Ambush

The night was deep, and the dense forests along the Land of Frost's border were even colder and more desolate than those of the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water.

The frigid wind swept through the bare branches, producing a mournful howl.

The twelve Uchiha raced through the woods. Though they were fast, the exhaustion from their prolonged flight and the fact that they had young Shisui with them meant the group's overall speed could not be pushed to its limit.

While running, Uchiha Shaoyu suddenly raised a hand, signaling the group to slow down. Everyone immediately stopped and spread out warily to keep watch.

"Shaoyu?" Uchiha Renhuo, who had been scouting ahead, doubled back and asked in a low voice.

Shaoyu's gaze swept across the surrounding terrain. This was a relatively open stretch of woodland, with a thin layer of snow on the ground that made tracks easy to leave behind. Not far ahead, the terrain became more complicated, with raised hills and piles of jagged rocks.

"Renhuo," Shaoyu said, his voice clear and calm amid the cold wind.

"From now on, deliberately leave some traces as we travel."

"They don't need to be too obvious, but experienced trackers should be able to find them after a careful search and be convinced they are genuine tracks we left behind, pointing in the direction we're heading."

Uchiha Renhuo froze slightly. The other clansmen nearby, including Uchiha Mihuo and the others, also looked over in confusion.

Erasing traces during an escape was instinctive, a ninja's basic skill. Why leave them deliberately?

"Lord Shaoyu, this..." Renhuo did not quite understand.

Shaoyu knew an explanation was necessary. He signaled everyone to rest briefly, then said,

"Have you considered that Konoha's pursuers may already be on the way? And to ensure they can capture us, the force they send will not be weak."

His gaze swept over the group, lingering briefly on several chunin and Shisui.

"Our speed is not determined by the top speed of jonin like Renhuo, Tiehuo, Qianying, and me. It is determined by the slower members of the group, such as Shisui and the chunin comrades who do not specialize in speed."

"When Konoha's pursuers assess our group's composition, they will certainly take that into account. They will send elites fast enough to catch a mixed group like ours."

"That means if we simply keep running, being caught is only a matter of time. If they catch us after we have exhausted ourselves and are in poor condition, the situation will be extremely unfavorable for us."

Everyone's expressions turned grave at his words.

They knew Shaoyu was right. With Shisui and a team that was not entirely made up of jonin, their endurance and top speed during a long-distance dash were indeed weaknesses.

"So," Shaoyu continued, a flash of coldness in his eyes.

"Since we can't outrun them, then we won't run. At the very least, we cannot let them catch us according to their pace."

"We will deliberately leave genuine tracks pointing this way, making the pursuers believe we are fleeing deeper into the Land of Frost."

"Then, we won't actually travel far in that direction."

"Instead, we'll find terrain nearby that is favorable for an ambush and defense—such as behind those rocky hills—and hide there. We'll use the time to rest, recover our chakra, and adjust our condition."

His gaze sharpened further.

"At the same time, we'll set traps along the path the pursuers are most likely to take, as well as around our chosen ambush site—Explosive Tag traps, genjutsu-trigger mechanisms, physical tripwires..."

"We'll use everything we brought that can cause trouble. We don't need the traps to injure many pursuers. We only need them to disrupt their formation, drain their chakra, and create chaos and panic."

"When the pursuers follow the tracks we left and enter our prepared battlefield, they will think they have caught up to us after a tiring escape. In reality, they will face us well-rested, recovered, and protected by layers of obstacles."

Shaoyu's voice was not loud, yet it inspired confidence.

"Then the initiative will be ours. Whether we fight or leave, and how we fight, will all be our decision."

"We may even use this chance to severely wound or eliminate some of the pursuers, making them think twice before continuing their pursuit. That will buy us more time to catch our breath and a safer distance for our escape."

After hearing him out, everyone's eyes lit up.

Especially the younger chunin. Their earlier worry over being caught had now turned into eager fighting spirit. Uchiha Renhuo nodded heavily.

"A brilliant plan, Shaoyu! Rather than flee passively, we should take the initiative and set a trap! I understand. I'll handle the tracks properly—enough for them to follow, but not so deliberate that they become suspicious."

"Mm."

Shaoyu nodded.

"Remember, the tracks must look natural, like the oversights a mixed group might leave while rushing along."

"Leave it to me." Uchiha Renhuo accepted solemnly. As a jonin, he was also an expert in tracking and countertracking.

"Mihuo," Shaoyu said, turning to another key member.

"Take two people and work with Renhuo. While laying the tracks, begin scouting terrain ahead that is suitable for an ambush. Focus on areas that are easy to defend but difficult to attack, have escape routes, and are convenient for setting traps."

"Yes!" Uchiha Mihuo accepted the order.

"Ling, Mei, take care of Shisui and prepare medical and reconnaissance support. Everyone else, stand by and get ready to set traps." Shaoyu assigned tasks in an orderly manner.

"Yes, Lord Shaoyu! Shaoyu! Brother!"

Everyone answered in unison, the exhaustion on their faces replaced by the sharp edge of an impending battle.

Before long, the group moved again.

Uchiha Renhuo and Mihuo led several people forward, skillfully creating traces of an escape while scouting the more complex mountainous terrain ahead.

Meanwhile, under Shaoyu's lead, the main group quietly veered away from the direction indicated by the tracks. Using the darkness and terrain for cover, they slipped toward a rocky slope on the other side, sheltered from the wind and concealed, with a natural stone forest and caves to use as cover.

There was one more thing Uchiha Shaoyu had not mentioned.

That was who was leading the pursuers.

At present, the Sannin and the White Fang of Konoha were all on the Sunagakure battlefield, so they definitely could not come. As for Sarutobi Hiruzen, he had to personally remain in Konoha. For a mere rogue ninja like himself, the Hokage would certainly not come after him in person.

Who else among Konoha's upper ranks possessed considerable combat strength at this time? Mito Uzumaki was Konoha's stabilizing pillar, and Sarutobi Hiruzen certainly would not allow her to leave Konoha. Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu could be considered half-step high-end combat power, but if it were them, Sarutobi Hiruzen probably would not feel safe sending the two of them to their deaths.

Then the identity of the pursuer was obvious.

It could only be the King of Pots.

In all of Konoha, he was the most suitable candidate.

If it was Danzo, Uchiha Shaoyu felt he had little to worry about. Danzo was fairly strong, but Shaoyu knew his trump cards inside out. Danzo, on the other hand, knew absolutely nothing about Shaoyu's Mangekyō Sharingan.

For ninja, it was all about exploiting gaps in knowledge and intelligence.

Shaoyu carefully calculated the timing. Elder Setsuna had said that he would expose the matter roughly two or three hours after they left. Adding the time needed to spread the information and prepare the pursuers, they would probably depart half a day later than Shaoyu's group.

They had also remained at the inn for more than two hours. If Danzo was leading a jonin squad, then he should now be less than two hours away from them.

Two hours were enough to accomplish many things.

While Renhuo, Mihuo, and the others continued preparing the traps, Uchiha Shaoyu had something of his own to do.

Within these two hours, he needed to subdue some usable shikigami.