"I understand, Senior Shisui."
Hyuga Neji added, "That dune has complex terrain and many hidden blind spots, making it suitable for ambushes. Your senses may be sharp, but you must still beware of them deliberately misleading you with chakra signatures."
"Thanks for the reminder, Neji."
The two said no more. With a flicker, they sped toward the gap between the dunes three hundred meters away.
The moment they moved, a cold shout rang out from behind a distant dune. "Halt! This is the heart of Sunagakure's border territory. Konoha ninja are forbidden from entering without authorization!"
Yuhi Shinku did not stop walking and replied loudly, "We are acting under Konoha's orders to pursue a rogue intelligence ninja. We have already reached an understanding with Senior Ebizo and have entered to make the arrest. This is by no means a provocation." A figure slowly stepped out of the yellow sand. It was Sunagakure Jonin Baki. His sharp gaze locked onto the approaching pair as he said coldly, "Lord Ebizo merely permitted you to investigate. He did not permit you to enter Sunagakure and take action.
Konoha ninja, retreat beyond the border immediately. Otherwise, I will regard this as a deliberate provocation and an act of war."
Kawaki Aoba stopped and looked Baki directly in the eye. "Jonin Baki, the rogue ninja is right ahead. If we retreat now, he will only take the chance to flee, and we will lose the opportunity to capture him."
"That is Konoha's rogue ninja. He has nothing to do with Sunagakure. If you want to capture him, wait until he escapes Sunagakure's territory. You are not permitted to act within Sunagakure's borders."
"By the time he leaves Sunagakure's territory with classified intelligence and flees far away, it will already be too late."
Aoba's tone was