Naruto Birdcage

The new camp was built not far from the sea, and it was much smaller than the one they had set up during their previous battle with the Iwa Ninja.

After all, there were only about five hundred people in total, and with the number of teams on missions excluded, even fewer remained in the camp.

The mercenaries were not inside the camp.

When Makoto and the others escorted the supply convoy to this location, they immediately sensed a different atmosphere. The ninja here seemed much more relaxed.

They were met by Shikaku, while Minato had taken the lead to go on a mission.

"How is the situation now?" Hiashi asked Shikaku.

Shikaku sighed and replied,

 "The enemy has been hiding and avoiding us, and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen have caused us significant trouble. I suspect the enemy's base is at sea, but that's the Mist Ninja's stronghold, and we can't afford to make rash moves."

Not to mention that Konoha didn't have much combat power, fighting in such a location against a group of experts in Water Release would be the height of foolishness.

Hiashi and Hizashi followed Shikaku into the main tent, while Makoto and Hakumen stayed outside.

Hakumen noticed Makoto's gaze scanning the camp and couldn't help but smile and ask, "What are you looking at?"

Makoto replied, "Just seeing if I recognize anyone."

Hakumen was about to suggest using the Byakugan to search, but seeing that Makoto's eyes were pitch black, he realized that would be a very foolish thing to say.

He then said, "Why don't we just wander around?"

There were many people idly chatting or working hurriedly around the camp.

Unfortunately, Makoto didn't recognize anyone.

There was a big difference between anime and reality.

Apart from figures like Kakashi or Guy, who had distinctive appearances and clothes, Makoto wouldn't necessarily recognize anyone even if they were standing right in front of him.

They stayed at the camp only briefly, as they would return to the village right after completing their task.

Just as they were casually strolling, a ninja rushed back from outside the camp and hurriedly ran toward the main tent.

This attracted the attention of many.

Moments later, Shikaku, Hiashi, and the others emerged from the main tent.

Seeing this, Hakumen and Makoto approached curiously.

Hiashi turned to them and said, "Stay here for now," before leaving the camp with Shikaku and Haiyi.

"What happened, Lord Hizashi?" Hakumen couldn't help but ask.

Hizashi wore a pensive expression. "That man said they caught a suspicious individual."

As he spoke, his gaze shifted briefly to Makoto, who remained calm and composed.

About half an hour later, Shikaku and the others returned, bringing with them someone who was tightly bound and sealed with jutsu.

Hakumen looked on in surprise and said, "That person..."

He noticed that the captive was dressed in Konoha's standard combat gear.

Hizashi said curtly, "A traitor."

Onlookers began gathering to get a better look, but Shikaku quickly ordered them to disperse.

Inoichi said, "This person has a mental barrier jutsu in their mind. Breaking through it won't be an easy task. It's best to hand them over to Lord Hokage and let the interrogation unit handle it."

While Inoichi was capable of breaking through such barriers himself, it was clear that this individual had someone backing them.

Letting the Hokage address the matter would be the safest option.

Shikaku, however, felt deeply uneasy.

The returning scout had reported that this person had been found alone near the shoreline, acting suspiciously.

When questioned, they fumbled for a response.

Upon a thorough search, a sealed letter was discovered by the sea.

It contained detailed information about Konoha's camp layout!

Realizing that he had been exposed, the person tried to flee but was subdued on the spot.

There was no doubt—this was the traitor!

Yet, Shikaku's instincts told him something was amiss.

It was strange—far too strange!

The traitor who had eluded their grasp and left no clues had now suddenly slipped up so obviously?

Inoichi suggested probing the person's mind for information, but Shikaku stopped him.

He decided it would be better to escort the prisoner back to the village and leave the matter to Lord Hokage.

"Hiashi, I'll leave this to you," Shikaku said to him, intending for Hiashi's group to escort the captured individual back to the village.

"Rest assured, I'll personally hand this person over to Lord Hokage," Hiashi replied firmly.

With that, the team of over a dozen that had delivered the supplies reorganized themselves.

Under Hiashi's leadership, they began their return journey, now with the captured traitor in tow.

After they had left, Inoichi turned to Shikaku and said,

"With this, do you think the traitor situation can finally be resolved?"

Shikaku only replied, "Let's hope so."

Inoichi asked again, "Who do you think is behind this?"

Shikaku furrowed his brow, his mind flashing to a figure he had long suspected.

"It's hard to say," he said cautiously.

Hiashi's group had encountered no trouble on their way to the camp, meeting no enemies along the route.

The return journey was similar.

Without the need to transport supply-laden carts and only burdened with a single prisoner, their pace through the forest was notably quicker and less arduous.

But the uneventful journey left Hiashi slightly disappointed, as he had been harboring ulterior motives.

He glanced out of the corner of his eye toward Makoto, who was maintaining a steady pace in the middle of the group.

When they reached a river, Hiashi ordered the group to stop for a break, allowing them to eat and regain their strength.

Hakumen stood on guard at the perimeter, while Makoto, lacking the Byakugan, simply sat under a tree eating his meal.

"Should we give him something to eat? Don't let him starve to death," Hizashi asked, referring to the captured traitor.

"It hasn't been that long; he won't starve," Hiashi replied dismissively.

"At least let him have some water." Hizashi unhooked his water flask and walked toward the bound and restrained prisoner.

The captive lay motionless on the ground, as though unconscious.

His hands and feet were tightly bound, sealing jutsu covered his body, and black bindings wrapped around his eyes and mouth, leaving only his nose exposed for breathing.

Just then, Hakumen came rushing back at full speed.

"Lord Hiashi, a Mist ninja unit is heading this way. Twenty-four of them."

The news sent shockwaves through the group.

Hiashi immediately activated his Byakugan to investigate, his expression turning grim.

"Erase all traces and retreat quickly!" he ordered.

The group abandoned their rest, rising swiftly and beginning their retreat.

Hizashi hoisted the captured traitor onto his back and took position at the rear of the group.

However, the Mist ninjas seemed to have a sixth sense, persistently tracking the Konoha group, drawing closer with each passing moment.

"They've locked onto us. There must be a sensory-type ninja among them," Hakumen said to Hiashi.

Hiashi's eyes narrowed as he contemplated their next move.

The enemy numbered twenty-four; they were seventeen.

Engaging them in battle could still lead to victory, but their current mission complicated matters...

As he weighed their options, a sudden fog began to rise in the forest.

Though it was afternoon, the phenomenon was unnervingly unnatural.

From the nearby winding river came a deafening roar—a water dragon surged along its course, racing toward them at an astonishing speed.

Hiashi immediately countered with a swift Eight Trigrams Palm, launching it toward the water dragon.

The immense shockwave shattered the creature into splashes of water.

"Stay away from the river, prepare for battle!" Hiashi barked, alerting the team.

The fog grew thicker, and Hizashi approached Makoto's side, whispering, "Makoto."

"Focus on your task, don't worry about me," Makoto replied calmly.

Shuriken flew from behind, barely grazing Makoto's cheek as they passed by.

He didn't flinch, his gaze remaining fixed ahead.

Hizashi, still carrying the captured traitor, gradually disappeared into the thickening mist.

-------------

End of chapter

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