According to common sense, Kirigakure should not have been able to slip through.
But the heavy fog outside defied reason.
At this time of year, natural fog was rare. And yet the forest was drowning in it.
"Could it be a coincidence?" Kudo Nobuyuki muttered, frowning. "We've been monitoring the sea this whole time. How could Mist-nin pass under our noses?"
Ishikawa Itsuki sneered, folding his arms.
"Hah. What a fuss over nothing."
"I already told Nara — fog doesn't prove anything. But he refuses to listen. Not my problem."
Nara Kazama's face didn't so much as twitch. He ignored Itsuki entirely.
In truth, the only person he cared about here was Uchiha Jin.
Yes — in a cannon fodder squad, talk of bonds was laughable. But the two of them had grown into a kind of alliance. They each knew a piece of the other's secret. That alone was enough to form the basis of trust — something Kazama would never extend to Itsuki or even Kudo.
"I'll go investigate," Kazama said evenly. He turned, eyes settling on Jin. "Jin-kun, will you come?"
Jin frowned, weighing it for a moment, then nodded.
"Fine. Otherwise we won't sleep a wink tonight."
The two looked toward their captain.
Kudo narrowed his eyes, silent for a moment, then gave a short nod.
"…Alright. I also feel something's off. Let's confirm it." He turned toward Itsuki. "You coming?"
The choice of words wasn't lost on Jin or Kazama. Kudo hadn't ordered Itsuki. He had offered.
Itsuki scoffed and waved them off.
"Ridiculous. Losing sleep over a bit of fog? No thanks."
Kudo didn't bother arguing. He simply turned to Jin and Kazama.
"Let's go."
The three of them slipped into the mist without another word.
---
The forest was unnervingly silent. Every step muffled, every shadow blurred. The mist thickened around them until it swallowed the moonlight.
"Stop." Kazama's voice was low. "Something's ahead."
Jin and Kudo froze instantly. They hadn't sensed anything themselves, but if Kazama said so, they trusted him.
The Nara boy clapped his hands together. His shadow stretched unnaturally across the forest floor, darting forward like a living serpent.
"Shadow Neck Binding Technique!"
The black tendril lashed out — then snapped tight.
Kazama's eyes narrowed. "A three-man Mist squad. I've caught one."
"Good." Jin's expression hardened. "We kill the other two. Leave the one under control alive — we'll need answers."
Kudo gave a sharp nod.
The next instant, Jin was gone in a blur.
In under five seconds, he closed the distance. The first Mist-nin barely had time to register a silhouette before a kunai punched through his throat.
"Enemy atta—!"
The second spun, shouting a warning — only for Jin to appear behind him, blade flashing across his neck.
Two corpses hit the ground before their blood even spread in the mist.
Kudo arrived moments later, breath catching at the sight. His skin prickled cold. If we hadn't investigated… these men could've found our post while we slept. The thought alone made him shudder.
Kazama dragged the restrained Mist-nin over, snapping his limbs to ensure he couldn't resist once the jutsu was released. Then he canceled his technique, letting the man slump to the ground.
"Speak," Kazama said flatly. "How many did Kirigakure send? How did you get this far inland? What's your mission?"
The captured shinobi spat blood, glaring at them with pure hatred.
"Kill me if you want. I'll tell you nothing."
Kazama's face remained calm, but his eyes shifted to Jin and Kudo.
"I'm no Yamanaka. I can't pull memories. What do you want to do?"