Whoosh, whoosh!
The four moved swiftly through the forest.
Tobitake Tonbo remained at the center of the formation, using a sensory ninjutsu to scan the area. Hayama Shirakumo led the way, while Itachi Uchiha and Anko guarded the rear flanks.
They had maintained this formation for a long time. Ever since they had taken out two Kumogakure squads three days ago, they had continued patrolling in the same manner.
That day, they had rushed to the rendezvous point agreed upon with Kumogakure, only to find no enemies there. They realized that someone from the squads they had eliminated had used a special method to pass on intelligence.
That was why they patrolled swiftly in this formation.
Guarding Tobitake Tonbo allowed him to conduct his sensing without worry.
"Stop."
"Did you find something?"
The four halted and looked at Tobitake Tonbo.
Grrr!
Tobitake Tonbo's stomach rumbled. "Sorry, I'm hungry."
Anko and the others were speechless.
They then found a sheltered spot, caught some game, and started a fire to cook.
Sizzle!
"Captain, we've patrolled the border connected to the Land of Iron twice already, and there's still no trace of the enemy. We need to send someone into the Land of Iron to gather intelligence," Tobitake Tonbo suggested as he turned the meat roasting in his hand.
Over the past two days, he had not been the only one conducting sensory patrols. Anko had sent her legless creatures to scout, Itachi had been carried into the sky by him to survey the area with his Sharingan, and even Hayama Shirakumo had employed the reconnaissance techniques he had learned on the battlefield.
It had been a full carpet search.
Other than taking out a few rogue ninja trying to slip into the Land of Fire, they had gained nothing.
It had exhausted