Early the next morning.
The three of them left the cave and moved cautiously through the forest.
A swift rustling came from the ground. Jin glanced down and saw a three-man Sunagakure squad swiftly passing beneath them.
If they had merely looked up, they would have spotted the three hidden among the branches.
Yet they only hurried past.
The trio paused briefly in the trees. Once the Sunagakure ninja vanished from sight, Jin used Soru while Sakumo Hatake used Shunpo, and both immediately moved to another tree.
Their pace was far slower than when they had first entered the Land of Rivers.
They were inching forward bit by bit.
Sunagakure's ninja were simply too densely deployed.
Sakumo Hatake, who was leading the way, raised a hand, and the three stopped again. A faint vibration came from ahead.
A single ninja squad would not make such a sound while moving. Only a large number of people could cause that kind of tremor.
The three used concealment techniques to cling to the trees, disguising themselves as part of the forest.
Before long, one large Sunagakure force after another swept through the woods.
They merely swept their eyes over the area before quickly moving on.
Only after every Sunagakure ninja had left did the trio reveal themselves and continue onward cautiously.
"They're searching for us."
Jin had already reached that conclusion.
Sakumo Hatake nodded, then suddenly asked Jin, "Do you have any ninjutsu that can increase my combat strength? I'll trade you Hatake Swordsmanship for it."
Well, this was awkward.
Jin hesitated internally.
Because Sakumo Hatake had practiced his Basic Inner Cultivation.
Jin possessed not only the Hatake Clan's sword techniques, but also all of Sakumo Hatake's theoretical knowledge regarding swordsmanship.
Still.
The key to surviving here was Sakumo Hatake.
"Yes."
Jin nodded