While still far from the actual border, there were no more supply points ahead.
The humans could manage, but the horses, burdened with heavy loads, required substantial fodder and food each day.
Moreover, the closer they got to the border, the greater the danger.
A night's rest and resupply here were essential.
The area's security was relatively low, requiring only one person on guard duty each night.
To ensure the team remained in peak condition, Raj's group decided that Kakashi, Raj, and Obito would take turns on watch, allowing their teacher, Minato, to get proper rest.
The night passed without incident.
The next day, they set off along the established border route toward the Grass Country.
Given the strong alliance between Kusagakure Village and Konoha, trade caravans frequently traveled between the two nations.
They followed the main trade route used by most merchants from both countries.
Recently, merchants had become aware of the unrest along the border, and trade caravans had gradually ceased traveling between the two countries.
For example, their own caravan had encountered virtually no other groups along the way.
"Raj, when we reach the border, you'll scout ahead to assess the situation. Stay hidden and if you encounter enemies you can't handle, retreat immediately. Your priority is to stay alive and warn us, understand?"
"Meow~"
Raj meowed, then licked its paw, adopting a posture of coiled readiness.
With its current strength, it could handle most opponents below Jonin level.
Even if it encountered a Jonin, it could simply retreat.
Thanks to the first gate of the Eight Gates Formation, its speed could briefly surpass that of an ordinary Jonin, making escape and warning the others relatively easy.
Of course, another reason it had agreed was the chance to toy with and scare enemy Ninja, earning some Points in the process.
Nearly six thousand Points might seem like a lot, but compared to the Ninjutsu, Kekkei Genkai, and special abilities it coveted, it was utterly insignificant.
"Lord Minato, the border of the trade route is just ahead," Takafumi Uemori whispered to Minato.
"Understood. Everyone, maintain formation..."
"Yes, sir!"
Rin and Obito walked at the rear of the caravan, while Kakashi and Minato took the lead, guarding against ambushes from the shadows.
Without needing a reminder, Raj had already slipped into the forest at a bend in the road.
He had bypassed the caravan through the sparse trees and was now scouting ahead for potential ambushes.
There were no enemies in sight, but the possibility of concealed presences
Couldn't be ruled out.
Iwa Ninja were masters of Earth Release techniques.
The Earth Dragon Hidden Technique, for example, allowed them to escape or launch surprise attacks by burrowing underground, leaving no trace of their presence.
Raj moved with extreme caution, using the Transformation Technique to blend his fur with the forest's green hues as he meticulously patrolled the surroundings.
The forest was clear of enemies.
However, in the mountainous terrain ahead, a particular rock stood out as suspicious - not because of its unusual shape, but because it faintly radiated a sense of chakra.
'Yes, a feeling.'
'It was somewhat like a cat's intuition, but more reliable... Could it be a newly awakened sensory ability?'
Raj pondered this as he cautiously approached the rock, but after a few steps, he stopped.
The chakra fluctuations had vanished.
'So they have sensory abilities too. Makes sense - they couldn't monitor the surface from underground without them.'
'But this confirms they're hiding nearby, preparing to ambush us. And this Ninjutsu must be from Iwa Ninja...'
After a moment's thought, Raj retreated from the forest back to the caravan.
"What did you find?"
"Meow~ Ninjas are lying in ambush. They can move and reposition themselves underground, making it impossible to pinpoint their exact location. But this cat can confirm there are chakra fluctuations," Raj meowed, then glanced at Kakashi, signaling it was time for him to show his skills.
Kakashi had already mastered a second chakra nature transformation, wielding both Lightning Release and Earth Release Ninjutsu.
His eight ninja dogs were also adept at Earth Release techniques, making Kakashi and his pack the true experts in underground combat.
"Kakashi, I'm counting on you," Minato said, looking at him.
Kakashi nodded, immediately forming hand seals for the Summoning Technique.
Eight dogs were summoned.
However, these dogs had a peculiar style.
Some were soaking wet, while others were draped in bath towels, as if they had been enjoying a leisurely day somewhere.
"Kakashi, you wouldn't believe - wait, huh? That violent cat!" Pakkun initially wanted to complain, but when he focused on the situation, he immediately hid behind his brothers for protection.
Except for the largest dog, the rest were terrified of Raj.
The memory of Raj transforming into a giant and slapping the Inuzuka Clan's Great Black Dog to the ground remained deeply etched in their minds.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
The eight dogs barked furiously in unison, clearly treating Raj as an enemy.
Raj paused for a moment, then suddenly doubled in size.
"Meow! Get your act together, you fools! We're on a mission!"
"Woof?"
Pakkun and the other seven dogs instinctively retreated, then turned to look at Kakashi.
Kakashi didn't know what to say.
'Eight dogs afraid of a single cat? You're disgracing the entire canine race!'
'If dogs are this cowardly, I might as well get a cat.'
'Well, yesterday's pack was scared of this cat too... Besides, there's no point arguing with dogs.'
He sighed helplessly, then wordlessly drew his only Lightning Fang short sword and charged forward.
Having detected no enemies, the Eight Dogs remained still.
Yet it was clear that not all dogs were created equal.
Some dogs possessed a fierce fighting spirit and formidable strength.
Take Blue, for example.
If Kakashi hadn't restrained him, he would have charged into battle immediately.
In contrast, the cowardly Pakkun showed no inclination to fight, hiding as far away as possible, his eyes darting nervously without focus, betraying his fear.
"Meow~ Cowardly dog," Raj taunted, making no attempt to conceal his mockery.
"Woof! What did you say?!" Pakkun glared fiercely.
'We've got seven brothers here! You trained with me in the Forest of Death years ago, and now you think you can take us all on?'
But then, the Inuzuka Clan massage parlor incident from a few days ago flashed through his mind.
'Hiss! This Dead Cat might actually try it!'
Pakkun instantly regretted provoking Raj.
The presence of his numerous teammates had made him overconfident, forgetting just how terrifying this cat had become.
'Why is this cat so powerful, even though it's just a small Ninja Beast?'