The moon hung low in the sky, its pale light slicing through the thick mist that blanketed the forest.
Yoshi and his captain finally broke through the tree line, their bodies drenched in sweat and dirt.
The long mission had drained them, but they could finally see the faint glow of torches from their temporary hideout ahead.
"Finally," Yoshi said, panting heavily. "I thought we'd never reach this place."
The captain chuckled weakly. "You talk too much even when you're tired."
They both laughed a little as they entered the camp a small setup with three tents and a campfire that was almost dying out.
Two comrades, Renji and Taro, were sitting nearby, cleaning their blades. Another man sat near them quiet, calm, his eyes half hidden in shadow.
He was the spy, though none of them knew his true identity except him.
"Captain! Yoshi!" Renji said with a grin. "You both look like ghosts. Mission done?"
"Yeah," Yoshi replied proudly, throwing down his weapon. "The job's finished. The Oda clan head won't be causing any more trouble." With that we gave straight message to the Kaminokawa Shogun !
The captain nodded. "Commander will be pleased."
The spy stood up slowly and smiled faintly. "That's good news. You should rest now. The forest can be cruel at night."
"Rest?" Yoshi laughed. "First, I need water! My throat feels like dry desert ." He looked at Taro. "Hey, go fill the jug from the river. It's not far."
Taro nodded and grabbed a jug, heading toward the river trail.
As the group settled down, a thin line of smoke rose faintly in the distance, blending with the mist. It was so small that only a careful eye could catch it. The spy did.
His expression changed for a split second calmness turning into hidden relief.
That was the signal.
The Shinobi squad was ready.
"Captain," the captain said, squinting toward the trees, "Do you see that smoke? Could be a signal."
Yoshi waved his hand lazily. "Nah, probably some travelers camping nearby. Relax, Captain. No one knows about this hideout. We're safe here."
The captain didn't look convinced but didn't argue further. He sat down beside the fire, rubbing his shoulders.
At the same moment, in the shadows of the forest, four figures moved silently the elite shinobi squad sent by the Shogun of Kaminokawa.
By spot on intel given by the spy ,Their faces were covered, their movements as silent as falling leaves. Leading them was their " Jonin " (the high ranking ninja leader) tall, calm, his eyes sharp like a blade.
He gave a quick hand signal. The others nodded and disappeared into the darkness.
By the riverbank, Taro knelt, filling the jug. The sound of running water masked every other noise. Suddenly, a cold blade slipped through his back.
His eyes widened, but no sound came out. The shinobi held him until his body went limp, then laid him down gently, letting the jug roll into the stream.
The Jonin made another hand sign — Move in.
The three other shinobi advanced toward the camp, blending perfectly with the night. Their movements were so precise that even the crackling of the fire couldn't cover a single sound of their approach.
Inside the hideout, Yoshi leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment. "Finally, peace after a long day…" he muttered.
The spy's gaze flicked toward the tent entrance. He could feel them coming.
His heart beat faster not from fear, but anticipation. Soon he'd from pretending. Soon my revenge for my fathers death will start he muttered within himself.
A faint rustle came from behind the tent. The captain stood, hand on his sword. "Did you hear that?"
Before Yoshi could answer, the tent flap moved slightly. The captain turned toward it and in that instant, a blur flashed past him.
A shadow. A blade. A silent strike.
The attack had begun.