Waiting for the Rabbit to Come to the Tree

Night

Outside Konoha

In the woods north of the orphanage, the Uchiha Wadō Squad used Invisibility Technique to hide among the tree branches, carrying out the defense mission issued by Naraku.

"Commander He Deng, we caught two thieves last night. Hopefully, no more stupid thieves will come here today."

On a tree branch, a team member draped in camouflage cloth appeared to blend into the branch without close inspection.

"Just focus on carrying out the mission. Naraku in person tonight; we can't afford to lose face in front of Naraku."

Uchiha, seventeen years old, Three-Tomoe Sharingan and is a renowned genius ninja within the clan. He serves as a squad leader in the Special Police Division of the Uchiha Police Force and is an outstanding young man who has garnered attention from many of the Uchiha's higher-ups.

"Yes, yes..."

The team member who had asked the question replied nervously upon hearing Deng's stern words.

Uchiha and Akari used Camouflage Stealth Technique to blend into their surroundings, so that even their teammates could only hear their voices but not see them, and had no idea where their squad leader was hiding.

Uchiha Nara also used the Camouflage Stealth Technique to conceal himself, sitting atop a tall tree canopy, gazing at the bright moon. He overheard the entire conversation between the Uchiha members and Naraku below.

The Camouflage Stealth Technique is one of the advanced Invisibility Technique. While it may seem somewhat inferior from the perspective of the Sharingan or Byakugan, it is a Camouflage Stealth Technique weapon in ordinary ninja combat.

The ability to blend into one's surroundings and remain undetected until attacked is an essential skill for sneak attacks and assassinations.

The Camouflage Stealth Technique is said to be one of the S-rank ninjutsu of Iwagakure. It was Ninjutsu that Iwagakure copied and deduced after seeing through the Camouflage Concealment Technique during a battle Uchiha elites Jonin the Iwagakure Battlefield. It is quite difficult to learn, and very few people in the clan have mastered it.

"Um?"

Naraku sensed several unfamiliar figures creeping towards the orphanage. Naraku hadn't expected that the Root would actually come again; Danzo, that old scoundrel, was truly vengeful over every little thing.

It would be a misfortune for Konoha to have someone like that serve as an assistant to the Konoha.

After the four members of the Anbu left the area under their command, the Special Police team members reported to their squad leader and Deng.

"Sir, a stranger just passed by here. Judging from his attire, he seems to be from the Anbu."

"Okay, I understand. We'll slowly follow them closer. Naraku said that the ones doing bad things are very likely the Anbu. Let's follow them and see."

"Yes!"

The members of the Wadō Squad deactivated their invisibility and revealed themselves, following the clues left by the Anbu.

Naraku atop the tree canopy, watching the four people below, including Touka, move about.

Naraku led a squadron, with a small team positioned in each of the four cardinal directions (east, south, west, and north). A mysterious small team had arrived here; it was unknown whether there were any in the other directions.

Naraku pondered for a moment, then, remaining invisible using the Camouflage Stealth Technique, crept towards the Anbu squad. As Naraku, he overheard the Anbu's conversation.

"Lord Ghost Fox, it seems unusually calm here today?"

"We've just arrived, what could we possibly find? Just carry out our investigation mission, then report back to the Lord Hokage. Split up and investigate, return here in two hours. If anything comes up, set off fireworks as a signal."

Yes x3

Three masked Anbu Ninja left.

"Is it really the Anbu?"

Naraku, following behind, heard it clearly. He vaguely recognized the voice and codename of the Ghost Fox Anbu Ninja codenamed Naraku.

Based on the visits of Danzo and Naraku, as well as Nonō's tearful account, Sarutobi Hiruzen deduced that there might be conflict at the orphanage and dispatched his Anbu to investigate and monitor the situation.

Nonō's tearful complaint resulted in Danzo being scolded by the Third Hokage, who demanded that the relief funds be distributed immediately. The increasingly arrogant Danzo was resentful and, instead of obeying the order, prepared to teach Nonō another lesson.

It was unexpected that the root squad was arrested by the Police Force. Although Sarutobi Hiruzen's taking in orphans and refugees was somewhat like a cat playing with a mouse and meddling, at least Sarutobi Hiruzen's original intention was never to oppress these refugees and orphans, otherwise he would not have taken them in and given them relief funds.

However, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't have time to handle everything personally, so he entrusted Danzo with distributing the relief funds. With Danzo acting as a middleman, Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't anticipated that Danzo would use the relief funds to blackmail the orphanage.

Danzo completely Danzo the little bit of brilliance that Sarutobi Hiruzen had painstakingly built up.

"Lord Ghost Fox, there's no movement."

Two hours later, the Anbu Ninja had gone out to investigate returned and reported to Ghost Fox.

"Alright, Ox and Leopard, you two continue the investigation. We'll return at dawn. Dog and I will go back and rest. We'll continue our shift tomorrow night."

"Hi" X3

Three Anbu replied softly, and two more left. Ghost Fox and Anbu whispered to each other for a while before turning and heading towards Konoha.

Naraku watched the departing Anbu figures with a headache. Naraku judged that these people were indeed Anbu under the Third Hokage, there to investigate the dispute and to keep an eye on Root and the Police Force.

"If you're a thief for a thousand days, how can you guard against thieves for a thousand days?"

Naraku waited for two hours without seeing the Root arrive, and began to lose patience. He released his Camouflage Stealth Technique and formed hand Hand Seals.

"Summoning Technique!"

"Meow"

Kozunmaru, carrying two Ninja Sword swords on his back, greeted them with a slightly flushed face and a strong smell of alcohol.

"Kozunmaru, the quality of life at your Ninja Cat Castle is pretty good, it seems like you're living it up every night now?"

"Hiccup~ Naraku, thank you for taking care of me, meow. Hiccup, why did you summon me so late at night during a banquet? Hiccup"

Kozunmaru seemed to have drunk quite a bit, as he kept burping.

"Kozunmaru, please keep an eye on that orphanage up ahead. If there's any emergency, use this scroll to smear blood and summon me."

Naraku took out a small scroll and a small container. The small container contained two drops of Naraku's blood. By smearing it on the Summoning Scroll, Naraku could be summoned.

"Okay, hiccup."

Kozunmaru had drunk quite a bit and was feeling a little dizzy. He also wanted to take a break from drinking, so he agreed to the task without hesitation.

"Thank you so much, Kozunmaru, don't let me down."

Naraku looked at the somewhat dizzy Ninja Cat and was worried about whether it could handle the task.

"Don't worry, Naraku, we're like brothers, don't you trust me to handle things?"

Kozunmaru burped and clapped his chubby hands together.

Naraku was somewhat exasperated by Kozunmaru's unusually different tone.

"Hmm, it seems there are quite a few Ninja Cat companions here."

Kozunmaru seemed to have sobered up a bit. After opening his eyes and speaking, he closed them again to sense his surroundings.

The four squads of Naraku's Special Police Division were on duty here, and many Uchiha clan members who had signed contracts with the Ninja Cat also summoned Ninja Cat to monitor the surroundings.

"Yes, we're on a special mission with a large number of people. You just need to keep an eye on the orphanage. If a fight breaks out, remember to call me."

After giving his final instructions, Naraku waved and turned to leave.

"It's a long night, and I'm afraid Tsunade is thinking about me and can't sleep."

Naraku hurried back, a smirk played on his lips.