Arrival

Hyuga Akira handed the intelligence report to Naoki and asked, "How confident are you?"

Ever since they had set out, Uchiha Setsuna, who was supposed to be leading the team, had barely said a word. In truth, Naoki, the Chunin, was in charge of the mission...

After reading the report, Naoki considered the situation.

Kirigakure had at most three to five Jonin and a little over twenty Chunin and Genin. The five of them would have no trouble taking them down, but it wouldn't be easy, either...

After hesitating for a moment, Naoki furrowed his brow. "Just the five of us might have some trouble. I'm not trying to shirk the mission; I'm just worried we'll mess it up."

"If that's the case..." Hyuga Akira pointed to the other two Anbu Jonin in the tent. "Shi, Shin, go with Naoki and the others to make sure the mission goes off without a hitch!"

Shi and Shin, both wearing masks, nodded.

"Would that work?"

Hyuga Akira was being polite, but Naoki knew it wouldn't look good to keep insisting on how difficult the mission would be. He nodded at once.

"No problem."

"Good." Hyuga Akira took a map from a drawer and handed it to Naoki. "Use this map to get around the main Kirigakure forces on the front lines. Once you arrive, a Hyuga Clan ninja will meet you there!"

"Yes!" Naoki and the others answered in unison.

"I want to go, too!" Hyuga Hiroshi, standing beside Hyuga Akira, suddenly spoke up.

Hyuga Akira's face darkened. He glared at Hyuga Hiroshi, who lowered his head and bit his lip.

After leaving Hyuga Akira's tent, Uchiha Zongxin said to his companions, "I think I understand why everyone else was sent to the front lines while we've been stuck at Izumo Camp for half a month. Maybe our commander had this in mind from the start."

Uchiha Zongye nodded.

"Seems that way to me."

Itachi asked, "What's wrong with that?"

Glancing at Itachi, who was much younger than him, Uchiha Zongxin said, "When you're fighting behind enemy lines, one careless move and you're surrounded. You might end up dying as miserably as the Third Raikage, with your corpse only returned because the enemy took pity on you. How is that a good thing?"

"Should've gone to the front with Sarutobi Shinnosuke to find Shisui!"

As Uchiha Zongxin grumbled, Naoki glanced at him.

"Why are you going on about that? You're just talking nonsense!"

"Tch." Uchiha Zongxin pursed his lips but said no more.

The five of them split up and returned to their tents to pack. Naoki stopped Uchiha Setsuna.

"Senior."

Uchiha Setsuna stood with his hands behind his back, his white hair stirring despite the still air. When Naoki caught up and stopped him, he asked, "What is it, kid?"

Naoki pressed his lips together before speaking.

"I don't know what Hyuga Akira has planned, but this mission is dangerous. If things get critical, please make sure to get Itachi out safely, Senior Setsuna."

"Oh?" Uchiha Setsuna raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were going to ask me to help you with everything."

Naoki shook his head.

"Itachi shouldn't have come here in the first place. Lord Fugaku thinks highly of me, so he sent Itachi to the Southern Border Battlefield to get some experience.

"So, just as you brought Itachi to me, I have to return him to you."

"If that's the case, why not return him yourself?"

Naoki gave a rueful smile. "I wish I could. But ever since the Nine-Tails Incident, I've worked hard at training every day. Unfortunately, this is as strong as I've gotten..."

"I promised Fugaku I'd protect you and Itachi, and I won't go back on my word. Don't worry. I'll make sure you all get back alive!"

Naoki knew Uchiha Setsuna was strong, but he didn't know just how strong. And with the Third Raikage's death at the hands of the Iwagakure forces as an example, even his most optimistic self couldn't imagine them escaping easily if they were surrounded. In the end, someone would have to be sacrificed. He could survive on his own, but Itachi was too young and weak—he was even weaker than Uchiha Zongxin, who also had a One-Tomoe Sharingan.

If they were surrounded, Naoki would have to protect both the Uchiha Zongye brothers and Itachi. He couldn't handle all of them. That was why he had said those things to Uchiha Setsuna.

"No matter what, please remember my request, Senior Setsuna."

With that, Naoki bowed, then turned and took his leave.

After quickly packing, the seven of them set off under cover of night, following the map toward their destination.

For three days, they traveled by night and hid by day, crossing the front lines where Konoha's and Kirigakure's armies clashed and reaching the rear without incident.

The night was as dark as ink. Seven figures moved silently through the forest.

Naoki ran in the middle of the group, his Sharingan activated as it slowly revolved in the dark, watching every inch of their surroundings.

According to the map, they expected to reach their destination before dawn.

"Stop."

Uchiha Setsuna raised a hand. Everyone halted at once and took cover among the shadows of the trees.

Naoki stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Senior, what is it?"

Uchiha Setsuna didn't answer. He merely tilted his head slightly and looked toward the forest to their front left.

A moment later, a figure emerged from the shadows.

"Hyuga Hiroshi?" Naoki said in surprise.

It was Hyuga Hiroshi, the Main Branch boy who had been standing beside Hyuga Akira.

Naoki frowned. "Why did you follow us? Does Hyuga Akira know?"

Hyuga Hiroshi didn't answer. He walked straight up to Naoki and pulled a letter from inside his clothes.

"This is a letter from my uncle."

Naoki took it and quickly read it by the faint moonlight.

In the letter, Hyuga Akira explained that Hyuga Hiroshi had volunteered for the mission. As his uncle, he couldn't stop him, so he was asking Naoki and the others to look after him.

He also added another piece of intelligence: the Kirigakure transport fleet had departed a day earlier than expected. They would have to hurry and be in position to ambush it before tonight.

Naoki put the letter away and handed it to Uchiha Setsuna, then looked at Hyuga Hiroshi.

Hyuga Hiroshi had delicate features. His special goggles hid his eyes, but there was a hint of pride between his brows.

"Can you keep up with us?" Naoki asked.

"Of course. I wouldn't have come if I were going to slow you down!"

After reading the letter, Uchiha Setsuna ignored their exchange and said unhurriedly, "Let's go. We're short on time."

The eight figures melted back into the night, moving a little faster this time.

As the sky gradually brightened, Naoki and the others finally reached the meeting point arranged with Hyuga Akira, before noon.

Naoki glanced at Shin, the Anbu Ninja who had come with them. Understanding, Shin cupped his hands around his mouth and blew the agreed-upon signal.

Not long after the sound rang out, a Hyuga Branch Family ninja appeared and beckoned to Naoki and the others.

"Over there," Hyuga Hiroshi said, the first to spot him. "Let's go."