Half a month later.
Liumu and Team 7 had reached the border of the Land of Grass in just half a month.
They stood on a mountaintop, looking at a distant village engulfed in war, with plumes of black smoke rising from it.
The buildings were dilapidated, and hardly anyone was in sight.
Collapsed buildings were everywhere, making it look just like the ruins left after a devastating natural disaster.
"From here on, stay alert at all times!"
Minato gave the order to those beside him, then leaped ahead first and disappeared into the woods.
Kakashi and the other three exchanged glances and nodded slightly to one another before jumping down after Minato.
A short while later, they reached a dense forest.
A breeze brushed past, carrying a faint trace of blood.
Everything was silent, without even the chirping of insects or birds.
They bent their knees slightly, watching their surroundings warily for anything unexpected. Kakashi drew the Broken Blade from his back and quietly moved a little closer to Rin.
"Move!"
Minato called out softly.
The five advanced slowly.
Just then, several sounds of objects cutting through the air suddenly came from their right. Kakashi reacted like lightning, his hands rapidly forming hand seals. With a humming rumble, the ground beneath their feet split open, and an earth wall burst out of the ground, blocking the surprise attack.
Minato leaped onto the stone wall. After glancing at the shuriken embedded in it, he fixed his gaze on the direction they had come from.
Unfortunately...
The woods were utterly still, and their attacker had long since left.
"Be careful."
Quite some time passed without another surprise attack.
Taking turns keeping watch, they ate a simple lunch before heading deeper into the Land of Grass again.
Suddenly...
"Help! Help!"
In