Following combat traces all the way while searching, Shuji finally halted at a forest clearing.
This obviously proved the position where combat ultimately concluded. Like the previous rest point, though intensity had somewhat escalated, he still discovered no bodies nor any large-scale sprayed or coagulated bloodstains.
The combat site lacked scorched traces from large-scale Fire Release deployment, nor scenes after extensive explosive tag usage.
With such combat intensity, relying on Uchiha Shisui's capabilities, the probability of Konoha's side encountering powerful enemies and suffering total annihilation proved very low.
Then the greatest possibility was that after repelling or escaping enemies, Shisui and the others, following emergency plans, transferred to other bases.
Recalling several nearby backup camp locations, Shuji departed again.
Expending half an hour, with sky having completely darkened, Shuji halted near a natural stone cave backed against rock walls with an entrance concealed by vines.
Warning traps were arranged ahead. Facing a squad that had not long escaped combat status, rashly approaching easily triggered unnecessary misunderstandings.
Shuji blew his whistle, first identifying himself through Konoha shinobi's conventional contact methods.
No response came from within the stone cave. Shuji was not anxious but instead retreated several steps backward, pulling open a relatively safe distance to prevent the cave containing not companions but enemies.
After a moment, a responding whistle sounded. Only then did Shuji speak clearly. "I am Jōnin Shuji, arriving on orders."
At this time, the cave entrance vines slid open a gap to the sides. A familiar person emerged from within.
"Shuji?"
"Shisui." Shuji responded.
The Sharingan carefully examined for a while. Shisui confirmed the visitor's identity, lowering his guard. He trusted his eyes would not make mistakes.
"He is the village's jōnin. No need to worry." Shisui first turned his head sideways, saying a sentence toward the cave interior before walking out of the stone cave, approaching Shuji.
His body bore some dust and grass fragments. Aside from that, he surprisingly showed no traces of having battled.
"Shuji, why would you come here? Does the village have urgent orders?" Shisui's tone carried some worry.
With Shuji's status, the village actually dispatched him to deliver messages rather than conventional communication methods. This meant unusual circumstances had occurred.
Shuji first produced the village exit permit signed by Tsunade plus mission proof before indicating Shisui to approach, explaining his purpose once through.
After listening, Shisui's face carried some dismay. "Danzo-sama actually detests the Uchiha to such an extent."
Shuji said, "Though merely speculation, I still hope you maintain sufficient vigilance."
Shisui nodded emphatically. "I will pay attention."
"How is your situation here?" After conveying important matters first, Shuji then concerned himself with Shisui's side's circumstances. "I visited another camp and discovered combat traces."
Mentioning his own mission, Shisui collected his mood, saying, "Over the most recent half-month, Kirigakure's harassment proved more frequent. Moreover, the number of squads dispatched has increased."
"This morning, several squads even located near the camp where we were at the time."
Hearing this, Shuji asked, "Kirigakure shows abnormal troop increase situations. Why not report to the village requesting reinforcements?"
Shisui explained, "My squad plus one Uchiha elite ANBU squad suffice to handle the current situation."
Seeing Shuji's expression still serious, Shisui continued supplementing explanations. "Though Kirigakure dispatched more teams, their attacks..."
He paused slightly, seemingly thinking of an appropriate word before saying uncertainly, "Somewhat... perfunctory."
"Perfunctory?" Shuji found this descriptor surprising.
"Yes." Shisui confirmed, his face showing even denser confusion. "Completely different from past Bloody Mist style. This batch of Kirigakure shinobi, often upon engaging, discovering they cannot swiftly gain advantage and obtain effective results, immediately retreat."
Increased troops yet weakened offensive? Such situations usually represented opponents possibly accumulating strength, preparing to plan fierce assaults.
Shuji contemplated, asking again, "What about squad damage situations?"
Shisui did not immediately answer but instead surveyed surrounding circumstances before saying, "This is no place for conversation. Let us enter the cave first, Shuji."
Matters requiring notification had been notified in place. Shuji originally intended to directly depart, but current circumstances made him somewhat curious.
If possible, he did not wish the eastern defense line showing any unexpected changes beyond expectations at this critical juncture.
Thus Shuji nodded, following Shisui to part vines and bend down entering the cave.
