After leaving the small town, the group of four including Sora swiftly headed northeast towards the Land of Wind.
The further northeast they went, the more desolate the environment became.
As far as the eye could see, there was almost nothing but endless yellow sand, with only a few scattered drought resistant plants stubbornly surviving.
Fortunately, all four were experienced Anbu, long accustomed to various harsh environments.
However, to avoid Sunagakure patrols, they often had to take detours and even travel at night, resting in hidden places during the day.
With this stop and go travel, two days later, a patch of green finally appeared on the horizon.
"We are here, that is the place." Fox said, pointing at the distant oasis.
The four of them, including Sora, slowed down and cautiously approached.
It was a fairly large oasis. At its center was a clear lake, surrounded by some drought resistant plants.
A few simple adobe houses were scattered around the lake, looking like a small trading post or relay station.
Fox gave the order.
"Spread out and scout. Identify the best observation points and escape routes. Meet up at the rocky area to the north in one hour. Stay hidden. Do not alert anyone."
"Understood."
The four immediately dispersed, silently infiltrating the oasis.
Sora chose the southern area. Using the shadows of trees and buildings for cover, he moved quickly while scanning every possible location for hidden sentries or traps, mentally noting the terrain features.
...
One hour later, the four regrouped at the northern rocky area and shared their gathered intelligence.
Night Owl and Grey Wolf spoke first.
"The adobe houses on the west side have some civilians and merchants. No trace of shinobi found. There are several small paths behind the houses that can serve as backup escape routes."
"Fresh footprints and traces of ninja tool use were found in the woods to the east. Someone stayed there briefly but has already left."
"The south side is relatively safe. No hidden sentries found, but there are few suitable observation positions." Following them, Sora also reported his observations.
After listening to the reports from the three, Fox thought for a moment and then said.
"According to the intelligence, the exchange is scheduled for tomorrow at noon. We will set up our ambush here in this northern rocky area. The view is good here, and with the rock wall at our back, it is relatively secure."
He pointed to several natural depressions in the rock wall and continued.
"Night Owl, you are responsible for surveillance from the high ground. Report any developments at all times. Grey Wolf, you will be on guard on the west side to prevent anyone from flanking us from that direction. Green Snake, you and I will lay in ambush from the front. Act according to the situation."
"Understood." The three responded in unison.
With the plan decided, Sora and the others began preparing for tomorrow's operation.
They carefully cleaned up any traces they left, set up a few simple warning traps, and then took turns resting to conserve their energy.
Sora leaned back against a rock, resting with his eyes closed, his mind constantly turning things over.
'Tomorrow is the key moment. I hope we can successfully capture that high ranking official's son, get the clues about the Kazekage's whereabouts, and then leave this troublesome place quickly.'
He had a persistent sense of foreboding, a feeling that this mission would not go so smoothly.
The Land of Wind now was like a volcano about to erupt, and they were dancing on its rim.
Although with his current strength, plus his fully revealed trump card of complete Beast Transformation, he could put up a fight even against a Kage level opponent, he did not want to expose all his abilities. After all, there were plenty in the current shinobi world who were stronger than him.
The reason a trump card is a trump card is because others do not know about it.
The night passed without incident.
...
The next day at noon.
The four members of Squad C Five were already in their positions, lying in wait near the oasis, quietly waiting for their prey to appear.
Sora was hidden behind a thick clump of bushes, covered with a camouflage net, perfectly blending into the surroundings. His gaze was fixed on the open space by the lake, which he believed was the most likely location for the exchange to take place.
Time passed minute by minute. Just as Sora began to doubt the accuracy of their intelligence, Night Owl's voice sounded softly through a special communication method.
"Targets sighted! East side. A team of five. They are heading towards the open space by the lake."
Sora's spirits lifted, and he focused his gaze.
He saw five people walking from the east. Leading them was a young man in his twenties dressed in luxurious silk robes. His face was pale, his eyes shifting uneasily, looking like someone who had indulged excessively.
He was accompanied by four guards dressed as shinobi. But judging from their gait and aura, their strength was at most Chunin level.
'Is this the high ranking official's son? He doesn't look like much. Can a guy like this really know the inside story of the Kazekage's disappearance?' Sora assessed in his mind. But appearances can be deceiving. Perhaps precisely because he seemed incompetent, he was sent for this secret exchange.
The five of them stopped after reaching the open space by the lake. The young man kept looking around nervously.
The four guards spread out around him, vigilantly observing their surroundings.
After a while, another group appeared.
Five cloaked figures approached from the west. Their faces were not visible, but from their demeanor and movements, they seemed to be experienced shinobi.
The two groups met in the center of the open space and began talking in low voices.
Due to the distance, Sora could not hear what they were saying, but he could see the young man take out a small scroll from his robes and hand it to the leader of the other group.
The other person examined the scroll, then handed over a heavy looking money pouch.
'An information exchange? So this kid is selling Sunagakure intelligence for money.' Sora thought to himself with disdain. It seemed no place was free from a few corrupt individuals.
The exchange concluded quickly. Neither party lingered, soon parting ways and leaving separately.
...
"Follow them. We will move after they get a bit further from the oasis." Fox made a hand signal.
Then, the four of them, Sora included, followed the five man team like ghosts, silently maintaining a safe distance.
The young man and his guards seemed completely unaware of being followed, chatting and laughing along the way, apparently very pleased with the successful exchange.
After traveling about two or three kilometers from the oasis, the surroundings had become completely barren desert, devoid of any signs of human habitation.
"Now!"
Fox gave a low shout.
Four figures lunged at the targets like leopards!
Bam!
Sora pushed off the ground, rushing forward swiftly, his target directly aimed at the young man in the luxurious robes.
"Enemy attack!"
The guards finally reacted, hurriedly drawing their ninja tools to meet the assault.
But how could these guards, whose strength was at most Chunin level, be a match for elite Anbu?
Grey Wolf charged into the midst of the guards like a whirlwind, his short sword flashing, instantly taking down two guards.
Night Owl's situation was similar, swiftly dispatching the remaining two guards.
Fox did not join the fight. Instead, he stood guard on the periphery, watching for any unexpected developments.
Sora reached the young man with almost no effort. The other man's face turned deathly pale with fright. Trembling, he tried to form hand seals to resist, but he was too nervous, unable to even form the simplest seal correctly.
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