High-End Hunters Often Appear in the Form of Prey

It is understood that the target has just departed from the camp.

The mission they are heading to is a trap set by Naruto Higashihiko beforehand.

"Finally took the bait." A slight smirk played on his lips, his eyes filled with arrogance.

What does it matter if it's the Vile Rakshasa, or the future star of hope for the Uchiha, they'll still end up drinking my foot-washing water.

After his personal arrangements, the mission was disguised perfectly, making it impossible for anyone to see the hidden trick.

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

"As long as the temptation is enough, there are no prey that won't take the bait." Naruto Higashihiko appeared very confident.

However, he might not have heard a saying.

The most skilled hunters often appear in the guise of prey.

Even if they can't find the spies from the three clans, Kyosuke knows with his toes that the Southern Legion wouldn't be without informants.

For the Yamanaka Clan, controlling ninja is as easy as pie.

If they were to conduct a large-scale investigation, it would only shake the fighting will of the Southern Legion.

If they can't find any trace of the spies, then they might as well proactively reveal the mission they are carrying out.

Kyosuke believes the message will eventually reach the target.

Regarding temptation and prey, his view is surprisingly consistent with Naruto Higashihiko's.

"You're looking for me, huh? Fine, I'll come to you today."

Whether you can swallow me whole depends on your own abilities.

In fact, Naruto Higashihiko knew very well that intercepting the Vile Rakshasa carried great risks.

If someone were to be captured, their painstakingly established secret base would immediately be exposed to the Uchiha's sight.

At that point, there would truly be no place for them to stand in the southern territory.

But here's the problem: does Naruto Higashihiko have any good solutions?

Yes, Senju Butsuma promised that he would fully protect the three clans in the future.

Hiding behind the Senju Clan would indeed provide a sanctuary for recuperation, but it would also mean they would completely lose their autonomy.

While they were nominally allied, in reality, the three clans would become complete vassals of the Senju.

Would someone as proud as Naruto Higashihiko be willing to be someone's dog?

"If we catch him, we'll have room to maneuver." Tapping his fingers on the table, after much thought and struggle, he decided to stick to the original plan.

He clapped his hands lightly, and seven people soon entered from outside.

Three Jonin and four Elite Chunin, this was the stake he had prepared to capture the Vile Rakshasa.

Too many people would easily alert the other party, and it would be a loss outweighing the gain if the target was scared away.

If there were too few, they might not be able to guarantee capturing the person, so a team of seven was just right.

"Rumiko, Teppei, Kanbei." Calling out the three names in order, Naruto Higashihiko said in a deep voice, "The future of Ino-Shika-Cho rests entirely on your shoulders."

"If we complete this mission, we'll have a chance to make a comeback!"

Yamanaka Rumiko, a master of the Mind Body Switch Technique, was a beauty with long blonde hair.

Nara Teppei, the team's strategist and backbone, was proficient in various shadow techniques.

Akimichi Kanbei, the team's strongest fighter, possessed combat power approaching that of an Elite Jonin.

It is understood that the target's squad includes a Jonin with Three Tomoe.

Their strength is troublesome, but it should not pose a threat to the three of them.

"Sigh, this is so troublesome." The younger Nara Teppei paid no heed to the Clan Head's passionate speech.

Wouldn't it be better to defect to the Senju Clan? Why go through all this trouble?

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

From his attitude, it could be seen that not everyone in the clan was united; some advocated for fighting to the end, while others were unwilling to engage in excessive conflict.

Even so, Nara Teppei would still carry out this mission.

After all, hating the Uchiha was a consensus among all members of the three clans.

Anything that could make them uncomfortable was worth doing.

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

In order to infiltrate, he had to quickly switch with the transport team acting as bait.

Before the action, the Vile Rakshasa would definitely conduct reconnaissance.

This was a dangerous confrontation, and a single misstep could lead to a complete loss.

Southern border of the Land of Fire, Higure Town.

Kyosuke, clad in a gray cloak, entered the renowned livestock town with his luggage, appearing as a normal traveling merchant.

The scorching sun beat down, and the ground was covered in mud from the recent rain, along with the strong, foul odor of livestock.

"It's really good to be born into the Uchiha clan." Kyosuke couldn't help but shake his head, not expecting the basic hygiene conditions outside the clan to be so poor.

Feeling the thick mud under his feet, he stepped into the town, preparing to find a place to sort out lunch.

He could also gather some information along the way.

Most of the merchants coming and going were dressed similarly to him, so Kyosuke wouldn't expose his whereabouts too quickly.

He always wore a mask when he went out, making it difficult for enemies to obtain specific physical information.

After all, coded messages could only transmit text; high-precision sketch portraits were too difficult for intelligence personnel.

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

He was still developing his body and couldn't be like Uchiha Madara, always thinking about stealing alcohol.

Milk was the most suitable thing for children; drinking more wouldn't hurt.

As a small livestock town, they lacked nothing except perhaps milk.

Before long, a large glass of fresh milk was served, its delicious taste captivating young Kyosuke.

By the window, the boy gulping down milk with loud slurps was someone no one would associate with a title like Vile Rakshasa.

Turning his gaze away from the boy, the waiter in the shop began to observe other targets.

Little did he know, his every move had already been noticed by the boy.

"There's something wrong with this person."

After a moment of thought, Kyosuke abandoned the idea of probing further.

Higure Town was a melting pot, and all sorts of people could appear here.

The waiter's strangeness might not be related to the three clans; perhaps he was just looking for a fat sheep to prey on.

With a clatter, he put down his cup and picked up a piece of sushi, his gaze inadvertently sweeping across the street diagonally opposite.

There was a deserted shop there.

According to intelligence, a transport team from one of the three clans was currently docked there.

Kyosuke's task was to carefully survey the movements there, ensuring no large-scale enemy soldiers were present.

Otherwise, he would have to temporarily abandon the decoy plan.

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

"I must be careful, at least not let anyone see that I'm doing it on purpose."

As he thought, he turned his gaze back to the waiter in the shop.

Perhaps this guy could be used.