Neji's Byakugan probed underground along the city wall, turning to Sasuke a moment later.
"The barrier wires only cover the military camp and warehouses; there are no Lightning Release Talismans beneath the residential area. Darui is stalling for time."
A corner of the military order in the messenger shinobi's hand was flipped up by the wind, and he did not pull it back.
"What the Byakugan sees could also be a disguise. Once the Lightning Release Barrier activates, no one can guarantee civilian safety."
Sasuke walked up to him and pulled away that military order.
"If Darui really put civilians on the barrier, he would have written their location and evacuation conditions in the military order. He only had you relay the message verbally because he doesn't want to leave behind evidence of using civilians as human shields."
The messenger shinobi reached out to grab it, but Neji raised his palm to seal his arm's pressure points.
Sasuke flipped the military order over, and the back contained only a secret order urging the garrison to retreat to Kumogakure.
"Yamada Naoto, record the original."
"You can't make the military order public!"
"You can explain in front of the Water Mirror that Darui did not issue orders threatening civilians."
The messenger shinobi looked toward the still-open city gate and finally shut his mouth.
Shikaku led people into the city, discovering that the military camp had been evacuated, leaving behind only immobile Wounded Soldiers and several warehouses plastered with Explosive Tags.
He raised his hand to make the team halt.
"This is a trap. The supplies inside the warehouses have been moved away, and the Explosive Tags connect to the city wall; dismantling the wrong one will trigger a chain explosion."
Sasuke did not approach the warehouses, only looking at Neji.
"Where do