REVIEWS AND POWERSTONES PLSSS!!!!!Chapter 57: Someone Betrayed Our Intelligence
Hyuga Ritsu stared intently at the Mist shinobi's movements.
He saw that figure—most likely White Zetsu—reach the Mist shinobi's gathering place and kneel on one knee before Kirishima Shinya, as if reporting something.
'Perhaps I should take time to learn lip reading later.' Ritsu thought silently.
In fact, learning lip reading was quite common within the Hyuga clan. Everyone wasn't stupid—they all understood that if they could learn lip reading, combined with the Byakugan, they could more easily spy on more intelligence.
However, learning lip reading wasn't a simple matter. Most Hyuga clan members who invested energy into learning lip reading were elderly clan members who'd basically given up any hope of improving their own strength.
Ritsu had also once thought about learning lip reading, but ultimately shelved this idea that would take considerable time but might not yield much return, instead continuing to invest his time and energy into improving his own strength.
He gathered his scattered thoughts and concentrated his attention on continuing to observe the Mist shinobi's situation.
He saw that after White Zetsu's report ended, Kirishima Shinya stood up and spoke a few words—probably issuing orders. Just a dozen seconds later, the originally waiting Mist shinobi immediately sprang into action. They cleaned up traces they'd left behind, then rapidly advanced toward Team Kakashi's position.
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Hyuga Akiba was sleeping soundly.
Although the Hyuga clan's Byakugan was the best choice for patrol and lookout duty, Akiba wasn't a tireless machine that could operate continuously for twenty-four hours. Maintaining the Byakugan's active state, like maintaining the Sharingan's active state, required continuously expending chakra.
During the day while traveling, Akiba had been using her Byakugan for surveillance, consuming considerable chakra. Plus, Akiba and Nohara Rin were both carrying scrolls weighing dozens of pounds while traveling. If they weren't allowed to rest at night, that would truly be mistreating their companions.
Kakashi couldn't do such a thing.
Besides, he had other methods of surveillance.
The ninja dog coiled at his feet was a summoning creature with which he'd made a contract. Relying on the dog's keen sense of smell, once a stranger's scent approached within a certain range, the ninja dog would naturally detect it.
Plus, he and Uchiha Aika had agreed to take turns on night watch—Aika would handle the first half of the night, Kakashi the second half.
This was already the most reasonable and secure arrangement possible with their limited personnel!
And honestly, this arrangement was top-tier. Among other jonin squads, not even one in ten might have such comprehensive defensive measures.
Suddenly, the ninja dog coiled at Kakashi's feet abruptly raised its head. Its wet nose vigorously twitched, sniffing the scent carried on the wind. It immediately opened its mouth and said, "Kakashi, there's a situation!"
Kakashi, who'd been meditating, instantly jolted awake. He leaped up, assuming a defensive posture, while simultaneously asking, "Pakkun, be specific."
Uchiha Aika also jumped down from the tree, her pretty face grim. Without a word, she stared at the ninja dog called "Pakkun" at Kakashi's feet.
"People are coming from the southeast. The scent is mixed—over twenty people. They're moving extremely fast. Estimate they'll arrive in another eight minutes. Sorry, Kakashi, our position is upwind. The northwest wind scattered their scent, so we discovered them this late."
Pakkun apologized quite guiltily.
"Southeast direction? Pakkun, thank you. The enemy came prepared. You getting us eight minutes' warning is already very good."
Kakashi comforted his summoning creature.
At this time, both Hyuga Akiba and Nohara Rin were also awakened.
They were qualified shinobi. Unless in the village or somewhere they could feel secure, they couldn't truly fall into deep sleep while sleeping. Hearing the commotion, they immediately woke from their slumber.
"Kakashi, what happened?"
Nohara Rin rubbed her eyes, looking quite exhausted.
This brief sleep hadn't been enough to relieve the fatigue from the day's rushing about.
However, before Kakashi could answer, Hyuga Akiba directly activated her Byakugan and immediately exclaimed, "So many Mist shinobi! Let me see... twenty-two total!"
"Akiba, what's the strength of the approaching Mist shinobi?"
Kakashi quickly asked.
"Leading them is 'Acid Mist' Kirishima Shinya."
Akiba spoke a name.
Hearing this name, Kakashi's brow instantly furrowed. This person was a famous jonin on the Mist side, possessing the Boil Style bloodline limit—an extremely troublesome enemy.
"Akiba, who else?"
Uchiha Aika pressed for more information.
"I don't recognize the rest, but their chakra is universally very strong. Kirishima Shinya isn't the only jonin—there are at least four jonin. The remaining Mist shinobi are all wearing masks—they should be Mist ANBU members."
As Akiba spoke, her brow also furrowed tightly. "Kakashi-taicho, these Mist shinobi came too accurately. It feels like they knew our intelligence in advance."
"Definitely someone betrayed our intelligence."
Uchiha Aika declared. Her pretty face was full of killing intent. "I don't believe the Mist were purely lucky enough to discover our whereabouts. It's absolutely that guy Aburame Torune acting on Danzo's..."
"Aika, now isn't the time to dwell on such things."
Kakashi spoke up to stop Aika's complaints.
He was also suspicious. If they'd just run into one or two Mist squads, that would be normal. But twenty-two powerful Mist shinobi led by Kirishima Shinya coming—this was absolutely abnormal. Teams of this scale and configuration, whenever they mobilized, typically had clear targets.
However, as he said, now wasn't the time to curse Hokage Advisor Danzo.
"Akiba, Rin, Aika—you move out now. Continue along Route Seven."
Kakashi issued his orders.
"Eh?"
Nohara Rin's eyes widened. "Then what about you, Kakashi?"
"The Mist have superior numbers. We definitely can't beat them. The only way to survive is to flee. But fleeing also requires method—we can't just run blindly. I'll stay behind to delay them. You hurry and travel as fast as possible to rendezvous with the Hyuga clan head."
Kakashi answered in a heavy voice.
And without waiting for anyone to interject, he continued instructing, "Also, Akiba, if you discover Mist shinobi about to catch up to you, then Aika—at that time, you'll stay behind to hold the rear."
Nohara Rin's eyes instantly reddened. She barely held back tears.
Hyuga Akiba also bit down hard on her teeth.
Uchiha Aika pursed her lips with an unlucky expression. "Don't worry, Kakashi-taicho! I'll protect Akiba and Rin."
"Move out immediately. Don't bother with the scrolls."
Kakashi urged.
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