"The work for today is finally done."
The afternoon tasks at the Ninja School concluded, and Hakushi exhaled long, rubbing his somewhat sore shoulders.
"Are you heading back now?"
Tsunade, who was pouring herself a cup of hot tea to the side, asked him.
"What, Tsunade-sensei, aren't you planning to leave now?"
Hakushi turned his head to look at her.
"I have a few things to take care of."
"I see. Well then, goodbye."
Hakushi paused for a moment, turned away, left those words, and walked towards the office's exit.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
Tsunade's words echoed from behind.
Meanwhile, Shizune watched Hakushi's departing figure and said, "I feel like Hakushi-senpai is a bit strange today."
"What's strange about it? Isn't he the same as usual? You're overthinking it, Shizune."
Tsunade sat there drinking her tea, not taking Shizune's words to heart.
"Is that so?"
Shizune tilted her head, maybe she really was overthinking it.
A few minutes later, Hakushi was strolling aimlessly on the streets of Konoha, just like the day before, buying some of his favorite snacks as a cover to avoid suspicion.
This morning, Konoha's second ninja battalion set out for the Land of Fire's borders to resist the Hidden Sand Ninja's invasion.
Konoha's forces were currently quite weakened, and to ensure the success of the retreat plan tonight, Hakushi chose this timing specifically.
Before that, he still needed to scout Konoha's defenses again to prevent the situation from slipping out of control.
Even with many ninja dispatched to the front lines, a significant number remained stationed in Konoha Village, so there could be no negligence or complacency.
Particularly in crucial areas, Anbu frequently patrolled to prevent any issues from arising in those locations.
Good, generally nothing has changed. After his usual patrol, Hakushi thought to himself.
Konoha's patrol personnel and the Anbu's activities were almost identical to the reconnaissance from a few days ago, with no significant changes.
This meant there was no need to alter the retreat route temporarily, avoiding unnecessary surprises.
From here, they only needed to wait until 11 PM to formally execute the evacuation plan.
◎
The moon hung high in the sky, its light gently illuminating the surroundings, while an evening breeze slowly rustled through the forest, softly swaying branches and leaves, creating a peaceful scene outside Konoha.
Four Konoha ninja patrolled nearby, led by a Jonin, with a Chunin in the team, and the remaining two were Genin.
"Let's go check over there next. Although we're near the village and it's unlikely for anyone to attack, we can't completely let our guard down."
The Jonin Captain gestured with his eyes towards the forest shrouded in darkness ahead.
"Yes."
The three team members nodded in response, following the Jonin Captain as they ran towards that dark forest.
Within the shadowed forest, visibility depended mostly on moonlight to discern the surroundings.
The four of them meticulously patrolled the area and, finding no issues, prepared to move to the other side for inspection when a gentle breeze wafted from the forest's dark depths—
"Wind?"
The Jonin Captain narrowed his eyes, keenly sensing that this wind's aura differed from the forest's naturally stirring breeze.
"Careful, retreat!"
Without further thought, the Jonin Captain shouted immediately and sought a stout tree as cover to protect himself.
The Chunin and two Genin likewise hid behind solid trees.
Suddenly, a fierce wind rampaged through the darkness, the pale gleam of a Wind Blade leaving claw marks in the earth as if wrought by a rampaging beast.
"Hidden Sand Village ninja? Such powerful Wind Escape..."
The Jonin Captain winced in pain behind his tree cover.
His arm bore a wound carved by the Wind Blade, bleeding continuously.
While the Jonin Captain pressed his hand against the wound to staunch the bleeding, he cautiously glanced into the forest's darkness, attempting to spot their Wind Style Ninjutsu assailant.
"Nope."
Mysteriously, a shadow silently landed on the Jonin Captain's shoulder.
The sudden voice caused the Jonin Captain's face to change dramatically as he turned his head and met eyes shrouded in lightning.
The Jonin Captain released a muffled groan of pain as electric light surged through him.
His body staggeringly emerged, numbed by paralysis, struggling to rise from the ground.
This time, he identified his attacker.
No, it wasn't a person at all.
Merely a dark cub-sized creature veiled in lightning, its small frame exuding a dangerously intense aura.
The Jonin Captain's face was drenched in cold sweat.
This black beast was swift, and its Lightning Style Jutsu was perilous.
If he hadn't been sufficiently vigilant, he might not have made it through that attack.
He then detected the faint scent of blood wafting through the air and glanced to the side.
His three subordinates lay lifeless in pools of blood, the breath of life gone.
A young girl in a Witch's Attire floated about a meter above the ground, her entire being encircled by a field of visible wind where countless white lights coalesced.
These two are—
The realization cut off.
His fragmented body crumpled to the ground, blood splattering the area.
The dark cub leapt onto the witch's shoulder, gazing at Konoha ahead, yet spoke to the surrounding air: "Come out; the patrol here has been taken care of. The next part is up to you."