Cloud Hidden Great Camp.
As night fell, the patrols who had been out returned to their Konoha Camp to rest, and then it was the night patrol's turn to take over the security work inside and outside the Great Camp.
As the lights in the Konoha Camp gradually disappeared, some people lurking in the dark also began to act.
"Ah, it's only just started, and there are still three hours until the shift changes. Why aren't we on the day shift?"
A Kumogakure youth, holding a torch, complained to his companion as he walked.
"Alright, stop complaining. Patrolling here is better than dying on the battlefield. If you have time to think about these things, you might as well cultivate more."
The captain walking in front heard his subordinate's complaint from behind, immediately stopped, turned his head, and reprimanded him with a hint of disappointment.
"Yes, yes, I'm not working hard. I was a Chunin at eighteen, and I'll definitely become a Jonin in the future. Is that not working hard?"
The youth was a bit unconvinced but dared not argue with the other party, so he could only turn his head and mutter softly.
His teammate, seeing their captain's darkened face, quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.
"Alright, the captain is also doing this for your own good. Three hours, it'll be over quickly."
The youth noticed his companion constantly winking at him from the side and whispered, "Understood."
The captain's expression brightened considerably. After glancing at the two, he turned around and continued leading the patrol.
As soon as they left, two figures flashed out from a nearby intersection, quickly passed the spot where the patrol had just stood, and then disappeared into the darkness, continuing forward.
Suddenly, their footsteps paused, and they quickly melted into the darkness. At the intersection ahead, another patrol team was walking towards them.
"Tsk, it seems these guys' night patrols are even stricter than during the day."
Watching the team disappear at the intersection behind them, Ren turned to Aomaki beside him and said softly.
"No time left. We must bring the intelligence back tonight."
Aomaki instinctively pressed the intelligence in his arms and said to Ren in a deep voice. Although their mission was for three days, the appearance of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki forced them to change their plans and act earlier.
"It's fine, no big problem."
After Ren finished speaking, he continued to lead Aomaki forward. Relying on their perception, the two dodged and hid along the way, finally reaching the west gate of the Konoha Camp, which Ren had observed yesterday as the weakest of the four Konoha Camp gates in terms of defensive strength.
There were only two Chunin, which is why Ren ultimately chose this side. After all, the weaker the opponent's strength, the greater their chances of successful retreat.
"Let's go."
Aomaki gave Ren a look, and then the two walked out of the darkness together, using Instantaneous Body Technique to rush towards the gate.
"Stop!"
The two Kumogakure quickly noticed Ren rushing towards them. The former immediately stood up and shouted at them.
"Urgent intelligence, we need to send a message back to the village. This is our identification."
Aomaki didn't wait for the other party to speak, directly placing himself and Ren between the two. After handing two identification documents to the Kumogakure on the left, he put both hands behind his back, slowly forming hand seals under the cover of Ren's body.
"Please hurry, this intelligence is very important!"
Aomaki's face showed impatience as he shouted at the other party.
"Please wait."
The Kumogakure was momentarily intimidated by Aomaki's aura. He had intended to question them further, but after opening his mouth, he ultimately chose silence and began to examine their identification documents.
"Still..."
A few breaths later, the Kumogakure looked up, raised his hand to return the identification, and at the same time intended to ask for the special identification for intelligence personnel.
But before he could finish speaking, Aomaki had already activated the genjutsu he had been preparing for a long time. Instantly, the Kumogakure's eyes became dull, and his mouth closed again after just uttering one word.
"How is it, An?"
The Kumogakure on Ren's side, seeing no movement from their companion, couldn't help but ask.
"No problem, their documents are all normal."
"Is that so? That's good."
Due to the angle, this Kumogakure didn't notice that his companion and Aomaki, who was facing him, were looking at each other, and their mouths were opening and closing in perfect synchronization.
"Since there's no problem, then we'll be going. The mission time is very tight."
Aomaki took the identification from the other's hand, then turned and patted Ren's shoulder, signaling him to leave.
"Hmm, then let's go."
Ren turned around with a smile, while the Kumogakure standing beside him, watching the two gradually disappear into the pitch-black darkness, felt a bit strange but couldn't quite pinpoint why.
"I say, An, I feel like these two are a bit off. It's like I've never seen them in the Konoha Camp."
The Kumogakure said to himself. Noticing no response from beside him, he turned around somewhat displeased, looking at the other party.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you talking? Falling asleep again?"
But the other party still didn't respond, his gaze just staring blankly ahead. It was then that he realized something was wrong.
"An, An?!"
He quickly rushed to his companion's side, observed him carefully for a moment, and then discovered the problem.
"Genjutsu? Damn it!"
The Kumogakure cursed under his breath, placed his hand on his companion, injected his Chakra, and at the same time shouted loudly at a passing patrol team in the distance.
"Something's wrong!!"
At this moment, Ren and Aomaki had no time to think about these things. After leaving the other party's sight, they plunged into the jungle, not looking back, only focusing on moving forward.
"Tsk, it seems these guys are chasing us."
Ren's eyes flickered. He turned to Aomaki beside him and chuckled softly.
In his perception, the Kumogakure Great Camp behind them had already begun to stir, and several teams had already left the Konoha Camp, rushing towards them.
"Their reaction is really fast."
Aomaki murmured. He had also anticipated that his genjutsu wouldn't hold the opponent for long, but he hadn't expected their reaction to be so quick.
Only five minutes had passed since they had gotten through the inspection, and the other party had already dispatched a pursuit team. Such efficiency was truly unexpected for Aomaki.
"Alright, there's no turning back now."
Ren looked up at the sky. Today was a good day, with the bright moon hanging high, dispelling the darkness in the jungle.
"Let's speed up, Aomaki. Don't change routes. I have a way for us to cross the border smoothly."
"Huh?"
Aomaki was a bit surprised and couldn't help but look at Ren, asking, "What way?"
"Hmm... you'll see."
Ren grinned, his Chakra circulating within his body and then transferring to his back. A moment later, under Aomaki's stunned gaze, Ren detached himself from the tree trunk and began to move up and down through the forest.
Aomaki was momentarily dumbfounded before he came back to his senses, looking at Ren hovering in front of him, and asked in astonishment, "You... you can fly?!"