Night.
The Konoha Border.
A figure flickered through the pitch-black forest, flashes of silver gleaming in the faint moonlight.
It was Chihane. After receiving Hiruzen Sarutobi's secret letter, he had taken a little time to prepare himself, then set out for Jiraiya's Camp the following day.
After a full day of traveling, he was now close to Jiraiya's Camp on the Konoha Border.
The thought of soon meeting the Third Raikage and fighting him stirred Chihane's excitement, and he quickened his pace again.
Meanwhile, at the Konoha Main Camp, the Konoha Army had been defeated by the Third Raikage and his Cloud ninja, and Jiraiya had suffered severe injuries. With their forces at such a disadvantage, the acting commander, Shikaku Nara, feared that Kumogakure would press its advantage or launch a surprise attack.
He had therefore assigned Jonin to lead all nighttime patrols. The Jonin leading tonight's patrol was none other than Chihane's old acquaintance, Sasaki.
A figure flashed silver as he moved through the dark forest. As a Jonin, Sasaki Yuki had naturally noticed this unusual sight.
The ninja in camp were all resting at this hour. Who could that figure be?
"Someone's coming! Stay alert!"
Seeing that the other ninja in the squad were still chatting, Sasaki hurriedly warned those beside him.
At Sasaki's warning, the four-person squad he led immediately took up formation, watching the approaching figure warily.
"Who goes there? Stop!"
The figure ahead made no attempt to hide and instead came straight toward them. Sasaki reached into the Ninja Tool Pouch at the back of his waist, gripped a kunai, and shouted at him.
The figure stepped out of the forest's shadows. The first thing that caught their attention was his piercing gaze. Only then did they notice his short silver hair and fitted black