There was no suspense in Natsuhiko's first match. In fact, even Natsuhiko himself didn't think the battle had been difficult at all.
When he watched the rest of the selection matches afterward, he quickly lost interest.
Most of them were either complete one-sided victories, which held no real value for observation,
or fighters going all out, allowing Natsuhiko to easily see where their limits were. That also didn't offer much meaningful reference.
Fortunately, these matches were mostly finished by the morning.
Although there were quite a few participants, the total number of matches didn't even reach ten.
By the afternoon, Natsuhiko still had to carry out his regular patrol duties. For him, such tasks were practically the same as relaxing.
Pursuit missions and external deployments made up the bulk of ANBU operations.
However, routine patrols were actually the ANBU's most common daily work.
Taking Kakashi with him, Natsuhiko quickly set off.
This time, the area they were assigned to patrol was rather interesting.
It was the very same place where Natsuhiko and Kakashi had encountered the Root organization before.
"So, we're back here," Kakashi said, clearly remembering the place well.
"Hopefully we won't run into any trouble this time."
"Agreed. I don't like them either, and I'd rather not see them again," Natsuhiko nodded in full agreement.
In Konoha, almost anyone who knew of the Root's existence harbored a certain level of distaste for them. Natsuhiko and Kakashi were no exceptions.
After all, Kakashi had spent quite a long time in the ANBU already. The knowledge he needed to learn had been filled in, and he now understood quite a bit about Root.
Their last encounter had already been troublesome enough. Neither of them wanted a repeat of that experience.
Fortunately, they weren't that unlucky this time.
Today's patrol proceeded normally.
Perhaps the clumsy performance of the Root ninja during the previous incident had earned them a severe reprimand from Danzō.
Or perhaps it was still too early in the day, and those people hadn't begun their activities yet.
In any case, Natsuhiko and Kakashi encountered no incidents at all.
While patrolling these sensitive areas, they discovered nothing unusual.
Natsuhiko even deliberately used his sensory abilities to probe the surrounding area, but he still found nothing.
"Has the sealing barrier been strengthened?"
Natsuhiko thought to himself.
Ever since he had begun mastering sealing techniques, he had discovered that his sensory abilities had developed a certain sensitivity toward barrier seals.
For ordinary sealing barriers, Natsuhiko could easily detect their presence.
But stronger ones were beyond his ability to perceive.
Just like now.
The last time he had been here, he had already sensed the existence of the barrier. Normally, he should still have some sensitivity toward it.
Yet now he couldn't detect anything at all.
That could only mean the barrier had been strengthened.
"And strengthening the barrier here must have a purpose."
Natsuhiko quickly analyzed the situation in his mind.
Aside from the previous incident where he and Kakashi accidentally stumbled upon something, there shouldn't have been any real problems here.
Even when they exposed the situation last time, nothing substantial had actually been revealed.
Root was extremely cautious, but even with such caution, they wouldn't abandon an experimental base they had likely spent years constructing over such a small incident.
Besides, many people were backing them up in this matter.
There was no need for them to act so drastically.
Being too deliberate would only attract more suspicion and trouble.
So if they didn't need to relocate, but had strengthened the barrier instead…
Then perhaps it could be understood that they had deliberately chosen this place to turn it into an even more important experimental base.
Using something hidden in plain sight wasn't usually the best strategy.
But when there was a powerful force protecting it, everything became different.
Clearly, Root was exactly like that.
And the powerful force protecting them was more than just one source.
"Could it be that even more important experiments are really being carried out inside here?"
Thinking of this, Natsuhiko couldn't help but feel slightly tempted. If that were true, he could completely collect some things!
After signing a contract with Lizardmaru and the entire lizard clan, Natsuhiko learned that among the lizard tribe there were quite a few small lizards that could be used.
Whether it was the tiny lizards capable of stealth infiltration, or the ones able to communicate with animals, they could all help him sneak in and investigate everything about that laboratory!
If he could obtain more intelligence—perhaps even fully understand the entire laboratory—then it would be equivalent to holding a much bigger trump card.
And that card would be enough for him to exchange for more valuable intelligence from Minato Namikaze.
The intelligence obtained through exchanging information with Minato Namikaze could allow him to do even more things, and even gain greater benefits!
Thinking of this, Natsuhiko made up his mind, and he didn't intend to delay this matter.
Right now, Danzo was still together with Hiruzen Sarutobi, and even Minato Namikaze was with them.
At this time, Danzo absolutely wouldn't have the time to come here, let alone protect them—although Natsuhiko felt that if a fight really broke out, it was hard to say who would be protecting whom.
There probably weren't many Root members left guarding this place either.
Most importantly, his current patrol point was nearby. If he didn't seize this opportunity, it might be very difficult to get another chance like this in the future.
"Kakashi, let's split up and patrol," Natsuhiko said directly after thinking it through.
"There are only two of us. Patrolling together is too inefficient. The sooner we finish checking the area, the sooner we can call it a day. Honestly, I don't even think this place needs much attention."
"True. This is those guys' territory," Kakashi nodded, clearly agreeing with Natsuhiko.
"If we can finish early, that would be great. Captain, I'll go check the northern side."
"Mm. Also keep an eye out for members of the Police Force," Natsuhiko nodded, suddenly remembering something.
"If you run into any Police Force heading this way, just urge them to leave. This area is technically within their search range as well, but usually they don't come here."
"I understand, Captain," Kakashi said seriously.
"I saw it in the briefing. I know how to handle it."
The Police Force indeed had responsibility for this area. In fact, they technically had authority over all areas of Konoha.
Their duty was to maintain the peace and stability of the village. However, now that the Police Force had essentially been turned from a village department into an Uchiha department, their authority seemed large on the surface but had actually been significantly reduced.
On top of that, they only recruited their own clan members, leaving them severely short on manpower. Covering the entire village was extremely difficult.
Natsuhiko mentioning it was simply a habit as a captain. At the same time, it would make Kakashi more careful and focused during the patrol.
Kakashi didn't waste any more words. He quickly turned and left.
After scanning the area once more, Natsuhiko also quickly departed.
But this time, the direction he took—intentionally or unintentionally—was moving closer to the underground laboratory he had previously discovered.
...
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