Time Is Running Out

Dawn was just breaking. Tsukimi, Kurenai, and Orochimaru lay hidden in a dense forest high on a cliff overlooking Mount Tenmoku, surrounded by cold, damp morning mist.

It was an excellent vantage point. The lush Ancient Trees concealed all three of them, while most of Mount Tenmoku lay in plain view.

Under the plan they had settled on the night before, Asuma had gone to contact the troops at the Land of Fire border. Tsukimi and the others only needed to wait here. Once reinforcements arrived, they could destroy Rasa's experimental base in one strike.

Tsukimi had not lied to Asuma, either. He had no intention of recklessly infiltrating the place before the border troops arrived.

They had infiltrated the transfer station because their team needed more clues to continue the investigation. They had also observed it carefully beforehand. Its guards were ordinary, with no elaborate defenses, so the Shadowkhan could slip in undetected.

This was different. They had reached the final stage of their investigation, and there was no need to rush. The security here was on another level entirely. Who knew what measures Rasa had put in place?

If they were discovered and Rasa destroyed everything before fleeing, all their efforts would be wasted.

Tsukimi did not simply sit idle, though. He summoned the Shadowkhan and sent them out in groups. Some roamed through shadows on the ground to scout the guards around the mountain. Others slipped through gaps among the rocks and vegetation to watch the movements of the base personnel.

Countless images flowed into his mind, and the defensive layout around Mount Tenmoku gradually took shape. Security was indeed tight. Chakra sensors guarded every pass; any unfamiliar Chakra that touched them would set off an alarm. Large numbers of Ninja patrolled as well, leaving no obvious opening anywhere on the mountain.

As time passed, Tsukimi focused on sorting through the intelligence the Shadowkhan sent back. Then several unusual scenes caught his attention.

At several supply exits, the Sand Ninja had stopped moving experimental materials. Instead, they were packing and sealing away boxes of files and Puppet parts. Much of the experimental equipment was being dismantled and packed separately, too.

Huh?

"Something's wrong!"

Tsukimi's relaxed expression vanished. Frowning, he turned toward Orochimaru and Kurenai.

"The people inside are packing supplies. They're even taking the equipment apart. This doesn't look like a routine transfer. It looks like they're preparing to leave."

"Leave?" Kurenai Yuhi froze, confusion filling her eyes. "Has Rasa noticed us? That can't be right. We haven't let our Chakra leak out once!"

Orochimaru's golden slit pupils narrowed slightly. He rubbed the edge of his sleeve, then spoke in a low, rasping voice.

"He may not have found us. Judging by the supply records Tsukimi found earlier, the experiment has reached its final stage. Once all the experimental parameters are complete, Rasa will have achieved his purpose here."

"The Land of Rivers may not have a Ninja village, but this is still foreign territory. Staying longer increases the risk of exposure. Perhaps he always intended to leave as soon as the experiment ended."

Orochimaru had not yet become the monster he would later be, but he was already thoroughly familiar with experimental procedures. He could see the situation at a glance.

Rasa was about to succeed and slip away. Even Orochimaru could not keep a hint of urgency from his eyes. He had yet to see the full scope of this one-of-a-kind Living Puppet experiment.

Rasa, you can't leave. What am I supposed to research if you do?

"So we're running out of time." Tsukimi's heart sank.

If Rasa left Mount Tenmoku with the experimental data and Living Puppets, the border troops would arrive only to take over an empty ruin.

Damn it. How did we suddenly turn into the national football team?

But they could not act rashly yet. The three remained hidden in the cliffside forest, waiting for Asuma and the border troops.

Come on, Asuma. Pick up the pace!

The sun climbed toward its zenith, pouring fierce light over the mountains. Nearly twelve hours had passed since Asuma left the night before, but the expected Konoha reinforcements were nowhere to be seen.

Tsukimi repeatedly looked through the Shadowkhan's eyes to check the road toward the border. He saw no sign of reinforcements. At Mount Tenmoku Base, meanwhile, the signs of evacuation grew clearer. More and more equipment was dismantled and packed. Sealed crates kept coming out, and every Sand Ninja hurrying through the exits moved with a sense of urgency.

At this rate, Rasa would be gone before long.

"We can't wait any longer!"

Tsukimi made up his mind and stood to face Orochimaru and Kurenai. If they kept waiting, they would miss not only their chance to strike at the heart of the base, but any chance of getting something out of it at all.

"I'm going to send the Shadowkhan into the base."

"Could we wait a little longer?" Kurenai asked worriedly. "What if the reinforcements are almost here? Sending them in now is too dangerous!"

"It is dangerous. But Asuma still hasn't returned with reinforcements, and waiting here is even riskier. Rasa could leave at any moment."

Tsukimi put a hand on Kurenai's shoulder and laid out the plan. "Sensei will watch our surroundings while I focus on maintaining the Shadowkhan's vision. Kurenai, I've already told you about the security around here. Your job is to meet Asuma and the others!"

"What? I don't agree!" Startled by his plan, Kurenai threw off his hand. Defiance burned in her eyes. "You know the infiltration might be discovered. Then you'll face the entire base, and you want to send me away? We're teammates! How can I leave now? Don't underestimate me. I've been ready to sacrifice myself for the village for a long time!"

She's got quite the sense of duty.

Tsukimi did not know whether to laugh or sigh. He put his hand on her shoulder again and patiently explained, "First, I'm not underestimating you. I'm being practical. If the enemy surrounds us, Sensei's abilities and my own give the two of us a good chance of escaping."

"But with three people, our chances drop sharply."

"I know." Kurenai clenched her fists, her spirits sinking. "I'm not strong enough. I'd only hold you back."

"That's not it." Tsukimi ruffled her hair. "You'll be more useful meeting the border troops. You know the security around here now. With you guiding them, they can arrive sooner, and Sensei and I will be in much less danger."

Kurenai lowered her head and fell silent for a moment. Then she looked up at Tsukimi and Orochimaru, her voice solemn.

"I understand. I'll meet the border troops as fast as I can. Tsukimi, Sensei, please stay safe!"

Good thing she wasn't one of those two Konoha fools. Who knew how long he'd have had to argue? This girl was much easier to persuade.

And what the hell was Asuma doing? Tsukimi had sent that bastard to get help, but one thing after another kept going wrong. Twelve hours, and not a single sign of him. When they got back, he'd have to teach him a lesson.

"All right. Get going!"

Kurenai nodded. Without hesitating any longer, she darted toward the border.

Orochimaru watched Kurenai disappear into the forest, then turned to study Tsukimi with interest.

"Tsukimi, you're quite certain we can get out of this unscathed. Is that confidence in yourself, or trust in me as your teacher?"

"Maybe both." Tsukimi relaxed again and shrugged.

He truly was not worried. With his and Orochimaru's abilities, escaping would not be too difficult. Besides, Orochimaru had the Reverse Summoning Technique as a last resort.

"Time to get to work!"