Enemy

"Enemies? Yukina, are you sure?"

Chiba sat up and looked toward Yukina in the tent. She had already sat up, the veins at the corners of her eyes bulging toward her temples as her Byakugan was activated.

Just moments ago, Yukina had softly called to them and informed them that enemies were nearby.

Hirohiko had also sat up. A flash of crimson passed through his eyes as he activated his Sharingan.

"Yes, there's no mistake. One team is approaching us from our rear flank, nine hundred meters away. There's also a team coming toward us across the grassland ahead. They seem to be taking a roundabout route. At their current pace, they'll meet behind our camp in about ten minutes."

At Chiba's confirming words, Yukina shifted slightly out of the tent. As she spoke, she picked up a pebble and drew a rough map on the ground.

"What do we do, Chiba?"

Hirohiko leaned over, glanced at Yukina's sketch, and immediately furrowed his brow.

They would meet in ten minutes. Though they did not know which villages the two teams belonged to, they definitely were not friends.

If they were not Iwa, then they were Kumogakure! They were currently deep behind enemy lines, while ahead lay the rear battlefield of Kumogakure and Iwa. Konoha's frontline forces had all been pinned down on the other side. They were a lone force that had penetrated deep into enemy territory. Running into enemies now was the last thing they wanted.

"Wait. Let me think."

Chiba's brow tightened as well.

"Yeah, I'll go check the traps again..."

Hirohiko rose to his feet, intending to leave and inspect the traps.

*We should make sure the traps will still work. If they're triggered, we'll have the initiative. We might not even need to fight—the enemy could