Three days later, in a secluded valley on the eastern border of the Land of Earth.
Lin Ze and Kisame stood at the valley entrance, watching the faint flashes of lightning and chakra fluctuations within.
"This is the place."
Kisame licked his lips. "That Yotsuki Rō really found himself a good hiding spot."
Lin Ze nodded, his gaze sweeping over the terrain surrounding the valley.
The terrain was treacherous, with towering rock walls on either side and only a narrow passage leading inside.
Scorched black marks remained on the rock walls, clearly left by Lightning Release Ninjutsu.
"According to our intelligence, Yotsuki Rō has been evading Kumogakure's ANBU since he defected. He chose this place as his temporary base because it's easy to defend and hard to attack."
As Lin Ze spoke, his hands began forming seals.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A gale burst from his mouth and swept into the valley.
This was not an attack, but a probe.
The wind brought back information on the valley's air currents, temperature, chakra fluctuations, and more.
"There's a humanoid chakra source fifty meters away, behind the rock wall on the left."
Lin Ze released the technique and said calmly, "The lightning release chakra is highly active. It should be Yotsuki Rō."
Kisame hoisted his massive sword onto his shoulder and grinned.
"Then shall we go straight in? He can't escape in terrain like this anyway."
"Wait."
Lin Ze raised a hand to stop him.
"There are traps inside the valley. I can sense at least three Lightning Release Barriers and five explosive tag traps."
"Yotsuki Rō is a missing-nin from Kumogakure, skilled in Lightning Release and taijutsu. As a member of the Yotsuki Clan, he won't be lacking in combat experience either. If we rush in, we might fall into his