After their opening success in capturing Toroi, the squad had made no further gains for several days.
Everyone had been in low spirits lately.
But then...
When Lianhuo rushed in wearing a soaked cloak, Shaoyu was wiping down the kunai in his ninja tool pouch.
"Shaoyu, they're here."
Lianhuo's breathing was slightly hurried, rainwater dripping from his forehead protector.
"The Uchiha main force has arrived at the Konoha camp."
The others in the cave stopped what they were doing.
Shaoyu slowly put away his kunai, the scrape of metal particularly clear in the silence.
"Who's leading them?"
"Uchiha Hachidai."
The intelligence Lianhuo brought back was like a pebble dropped into a stagnant pool, sending ripples through the cave.
Their smooth opening success in capturing Toroi stood in stark contrast to several fruitless days of waiting, inevitably leaving the Kumogakure jōnin restless.
Uchiha Shaoyu sat cross-legged beside the campfire. The dancing firelight reflected off his calm face, while his Three-Tomoe Sharingan slowly turned in the shadows, deep and unfathomable.
After hearing Lianhuo's report, especially the name Uchiha Hachidai, the corner of his mouth curved into a faint, knowing smile.
"Hachidai... so he really came."
Shaoyu's voice was soft, yet the cave fell silent.
The original owner of this body had known Hachidai. Both were representatives of the Hawk Faction, but Hachidai was older, so Shaoyu respectfully addressed him as a senior.
"He is one of Elder Setsuna's most trusted right-hand men. He is arrogant and powerful—the perfect target for our plan."
The young Ai stood with his arms folded against the rock wall, his muscular body tightly coiled. At those words, he frowned.
"Konoha's commander is Orochimaru. They say he's dangerous. Uchiha Hachidai is so arrogant—nothing will go wrong, will it? Our plan has barely even begun."
"It won't. Or rather...