The next morning.
Being close to the sea, it was another foggy day. Coupled with the fact that the sun had only just risen, the air was damp and cold.
The Konoha ninjas on rotation that day shivered in unison the moment they stepped out of their tents and were hit by the frigid air.
At the same time.
Uchiha Makoto, curled up beneath his blankets, woke up as well.
He jolted awake from his sleep, his eyes gradually clearing as he turned his head toward the outside of the tent.
Someone was here...
Knock, knock, knock!
A series of "knocks" reached his ears.
He got dressed and opened the tent flap. Looking at Hizashi Hyuga standing outside, he asked in confusion.
"What is it?"
Hizashi Hyuga bowed slightly and replied respectfully.
"We just received word. That person from the Kaguya Clan wishes to meet with you."
"Oh?"
"This is the time and place she arranged."
As he spoke, Hizashi Hyuga handed a folded original intelligence report to Uchiha Makoto.
"Mm."
Uchiha Makoto nodded. After seeing Hizashi Hyuga off, he looked over the report.
"The Mist Ninja will launch an attack this morning, and her mission is... me?"
After reading it, Uchiha Makoto channeled chakra into his feet and used the Body Flicker Technique, vanishing in an instant.
As the sun rose, the thick fog in the flatter areas had mostly dispersed.
Yet deep among the mountains, within the valleys, the dense mist seemed utterly unaffected by the sunlight.
Uchiha Makoto looked at the towering cliff faces on either side, then at the thick fog surrounding him, and could not help frowning.
This place was not far from Konoha's encampment, but it was truly remote.
Kaguya Takeori had actually chosen this place for their negotiations.
After adjusting his ninja