Shino followed two paces behind him.
His collar was still high, and a thin film of moisture fogged his sunglasses. Every so often, a faint flutter came from his wide sleeves, like wind brushing softly through the fabric.
Neither of them spoke along the way.
Only after they passed through the first belt of scorched woodland, where the ground ahead gradually leveled out and the old osmanthus trees outside Osmanthus Village became faintly visible, did Chisen stop and turn his head slightly.
"From here on, you decide how close we get."
Shino spoke quietly. "Within seventy paces, I can scatter the kikaichū. Within forty, I can hear most conversations inside the tents. Within twenty, I can distinguish who's carrying persistent traces of special drugs or toxins."
"Will they detect us if we get too close?"
"Depends on who's there." Shino adjusted his sunglasses. "Ordinary sensory ninja won't notice. If Helian has someone specifically watching for insects, a batch of mine will die first."
Chisen looked at the village entrance looming through the mist. "Do you think he does?"
"Before yesterday, I would've said maybe. Now..." Shino paused. "After you burned them up like that, he probably wants every ant's legs checked for chakra."
Chisen grunted in acknowledgment.
"Then we leave the center alone for now. Check the outer sentries and supply lines first."
"All right."
Chisen turned and crouched, quickly drawing several lines in the wet soil with his dagger.
"The main road north of the village will definitely be blocked by heavily armored troops and visible sentries. The eastern side is a gentle slope, too open to approach. South leads toward the abandoned herb fields. It's open ground-good at night, easy to spot us by day. West is the slope where we left tracks last night. They'll watch that