The Main Task Is to Gather Information!

Kawaki Aoba's gaze swept over the surroundings once more, but then he heard a faint set of footsteps.

He immediately went on alert, his fingers quietly reaching for the kunai at his waist as he whispered to Inoue Yuki, "Don't make a sound. Someone's here."

Inoue Yuki jolted and immediately concealed her presence. She curled up beneath the blanket, yet her eyes remained fixed firmly on Kawaki Aoba.

Kawaki Aoba slowly rose to his feet, leaning slightly forward into a stance ready for battle at any moment.

His gaze locked onto the depths of the woods, where several dark figures seemed to be shifting beneath the moonlight.

"Aoba, what's going on?"

Sarutobi Asuma's voice suddenly came from behind him, low and somewhat lazy. Clearly, he had not been sleeping deeply either. He was leaning against a rock with a kunai in hand, though his eyes had already sharpened.

"There's movement northwest, about thirty meters away."

Kawaki Aoba kept his voice low, his tone calm. "Unknown numbers. They're moving quietly. Could be shinobi."

Sarutobi Asuma frowned and slowly stood up, muttering under his breath, "Damn it, these guys again."

He glanced at Shinku, who was still resting with his eyes closed, and asked quietly, "Should we wake the captain?"

"Let's observe first."

Kawaki Aoba shook his head, his eyes still fixed on the depths of the forest. "If they're just passing by, we shouldn't expose ourselves.

If they're enemies... I'll go take a look first."

"You?"

Sarutobi Asuma raised a brow, doubt coloring his voice. "Can you handle going alone? Don't fail to gather any intelligence and get yourself taken out first."

Kawaki Aoba's mouth twitched as he retorted in a lowered voice, "Asuma-senpai, that's really hurtful.

I'm a Chunin, at least. Scouting for information won't be a problem."

"A Chunin?"