"Wait a second," Namikaze Minato suddenly halted the group.
"Huh? What is it?" Sarutobi Ryo asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I think... we're going the wrong way," Minato replied, frowning.
"What? No way. We've been following the scent trail this whole time," Shibi Aburame said, his expression firm.
"I know... but something's off! On the way here, I kept seeing these," Minato said, holding up his right hand. In it were strands of long, red hair.
"So, you're saying... because you don't see them anymore, we're off course?" Akimichi Yoshimaru asked, scratching his head.
"Is it possible that someone's deliberately setting us up? My clan specializes in tracking, and scents don't just vanish," Shibi Aburame said, adjusting his sunglasses.
"Then where do you think we should go?" Sarutobi Ryo asked.
"Back to the last point we stopped, then head left," Minato said with unshakable certainty.
"This... did we leave any markers along the way?" Akimichi Yoshimaru asked.
"Of course we did. All three of our clans' specific marks, plus the standard Konoha symbols," Sarutobi Ryo replied confidently.
"Then it's simple. Let's not get hung up on whether the scent is right or the hair strands are accurate. We'll split up. This isn't a normal situation. Whoever finds anything should leave marks and avoid confrontation. Signal for help if necessary," Akimichi Yoshimaru suggested, stretching his arms.
"That actually makes sense. We'll split up. I was thinking, if the enemy was carrying something with Kushina's scent to throw us off, it would explain a lot," Shibi Aburame added.
"Alright, Yoshimaru, you go with Minato. I'll go with Shibi. Everyone be careful—don't act tough. We're still students, even if we're strong. The enemy might be Chunin, Jonin, or worse," Sarutobi Ryo warned.
"Right, Minato, we can be pretty sure they want to capture Kushina, which means for now, she's probably safe. Otherwise, they wouldn't bother with all this drama just to grab her far away from the village," Shibi Aburame noted.
"Got it. See you in Konoha," Minato said, nodding confidently before dashing off in the opposite direction.
"I'm off too. You two be careful. I'll keep an eye on him," Akimichi Yoshimaru waved and sprinted after Minato.
Watching their friends disappear into the forest, Sarutobi Ryo and Shibi Aburame exchanged a look and chuckled.
"Can't believe cool-headed Minato is losing his mind over this," Shibi Aburame said, shaking his head.
"Love makes you blind, man. Let's get moving," Sarutobi Ryo replied with a grin.
As they dashed through the forest, Shibi Aburame suddenly stopped. His insects swarmed back to him, circling his hand like they were drawing invisible patterns.
"We lost the trail. The scent cuts off right here," Shibi announced.
"What? It just... vanished? Can scents do that?" Sarutobi Ryo asked, raising an eyebrow.
Shibi shook his head, his expression grim. "Of course not. So... be careful!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A string of explosions roared out, shaking the ground. Smoke and dust filled the air. When it settled, patches of blood and shredded clothing were left scattered across the dirt.
Five shadowy figures appeared, pausing for just a moment before continuing onward.
"Konoha brats are tougher than I thought. They actually got this far," one of them sneered.
"Yeah, well, dead prodigies are still just dead," another one chuckled.
"Heh, true. Dead geniuses are just useless meat."
"And why are there so many damn mosquitoes around here? I've swatted like three already."
"Huh? What did you say?"
"I said there are too many damn mosquitoes—what's the problem?"
"...Be careful!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Three explosions went off, sending smoke billowing into the sky.
"It's a smokescreen! Form up!"
"Heh, hey friend, is my back really that comfy? You're standing awfully close," a mysterious voice called out, smooth and mocking.
Before the enemy could react, a flash of blue lightning zipped through the darkness like a bolt from the heavens.
"Arghhh!"
One of the enemy ninja screamed as he collapsed.
"W-What's going on? I... I can't move?! Poison? Wait, what are these... are these bugs?! AHHHH!"
"Form up! Hurry!" one of the remaining ninjas shouted desperately.
"Fire Style: Great Flame Technique!"
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
BOOM!
A massive explosion erupted, carving a deep pit into the ground, dirt and ash raining down.
Sarutobi Ryo stood at the edge of the crater, arms crossed, eyes narrowed in thought.
Swish!
Shibi Aburame landed silently beside him. "It's done. All five are taken care of. I scouted the area—Kushina's not here. Minato was right," he reported.
"Something's not right," Ryo murmured, frowning deeply.
"Huh? What do you mean? You notice something?" Shibi asked, adjusting his sunglasses.
"Let's talk as we walk," Ryo said, nodding for him to follow.
Shibi hurried to catch up.
"These guys... they were weak. Ridiculously weak. Not just that, their combat skills were practically non-existent. It was like they were fresh out of the Academy, sent out here for some practice," Ryo said, his tone skeptical.
"No way these jokers would get past Konoha's defenses, much less kidnap Kushina. And did you see the last guy? He tried to run. A real infiltration team doesn't bring along cowards," Ryo added, shaking his head.
"Of the ones we fought, only the one you burned alive seemed like a Cloud Ninja. The others? I have no clue," Shibi replied.
"Wait, how can you be sure that guy was from the Cloud? None of them had forehead protectors," Ryo asked, eyebrows raised.
"The regions each village is from leave different scents on their bodies. My insects can tell the difference. That guy reeked of Cloud," Shibi explained coolly.
Ryo paused. "Okay... is it possible that the Cloud has been secretly training ninja somewhere near Konoha? Maybe that guy was just a handler, bringing them back to the village?"
"And they just stumbled onto Kushina by accident?" Shibi asked, his voice skeptical.
"Maybe... or maybe these guys were meant to die from the start. Just a distraction," Ryo said, his eyes sharp.
"I don't know... but there's no way Cloud could set up camp around Konoha without getting caught. And you know that guy from the Root Division would never let that happen," Shibi replied.
"You know about Root? I thought it was just me," Ryo asked, surprised.
"My uncle's in it. His name is Aburame Ryoma," Shibi said, as if it was common knowledge.
Ryo's eyes widened. "If these guys were just pawns... then Minato's group is in deep trouble."
"Exactly. I never believed the Anbu would just sit on their hands. They're either tied up... or chasing ghosts like us," Shibi said.
BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions erupted from the left. The two stopped, turning toward the noise.
Another explosion rattled the trees from behind them.
"Someone's setting off fireworks out here, and it ain't us," Ryo muttered. "It's like we're the targets. There's fighting everywhere!"
"Forget it! Yoshimaru's up ahead! Things are getting messy. Let's focus on us first," Shibi shouted.
"Right! Let's go!" Ryo nodded, and the two of them dashed forward, the sound of distant battles ringing in their ears.