Communication and Plans (Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year and All the Best!)

Deep in the forest, everything around him was dim. Aside from the occasional chirping of insects nearby, there was not the slightest other sound, giving the place a terrifying, eerie feel.

However, Qian was long used to this kind of environment.

On one hand, his skill truly gave him courage.

On the other, it was because in the past, whether on the battlefield or during his training, he had encountered situations like this more than once.

After seeing it often enough, he naturally no longer felt anything special.

Gathering his thoughts, Qian first undid the Guardian Seal on his brow, then focused his mind, activated the Byakugan, and observed his surroundings.

Only after confirming that there really was no one within a one-kilometer radius did he form seals again and, following the connection between himself and his Shadow Clone, cast the Telepathy Technique to contact the Shadow Clone lying low inside Takigakure.

At the same time.

Inside Takigakure.

In a wooden house.

Mizutani Yuichi, who was being impersonated by Qian's Shadow Clone, abruptly opened his eyes.

However, he did not immediately speak or make any other movement that might draw attention. Instead, he first released his perception, and only after confirming that no one was nearby did he relax and begin communicating with Qian.

In truth, if he used the Flying Thunder God Technique and came to Qian's side, the communication would be much more effective.

Unfortunately, he could not do that.

Indeed, Takigakure was only a small shinobi village, but the fact that it had been able to obtain a Tailed Beast during the era of the First Hokage—and one as powerful as the Seven-Tails, no less—was enough to show that its foundations were not weak.

This could also be glimpsed from Kaede's later condition.

Even the One-Tail