Ambush

Chirp—

The night hawk's hunting cry was clear and loud, echoing intermittently through the pitch-black, profound mountain forest.

The caravan's wagons moved slowly forward.

Ahead, where the terrain dipped, lay a narrow mountain valley.

The cliffs on either side rose more than ten zhang high.

A six-person squad was lying prone on the cliff to the right. They were dressed as Konoha Anbu, and two of them were watching the clouds that were gradually drifting away across the sky.

The six had merged with the darkness, like patient hunters. They were the Root Organization squad led by Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Torune.

Danzo held the two of them in high regard.

Even after Danzo's death.

They had brought along Danzo's remaining diehard loyalists to intercept and kill the Uchiha defector squad.

"Captain, it looks like a caravan is approaching up ahead," a Root Organization member reported in a low voice.

Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Torune exchanged a glance. The former said grimly, "Drive them all into the area covered by the projectile-ninja-tool traps. Eliminate them all."

"Yes!" Two Root Organization members disguised as Anbu vanished toward the valley's exit.

They understood Yamanaka Fu's decision.

Better to kill the wrong people.

Than let anyone escape.

Even if this was an ordinary caravan, they had to prevent the Uchiha defector squad from disguising themselves and infiltrating it.

"The disturbance in the forest just now may have been Asuma's squad or another pursuit squad attacking the Uchiha defectors. I can understand that, but the changes in the clouds above..."

Aburame Torune spoke in a low voice.

"That was indeed caused by swordsmanship. I suspect that a powerful figure from the Ninja World attacked the Uchiha defector squad. In any case, no one among the Uchiha possesses swordsmanship that powerful."

Yamanaka Fu spoke solemnly.

Aburame Torune said:

"Yes. Hopefully Asuma and the other pursuit squads can cause the Uchiha squad some trouble!"

Yamanaka Fu was unconcerned. After thinking for a moment, he reminded him, "If you encounter them, be sure to keep your distance. Watch out for the other side's controlling dojutsu!"

"The nanoscopic sensory insects I recently raised are living inside all of you. If anyone is controlled, I'll be able to sense the reactions of your minds and Chakra."

They had made thorough preparations for this ambush.

The caravan entered the valley.

Sitting in the wagon bed, Ingetsu looked up and surveyed the towering cliffs on both sides, sinking into thought.

If a Root Organization squad was already lying in wait inside Katsuragi Mountain, terrain like this would be ideal for an ambush.

The mission was practically reminding him.

The squad was walking straight into a trap.

This was another operation to annihilate a pursuit squad, only this time the target had changed to a Root Organization squad.

This was an unavoidable problem for anyone defecting from the Leaf Village.

"Danzo's remnants?"

Ingetsu had already arrived at an answer. He had never imagined that after Danzo's death, members of the Root Organization would avenge him.

"Tied!"

Kurenai Yuhi smiled as she finished tying Ingetsu's ninja-tool pouch. She slowly rose, sat beside him, and quietly watched his face.

"I'm sorry... I misunderstood you just now."

Suddenly, Uchiha Mikoto's dignified, gentle voice came from across Ingetsu.

Ingetsu lowered his head and looked straight at her.

Uchiha Mikoto's gaze was sincere and apologetic. Her eyes lowered as she explained, "I... didn't understand what you were doing just now, so I wanted to stop you. I didn't expect that you were only checking her body..."

Although Mikoto still didn't understand the meaning behind Ingetsu's actions, she had indeed misunderstood him.

She knew.

Ingetsu truly had no improper intentions toward that little girl.

He had done that.

He must have had another purpose, one that might help the squad escape.

Thinking of this, Mikoto, who had always been gentle, kind, and considerate, felt that she needed to apologize to him.

Being misunderstood was not a pleasant feeling.

"Ah, why did you need to check my body?"

Hotaru's cheeks flushed. Curious, she looked at Mikoto. The other Uchiha remained unmoved, not daring to gossip too much about Ingetsu's private affairs.

