"Split up." Uchiha Makoto made his decision at once.
"According to our intel, the puppets' control core should be in some kind of central hub, most likely where the Dragon Vein's energy is most concentrated. Security there will definitely be the tightest, and Mukade himself might be stationed there.
"I'm highly mobile and good at infiltration and sabotage. I'll find that control hub and try to disable or destroy it, or at least drastically reduce the threat posed by the puppet army as a whole."
He looked at Kakashi and Harada Yuichi. "You two, head to the city center. Apparently, today is some sort of 'festival day' in Rōran. Princess Sara will most likely make an appearance.
"Find her and secure her. Mukade uses her to indirectly influence and stabilize the Dragon Vein. Securing her might interfere with his control over it, or even help us find a way to shut it down.
"Remember, your primary objective is to secure Sara. Your secondary objective is to create chaos and draw attention, giving me an opening."
The mission was clear, and so were their roles.
"Understood." Kakashi nodded.
"Yes, sir!" Harada Yuichi straightened his back.
Uchiha Makoto wasted no more time. In a flash, he left their hiding place.
Like a true shadow, he moved swiftly through the shadows of buildings and visual blind spots, occasionally using Moonwalk to pass directly over obstacles that were difficult to navigate.
The closer he drew to the city center, the denser the thick chakra conduits on the ground became. Giving off a faint purple glow, they converged in one direction like blood vessels.
Toward the tallest, most imposing underground tower, corresponding to the altar on the surface.
Dense patrols of puppet soldiers surrounded the tower, while its walls and entrances were covered in both