Investigation and Plan

Yagura's sensory ability was weaker than Seiji's. While Seiji was still carefully extending his senses, Yagura had already lowered his hands from their seals, having completed his scan.

Just as Yagura gestured to Wind to convey the results of his investigation, Seiji finished his own scan as well.

Seiji's Chakra Sensory Technique had evolved from Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage's Chakra Sensory Technique, combined with Seiji's own sensory abilities. It was the most powerful sensory ninjutsu in Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's memories.

Although it could not sense as far as Tobirama Senju's technique, which could detect the vitality and Chakra strength of any target across an enormous range, Seiji's sensory ninjutsu had its own advantages.

Not only could it detect the vitality and Chakra strength of every nearby target, but even their current condition and movements appeared clearly in Seiji's mind one by one. It was practically the ideal ability for infiltration, assassination, intelligence gathering, and reconnaissance.

Once Seiji finished sensing, he signaled for the other two to withdraw. He had already determined the General's Residence's full layout and circumstances.

Though surprised by the range and precision of Seiji's senses, Yagura and Wind reacted immediately. The group used Body Flicker in succession and vanished into the night, quickly returning to their lodging.

They went to Wind's room and called Chino over from the inn, where she had been resting. Then, they began planning.

"Bone, this is the layout of the General's Residence that I surveyed during the day. Take a look and see if anything is off." Wind took out a scroll and handed it to Seiji.

"Mirror, tell us the intelligence you sensed first. Bone can fill in the rest afterward." Wind then turned to Yagura.

"My sensory range is limited and only covers the front courtyard of the General's Residence. I sensed ten people stationed there. Two of them had strong Chakra signatures, with Chakra levels above mine. Five were openly conducting overlapping patrols, another two were resting in rooms within the courtyard, and the remaining three were hidden sentries concealed in corners." Yagura spread open a scroll and carefully marked out everything he had sensed.

"Two ninja and eight samurai. The ninja are inside the rooms, while the hidden sentries and patrols are all samurai. Of the two ninja, one is an Elite Chunin and the other is a Chunin. The other samurai also possess Chakra, but it isn't particularly strong—roughly at Genin level." Seiji added after comparing the map Wind had drawn.

"Beyond the front courtyard is the main courtyard. Five people are guarding the area around the third room on the left at close range, which is likely where the target is located. Two of those five are Jonin, while the rest are Elite Chunin. One of the Jonin has an exceptionally vigorous life force and is likely a Taijutsu Specialist or a Kekkei Genkai User. The other rooms are also guarded, but the numbers and strength of their guards are far inferior to those around that room. Two squads of soldiers are stationed in the rear courtyard, with ten men in each squad." Seiji laid out everything he had sensed in one breath, marking each detail on the scroll.

"This won't be easy. Killing the target without alerting anyone else is almost impossible!" Wind's expression turned grave.

"Hua, do you have any ideas?" Wind asked, turning his gaze toward Hozuki Chino.

"Captain, could we use the Hidden Mist Technique to mix sleeping drugs into the mist, then use Wind Release to blow it over? Once all the guards are unconscious, we can kill the target directly." Chino proposed boldly.

"That probably won't work. The mist created by the Hidden Mist Technique carries a rather strong Chakra presence. Even if those ninja lack sensory abilities, the fluctuating Chakra will definitely put them on guard or even make them sound an alarm when the mist spreads over," Yagura objected.

"With our abilities, getting into the target's location without a fight is unlikely. But if a fight breaks out, then even if we complete the mission successfully, suspicion will definitely fall on the Hidden Mist. That would affect the relationship between the village and the Land of Water." Wind looked somewhat troubled.

"The Hozuki Clan... Right, I remember that the Hozuki Clan is proficient in a secret technique called the Water Transformation Technique, which can turn the entire body into liquid. Is that correct?" Seiji asked suddenly after pondering for a long time.

"Yes. It is a secret ninjutsu passed down through the Hozuki Clan for generations." Before Chino could answer, Yagura spoke up first.

"Then, Hua, can you use that technique?" Seiji asked Hozuki Chino for confirmation.

"I can. Every Hozuki clansman who becomes a ninja must learn to master the Water Transformation Technique." Chino's tone carried a trace of pride.

"Excellent. Then I have a bold idea!" Seiji had received the answer he wanted.

"We need to choose a rainy night for the operation. We'll use the Hidden Mist Technique to draw their attention, while Chino approaches them from the ground using a combination of Water Clone and Water Transformation Technique. Then we launch our attacks simultaneously. With the mist distracting them, they won't pay much attention to the ground. Besides, on a rainy day, there will naturally be puddles on the ground, and flowing rainwater won't attract notice. Yagura and I both have sensory abilities. We'll provide support from the side and immediately eliminate any survivors who aren't killed in a single strike. We must make sure they don't make a sound." Seiji explained his plan to the three of them.

The three of them lit up, feeling that while Seiji's plan depended on the weather, it was highly feasible.

"I can also use my Water Mirror Technique to copy Hua's attack pattern. That'll make it even more foolproof!" Yagura added excitedly.

"Once we eliminate the guards without a sound, Captain Wind can enter the room and quickly kill the target before we withdraw. If everything goes smoothly, it's unlikely we'll alert anyone in either the front or rear courtyards." Seiji concluded.

"A meticulous plan. Let's do it. We'll refine the details further, then wait for a rainy night to act!" Wind praised.