The cave interior proved somewhat more spacious than it appeared from outside. Seven people total remained inside. Three were Shisui's squad members. Another was that newly formed Uchiha ANBU squad.
Compared to Uchiha Shisui, most of these people had damaged protective gear, bodies carrying more or less minor injuries. Even that ANBU squad proved no exception.
Despite this, their spirits remained fairly good. Seeing Shuji whom Shisui brought in, they showed goodwill plus scrutiny.
The scrutiny portion originated from that ANBU squad. The scrutiny's reason mostly stemmed from Shuji's identity as Uchiha Itachi's captain.
Shuji was no nameless person. Last year's openly established merits also sufficed for proud Uchiha to hear his name.
Shisui continued the previous topic. "Precisely because Kirigakure shinobi's combat desire proves not intense, I judged existing forces sufficient for maintaining the defense line. Therefore, I did not request reinforcements from the village."
Shuji pursued questioning. "Besides troop increases and lowered attack intensity, are there other movements? For instance, large transport vessels making shore and such situations?"
A Uchiha shinobi wearing standard ANBU gear answered first. "None. Those Kirigakure shinobi prove quite weak. Bloody Mist merely holds empty reputation."
Shisui glanced at that Uchiha, not refuting but merely nodding toward Shuji, confirming this claim.
Shuji now truly felt somewhat puzzled.
According to their descriptions, those Kirigakure shinobi's current style somewhat resembled firing two shots skyward.
Such matters generally would not appear among shinobi. They were well-fed, well-supplied elite units. Especially given Kirigakure's shinobi training methods, if one or two individuals fought unenthusiastically, that was one thing. Now the entire line's Kirigakure acted thus.
The greatest possibility was that upper-level orders they received specifically demanded such actions.
So what was Kirigakure doing?
Ao was resting. Multiple uses of dōjutsu seeking Konoha shinobi traces placed considerable burden on him.
Other Kirigakure shinobi scattered throughout the camp. Most organized equipment or sat or leaned while resting. The atmosphere seemed somewhat gloomy.
"Captain, how long must such attacks continue?" A young Kirigakure shinobi could not help asking. "Continuing like this, Konoha people will probably regard us as jokes."
Ao answered, "Enemy strength proves formidable. That is Konoha's Shisui of the Body Flicker, plus an entire team of three-tomoe Sharingan-activated Uchiha. Cautious action proves necessary."
This explanation sounded somewhat reasonable, but others' eyes, more or less, carried confusion. If only two or three Kirigakure squads faced Konoha's powerful individuals, adopting conservative strategies could be understood.
After all, Kirigakure shinobi did not enjoy courting death.
However, their current troop strength far exceeded the opposition. What meaning did maintaining such caution hold?
Didn't the village expect achieving progress, thus dispatching so many personnel?
Ao said no more.
Before departing, he had received two orders.
One order was Fourth Mizukage's formal attack directive, demanding they strengthen harassment toward the Land of Fire.
While another came from village elder Master Yuan.
That directive completely opposed the Mizukage's order: preserve living forces, slow actions, avoid intense conflicts with Konoha.
"The Fourth is different from before."
"Ao, his decision-making no longer seems to stand upon Kirigakure's overall interests."
The elder's evaluation had not made Ao feel surprised. Or rather, this vaguely confirmed some vague sensation within hearts of many Kirigakure shinobi, including himself, who had held expectations for Fourth Mizukage's ascension.
That outwardly youthful yet actually fervent Yagura, upon initially assuming office, still seemed to want adjusting previous Third Mizukage's policies.
Yet from some unknown point onward, the Fourth grew increasingly similar to the Third, even becoming more extreme and closed in certain aspects, more obsessed with "Bloody Mist" policies.
He stayed deeply secluded, issued orders while hiding, almost no longer handling administrative affairs that should be the Mizukage's responsibility.
Elder Yuan was forced to assume most village affairs, becoming Kirigakure's actual responsible person.
"Last year's actions toward Konoha still proved normal."
"This year's continuous harassment lacks origin, pointlessly expending personnel and funds yet without any gains." Master Yuan sighed. "Yagura refuses to communicate with this old man, never explaining the reasons behind these orders."
"Ao, this old man does not wish to trouble you by having you directly disobey the Mizukage's orders."
"However, this old man begs you, when executing orders, to prove more flexible."
"For Kirigakure's future, please."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild