In truth, there was little to discover by going out at night. Most shinobi had gone home to sleep, and those on patrol remained highly alert, rarely speaking to one another.
Secret meetings at night were extremely rare. Even when they did happen, security would be tightened. Two people meeting in secret only to be overheard was hardly something that happened in practice.
Uchiha Shunichi's real objective this time was the Hyuga clan's Byakugan. Besides, Ao was on Konohagakure's gold-tier wanted list.
For Uchiha Shunichi, who possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, the Byakugan was not particularly useful. Still, if he had a chance to obtain one, he certainly would not pass it up.
He also wanted to take this opportunity to stir up some trouble and get Kirigakure's forces moving, so he could gauge their true strength.
Kirigakure was rather desolate at night, with very few businesses still lit up. Compared with Konoha, it looked like an utterly backward country village.
But those conditions were perfect for Uchiha Shunichi's infiltration.
Following the leads from his daytime investigation, Uchiha Shunichi headed toward a cluster of imposing buildings...
The gap between rich and poor in Kirigakure seemed far greater than in Konoha. Even if his target did not turn out to be Ao's home, it would certainly belong to someone powerful.
After slipping past two or three groups of patrolling Mist Shinobi, Uchiha Shunichi silently approached the building.
He carefully used Sealing Jutsu to dismantle the barrier on the wall, then vaulted over it and headed toward a room whose light was still on.
Along the way, Uchiha Shunichi encountered numerous traps. The people of Kirigakure were strange indeed, setting traps in their own yards. Did they have so little faith in their village's security?
Avoiding the traps, Uchiha Shunichi successfully reached his