Chirp—
The sharp, piercing cry of a night hawk echoed intermittently through the pitch-black forested mountains.
The caravan wagons moved slowly forward.
Ahead, a narrow mountain pass stretched between steep cliffs on either side, each towering over ten meters high.
On the right cliff, a six-man squad lay in wait, dressed in the signature uniforms of the Hidden Leaf's ANBU. Two of them kept their eyes on the sky, watching the retreating clouds.
These six were so perfectly melded into the darkness that they seemed like patient hunters born of shadow. They were, in fact, members of the Root organization, led by Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune.
The two were once highly valued by Danzo.
So much so that, even after Danzo's death, they led his few remaining loyal subordinates to eliminate the Uchiha defector squad.
"Captains, it looks like a caravan is heading this way," one Root operative reported in a low voice.
Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune exchanged a glance. Fū said coldly, "Herd them all into the trap zone where our ninja tool barrage will strike. Leave no survivors."
"Understood!" Two Root operatives, disguised in ANBU garb, flickered away toward the end of the valley.
They understood Fū's reasoning well.
Better to kill by mistake than let someone escape.
Even if this caravan was ordinary, it was possible the Uchiha squad had slipped in disguised among them.
"The noise in the forest earlier may have been Asuma's squad or another team engaging the Uchiha fugitives—that I can understand. But the change in the cloud formations…" Torune murmured.
"That was definitely caused by swordsmanship," Fū replied grimly. "I suspect a powerful figure from the shinobi world made a move on the Uchiha squad. Regardless, no one in the Uchiha has sword skills that strong."
Torune nodded. "Let's hope Asuma and the other teams can at least give the Uchiha group some trouble."
Fū didn't seem too concerned. After a moment of thought, he added a warning, "If we do engage, keep your distance. Be wary of their eye techniques—especially ones that control minds."
"I've placed newly-bred nano-level sensing insects in your bodies. If anyone is mentally manipulated, I'll immediately detect irregularities in your chakra and mental state."
They were well prepared for this ambush.
---
The caravan entered the valley.
Seated in the wagon bed, Yu looked up and scanned the towering cliffs on both sides, deep in thought.
If Root operatives were hiding within Mount Katsuragi, then this sort of terrain was perfect for an ambush.
The mission notice had served as a warning.
The team was walking right into a trap.
This time, the enemy was a Root pursuit squad—a shift from the usual pursuers, but no less dangerous.
Just another problem that came with defecting from Konoha.
"Remnants of Danzo's forces, huh?"
Yu arrived at a conclusion. He hadn't expected any Root members to seek revenge after Danzo's death.
"All set!"
Kurenai Yuhi smiled gently as she finished securing the ninja tool pouch to Yu's leg. She slowly sat beside him, silently gazing at his face.
"Sorry… I misunderstood you just now."
Suddenly, a gentle and dignified voice came from across Uchiha Yu's side—Uchiha Mikoto.
Yu lowered his gaze and looked her in the eye.
Uchiha Mikoto's expression was sincere, filled with apology. Her eyes drooped slightly as she explained:
"I didn't understand your actions just now, so I tried to stop you. I didn't expect… you were just examining her body for injuries…"
Though she still didn't fully grasp the meaning behind Yu's actions, she knew for sure now—he had no ill intentions toward the young girl.
There had to be another reason for what he did, a reason that might even help the squad escape.
With that realization, Mikoto, always gentle, kind, and understanding, felt it was necessary to apologize.
After all, being misunderstood never feels good.
"Um… why did you check my body?"
Hot-faced, Hotaru turned to Mikoto, curiosity filling her eyes. The other Uchiha, however, remained stoic, not daring to gossip about Yu's private matters.
Yu's eyes shifted away from Mikoto's fair and elegant face and swept over the other Uchiha members.
He said in a low, serious voice, "Prepare for battle."
At those words, the expressions of the Uchiha members turned solemn.
Whenever Yu said that…
It meant danger was near!
Mikoto's pupils trembled slightly. Something inside her seemed to solidify. With determination in her eyes, she extended a slender white wrist and turned her palm up.
"May I have a weapon?"
Yu nodded, pulling out the lone kunai from the ninja tool pouch that Kurenai had tied to his leg, and handed it to her.
He felt a flicker of satisfaction.
When danger approached, the wife of the former clan head was willing to stand up and fight to protect the few remaining clan members, rather than run.
Hotaru's eyes quivered as she stared at the half-covered face beneath Yu's dark hood. She didn't understand what "prepare for battle" meant—but it made her uneasy.
Among the Uchiha, Izumi's expression changed dramatically. She cried out inwardly:
"No way… there's really danger in this mountain? No matter which route we took, we'd run into it?"
So that's why Captain Yu insisted on heading into the mountains?
The realization struck the Uchiha squad instantly.
He knew there was danger—and still chose to proceed.
Yu's goal was clear now: he wanted to wipe out the pursuers!
Excitement surged through the Uchiha members. One by one, they clenched their fists in secret, ready to fight at any moment.
The caravan moved forward slowly.
Suddenly—
The lead wagon came to a halt. A shout quickly followed—Sōsen putting on an act of outrage:
"Move aside! This is the Tsuchigumo clan's trade caravan!"
Rumble—
The wheels of the caravan gradually came to a halt. The horses were led by the caravan members, snorting and whinnying nervously.
Uchiha Yu and the others turned to look ahead.
From the dark forest, two figures slowly emerged—both wearing ANBU masks and clad in Konoha's gray-and-white armor.
One of them sneered and said:
"We are Konoha ANBU. We suspect that rogue ninja have infiltrated your caravan. Everyone off the wagons. Submit to inspection. Anyone who resists will be treated as a traitor."
Upon hearing that, Sōsen's eyes twitched. He laughed nervously and said, "Sir ninja, we're all law-abiding citizens here. There are no trai—"
Boom!!
Before he could finish, the taller ANBU slammed a heavy kick into Sōsen's gut, knocking him hard against the wagon wheel.
"Urgh…" Sōsen fell to his knees, eyes wide, forehead drenched in cold sweat as a sharp pain tore through his abdomen.
But his mind was racing.
In this kind of situation—
He couldn't afford to offend either side.
Yet he had no way of knowing whether these so-called Konoha ANBU could actually defeat the S-rank rogue ninja hiding in the caravan.
If they couldn't, and he had betrayed the fugitives… his own fate would surely be death.
On the second wagon—
Aside from Uchiha Yu, who was cloaked in black, all the other Uchiha had already stowed away their blades. Even Kurenai and Nonōyu had changed into the garb of the Tsuchigumo clan and used transformation jutsu to alter their appearances and figures.
In the dark of night, Yu blended in with the plainly dressed group—his black cloak did not stand out.
At that moment, the Uchiha turned toward him, waiting for his signal.
"Those are ANBU…"
Uchiha Minami muttered under his breath.
"No. They're from Root."
Yu explained calmly.
The other Uchiha looked confused—Root?
Only Yu understood: these were Root members disguised as ANBU.
They were most likely part of the teams that started tracking them the same night the Uchiha clan was massacred—just like Asuma's squad.
"There are probably enemies lying in ambush on both cliffs. I'll draw their attention from the front. You handle the assassinations."
Yu issued his orders simply and clearly.
"Yes…" the Uchiha responded softly, then fell silent.
Izumi sighed internally—they really had run into trouble. Now, all she could hope was that the other two paths were not also lying in wait.
°°°
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