"Captain Qifeng, the camp isn't far now."
Shizune looked toward the Konoha camp, whose outline had begun to emerge in the distance.
Qifeng silently nodded and glanced back toward Mist Forest, wondering what the situation inside was like now.
He also wondered what had become of Sajikaen's team.
But whether for the mission or based on the actual circumstances, staying behind with Shizune would not only have offered them no help—they would have held them back.
It was the wisest choice.
Suddenly, Qifeng's heart stirred.
He had received the puppet's signal.
Have the pursuing ninja already been dealt with? he wondered.
He patted Shizune's shoulder. "Let's go. We need to report this intelligence to Lady Tsunade as soon as possible."
Though they could already see the camp's outline, it was still quite a distance away.
The intelligence about the suna-nin and Rain Ninja alliance would only be useful if it was delivered quickly.
Shizune nodded.
The two of them once again rushed toward the Konoha camp.
But as they drew closer, Qifeng's expression gradually turned grave.
"Wait." He stopped Shizune.
"What is it?" Shizune looked at him curiously.
Qifeng frowned and stared into the distance, his brow knitting tighter and tighter. "Something's wrong."
"Hm?"
Qifeng slowly crouched down and looked at a small puddle on the damp ground, where ripples were slowly spreading.
"I'm afraid..." Qifeng rose to his feet and said in a low voice, "I'm afraid our intelligence is no longer important."
At those words, Shizune covered her mouth, her eyes widening.
She understood what Qifeng meant.
Konoha was already engaged in a frontal clash with the suna-nin and Rain Ninja.
Qifeng had actually suspected it before. Why had the suna-nin and Rain Ninja alliance begun with an outpost like Mori Outpost instead of launching a direct frontal