed to replace the stone—or something that looked like it—back in its hiding place.
It was the only way to prevent the professors from realizing what had happened. But he had to be cautious. The increased security meant he couldn't simply walk back in. He would need to use all his ninja skills to slip past the new wards and enchantments.
That night, as the castle settled into quiet, Kouchi prepared for his mission. He crafted a near-perfect replica of the Philosopher's Stone, enchanting it to emit a faint glow similar to the original. It wouldn't have the same power, but it would buy him time.
Dressed in his stealth gear, Kouchi slipped out of his dormitory, moving through the shadows like a wraith. The castle was familiar territory now, its twists and turns etched into his memory. He avoided the patrolling prefects with ease, his senses attuned to every sound and movement.
As he approached the corridor leading to the hidden chamber, Kouchi felt a prickling sensation at the back of his neck. He wasn't alone.
He paused, blending into the shadows, and listened. Footsteps—light and cautious—echoed down the hall. Kouchi frowned. It was unusual for anyone else to be out this late, especially after the recent security scare.
Carefully, he edged closer, his Sharingan scanning the area. To his surprise, he saw a group of students, cloaked in the dark, moving toward the same direction he was headed.
Kouchi's mind raced. What were they doing here? Were they after the stone too? Or had they simply heard the rumors and decided to investigate?
Whatever their reason, Kouchi knew he had to avoid them. If they saw him, it would raise questions he couldn't afford to answer.
He watched as the students, unaware of his presence, continued down the hall. Their whispers carried faintly to him, snippets of conversation about the missing stone and the increased security. They were curious, just like he had been.
Kouchi's mission had just become more complicated. He needed to replace the stone without alerting the other students or the professors. He couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
He waited until the group disappeared around a corner before moving again. His steps were silent, his presence masked by the shadows. He followed at a distance, keeping an eye on their movements. The students were clearly inexperienced in stealth, their nervous glances and hurried steps giving them away.
As they approached the entrance to the chamber, Kouchi slipped into an alcove, watching as they fumbled with the door. The wards resisted their efforts, the magic crackling in protest.
Kouchi smirked to himself. They wouldn't get in without serious magical skills, and it was clear they didn't possess them. He waited patiently, knowing that their frustration would eventually drive them away.
Sure enough, after several minutes of failed attempts, the students gave up, retreating back the way they came, their disappointment evident. Kouchi remained hidden until he was sure they were gone.
Unlike most people, Kouchi could see the hidden passageways to get to his destination and that made sneaking around much easier for him compared to everyone else.
With the corridor finally clear, Kouchi emerged from his hiding spot. He approached the door, the wards shimmering faintly in the dim light. They had been strengthened since his last visit, but he was prepared.
Kouchi's hands moved swiftly, forming seals as he channeled his chakra into a complex jutsu. The wards resisted, their magic flaring up in defense, but Kouchi's technique was more refined this time. He poured more energy into the spell, breaking through the defenses with a soft pulse.
The door creaked open, revealing the familiar chamber. Kouchi stepped inside, his eyes immediately drawn to the pedestal where the stone had once rested.
He moved quickly, placing the replica stone on the pedestal and adjusting it until it sat perfectly. To the untrained eye, it would look like the original. The soft glow of the enchantment filled the room, casting shadows on the walls.
Satisfied with his work, Kouchi took one last glance around the chamber before slipping back into the corridor. He knew this wouldn't be the end of the mystery, but for now, he had bought himself and the school some time.
As he made his way back to the dormitory, Kouchi's mind was already planning his next steps. The stone was back in its place, but the tension in the castle would not ease until the professors believed the threat had passed.
Kouchi would need to stay vigilant, ready for whatever came next.
Instead of leaving, Kouchi decided to stay hidden in the chamber. Something told him that tonight wasn't over yet. He settled into a shadowed corner, his presence masked by his chakra.
Moments later, the door creaked open again. Kouchi's eyes narrowed as he watched Harry Potter step cautiously into the chamber. Harry's face was tense, his wand gripped tightly in his hand.
Kouchi observed quietly, intrigued by what Harry was doing. Harry approached the pedestal, his eyes fixed on the fake stone. Kouchi remained silent, watching as the boy seemed to wrestle with a decision.
As Harry reached out to touch the stone, Kouchi's mind raced. This night was about to get a lot more interesting.
______
Please go to my profile and add 'Last Wizard King's SSS-Level Magic system in Modern World' to your collectios. You don't have to read it, but I want the collections to go up and get some Power Stones