After crossing the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Moon, the Konoha Kage-level squad arrived at the border of the Land of Lightning after two days of grueling travel. They stopped beneath a secluded cliff.
"Everyone, take a break. Ashikaga, sorry for the trouble, but keep watch with your Byakugan. If there are any ninja nearby, we can capture them and interrogate them for information."
Ashikaga Hyuga nodded. His eyes turned a pale blue-white, the veins around them bulging as black markings appeared in his pupils. He stood still, scanning the surrounding area.
A Byakugan developed to such an advanced degree could see every blade of grass and every tree within eight kilometers.
With Ashikaga Hyuga on watch, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio sat off to one side and rested. Jin Inuzuka fed his beloved dog, which panted with its tongue hanging out. After two days of high-intensity marching, even the Kage-level shinobi—who were still only human—felt exhausted.
Setsuna Uchiha formed hand seals, then slapped his palm to the ground and summoned a Ninja Cat. He handed over the latest intelligence, gave the cat a quick pat on the head, and sent it back to deliver the message.
Then he took out a Flying Thunder God Kunai and planted it in the ground.
"Hokage-sama will be here soon. Everyone can rest a little longer."
"I watched Second's Flying Thunder God Technique back then. It's incredibly difficult to learn."
Nara Shikamei, Senju Tobirama's trusted aide, looked at the Flying Thunder God Kunai and sighed with genuine admiration, while also hoping to build a closer relationship.
"Third Hokage's talent is truly astonishing. He has the potential to become the next God of Shinobi."
Setsuna Uchiha was naturally pleased by the former chief strategist's praise of Uchiha Takeyasu. He said smugly, "Of course.