Team One trained all day without receiving any orders.
Still, Shisui had them keep more than half of their chakra in reserve in case of an emergency.
The next day, their special training began again.
Even Sanhe, who usually complained the most, didn't say a word.
He could feel the heavy atmosphere, too.
It was already hard to find ordinary people on Konoha's streets.
"Today, we'll continue our special training, hmm?"
Shisui had only gotten halfway through when he turned to look toward the other side of the training ground.
Itachi was walking toward them.
"It's Itachi."
"Itachi?"
"Itachi? What are you doing here?"
Sanhe, Miyuki, and even Shisui all sounded surprised.
Only Ryosuke watched in silence. He had already guessed what was going on, and silently sighed.
What was bound to happen would happen eventually.
Itachi ignored the others and walked straight up to Shisui, handing him a scroll.
"This is a lead the Third Hokage provided for Team One. You should know what to do."
After speaking, Itachi turned to leave.
"Wait, Itachi."
Shisui called out to him.
Itachi stopped, but didn't turn around.
"Thanks for the effort."
Shisui said with a smile.
Itachi took a deep breath, then said, "Be careful," and disappeared.
Only then did Shisui open the scroll and examine the information inside.
It was a map—more precisely, a map of part of the Land of Lightning's border.
Several Safe Houses that might be used by Kumogakure's Anbu were marked on it.
Their objective was to destroy those Safe Houses and the Kumogakure Anbu stationed there.
"Teacher Shisui, let's get moving," Sanhe said eagerly.
But Shisui looked thoughtful.
"What's wrong, Teacher Shisui? Is something the matter?" Miyuki asked.
"Ryosuke, what do you make of this map?"
Shisui looked at Ryosuke, who had remained silent.
Ryosuke was packing their things. He'd only glanced at the map, but he already had a bad feeling about it.
"We're Anbu, and we're acting on the Third Hokage's orders. Even if he sent us to our deaths, we couldn't disobey, could we?"
Ryosuke said evenly.
"Ryosuke, what are you talking about?" Sanhe looked at him reproachfully.
But Shisui and Miyuki said nothing.
"It's obvious. If the Land of Lightning really started this war, then our mission should be to defend and counterattack. But now we've been ordered to launch an offensive inside the Land of Lightning. None of this makes sense."
Ryosuke continued explaining.
"But, Ryosuke, this is war. We can't think about it the way we would in peacetime," Miyuki said quietly. Even she sounded unsure of her words; she just didn't want to assume the worst.
"Go on, Ryosuke," Shisui said seriously.
"Actually, this is only a guess. When the Raikage came to Konoha last time, I saw how barbaric and rude the Cloud Ninja were. They even tried to abduct the Hyuga Clan heiress during peace talks."
"So I suspect their target this time is the Sharingan. We're just sacrifices for 'peace.' Once the Cloud Ninja get our eyes, this war will be over soon."
Ryosuke said calmly.
But the other three were all shocked by what he'd said.
"Ryosuke, you're terrifying. How could you say something like that? Are you doubting the village? The Third Hokage?" Sanhe looked incredulous.
"Actually, Ryosuke's words sound frightening, but if you think about it, they make sense. The people of Kumogakure really are capable of anything. I've heard some things about what happened last time, too."
Miyuki rested her chin on her hand and spoke calmly.
"Teacher Shisui, what do you think?"
"Let's put this aside for now. We're Konoha shinobi, and our duty is to protect the village, even if it costs us our lives. So I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said."
A flicker of worry crossed Shisui's eyes, but he soon turned away.
Deep down, his doubts had begun to grow, but he still couldn't believe the Hokage would betray them.
But if it was for the sake of peace in the village, then it all made sense.
As for why they'd contacted Iwagakure, perhaps it was only to keep the war from escalating.
The four silently packed their things.
Then they set off together for the location marked on the map.
There could very well be a trap ahead, and Shisui, as Team One's leader, was leading his students straight into it.
The thought tormented him relentlessly.
Miyuki kept pace with Ryosuke.
"Ryosuke, how sure are you about your guess?" Miyuki asked anxiously.
"About eighty percent. The Hyuga Clan was so loyal to the village, and they could still be sacrificed. We Uchiha are even less likely to be spared."
Ryosuke gave a bitter smile.
Miyuki furrowed her brow, too.
She couldn't refute what Ryosuke had said.
This journey was much longer than the last one.
To conserve their strength, Shisui and the others kept moving at half speed.
It took them three days to finally reach the border of the Land of Fire.
"Another half day's travel, and we'll reach the first target."
Shisui took out the map, compared it carefully with their surroundings, then spoke to the three behind him.
Ryosuke and the others fell silent, quietly eating their rations to replenish their strength.
"I know what you're thinking. So this time, stay here while I go ahead alone to scout. If something really is wrong, return to the village. Understood?"
Shisui explained his plan.
Beyond this point was the Land of Lightning. The moment they crossed the border, they'd be considered invaders, and it wouldn't be easy to withdraw afterward.
"Teacher Shisui, how can we let you go alone? We Uchiha would never abandon a comrade," Sanhe said, standing up.
But Ryosuke and Miyuki said nothing.
"What's wrong with you two? Are you thinking of deserting?" Sanhe looked at them in surprise.
"Sanhe, Teacher Shisui's plan is the safest. He knows the Body Flicker Technique, so he can escape quickly if he runs into danger. But if we go with him, we'll only hold him back."
Miyuki analyzed the situation calmly.
Sanhe was dumbfounded.
"Ryosuke, do you think so too?"
Ryosuke gave a bitter smile. "Sanhe, this is war, not a game. All we can do right now is survive."
Sanhe was about to say something, but Shisui cut him off.
"Miyuki and Ryosuke are right. You're my students, and I won't let you get caught up in danger. That's final. If I haven't returned within two days, go back to the village. The mission will be declared a failure."
Before you continue