The southeastern part of the Land of Hot Water, dense forest.
In a rocky hollow embraced on three sides by cliffs, thirty Iwagakure ninjas operated like precision instruments.
Beneath their feet, the dark purple barrier patterns were being slowly eroded by fine trickles of earth-brown chakra.
That was the third sensory barrier set up by the Uzumaki Clan on the periphery of the Land of Whirlpools. Though not a core defense, it was as sensitive as a spider's web.
"Lord Tsuchikage, the energy veins of the eastern node are thirty percent more complex than estimated."
A sensory-type Jonin wearing an Iwagakure forehead protector knelt on one knee, his voice pressed extremely low.
"Silent dismantling will take at least forty minutes."
If we force the speed, the fluctuations might alert the Barrier Team of the Land of Whirlpools.
Ōnoki hovered half a foot off the ground with his arms crossed, his eyes slightly narrowed.
Forty minutes? Too long.
He lifted his gaze toward the southeast—though his line of sight was blocked by mountain peaks, the chakra collisions faintly transmitted from that direction rolled across the sky like muffled thunder.
The Raikage and Kazekage should have already engaged the Uzumaki Clan Head.
The Four Violet Flames Formation... Once a barrier of that level was deployed, isolating the inside from the outside, it would be the optimal timing for them to break the barrier while taking advantage of the distraction.
"Twenty-five minutes."
Ōnoki's voice was as cold and hard as the rock beneath his feet.
"I give you twenty-five minutes."
Twenty-five minutes later, regardless of progress, I will personally step out to clear any guards that might appear.
"But Lord Tsuchikage, if we alert them early—"
"Then we alert them."
Ōnoki interrupted his subordinate, his levitating body slowly turning toward the barrier.
The