While Nawaki and the others waited for Baran to arrive, Tsunade and her two companions had already reached the large tree outside the bandit stronghold.
Tsunade studied the traces on the canopy. "Looks like they stayed here for a while."
"Maybe they were scouting the stronghold below? The bandits have a tight watch." Jiraiya shaded his eyes with his right hand and peered down at the stronghold.
"Take a closer look at the footprints under the tree. It looks like Sakumo joined up with them and headed straight for the stronghold," Orochimaru said thoughtfully, studying the trail of footprints below.
Tsunade and Jiraiya were startled. "What? They just marched up to the front door in broad daylight? That's reckless!"
The two jumped down from the tree, crouched with one hand on the ground, and examined the tracks closely. Both looked puzzled.
"There are nine sets of footprints. Besides the five members of Nawaki's team, the other four must be the Anbu squad led by Sakumo." Tsunade jumped back onto the canopy, confirming Orochimaru's theory.
Jiraiya clapped his hands and followed her up onto a branch. "But Sakumo's mission was to protect Nawaki from the shadows. Why would he reveal himself?"
"My younger brother's mental strength is far beyond ordinary. He's already learned the Sensory Technique from my grandmother, so he must have exposed Sakumo's location." Tsunade glanced at the trail of footprints behind the tree.
"Lady Mito's Sensory Technique? What an enviable talent," Orochimaru said, his eyes lighting up.
"But given Sakumo's personality, he wouldn't join Nawaki and the others in doing anything reckless, would he?" Jiraiya still couldn't make sense of it.
"And there aren't any signs of battle around the stronghold. It looks like the whole group simply walked right in through the front gate?" Tsunade stared at