"Lord Yūichi, we can now be fairly certain that this thick fog is poisonous!" A man hurried to Yūichi's side and reported.
"Yes, I understand! I'd hoped to slip into Hoshigakure unnoticed and quietly take the stone Lord Ziyan needs without alerting anyone! Looks like we'll have to force our way in!" Hatake Yuichi said with a frown.
"Should we disperse this fog by force, then? Wouldn't that cause too much of a disturbance? We only need something of theirs. There's no need to kill anyone, is there?" one of Yūichi's companions asked quietly.
"Yes! We'll negotiate if we can. Ideally, we can resolve this peacefully. But if they refuse to cooperate, they can't blame us for what happens! After all, we must complete the task Lord Ziyan entrusted to us!" As Yūichi spoke, he drew the short blade from his back.
"Hatake Swordsmanship, modified: Wind Cutter!"
Eager to complete Hatake Ziyan's task as quickly as possible, Hatake Yuichi slashed straight into the thick fog before him without the slightest hesitation!
A clear corridor roughly two meters wide instantly opened in the thick fog before them.
"Go!"
Hatake Yuichi sheathed his short blade and shot forward! His toes tapped lightly against the thin rope as he raced toward the other side!
The men behind Hatake Yuichi immediately followed. Before the thick fog could close in again, they broke through the poisonous barrier and reached Hoshigakure!
Just after Yūichi and his three companions crossed, four more people arrived outside the fog: Kakashi Hatake, Sasuke Uchiha, Hinata, and Sai, who had been added to their team!
"Byakugan!"
Hinata gave a low shout. Veins bulged around her eyes as she examined the thick fog before them.
"Kakashi-sensei! This chasm is several dozen meters wide, and there seems to be something wrong with this