"My Illusion Technique attacks both touch and sight simultaneously. Just defending against the touch aspect is completely useless. It's best to remember this. It seems your Byakugan still needs more practice."
"Ugh..."
Ayane pouted, glaring at Ruri with displeasure.
She came over to show off the fruits of her recent training, only to be confused by the mere Illusion Technique of the Sharingan.
To be precise, her Byakugan's Donjutsu was suppressed by Ruri's Sharingan Donjutsu.
If it wasn't for being surpassed in Donjutsu, even a Three Tomoe Form Sharingan wouldn't have fazed her.
Because a typical Sharingan would be crushed by her Byakugan's Donjutsu, leading to the illusion's failure and backlash.
"So both of you are here."
In the oppressive atmosphere, Hakushi followed a small path to this quiet training area.
Seeing both Ruri and Ayane there was quite unexpected.
Were they training together today?
"That's just perfect, saves me the trouble of finding you individually. There's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
Ruri crossed her arms, and turned to ask Hakushi.
"Our location has been exposed."
Hakushi dropped a bombshell.
Ruri and Ayane's expressions tensed.
"What's going on? Why were we exposed?"
"I'm not too sure either. Although I have a few theories... this situation certainly caught me by surprise."
Hakushi scratched his head and gave a helpless smile.
As he spoke, he opened the scroll he brought, showing the contents to the two women.
The well-known Hidden Mist Ninja's name naturally caught their eye.
"Seeking cooperation, huh?"
Although the exposure was a bit tricky, Ruri, Ayane, and Hakushi all understood that this was merely a probe from the other side.
This is what you'd call a hypothesis; there's no absolute evidence proving that the three of them are lurking in the Land of Demons.
Moreover, there is a potential intention to request cooperation.
Because all three of them are aware of the current decay and predicament within Hidden Mist.
The other side lacks enough confidence to turn the tide. Collaborating with notorious Renegade Ninja might tarnish Hidden Mist's reputation... but if Hidden Mist's internal reforms fail, the consequences would be far worse than mere damage to reputation.
Of course, all of this hinges on the other side's belief that the three are indeed hiding in the Land of Demons.
It appears this might be a probe, but listing one's name directly at the end of the scroll... confidence? Or stupidity?
Because Hakushi and the others are not certain if the person who sent the scroll is indeed that Hidden Mist Ninja, or possibly someone else pretending. They cannot directly rule out this possibility.
"Looking at it now, that's probably the case. However, aside from seeking cooperation, it might be someone using the name, trying to draw us out..."
Hakushi nodded.
"If it's someone else... Uchiha Madara?"
Ruri pondered.
"No. If it were Uchiha Madara, he wouldn't need to do this. Because once we're exposed, the fact that he is still alive would be leaked too. Compared to us, Madara is at a disadvantage. He's not the kind to make pointless probes."
Even if Madara knew their location, it would be of no concern.
At most, it would make their movements against him slightly more difficult.
Compared to the three of them, Madara is even more desirous to remain hidden.
Exposing them would hold no advantage for Madara.
Hakushi understands well that Madara's goal is never to eliminate the three of them but to wait and plan for other things.
That thing is more important than dealing with them, very likely related to the Divine Tree and Tailed Beasts.
Therefore, even if someone else uses the name of the Hidden Mist Ninja to intimidate or threaten them, it is definitely not Uchiha Madara.
"So, should we go to the Land of Rainbow for the meeting?"
The other side requested a meeting in the Land of Rainbow, which is closer to the Land of Water.
"I was planning to ask for your opinions. After all, this is not a small matter and shouldn't be taken lightly."
Hakushi finds it most intriguing that he doesn't know if the other person is the Hidden Mist Ninja from the scroll or possibly an impersonator.
And clearly, the person hiding in the unknown also doesn't know if the three of them are indeed in the Land of Demons.
Neither side can be certain that their assumptions are absolutely correct.
It's a game.
"Let Earth General go there first. If the person on the scroll is confirmed, then reverse summoning us would not be too late."
Though Ruri is confident in her skills, the Ninja Realm is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, so it's wise to be cautious.
"But there's no mention of when the meeting is supposed to take place on here. It can't be that Earth General is just going to wait in the Land of Rainbow, right?"
Ayane pointed at the scroll's content, puzzled.
It only mentioned meeting in the Land of Rainbow without stating a time or date for the meeting, the information is still too vague.
"No, the other side actually provided a time. Based on my estimates, it's highly likely it is indeed that Hidden Mist Ninja."
Hakushi stroked his chin thoughtfully.
If it is truly that Hidden Mist Ninja seeking cooperation, he indeed needs to consider what kind of approach to take and what manner of cooperation it should be.
Konoha can be said to be a sworn enemy, combined with that weird and twisted political atmosphere, it's hard to exist as an ally.
Hidden Cloud acts overbearingly, independently, preferring to solve everything with fists, the internal situation of the village is stable. But precisely because it's too stable, it can't act as an ally.