NOVEL NEXT Chapter 95: Chapter 95
As the sun dipped below the horizon, darkness slowly engulfed the forest.
"Wait until it's completely dark," Fujiwara Tetsuya ordered, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. "Then, we'll continue the chase westward!"
Based on their calculations, the enemy team of Rain ninja wasn't far ahead. If they pushed at full speed, they'd close the gap in two hours at most.
Yet, Tetsuya's gaze remained fixed on the darkening sky in the distance. His expression grew grim as he spoke again.
"The border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain is just up ahead," he muttered to himself. The significance of crossing that line weighed heavily on his mind.
The hours ticked by, and the forest descended into complete darkness. A campfire flickered to life, providing the team with a brief respite. For the first time since leaving Konoha, Team Thirteen finally sat down to eat something warm. The rice balls were a little too firm, but that didn't dampen their enthusiasm as they devoured their meal.
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The night cloaked the forest in shadows, limiting visibility but offering Team Thirteen a measure of concealment. Under the cover of darkness, the chances of being spotted were slim. However, not everything went as planned.
According to Tetsuya's earlier estimates, they should have encountered the Rain ninja's trail over an hour ago. But despite their thorough search, they found nothing—no footprints, no broken branches, not even a faint chakra residue.
"Tetsuya, I checked the northern area. There's no sign of the Rain ninja," Koharu Tatsu reported, frustration creeping into her usually calm tone.
"The southern area's clear too," added Aburame Muto, his voice carrying a hint of concern.
The group exchanged uneasy glances, their confidence waning under the cover of the night.
"Tetsuya-kun, do you think they've already moved further west?" Uchiha Mikoto asked hesitantly. "Maybe they're traveling through the night to widen the distance."
"Why don't we keep heading west? We might catch up if we push harder," suggested Tatsu, her small frame leaning closer to Tetsuya in an attempt to offer reassurance. Her large eyes glimmered in the firelight, but Tetsuya's focus remained elsewhere.
"No," Tetsuya finally replied, his tone firm. "We can't keep heading west blindly." He paused, a glint of realization flashing in his eyes. "We might've been wrong all along. And not just us—even Jonin Ro-senpai might have miscalculated."
"What?" Muto blinked, his confusion mirroring the others'. "What are you talking about, Tetsuya? Did you figure something out?"
Tetsuya's sudden declaration drew all their attention, even Mikoto's sharp gaze abandoning its brief glare toward Tatsu.
"Yes, I've come to a new conclusion." Tetsuya reached into his pouch and pulled out a map. It detailed the surrounding region, marked with mountains, rivers, and key pathways. Spreading it out, he gestured for the others to gather closer.
"We've been blinded by preconceived notions," he began, pointing at a marked route on the map. "Because Ro-senpai told us the ones who raided SakuhoTown's supplies were Rain ninja, we immediately assumed they'd head west—toward the Land of Rain. So, we've been chasing in that direction without considering other possibilities."
"Just say it already," Mutomuttered, still struggling to piece together Tetsuya's meaning. Meanwhile, Mikoto and Tatsu averted their gazes, clearly annoyed at not catching on sooner.
Tetsuya sighed, realizing he'd need to spell it out.
"The ones who attacked Sakuho Town's supplies might not even be Rain ninja," he stated bluntly. "If we keep heading west, we'll find nothing."
"Not Rain ninja?" Muto repeated, incredulous. "But Ro-senpai specifically said…" He trailed off, his brow furrowing.
"Tetsuya-kun," Mikoto's voice cut through, her expression sharpening. "Are you saying someone impersonated Rain ninja to carry out the raid?"
"Exactly," Tetsuya confirmed, watching as comprehension dawned on his teammates' faces.
"Alright, we get that part," Muto said, rubbing the back of his head. "But who would do that? And why?"
Tetsuya tapped the map with his finger, pointing to a specific area. "That's what I've been trying to figure out. But I think the answers lie here."
The others leaned in as Tetsuya traced a line on the map, stopping at a large lake they'd crossed earlier in the day.
"This lake," he began, "marks a critical junction. After crossing it, there are two potential routes—one leading west, which we've been following, and one heading north."
"Wait," Tatsu interjected, her eyes widening. "Are you saying the attackers went north instead of west?"
Mikoto's expression darkened as realization hit. "The ones who attacked SakuhoTown weren't Rain ninja. They were… Grass ninja?"
"Exactly," Tetsuya replied, nodding. "If my theory is correct, the ones behind this are Grass ninja. The northern route from the lake leads straight into the Land of Grass. Their disguise as Rain ninja was likely a deliberate attempt to frame the Hidden Rain Village and mislead anyone pursuing them."
Muto frowned. "Why would Grass ninja go to such lengths? What's their goal?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Tetsuya shot him a knowing look. "They want to sow discord between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain, stirring conflict while they operate in the shadows."
Muto sighed, raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, I get it. No need to spell it out."
Tetsuya folded the map and stood, determination flickering in his eyes. "We're heading north. If we're right, we'll catch them before they reach their stronghold."
With their strategy realigned, Team Thirteen swiftly retraced their steps, heading back toward the lake to pursue their new target. In the silence that followed, the flickering firelight revealed the resolve etched on their faces. This was no longer just a simple pursuit; it was a race against time to uncover the truth.
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