Kakashi came by later and tossed Chisen a detailed map.
"I dug this out of the old archives. Around Bluebird Ridge, a hunting party used a trail along a broken ravine twenty years ago. There was a landslide later, and no one used it again." He pointed to a gray line that was barely visible on the map. "But just because no one uses it doesn't mean Jonin can't. Especially when they want to skirt the sentry posts."
Chisen took the map and scanned it.
"You think they'll take this route?"
"I think someone will try," Kakashi said. "The biggest difference between Jonin and ordinary squads isn't that they're stronger. It's that they prefer going through places other people think are impassable."
Shikamaru leaned over for a look and frowned.
"You can barely find a foothold there."
"Exactly. That makes it perfect for a surprise," Kakashi said.
Chisen memorized the gray line, rolled up the map, and tucked it inside his clothes.
"Anything else?"
"Yes." Kakashi looked at him. "Don't push too far ahead."
Chisen smiled, though there was little amusement in his eyes.
"That sounds like something Shizune would say."
"She'd tell you not to go," Kakashi said. "I'm saying you can go, but don't push too far ahead. Two different things."
Chisen said nothing, only tucked the map in more securely.
The mountain interception squad set out that night.
No one spoke much along the way.
From the border outpost toward Bluebird Ridge, they passed first through gently sloping woodland, then rocky slopes. Higher up, the trees thinned, and the wind turned harsh. Sweeping over the bare mountain rock, it made a sound like fine sand scraping a blade. The moonlight was dim, smothered by clouds. Now and then, a little broke through and fell across the slanted,