Traitor.
The word froze in Kenji's mind, colder and sharper than any kunai. In the world of the shinobi, loyalty was the foundation of everything. A comrade was someone to whom you entrusted your life. The thought of someone within the Hidden Leaf's ranks working for the enemy was an unimaginable offense, a thorn driven deep into the heart of the Will of Fire.
Kenji hurried back to the old man and his granddaughter, his face a mask of stone. He showed no panic, but his vigilance had increased a hundredfold. Now, every shadow, every boulder, could conceal not only a Hidden Stone ninja, but also a countryman with a knife waiting at his back.
"We have to leave. Immediately," he said, his tone allowing no debate. He handed the medical kit to Sadao. "Give Hana the fever medicine. This temple isn't safe. They left traps, which means they might come back."
Sadao saw the tension in Kenji's eyes and asked no further questions. He quickly gave the girl her medicine. Meanwhile, Kenji reviewed the map. Rendezvous point "Sparrow" was marked in a dense forest about a day's journey to the northeast, near a river. It was a good location for hiding and retreating. But going there with two civilians was suicide.
Furthermore, the person who wrote the note was in danger. "Ambushed," "lost supplies." Perhaps they never made it to the rendezvous. Or worse, had been captured. And if the traitor knew about that rendezvous point... it would be a death trap.
"Sadao-san," Kenji turned to the old man. "Do you know of a place nearby that is truly hidden? A place where no one, neither hunter nor ninja, could find you."
Sadao thought for a moment, his old eyes gazing at the mountain range. "I do," he said slowly. "On the southern slope of the mountain, there is an old miners' cave system. The entrance collapsed many years ago, but my father once showed me a secret passage behind a waterfall. It is damp and dark, but no one will find you there."
That was exactly what Kenji needed. A place of absolute safety for the two of them.
"Lead the way," Kenji said decisively.
They set out once more, but this time the atmosphere was much heavier. Kenji no longer carried Hana. He needed both his hands free. He moved more slowly, stopping constantly to listen, analyzing every minute detail. Paranoia began to gnaw at him. The whistling wind through the rocks sounded like shurikens. The shadow of a bird gliding across the ground made his muscles tense. He was beginning to doubt his own shadow.
They followed the mountainside, moving away from the temple. As they crossed an open area, Kenji suddenly signaled for them to drop flat behind a large bush.
"Someone's coming," he whispered, pressing his ear to the ground. "A team of five. They're heading for the temple."
Sadao's heart hammered in his chest. Hana huddled against him in fear. Kenji motioned for silence, his eyes as sharp as daggers, fixed on the north. Before long, five figures of Hidden Stone ninja appeared. Their leader seemed to be a sensory-type ninja, constantly forming hand seals to scan the area.
They passed by their position, only about fifty meters away. A deadly, dangerous distance. Kenji held his breath, focusing all his concentration on suppressing all three of their chakra signatures—a basic skill, but incredibly difficult when exhausted. His heart clenched as Hana was about to let out a cough. Quick as a flash, Kenji pressed a finger to her lips, his stern gaze making her swallow the cough back down.
The patrol passed by without noticing anything. They were heading straight for the temple, likely to check on their trap. Kenji's decision to leave had saved all three of their lives.
After waiting another ten minutes, they moved on. Finally, Sadao pointed to a small waterfall cascading down a cliff face. "It's behind there."
Kenji carefully checked the area. It was clear. He pulled back a thick curtain of vines behind the waterfall, revealing a narrow opening. It was dark and damp inside, but there were no signs of life.
"Get inside," Kenji said. "There's enough drinking water here. I'll leave you all my remaining rations. It should be enough to last you a few days."
Sadao realized his intention. "Sir... you're not staying?"
"I have something I must do," Kenji replied, his eyes looking to the northeast, toward rendezvous point "Sparrow." "This is more important than the scrolls I'm carrying. Stay here. If I don't return in three days, find a way to head south. Get as far from the border as you can."
He placed a hand on Hana's head, a rare, gentle gesture. "Be strong."
Then, he gave Sadao one of his kunai. "Use this to protect yourselves."
Without waiting for the old man to say another word, Kageyama Kenji turned, his cloak whipping in the air. He melted into the darkness of the forest, a solitary figure. He had protected the innocent. Now, it was time to hunt.
To hunt a ghost. A traitor from the very village he had sworn to protect. The path ahead was a thousand times more uncertain and dangerous, but in his heart, the Will of Fire was burning more fiercely than ever before.