With Asuma and Kurenai leading the way, Team 8 and Team 10 soon arrived at the mission site.
They first went to Little Pond Village to gather information and take a break, giving themselves time to recover their strength and get ready. Afterward, they headed for a barren mountain not far away.
"We'll have to split up!" Tsubaki said to Mo Chen.
Seeing Mo Chen's puzzled expression, Tsubaki explained, "They must have learned some things when they were in Little Pond Village. That information is important to the mission, so we need to find out what it is, too."
"So you go with them and leave markers along the way. I'll go back to Little Pond Village to learn more. It should be information about the bandits. I'll follow your markers and catch up with you."
Tsubaki really was good at this sort of thing. Mo Chen, at least, hadn't thought it through that carefully.
But Mo Chen asked curiously, "Why not use a clone? Why go all the way back yourself?"
He'd thought Tsubaki had something else in mind. But after a long pause, she said with embarrassment, "I don't know how to make a solid clone, so it never even occurred to me!"
Since Mo Chen had suggested using a clone to investigate, he must know how to make a solid clone. Tsubaki felt utterly humiliated.
Mo Chen patted her chest and sighed. "Oh, Tsubaki, Tsubaki. That's why I told you before: your job is just to call out. I'll handle the moving part!"
Tsubaki covered her chest and backed away, mortified and angry. "Captain, you can say whatever you want, but can you keep your hands to yourself?"
"But I haven't used my feet either!" Mo Chen spread his hands, looking innocent. "It's just a friendly gesture.