Neji withdrew his focus in satisfaction. His gaze fell once more upon the silent fortress behemoth in the valley. The last rays of the setting sun were fading from its cold metal shell, while darkness surged in from all around the valley like a tide.
Below, the three ANBU squads began to move like finely crafted gears, silently infiltrating their respective target areas.
Neji remained standing atop the ridge, his white robes stirring lightly in the rising night wind. Like a seasoned hunter, he patiently waited for the moment his prey would be startled and driven into a corner.
On the crystal wall sand table, the points of light representing their forces moved quietly, like deadly stingers slowly piercing toward every vital point of the beast.
Night completely shrouded the valley. Only a few scattered lights atop the fortress remained, like the sleeping eyes of a colossal beast.
On the ridge, Neji's white robes were the only distinct silhouette. On the crystal wall sand table before him, the dim blue points representing the Gale Squad, Rock Squad, and Chasing Fang Squad slid silently toward their respective target areas like deadly fireflies.
"Move."
Those two calm words were instantly branded into the minds of every ANBU member through Spirit Board Communications. There were no stirring horns or thunderous battle cries, only cold killing intent descending without warning.
The Gale Squad moved like a true gale. Empowered by Divine Foot Talismans, their figures nearly blended into the night.
The Sky Ninja sentry atop Watchtower A1 only saw a blur before a cold glint appeared at his throat. He crumpled to the ground before he could sound the alarm. All four watchtowers were eliminated simultaneously in less than thirty seconds, the operation swift, precise, and silent.
Then, they appeared like ghosts at the