Even the most brain-dead Kiri Ninja wouldn't be foolish enough to attempt assassinating prisoners in the main camp in broad daylight - that would be a suicidal move.
The Kiri Ninja wouldn't attempt a rescue; the cost would be too high.
They would simply eliminate Ao and the other Kiri Ninja, destroying all traces of their presence.
And their methods wouldn't necessarily be direct killings.
According to Tsunade's predictions, the enemy would most likely strike at night, and the attackers would likely be from the Hozuki Clan again.
This area was abundant with rivers and waterways, making infiltration and concealment using the Water Transformation Technique all too convenient.
As they set out, Obito showed no resentment at being brought along.
On the contrary, he was thrilled to be participating in the patrol.
After leaving the camp, Obito whispered, "Raj, I saw you talking to Kakashi yesterday. What did you guys talk about?"
"Meow?"
Raj tilted his head and glanced at Obito.
'Was this guy eavesdropping yesterday? I didn't even notice.'
'Thinking about it, this guy really has some issues. He used to obsess over Rin, and now he's constantly watching his coworkers. Is this what love is?'
As Raj's thoughts drifted down this path, he shuddered involuntarily, his gaze gradually turning hostile.
"Don't get the wrong idea," Obito quickly explained. "I didn't mean anything by it. I was just worried about Kakashi's mood and wanted to comfort him..."
Of course, Obito couldn't read minds.
He simply assumed Raj thought he was trying to eavesdrop on confidential information, hence the explanation.
If he knew what Raj was actually thinking, he wouldn't be so calm right now.
"Meow~ I understand, I understand!"
Raj fidgeted, wanting to jump down and walk on his own, but realized walking ahead might be even more dangerous.
Perched on Obito's shoulder, Raj pondered for a moment before replying, "We didn't really say much. I just told Kakashi he could try combining Ninjutsu with Swordsmanship, meow."
"Swordsmanship and Ninjutsu fusion?"
Obito's face lit up with envy.
'That sounds so cool!'
Although the Uchiha Clan had its own swordsmanship tradition, he hadn't mastered it, and he didn't seem to have any Ninjutsu suitable for fusion anyway.
'Cool things always happen to others.'
'I just need to keep training hard.'
"Meow! Let's go, little Obito!"
Since Obito was going to train anyway, Raj figured he might as well tag along for a stroll.
Who knew? They might even stumble upon a Hozuki Clan member emerging from the water and capture them alive.
Unfortunately, their afternoon walk yielded no Hozuki sightings.
Instead, they encountered numerous Uchiha clan members, their eyes burning with the desire to teach Obito a lesson.
But when they saw Raj perched on his shoulder...
Never mind.
Not worth the trouble.
Though the details of last night's battle remained undisclosed, everyone knew a Hyuga main family disciple had died.
Moreover, if Raj hadn't intervened to retrieve the body from three elite Kiri Ninja squads, the Byakugan would already be in Kiri Ninja hands.
Three elite squads!
Even without knowing the specifics, this was enough to prove Raj's true strength.
Combined with its superhuman strength, it was highly likely that it had a unique master-disciple relationship with Tsunade.
Even the proudest Uchiha wouldn't dare provoke Tsunade and Raj at such a time.
Thus, after circling the area, virtually nothing happened.
By the time Raj returned to camp, Tsunade's iron-fisted leadership had already led the Hyuga Clan, Uchiha, and personnel from Konoha's Anbu and Root to quickly complete their integration.
All ninja were mixed in fixed proportions and dispatched to the three main camps.
Of course, the leaders remained unchanged: Fugaku Uchiha in the north, Hiashi Hyuga in the center, and Shikuro Aburame in the south.
After completing the integration during the day, the three camps resumed their previous formations.
Tsunade, ever cunning, maintained the appearance of three separate camps while having the integrated ninja lie in ambush within the surrounding forests.
Simultaneously, each squad received an additional item: a kunai marked with the Flying Thunder God Technique seal.
Night fell.
The coastline defenses remained as tight as ever.
As usual, the Kiri Ninja conducted a perimeter reconnaissance and found that Konoha had not altered its patrol patterns.
In the sea, seawater gradually coalesced into a human form, kneeling before an orange-haired ninja.
"Lord Kishimaru, Konoha has not changed its patrol patterns."
"Don't jump to conclusions so quickly. First, pinpoint Ao's location. Avoid being detected. If you're captured by Konoha... hah, then take your own lives. Don't become a burden to the village," Kishimaru sneered coldly.
"Yes, sir!"
The ninja replied and dove back into the water to return.
At that moment, another team of Kiri Ninja arrived.
"The same goes for you. Cooperate fully with their infiltration. If you can't erase the traces you leave behind, don't bother coming back."
"Yes, sir!"
In addition to the Kirigakure Assassination Squad, the eight who had fled the previous day were also participating.
In the assassination. Yesterday had been the perfect opportunity to eliminate Ao, but these eight cowards had been frightened by a mere cat, utterly disgracing Kirigakure.
As punishment, they would be the first wave to infiltrate and draw attention after obtaining intelligence on Ao's confinement.
However, Kishimaru was unaware that Konoha's Eastern Front was no longer operating in isolated units.
Now, Tsunade coordinated all operations, and two ninja proficient in the Flying Thunder God Technique were present.
When the Hozuki Clan members infiltrated the area, the patrol team had already detected them and deliberately leaked fragmented information about the main camp behind the lines.
The Kiri Ninja weren't fools; such blatant tactics were too obvious.
Back at the camp, Raj slept soundly, but the others weren't so fortunate.
Take Kakashi and Obito, for example.
Youngsters will be youngsters, always overthinking things.
Instead of resting and conserving their energy, they were preoccupied with causing trouble during the enemy's expected night raid.
What did this battle even have to do with them?
This was a team effort.
While the Kiri Ninja excelled at guerrilla warfare, when it came to storming camps and assassinating targets, the Konoha Ninja - a mix of Anbu and Root operatives - were more than a match for them.
Moreover, with the Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan and the sensory abilities of the Aburame Clan, infiltrating Konoha's defenses for assassination was practically a joke.
Even if someone were to be captured, the Flying Thunder God Technique would ensure their swift retrieval!
Of course...
The Kiri Ninja were unaware that Minato had already arrived on the eastern front.
Had they known this, they would never have attempted an assassination plan and would have instead abandoned Ao outright.
News quickly reached the front lines: the Kiri Ninja had infiltrated from the Uchiha camp's direction.
Fugaku's expression darkened.