Geomagnetic Navigation, Flying Insects Earn Their Keep

What should they do?

They had clearly found the other side, yet they could not gather any intelligence. Hyuga Satoru began to grow anxious.

His Byakugan could indeed see the general situation of the base, but it was too far away. He could only make out the rough deployment of personnel and the flow of chakra.

What had that mysterious Jonin discussed after returning? What force did they belong to? What was their objective? They knew nothing.

After pondering for a while, Hyuga Satoru could not help but speak.

"Teacher Shibi, my Byakugan can roughly see the situation at the base. They have a great number of ninja, far stronger than the Stone Shinobi squad in the capital. If we do not uncover their purpose, this mission may fail."

"I understand." Aburame Shibi gave a bitter smile. "But under the current circumstances, if we approach rashly, we will likely be surrounded by their ninja."

Hyuga Satoru's gaze flickered. Judging by what he saw through the Byakugan, the sensory barrier covered a radius of three kilometers. The moment they entered that range, they would be discovered.

"Teacher Shibi, can you have Kikaichū infiltrate and gather intelligence?"

"No." Aburame Shibi shook his head. "I already tried. The distance is too great. My Kikaichū can only be controlled within two kilometers. Beyond that range, they lose their sense of direction because my commands cannot reach them."

Was that so...

Hyuga Satoru frowned deeply. The Kikaichū could only be controlled within two kilometers. In that final kilometer, they would lose their commands and become lost?

Wait!

In other words, if there were a way to replace the commands for that final kilometer, could he control the Kikaichū to gather intelligence?

After thinking for a while, Hyuga Satoru's eyes gradually lit up.

"Teacher Shibi, without considering their return, can you fix the command to fly three kilometers away and gather intelligence into the Kikaichū's consciousness?"

Aburame Shibi considered it, then said, "If it is simply implanting a command, I can do that. But once they exceed two kilometers, I will lose control of the Kikaichū. At that point, whether they succeed will be up to fate."

Hyuga Satoru took a deep breath. "Then, Teacher, quickly choose several strong Kikaichū. I have a way."

"What way?" Aburame Shibi looked at him in surprise.

"It is very complicated to explain. Teacher, select the Kikaichū first."

Aburame Shibi nodded and extended his left hand. Several black insects crawled from his sleeve onto his fingertips.

Hyuga Satoru took out two kunai and scraped them together, grinding off some metal filings. He pinched up a small amount and placed them on the Kikaichū's backs.

He chose the placement carefully. The filings remained firmly attached to the insects' bodies without interfering with their flight.

After finishing, Hyuga Satoru looked at Aburame Shibi. "Teacher, now plant the command to gather intelligence deep in the Kikaichū's consciousness."

"Very well." Aburame Shibi answered helplessly. Though he did not know what Hyuga Satoru was planning, all he could do now was trust him.

Having received their commands, the Kikaichū wobbled into the air and vanished into the depths of the forest.

After a while, Aburame Shibi sighed.

"I have lost control of the Kikaichū."

Hyuga Satoru said nothing, his eyes fixed intently ahead.

Time passed drop by drop. The atmosphere gradually became stifling, and the air seemed to turn into heavy water, slowing even their breathing.

Aburame Shibi's eyes went from anticipation, to worry, and finally to disappointment.

So much time had already passed. The Kikaichū had likely become lost after losing their commands. It was impossible for them to bring back any intelligence.

The reason he had not suggested returning was that he did not want to discourage Hyuga Satoru. His student was so full of confidence that he found it difficult to refuse.

After all, no one understood Kikaichū better than the Aburame Clan. Their two-kilometer limit was a fatal weakness that could not be changed.

With that thought, Aburame Shibi's heart gradually grew heavy.

Just then, he seemed to sense something and abruptly looked up.

Not long after, he saw several tiny black insects wobbling back toward them.

"It actually worked?"

Aburame Shibi's mouth fell open in shock.

Beside him, the corners of Hyuga Satoru's lips curled slightly.

The iron filings he had placed on the Kikaichū earlier were meant for magnetic-pole navigation.

In his previous life, he had often heard that before an earthquake occurred somewhere, large numbers of birds and insects could be seen migrating. That was because birds and insects were extremely sensitive to changes in Earth's magnetic field.

Some flying insects even used magnetic substances in their bodies to navigate by Earth's magnetic field during migration!

Hyuga Satoru could not alter Earth's magnetic field, but he could simulate certain changes in it at his own location, then use the magnetic materials on the Kikaichū to guide them.

This was a biological instinct imprinted into insect DNA through tens of millions of years of natural evolution!

At the same time, Aburame Shibi absorbed the intelligence returned by the Kikaichū, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes!

"So that's how it is!"

Two days later, outside the Black Market.

A disguised Stone Shinobi wrapped a scroll inside his clothes. After checking his surroundings, he walked to the front of the inn.

"Lord Yamato, the supplies have been secured."

"Very good." The Jonin named Yamato spoke approvingly.

"With such a large share of supplies, Lord Tsuchikage will surely reward us handsomely when we return. Prepare to head back. We have stayed in this godforsaken Land of Iron for so long that our bodies are about to rust."

The seven-man squad began heading out of the capital.

In the forest, everyone was in high spirits.

"Which seller do you think dumped such a large share of supplies and let us pick up such a bargain?"

"Exactly. We only planned to visit the Land of Iron to buy some iron tools, yet we stumbled upon such a huge haul.

"Ha ha ha." One Stone Shinobi laughed. "It's a pity that both parties' identities are kept secret in Black Market transactions. Otherwise, we would have to properly thank them this time."

However, the moment he finished speaking, a sharp whistling sound tore through the air. The Stone Shinobi's expression froze instantly. His mouth hung open as though his throat had been sliced by a sharp weapon, blood spraying everywhere.

The Stone Shinobi's throat twitched as frothy red blood continuously spilled from his mouth. He collapsed straight down, powerless.

Seeing his comrade die so miserably before his eyes, Yamato's eyes nearly split apart as he roared with all his strength.

"Enemy attack!!!"

The instant his voice fell, several figures shot forth with swishing sounds and surrounded the Stone Shinobi squad. The leader spoke coldly.

"There is no need for thanks. If you truly wish to thank us, leave your lives behind."

"Who exactly are you?" Yamato's eyes were bloodshot as he forced the words through clenched teeth.

"The dead do not need to know that much."

The red-haired man at the front waved his hand, and sheets of Gold Dust particles surged forward like golden waves.

Yamato's pupils shrank.

"Magnet Release? You are from Sunagakure!"

After using Earth Release to block the Sand Gold Wave, Yamato cursed furiously.

"Is Sunagakure trying to start a war with Iwagakure? You actually dared to ambush and kill us on the road? If Lord Tsuchikage learns of this, have you considered the consequences?"

"Consequences? If all of you die here, what consequences could there be?"

"Scorch Release! Vapor Kill!"

The speaker was not Rasa, but a lightly dressed female ninja behind him. She waved her hand, and an orange-red fireball streaked toward a Stone Shinobi who was fending off the Sand Shinobi. Amid a shrill scream, the water in his body instantly evaporated, leaving him in a miserable, mummified state.

Yamato's heart sank. Magnet Release Rasa, Scorch Release Pakura... Sunagakure had actually sent two bloodline ninja. This time, they were likely doomed...

At the same time, one kilometer away from where the battle had erupted, two figures hid among the treetops, silently observing.