High-End Hunters Often Appear as Prey

Word had it that the target had just set out from camp.

The mission he was heading out to carry out was precisely a trap that Naruto Higashihiko had set up in advance.

"He finally took the bait." The corner of his mouth curled slightly, his gaze brimming with pride.

So what if he was the Vile Rakshasa, or Uchiha's rising star of the future? He'd still have to drink the water off my feet.

After personally arranging everything, he'd disguised the mission so perfectly that no one could spot the trick hidden within.

Who would have thought that strategic supplies enough to sustain a small-scale war would become bait to lure the Rakshasa into a trap?

"As long as the bait is tempting enough, every prey will take it." Naruto Higashihiko sounded supremely confident.

But perhaps he'd never heard one saying.

The best hunters often appeared in the guise of prey.

Even if he couldn't find the Three Clans' spies, Kyosuke could guess with his toes that the Southern Legion couldn't possibly be without scouts.

For the Yamanaka Clan, controlling a ninja was easy as could be.

If they really launched a sweeping investigation, all they'd do was undermine the Southern Legion's fighting spirit.

Since they couldn't find any trace of the spies, they might as well expose their own mission.

Kyosuke was sure the information would eventually reach the target.

He and Naruto Higashihiko had remarkably similar views on bait and prey.

You're looking for me, aren't you? Fine. I'll come right to your door today.

Whether you can swallow me would depend on your own skills.

Truthfully, Naruto Higashihiko knew all too well that ambushing the Vile Rakshasa involved tremendous risk.

If even one of them were captured, the hard-won secret base would immediately be exposed to Uchiha.

Then they'd have nowhere left to stand in the southern lands.

But the question was, did Naruto Higashihiko have any better options?

Yes, Senju Butsuma had promised to do everything in his power to protect the Three Clans in the future.

Hiding behind the Senju Clan could indeed give them a sanctuary in which to recover. But it also meant they would completely lose their autonomy.

The two sides might be allies in name, but in truth the Three Clans would become the Senju's vassals.

Proud as Naruto Higashihiko was, how could he willingly become someone's dog?

"If we capture him, we'll have room to maneuver." He tapped his fingers lightly on the table. After wrestling with the decision for a while, he decided to stick with the original plan.

He clapped twice, and seven people soon entered from outside.

Three Jonin and four Elite Chunin. These were the forces he'd prepared to capture the Vile Rakshasa.

Too many people would make the other side suspicious. If the target got spooked and fled, it would be a net loss.

Too few, and they might not be able to guarantee they could capture him. So a seven-man squad was just right.

"Rumiko, Teppei, Kanbei." Naruto Higashihiko called out their names one by one, then said solemnly, "The future of Ino-Shika-Cho is in your hands."

"Complete this mission, and we'll have a chance to rise again!"

Yamanaka Rumiko was a beauty with long blond hair, skilled in the Mind Body Switch Technique.

Nara Teppei was the squad's brains and backbone, skilled in the shadow techniques of various schools.

Akimichi Kanbei was the strongest fighter in the group, with combat ability approaching that of an Elite Jonin.

According to reports, the target's squad included a Jonin with Three Tomoe.

He was a troublesome opponent, but shouldn't pose a threat to the three of them.

"Ugh, what a hassle." The younger Nara Teppei paid no heed to his Clan Head's stirring pep talk.

Wouldn't it be better to join the Senju Clan? Why make so much trouble for themselves?

If something went wrong, they might have to flee the Land of Fire.

His attitude made it clear that not everyone in the clan was of one mind. Some supported fighting to the bitter end, while others weren't eager to spill more blood.

Even so, Nara Teppei would carry out the mission.

Whatever else they disagreed on, the Three Clans' members all hated Uchiha.

If they could make the other side suffer, it was worth doing.

"Leave it to us." With that, Nara Teppei led his companions away.

To maintain their cover, he had to hurry and switch places with the transport team serving as bait.

The Vile Rakshasa would certainly scout the area before taking action.

It was a dangerous confrontation, and the slightest misstep could bring everything crashing down.

Higure Town, southern Land of Fire.

Dressed in a gray cloak and looking like any ordinary traveling merchant, Kyosuke entered the livestock town, famous far and wide, with a pack on his back.

The sun blazed overhead. Mud from the recent rain covered the ground, mingling with the strong, pungent stench of livestock.

"Being born into Uchiha really is great." Kyosuke couldn't help shaking his head. He hadn't expected the towns outside to have such poor basic sanitation.

Feeling the thick mud underfoot, he walked into town, intending to find somewhere to get lunch.

He could also ask around for information while he was at it.

Most of the merchants coming and going were dressed much like him, so Kyosuke wouldn't stand out right away.

He wore a mask whenever he went out, making it difficult for his enemies to learn what he looked like.

After all, codes could only convey written information, and drawing a highly accurate portrait was simply too difficult for intelligence personnel.

"Boss, I'll have a sushi set and a bottle of fresh milk." Kyosuke entered a restaurant and took a seat by the window.

He was still growing, so he couldn't be like Uchiha Madara and spend all day plotting to steal liquor.

Milk was what suited a child best. Drinking more could only do him good.

In a livestock town, they might be short on anything else, but never on milk.

Before long, a large glass of fresh milk was brought over. Its delicious taste captivated young Kyosuke.

By the window, the boy gulped down his milk. No one would ever associate him with a title like the Vile Rakshasa.

The restaurant worker looked away from the boy and continued watching the other customers.

Little did he know that the boy had already noticed every move he made.

"This man's suspicious."

After thinking it over, Kyosuke abandoned the idea of testing him.

Higure Town was full of all sorts of people.

The worker's odd behavior might have nothing to do with the Three Clans. Perhaps he was just watching for an easy mark.

With a clunk, Kyosuke set down his glass, picked up a piece of sushi, and put it in his mouth, his gaze casually drifting toward the street diagonally across from him.

There stood an abandoned shop.

According to the intelligence, one of the Three Clans' transport teams was currently stationed there.

Kyosuke's task was to carefully observe what was happening there and make sure there weren't a large number of enemy soldiers.

Otherwise, he'd have to put the bait plan on hold.

"If I approach the shop, I'll immediately put the enemy on alert."

"I have to be careful. At the very least, no one can realize I'm doing it on purpose."

As he thought, he turned his gaze back toward the restaurant worker.

Maybe he could make use of that man.