Ingetsu moved his gaze away from Uchiha Mikoto's fair, pretty face and looked toward the other Uchiha. He said solemnly, "Prepare for battle!"

At those words, the Uchiha's expressions gradually grew tense.

When Ingetsu said those words.

It meant... danger was nearby!

Uchiha Mikoto's pupils trembled slightly. She seemed to have made some decision. Her gaze firm, she stared at Ingetsu, extended her fair wrist, turned her palm upward, and asked:

"Can you give me a weapon?"

Ingetsu nodded. He drew the only kunai from the ninja-tool pouch Kurenai Yuhi had tied for him and handed it to her.

What comforted him was that when danger came, this clan leader's wife would stand up and fight for the few clansmen who remained instead of choosing to flee.

Hotaru's pupils trembled slightly as she stared at the lower half of Ingetsu's face beneath his black hood, not understanding what this man meant by preparing for battle.

Meanwhile, Izumi's expression changed dramatically. Inwardly, she cried out:

No way. There really is danger on this mountain? No matter what we choose, we run into it?

Why had Captain Ingetsu insisted on entering the mountains?

The Uchiha immediately came to their senses.

Since he knew there was danger in the mountains yet continued forward, Captain Ingetsu's intention was obvious: he wanted to annihilate the pursuers!

At that thought, the Uchiha grew excited. One by one, they quietly clenched their fists, ready to fight at any moment.

The caravan continued forward slowly.

Suddenly—

The lead wagon came to a stop. Immediately afterward, Zong Quan put on an intimidating air and shouted, "People ahead, move aside! This is a caravan of the Tsuchigumo Clan!"

Grrr—

The wheels of the caravan's wagons stopped one after another. The caravan members held the horses by their reins as the animals snorted and whinnied.

Ingetsu and the others turned to look ahead.

In the gloomy forest.

Two figures wearing ANBU masks and Konoha's gray-and-white armor slowly emerged.

One of them said contemptuously:

"We're Konoha Anbu. We suspect that a squad of missing-nin has infiltrated your caravan. Everyone out of the wagons for inspection. Anyone who resists will be treated as a missing-nin!"

Hearing this, Zong Quan's eyes trembled. He forced a laugh and said, "Esteemed ninja sir, we're all law-abiding citizens. There are no miss—"

Bang!!

Before Zong Quan could finish, the other, large-built ANBU ninja kicked him in the stomach with tremendous force, sending him crashing into the wheel.

"Ugh..." Zong Quan fell to his knees and sprawled on the ground, his eyes wide as cold sweat poured from his forehead. Agonizing pain radiated from his abdomen.

Yet his mind was thinking frantically.

In this situation.

He absolutely could not afford to offend either side.

He also couldn't be sure whether these Konoha Anbu could eliminate the S-Rank Missing-nin in the caravan.

If they failed, betraying the missing-nin would certainly end with his death.

On the second wagon.

Aside from Ingetsu, who was wearing a black robe, the Uchiha's tachi had long since been put away. Even Kurenai Yuhi and Nonō had changed into the clothing of the Tsuchigumo Clan and used the Transformation Technique to alter their faces and figures.

In the darkness, Ingetsu was mixed in with the plainly dressed group. His black robes did not stand out.

At this moment, the Uchiha all looked toward Ingetsu, waiting for his signal.

"That's ANBU..."

Uchiha Nanfeng said in a low voice.

"No. Root."

Ingetsu calmly explained.

The Uchiha all looked confused. Root Organization?

Only Ingetsu knew that these were Root Organization members dressed as Anbu.

They should have been the squad that tracked them on the day of the Night of the Uchiha Massacre, arriving at roughly the same time as Asuma and the others.

"There should be quite a few enemies hiding on these two cliffs. I'll draw their attention from the front. You're responsible for assassinating them!"

Ingetsu gave a simple assignment.

"Yes..." the Uchiha replied in low voices before falling silent.

Izumi sighed helplessly. They really had run into trouble. Now she could only hope that the other two paths were not ambushed.