The Konoha Ninja had been secretly monitoring Kinkaku and Ginkaku's movements all along. When they noticed the brothers heading toward Kazemori Masaki, someone immediately passed on the information. Relayed through other intelligence channels and the Yamanaka clan's mental Secret Techniques, the report soon reached Kazemori Masaki's squad.
Upon receiving the intelligence, Yamanaka Takuma immediately said, "Captain Kazemori, Kinkaku and Ginkaku are on their way."
"Good. Keep monitoring them, and report any new developments immediately," Kazemori Masaki said calmly. "Qi, sorry for the trouble."
"No problem," Hyuga Qi replied. Once Kinkaku and Ginkaku passed the other squads, no one would be able to relay information in time. At that point, he would have to use his Byakugan to track their movements.
Watching the distance with his Byakugan, Hyuga Qi asked, "Captain, we're only going to engage Kinkaku and Ginkaku briefly before retreating to the ambush site, right?"
"Yes. You and Takuma will need to coordinate closely then," Kazemori Masaki said, glancing at the others. "That goes for all of you."
Everyone already understood the plan for the coming battle. As long as they worked together smoothly, they should be able to shake off Kinkaku and Ginkaku for a while and lure them toward the ambush site.
According to Yamanaka Takuma's continuing reports, fourteen Kumogakure Ninja accompanied Kinkaku and Ginkaku. Anyone serving at the brothers' side was presumably among the elite of the Kumogakure Shinobi Village. Facing a force like that put them under considerable pressure, even if their task was only to hold it off.
Kazemori Masaki touched the Ninja Blade wrapped in cloth behind his back and slowly steadied his breathing. The others would handle Ginkaku and the guards, while he would face Kinkaku, the strongest of them all. To settle the exchange quickly, he needed to drive Kinkaku back