Hearing Pakkun's answer, Yun Yan, who had grown equally serious, could not help looking north.
That faint breeze had just blown in from the north, which meant the abnormalities had most likely occurred somewhere north of them.
The moment Kakashi heard there was the smell of charred corpses, his mood darkened as well.
What kind of place was this?
This was the border of Fire Country, still within Fire Country's national boundaries.
What did the smell of charred corpses within the country mean?
It meant a battle had taken place. People had died, and their corpses had been burned afterward.
I hope the people who were killed and burned aren't our ninjas. I hope they're bandits, criminals, or people unrelated to us.
Kakashi prayed silently.
Yun Yan did not know what Kakashi was thinking, but if he had, he certainly would not have held much hope for Kakashi's wish.
When they had received this mission from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hiruzen Sarutobi had explained that there had recently been frequent clashes along the border, and that they were growing increasingly intense.
Now that they were already near the border, Pakkun had smelled charred corpses the moment they approached this troubled area. Yun Yan did not believe for a second that it was a coincidence.
Those burned corpses were most likely fellow Konoha ninjas—the very people Kakashi did not want to find.
Since the situation looked bad, Yun Yan was in no mood for jokes. He gave Kakashi a look.
Kakashi immediately understood and said to Pakkun,
"Pakkun, please take us there."
Pakkun knew this was no time for bickering either. He nodded his canine head, then turned toward the north.
"It's in that direction. The smell is stronger there, and it isn't far. I'll take you there now."
The instant he finished