"My control over spiritual power still isn't strong enough. If it were, I'd be able to gradually adjust both the range and precision of my sensory field. But right now…"
Chiba had just been trying to narrow his sensory range while enhancing the variety of information he could perceive.
Unfortunately—
The moment he added even one more criterion, number of targets, his range immediately dropped by nearly a kilometer, him lose track of the three chakra clusters he had sensed earlier.
Silently, Chiba moved forward. Just as he landed on the treetop of a large oak, he felt a chakra signature rushing rapidly toward him from below.
Then—
Whoosh!
A shadow flickered up from the ground and landed lightly beside him.
"Did you find something?"
"Sensei? Oh, a Shadow Clone. Yeah, I was experimenting with expanding my sensory field using spiritual power. I found three chakra groups ahead."
Chiba's voice was low. They were far enough from the main team that even speaking quietly like this wouldn't be overheard.
"…"
Even with half his face hidden behind the mask, Kakashi's clone couldn't conceal the shock in his single exposed eye.
Chiba continued calmly, "That's not important. What matters is, I still can't finely control my spiritual power. So if we want to confirm what's ahead, I'll have to get a bit closer."
"Understood. I'll cover you," said the clone softly.
He hadn't taught Chiba that much—not compared to what he'd taught his other students—but no matter what, the boy was still his disciple. He couldn't just sit back and let him take all the risk, especially when—
This kid was doing it for the team.
"I'm worried they're after you, Sensei—or more precisely, after the jōnin in our unit. So you should conserve your strength."
Kakashi's clone frowned. Of course the original had already considered that possibility, but still…
"I'll act when the opportunity comes. I won't be reckless," Chiba assured him.
"Then just confirm their numbers and come back."
After a long hesitation, the clone finally decided to trust him. It dissolved into smoke and returned to the original body.
Not far behind, the real Kakashi froze for a moment.
Then his expression turned… complicated.
Manipulating spiritual power to expand sensory range?
That level of ability was practically classified as a secret art. Spiritual power had always been one of the most mysterious forces in the shinobi world—only a few clans or specialized ninja even knew how to consciously control or cultivate it.
And yet, this kid… had figured it out on his own.
Terrifying intuition.
As for the whole "not refined enough," "still can't micro-control" nonsense Chiba had muttered so casually—Kakashi completely ignored it.
The boy clearly didn't realize what he was saying.
If he truly perfected that degree of spiritual manipulation, the entire Yamanaka Clan would gladly trade one of their secret techniques just to learn it!
"Phew~"
"Hey, don't tell me you're tired already," Pakkun barked from Kakashi's shoulder, sniffing the air. The little pug was exhausted from all the running. If Kakashi were planning a rest stop, Pakkun would not complain.
Unfortunately, Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Rest's over. Get down and run with me."
"Woof!"
"Down."
"…Fine."
"…."
"Lord Kakashi, have you confirmed the direction?" Kiyoda Shin asked, noticing that Kakashi was subtly accelerating.
"Our heading's correct. Just keep moving. Speed up—he probably hasn't had time to completely mask his scent yet," Kakashi replied.
Kiyoda gritted his teeth and followed.
As expected of the Copy Ninja Kakashi.
Tenten trailed behind, occasionally glancing back at "Chiba."
Something felt… off. He was too quiet. That wasn't like the Chiba she knew. It was almost as if—
Tsukikage Kaza?
Wait—Chiba had purposely fallen behind once earlier. Sure, it could've been to keep up appearances, but it might also have been the moment he switched places with Tsukikage Kaza.
It should've been me first…
But she quickly admitted Tsukikage Kaza was the more suitable choice. Her specialty was stealth—Kiyoda would never suspect her.
Tenten sighed inwardly, feeling a little conflicted, but she quickly refocused.
This wasn't the time to dwell on such thoughts.
If Chiba had swapped identities, it meant he'd discovered something. By now, he was probably far from their group.
Her heart tightened in worry.
At that moment, Chiba was already a full kilometer ahead of Kakashi's team.
That was about the limit of Kakashi's sensory range. Chiba didn't accelerate further—he maintained that distance steadily.
"I'm about three kilometers from the targets. A little closer, and I can use the mid-range mode to gather clearer information without taking unnecessary risks."
"And those following behind us… what kind of unit are they?"
"ANBU, maybe?"
Chiba wasn't reckless. He had no intention of dying—especially not due to carelessness. That would be irresponsible both to himself and his comrades.
After running for a while, he slightly narrowed his sensory field.
The information instantly became clearer—
Ahead, he sensed several chakra signatures. One in the center, the rest fanned out around it in a semicircular formation.
The one in the middle must be Yuichi, the man Kiyoda mentioned.
The others… warriors of the Kiyoda Clan, perhaps?
And that chakra cluster farther behind—what were they?
Unfortunately, when he narrowed his range, that group fell outside it . Based on rough distance, he'd need to move another kilometer forward to sense them.
But that would put him barely a kilometer away from Yuichi himself—too risky.
No choice… I'll have to circle around.
Chiba changed course, trusting that Kakashi would understand his signal.
And indeed—
As a former ANBU captain, Kakashi understood instantly.
If Chiba was changing routes, there could only be one reason—
He believed approaching head-on would expose them.
So that meant… he was already closing in on one of the three chakra groups?
Chiba sped up, moving silently through the forest.
Not long after, Kakashi finally sensed Yuichi. Though Chiba was now outside his perception range, he didn't worry.
Kankurō had remarkable situational judgment. He could be trusted.
If not for Tenten and Tsukikage Kaza still being genin, Chiba might've already qualified for the Chūnin Exams this time.
Then —
To Kakashi, holding back was a good sign.
If the boy had stubbornly insisted on taking the exam right now, Kakashi wouldn't dislike it—he'd even understand—but perhaps feel just a tinge of disappointment.
Meanwhile, Chiba quietly maneuvered around the perimeter, swallowing a Soldier Pill to replenish his stamina.
When Kakashi's movement drew Yuichi's attention, Chiba found the third chakra cluster.
Four people.
But what puzzled him was—
Their chakra signatures were strange: powerful yet unstable.
Not that they were weak, but their energy fluctuated wildly, as though they couldn't control their own strength.
In other words—
"Strong, yet weak."
Chiba thought for a long moment before a realization struck him.
If he remembered correctly… the Land of Iron bordered the Land of Artisans.
And anyone traveling from the Land of Earth to the Land of Iron had to pass through it.
Around this era, the Four Celestial Symbols Men of the Artisan Ninja Village were quite notorious—ninja who relied heavily on crafted weapons and tools.
That kind of chakra—"powerful but unstable"—
Fit them perfectly.
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