I Have a Plan

Through my perception, I sensed more than a dozen human-shaped chakra signatures several kilometers away, moving rapidly north.

Meanwhile, at the spot where the signal flare had gone up, several chakra signatures were fading.

It was obvious what had happened: a Konoha squad had run into a small Sand Ninja unit that had infiltrated the area. After a fierce battle, every Konoha shinobi had been killed, and the victorious Sand Ninja were now moving out.

Withdrew from his perception, Sen Chisato smoothly slipped into the role of a Konoha shinobi and delivered the news with a grief-stricken expression.

Sarutobi Hakuba and the other two fell silent.

After a moment's thought, Sarutobi Hakuba said, "North... They're probably trying to escape into the Land of Rain. We can't let them get away with it!"

If this Sand Ninja unit entered the Land of Rain and Konoha shinobi pursued them, it would worsen tensions between Konoha and the Land of Rain. That might well be the real aim of the Sand Ninja's operation.

"Sen Chisato, stay behind and clean up the battlefield. Take the Sand Ninja corpses back to camp. The three of us will pursue the enemy!"

Sarutobi Hakuba issued his orders quickly, then slapped Sen Chisato on the shoulder and solemnly instructed him as though giving his last words: "When you get back to camp, explain the situation to Lord Orochimaru, then bring people to reinforce us!"

His expression said, "We're entrusting our lives to you."

Looking at Sarutobi Hakuba's grave expression, Sen Chisato rolled his eyes inwardly.

Uncle, are you serious?

Have you even considered what you're capable of? There's a right and a wrong way to throw your life away.

You could barely handle a seven-man squad, and now you want to pursue a unit of more than ten without your teammates?

What a joke!

Sen Chisato silently formed Hand Seals. With a series of "poof" sounds, three Shadow Clones appeared.

"That should do it."

Sarutobi Hakuba frowned and shook his head. "No. This is too dangerous. I can't let you take that risk with us."

That was the real reason he wanted to leave Sen Chisato behind.

But Sen Chisato had no intention of accepting his kindness.

If Sarutobi Hakuba and the others died while he was away, it would be a huge loss.

He'd had his eye on their corpses for a long time.

And if they succeeded without him, how would he get the credit—or the system rewards the Sand Ninja were practically handing him?

"Uncle, don't underestimate me. I'm a real Konoha shinobi, too!"

Sen Chisato said with a solemn expression, "Those bastards killed our comrades. If I don't stop them and send them to hell with my own hands, I'll regret it for the rest of my life!"

His eyes brimmed with sorrow, anger, and resolve. His devotion to the village and his comrades was almost too much to look at.

Yet Sarutobi Hakuba still hesitated, now even more reluctant to let Sen Chisato join them.

A gifted young boy with such a passionate heart was a "tender shoot" far more precious than that brat Hatake Kakashi.

Seeing this, Sen Chisato smiled and said, "Besides, with my chakra reserves and ninjutsu skills, I'm better than you at blanketing a large area with ninjutsu under the right conditions, Uncle."

"But..." Sarutobi Hakuba began, but Maruboshi Kosuke spoke up.

"Let Sen Chisato go. His strength is already at Jonin level. He just lacks experience. A young shoot can't grow without weathering a storm or two."

The old man's usual kindly smile vanished. His narrowed eyes opened, their gaze sharp and commanding, and his words rang with conviction.

"Besides, you have this old man with you. If we run into danger, I'll protect Sen Chisato even if it costs me my life!"

Hyuga Hihi added, "Sen Chisato has more chakra than any of us. He has more than the three of us combined."

Sarutobi Hakuba took a deep breath, then slowly let it out.

"Very well. The mission has changed! We'll intercept instead of pursue. Move at full speed and stop them before they enter the Land of Rain!"

In the end, he was persuaded. He promptly changed the plan to make it safer, hoping to reduce the danger.

"Understood!"

Sen Chisato and the other two had no objections. They followed Sarutobi Hakuba and quickly set off.

They hurried along at top speed, repeatedly adjusting their route based on Sen Chisato's perception. At last, the four of them reached the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers ahead of the Sand Ninja unit.

"They're coming. Three kilometers away." Maintaining the Perception Technique, Sen Chisato reported their position.

Sarutobi Hakuba nodded and looked around. "We'll be fighting in the forest. As the intercepting side, we have a slight advantage."

"Maruboshi Kosuke and I will set traps. Hyuga Hihi, take over the perception when needed. Once they enter the range of your Byakugan, identify the situation and report it. Find a good hiding spot and prepare to ambush them!"

Three kilometers was a short distance. At a ninja's speed, they barely had any time to prepare.

Still, every trap they laid increased their chances of success.

They had no time to waste and were about to move.

"Wait."

Sen Chisato suddenly said, "They've changed direction!"

Everyone's expression changed.

Sen Chisato didn't bother to explain. He headed straight toward the Sand Ninja's new route, and the other three immediately followed.

They passed through the forest, and a stream came into view.

The stream was shallow, its bed covered with pebbles of all sizes. The banks weren't high, but they were completely bare, with nowhere to hide.

Sarutobi Hakuba's face darkened. He even considered retreating.

A shinobi shouldn't fear sacrifice when it came to a mission, but there was one boy here whom they didn't want to sacrifice.

Sen Chisato had no idea what he was thinking. After taking a quick look, he said, "I have a plan."

When the other three looked his way, he explained quickly. "Uncle Sarutobi, block them here. Don't worry about giving away our position. Just draw their attention and make them stop for a moment."

"Uncle Hyuga, wait downstream. As soon as we attack, cut off the stream." He pointed to a bend not far downstream. One bank there stood much higher above the water. If they broke up the bank, they could block the entire stream.

"Can you do it?" he asked.

"I can." Hyuga Hihi nodded.

"As for the old man and me, we'll lie in wait upstream. The moment they stop, we'll attack." Sen Chisato pointed to himself and Maruboshi Kosuke.

"Water Style?" Sarutobi Hakuba considered it for two seconds, then agreed at once.

"Let's do it. I'll deepen and widen the streambed as much as I can to hold them back."

He'd just been through a battle, and only half his chakra remained. But to stop the Sand Ninja, he wasn't going to hold anything back.

Besides, with Sen Chisato away from the interception point, there was a good chance he could escape if they failed to stop the enemy.

Even now, he was still thinking about Sen Chisato's safety.

Wait!

Sarutobi Hakuba suddenly realized: Wasn't he the squad leader? How had the brat ended up making the battle plan and issuing orders?

When he looked up, Sen Chisato and the other two had already started putting the plan into action.

"Well, never mind." Sarutobi Hakuba chuckled. "At least the kid's doing a decent job."

After gauging how much chakra he had left, he formed Hand Seals and created two Shadow Clones. He found a few rocks and hid behind them.

A few dozen seconds later, figures emerged from the forest on the opposite bank of the stream.