In the forest, atop a towering tree trunk.
Hidden amid the leaves on a particularly thick branch, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura lay prone with caution, looking down at the battle below from above.
As the battle below unfolded, thick white mist gradually cut off their view.
Sakura's eyes widened slightly as she asked in confusion.
"What's going on? Why does the fog in the forest suddenly seem to be getting thicker and thicker?"
Hearing her words, Naruto and Sasuke both wore grave expressions. Sasuke slowly said in a serious tone.
"You're right. The fog has indeed thickened, but it isn't due to natural causes. Someone down there used the Hidden Mist Assassination Technique!"
At Sasuke's words, Sakura's eyes widened slightly as she said in a low, startled voice.
"The Hidden Mist Assassination Technique!?"
"Th-That's not something genin should be able to master, is it?"
Sakura had listened carefully during the intelligence classes at the Ninja Academy, and one section had specifically covered the Hidden Mist Assassination Technique.
If there was any village among the Five Great Ninja Villages that could perfectly embody the art of ninja assassination, then Kirigakure of the Land of Water was undoubtedly among the very best.
The Hidden Mist Assassination Technique in particular had once left the other ninja villages deeply intimidated.
This assassination method, which took a target's life without a sound, had spread not only among ninja but also throughout the civilian population. It was one of the reasons civilians feared ninja.
After hearing Sakura's words, Naruto fell silent as well.
There was no doubt that the Kirigakure ninja below were no ordinary opponents. Their strength had likely already surpassed the level of chunin.
Just as Naruto and the others were slightly shocked by the strength of the Kirigakure ninja below.
Within that white