Reconnaissance and Plan

Yagura's sensory ability was weaker than Qing Si's. While Qing Si was still carefully sensing the area, Yagura had already lowered his hands after completing his hand seals, having finished his scan.

Just as Yagura gestured to Wind to convey the results of his investigation, Qing Si finished his own scan as well.

Qing Si's chakra sensing technique had evolved from the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju's chakra sensing technique, combined with Qing Si's own sensory abilities. It was the most formidable sensory ninjutsu in Isshiki Otsutsuki's memories.

Though it could not reach as far as Tobirama Senju's technique, which could sense the vitality and chakra strength of any target over an immense range, Qing Si's sensory ninjutsu had its own advantages.

Not only could it detect the vitality and chakra strength of every nearby target, but even their current condition and movements appeared clearly in Qing Si's mind, one by one. It was practically the ultimate ability for infiltration, assassination, intelligence gathering, and reconnaissance.

After finishing his scan, Qing Si signaled for the other two to retreat. He had already mapped out the entire general's residence in detail.

Though Wind and Yagura were astonished by the range and precision of Qing Si's sensing, they reacted immediately. The group used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished into the night one after another, quickly returning to their lodgings.

They went to Wind's room and summoned Qian Nai, who had been resting at the inn. Then they began devising a plan.

"Bone, this is the layout of the general's residence that I surveyed during the day. Take a look and see if there's anything wrong with it." Wind took out a scroll and handed it to Qing Si.

"Mirror, tell us the intelligence you sensed first. Bone can fill in the rest," Wind said to Yagura.

"My sensing range is limited. It only covered the front courtyard of the general's residence. I detected ten people stationed there, two of whom had intense chakra signatures stronger than my own. Five of them were openly conducting intersecting patrols, while another two were resting in rooms within the courtyard. The remaining three were hidden sentries concealed in the corners." Yagura spread open a scroll and carefully sketched the situation he had sensed onto it.

"Two shinobi and eight samurai. The shinobi are indoors, while the remaining sentries and patrols are all samurai. Of the two shinobi, one is an Elite Chunin and the other is a Chunin. The other samurai also have chakra in their bodies, but their chakra levels aren't high—roughly at the level of Genin who have just qualified." Qing Si added after comparing it with the map Wind had drawn.

"After passing through the front courtyard, you enter the main courtyard. Five people are stationed close together around the third room on the left, which is likely where the target is located. Two of those five are Jonin, while the rest are Elite Chunin. One of the Jonin has exceptionally vigorous life force and is most likely a taijutsu specialist or a bloodline-limit shinobi. The other rooms also have guards nearby, but their numbers and strength are far inferior to those around that room. Two squads of soldiers are stationed in the rear courtyard, with ten men in each squad." Qing Si finished explaining everything he had sensed in one breath, marking each detail on the scroll.

"This won't be easy. If we want to eliminate the target without alerting anyone else, it'll be almost impossible!" Wind's expression turned grave.

"Flower, what do you think?" Wind asked, turning his gaze toward Qian Nai of the Hozuki Clan.

"Captain, could we use the Hidden Mist Technique and mix a sleeping drug into the mist? Then use Wind Release to blow the mist over, knock out all the guards, and directly eliminate the target?" Qian Nai proposed boldly.

"That's not very feasible. The mist created by the Hidden Mist Technique carries a rather strong chakra presence. Even if those shinobi lack sensory abilities, the fluctuating chakra will definitely put them on guard or even make them raise the alarm when the mist spreads over," Yagura objected.

"It's unlikely that the few of us can enter the target's location without a fight. But if fighting breaks out, even if we complete the mission successfully, suspicion will definitely fall on the Hidden Mist. That would affect the relationship between the village and the Land of Water." Wind looked slightly troubled.

"The Hozuki Clan... Right, if I remember correctly, the Hozuki Clan is proficient in a secret technique called the Hydrification Technique, which can turn the entire body into liquid, isn't that right?" Qing Si suddenly asked after thinking for a long time.

"Yes. It is a secret ninjutsu passed down through the Hozuki Clan from generation to generation." Before Qian Nai could answer, Yagura spoke first.

"Then, Flower, can you use that technique?" Qing Si asked Qian Nai for confirmation.

"I can. Every Hozuki clansman who becomes a shinobi must learn to use the Hydrification Technique proficiently." Qian Nai's tone carried a hint of pride.

"Excellent. Then I have a bold idea!" Qing Si had gotten the answer he wanted.

"We need to choose a rainy night to act. We'll use the Hidden Mist Technique to draw their attention, while Qian Nai uses a Water Clone together with the Hydrification Technique to approach them through the ground. Then we attack simultaneously. With the mist drawing their attention, they won't pay much attention to the ground. Besides, puddles naturally form on the ground during rainy weather, and flowing rainwater won't attract notice. Yagura and I both have sensory abilities. We'll support from the side and promptly eliminate any survivors who aren't killed in a single strike. We must make sure they don't make a sound." Qing Si explained his plan to the three of them.

The three of them lit up. Though Qing Si's plan depended on the right weather, it seemed highly feasible.

"I can also use my Water Mirror Technique to copy Flower's attack pattern. That'll make it even more foolproof!" Yagura added excitedly.

"With that, after silently eliminating the guards, Captain Wind can enter the room and swiftly kill the target, then we can withdraw. If all goes smoothly, it should be unlikely to alert the people in the front and rear courtyards." Qing Si gave his final summary.

"A meticulous plan. Let's do it. We'll refine the details further and wait for a rainy night before acting!" Wind praised.