The devastating losses in the battle of Wind-Eroded Canyon were like a boulder dropped into the relatively calm sea of sand, sending ripples swiftly through Sunagakure's frontline high command.
The threat level of the two Konoha squads was raised to the highest possible rating.
Sunagakure's commanders realized that against an elite combination of outstanding combat power, superb tactical skill, and astonishing potential for growth, conventional encirclements and ambushes would not only struggle to work, but might even become whetstones for their enemies to hone themselves on.
A more targeted-and more cunning-strategy was swiftly put into action.
Units communicated more frequently, the distances between supporting forces were shortened, and vast numbers of cheap reconnaissance puppets with varied functions were scattered across the outer regions, forming an invisible web of detection.
At the same time, Sunagakure began deliberately deploying "bait" units and complex, layered traps designed to delay, wear down, or even misdirect the Konoha squads.
When the Hatake Squad and Jiraiya's squad joined forces again, hoping to repeat their success at Wind-Eroded Canyon, they immediately felt the difference.
Their movements always seemed on the verge of being exposed. Their intended targets were often nowhere to be found, or they became entangled with troublesome but nonlethal Sunagakure units. It was like punching a shifting mound of sand: they could never bring their full strength to bear.
One carefully planned night raid even came close to leading them into a massive trap combining genjutsu, an Explosive Tag array, and poison gas. Without the keen perception of Hizashi's Byakugan and Sakumo and Jiraiya's lightning-fast reactions, the consequences would have been unthinkable.
"They're adapting to us, and they're learning." After another fruitless mission, Jiraiya wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead, his tone unusually serious. "Together, we make too big a target. It's easy to get