With a whistle, a war hawk cried out from the clouds in the distance and swooped down. Mingye tied a sheet of symbol-inscribed paper around its talon and released it, then looked at Byakuren and spoke.
"Wait! Then we'll be able to win!"
Byakuren frowned slightly, seeming to have guessed Mingye's plan. He spoke to him in displeasure.
"Since you already had a plan, why did you have us launch such a direct assault?"
Mingye understood Byakuren's thoughts. The man was wary of him suddenly breaking their alliance and betraying him. Smiling, he explained.
"We are, after all, ninja employed by the Land of Fire. If we suddenly appeared in another country and attacked its ruling power, it would inevitably cause a very bad reaction. Unless absolutely necessary, we will not do anything that could provoke an international dispute. You are different—you are not bound by any country. That is why we can work together and make this matter flawless! Rest assured, I will not betray a partner. So long as you and I remain allies, I will not sell you out! I said you could take the treasury while I took the barrier sealing techniques. I will keep my word!"
Standing at the edge of the woods, Byakuren watched Saiken, trapped within the Uzumaki Clan's barrier, grow so weak that it seemed unable to move any longer. He spoke to Mingye, who was dozing lightly.
"It has already been three days. Are you sure your plan is working?"
Mingye slowly opened his eyes and looked toward the Uzumaki Clan compound, speaking meaningfully.
"Invincibility does exist, but being invincible does not mean having no flaws. When the strongest shield collides with the strongest spear, which one wins? I am curious about that as well. But I know that neither the