The night was as black as ink. Like panthers melting into the darkness, the surprise attack squad silently made their way to the edge of the factory grounds once more.
"There are more guards at the entrance." Ling Yue lowered her voice. In her [Zetsu] state, her senses were even sharper. "Two visible sentries, three hidden ones, and two roaming patrols. Security is much tighter than during the day."
Kakashi's Sharingan glimmered faintly in the darkness. "Looks like we startled them. Sai."
Sai understood immediately. He swiftly unfurled a scroll and drew several ink bats that nearly blended into the night.
The ink bats flew silently toward the hidden sentries and roaming patrols.
A few minutes later, Sai whispered, "The hidden sentries and roaming patrols have temporarily been affected by the hypnotic gas released by the ink bats. They'll sleep for ten minutes. The visible sentries will need to be dealt with manually."
"Leave them to Kankuro and me." Temari gestured, while Kankuro controlled Crow and sent it gliding away.
Soon, two extremely soft muffled thuds sounded in the distance, followed by Crow's imitation of a night owl's call—the signal that the job was done.
"Move!" Kakashi waved his hand, and the squad swiftly crossed the factory grounds, arriving once again at the concealed entrance to the hidden passage.
Sure enough, two guards had been added at the entrance, but they were already slumped to one side, fast asleep. Crow and the Black Ant puppet stood beside them.
"Nicely done, Kankuro," Kakashi praised.
Everyone slipped back into the hidden passage. This time, they were even more careful.
The droning chants and energy fluctuations still echoed from deeper within the passage. It seemed the ritual was underway!
They reached their previous observation point and looked down. The altar hall below was