Riverside Ambush, Earth Scroll Finally Obtained

"The Earth Scroll is to the east."

Chiba stepped over fallen tree roots, his Sage Sensing spreading along the water veins. Three chakra signatures were stationary on the downstream riverbank.

They had neither lit a fire nor set up camp. They had only placed sensory ninjutsu around the edge of the riverbank, clearly intending to rest before continuing their hunt.

"Captain, one patch of monitoring mycelium is missing."

"Which side?"

"Upstream, near that broken tree."

"The rain washed it away. Put it back."

"But the break is too clean."

"There are plenty of things in the forest that eat chakra. Don't waste your strength."

The three wore Hidden Grass forehead protectors, but their presence was far steadier than the team Chiba had sent away earlier. Their chakra circulation was already close to Chunin level.

The captain sat by the river cleaning a short blade while the other two guarded either side, with their packs wedged between them.

"The Earth Scroll is still there, right?"

"The seal hasn't been touched."

"After tonight, we head for the tower. No more fights along the way."

"What about that Senju brat?"

"Don't touch him."

"Doesn't someone back in the village want his cells?"

"Then whoever wants them can come take them. We're only responsible for the scrolls."

"But he's alone."

The captain sheathed his short blade and kicked away a stone by his foot.

"Amegakure and the previous Hidden Grass team both lost contact. Who do you think stopped them?"

"Maybe they ran into Hidden Sand."

"Hidden Sand took another route."

"Then we'll avoid him."

"First, find a safe route."

Chiba crouched behind an upstream tree root, his palm pressed against the wet earth as Metal Wood slipped through the cracks beneath the riverbed.

Sensing Mycelium could not detect roots that leaked no chakra,