Trap

His Sharingan swept over the jumble of rocks. A concealed cave caught his attention. He approached silently and found a squad of ninja sitting cross-legged inside, resting.

The four were wrapped up tight, with painted-face masks covering their faces. His Sharingan scanned them one by one. Small fry. One Chunin leading three Genin—a standard Chunin squad.

They had probably come to the Land of Hot Water early to scout the area. Once Fugaku knew their strength, he lost interest. He would leave them to his three students for practice.

He vanished with the Body Flicker Technique and returned to the hotel to sleep. The next morning, after breakfast, his three students set out on the mission. Fugaku sent a Shadow Clone after them while he stayed at the hotel to rest.

Following the map, the three students first reached the rocky hills by the sea. The cave where the ninja had rested the night before was completely empty.

Two-Tomoe Sharingan appeared in Uchiha Fū's eyes as he scanned the cave. Kazawa and Ueyama Tomo searched for any traces left behind.

"Find anything?" Kazawa asked.

Uchiha Fū took a few steps forward and picked up a fine thread from a rock. "They were here. This thread came loose from their clothes while they rested."

Ueyama Tomo examined the thread. "Let's follow the trail marked on the map to the next location. But be careful. They might not be ordinary wandering ninja.

"A cave used by wandering ninja would be much messier. Most of what we'd need to know would be obvious. This time, we may be up against trained ninja."

Uchiha Fū and Kazawa nodded gravely. Kazawa said, "Consider it preparation for the battlefield. Four nations are fighting in the Land of Rain. Even the Land of Rain is the weakest