"Split up to pursue us," Shikamaru added. "Some will keep surrounding the village, while others enter the woods to look for us."
Chisen nodded.
Shizune frowned. "But haven't we stayed hidden? How would they know you're in the woods?"
"They don't," Chisen said calmly.
"Then-"
"So we need to make them suspect it."
Shikamaru smiled. "Got it."
He stood and brushed the grass clippings off his pants.
"Leave a few traces. Make them think someone retreated this way."
Kakashi put his book away, his tone relaxed. "I know this kind of work."
Tenzo had already begun assigning people to spread out.
Several Anbu were selected. Along the edge of the western slope, they deliberately left a few faint footprints and broken branches, then laid signs of a hurried retreat a little farther away.
None of it was obvious, but it was enough for experienced eyes to catch.
Neji watched from higher ground. After a while, he said quietly, "They're moving."
"Which side?" Shikamaru asked.
"The west," Neji said. "One squad-about fifteen people-is heading our way."
Shizune's heart tightened.
Kakashi gave a soft whistle. "They took the bait."
Chisen said nothing. He simply turned and walked deeper into the woods.
"Everyone, fall back into the second belt of woodland," he said.
Night settled fully over them.
It was darker inside the woods than outside. Interwoven branches and leaves blocked what little light remained. The soil beneath their feet was damp, almost silent underfoot.
The group quickly scattered.
Rather than staying together, they followed several predetermined routes and slipped into different thickets and behind slopes.
Shizune stopped behind a large tree and quietly asked Tenzo beside her, "Are we-setting an ambush?"
Tenzo nodded but said nothing more.
Shikamaru crouched behind a low shrub, gently parting its leaves to look out.
"They're here."