Thud—thud—thud—
Three shadows—red, black, and blond—raced out from the forest toward the rocky terrain.
"We already have a full Heaven–Earth scroll set," said Akimichi Yumi, the red-haired plump girl. "Shouldn't we just go camp at the tower and ambush Kaito-big-brother's team?"
Yamanaka Tai shook his head.
"Even so, Shin'nosuke-sensei gave us a special assignment. We should complete it."
Nara Ha clicked his tongue.
"What a troublesome mission."
He suddenly stopped, eyes narrowing at the flat gravel ground.
The other two halted as well.
Tai scanned the area.
"What is it? Enemy nearby?"
Ha crouched, scooping up a smear of clay mixed into the grit.
"This doesn't belong in this rocky zone."
"In the western section of the simulation forest," he explained, "right beyond the cave tunnels, the soil becomes clay-heavy."
Yumi leaned down.
"And how does that help with tracking Kaito?"
Ha smirked.
"Shin'nosuke-sensei told us that Kaito's team entered from Gate 11."
"And according to the forest map…"
He pointed forward.
"Gate 11 is exactly in the western cave region."
Rocky Terrain — Team Kaito's Hideout
The three adults—Kaito, Unma, and Ryūun—pressed themselves against stone, minimizing visibility while watching the Ino–Shika–Chō trio approach step by step.
"Kaito, what now? Do we attack?"
Unma's voice trembled slightly—
These were not random genin.
This was the Ino–Shika–Chō, Konoha's famed family trio.
"If it were any other genin, we might manage," Ryūun hissed.
"But these guys… why them?!"
Kaito understood.
A true Ino–Shika–Chō formation required three clans whose personalities and teamwork sync perfectly.
Otherwise, you'd just get:
a pig,
a deer,
and a butterfly—
working separately in Root, ANBU, Barrier Corps, Torture Division, Intel, or boring admin units.
Only together were they the legendary tactical engine of Konoha.
"Relax," Kaito said confidently.
"I set plenty of traps around here. They'll definitely—"
Unma pointed at Nara Ha, who had already crouched down, detected the pit trap, and disarmed it with one finger.
"You mean that 'perfectly hidden' pit trap?" Unma whispered dryly.
Kaito: "..."
I clearly reinforced that with Earth Release…
But of course—
It's Ino–Shika–Chō.
Ha examined the pit, about three meters deep, frowning.
"This was made with Earth Release," he judged.
"Visually flawless, nearly invisible."
Tai asked, "So what's wrong with it?"
"It's too perfect."
Ha swept his eyes over the ground.
"Untouched by wind or weathering. It stands out in a natural landscape like this."
"And in such an open area, it's extremely difficult to place traps effectively."
He stood.
"Come out."
"No point hiding. In this terrain, you can't escape us."
The Reveal
A calm clapping sound echoed.
Kaito stepped out from behind a tall boulder.
"As expected of the Nara clan. Sharp as always."
Ha scanned the area.
"Where are your teammates?"
The trio shifted into a refined triangular formation—
classic Ino–Shika–Chō, covering all 360 degrees.
Kaito shrugged casually.
"Oh, them? They ran."
The trio anime-fell, then quickly stood again.
Tai gritted his teeth.
"Don't joke! Your team isn't that dysfunctional. And without you, they can't pass the second stage!"
"You know a lot, kid," Kaito said, eyes sharpening.
"But the reason they could leave…"
"…is because I alone am enough to deal with all three of you."
Even calm Nara Ha frowned.
"Such arrogance. Fine. Show us if you can back it up."
"A-formation!"
"Yes!" x2
The three charged.
Kaito reached for his pouch and flicked three shuriken.
Ha read the trajectories instantly, knocking each aside with a kunai.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
"Don't waste our time with toys, Kaito. If Shin'nosuke-sensei considers you an opponent, you must have more than this. If not—prepare to be eliminated."
Ha formed seals.
His shadow darted straight toward Kaito.
"Shadow Imitation, huh…"
Kaito leapt onto a boulder—
but Ha extended the technique using the rock's shadow and chased again.
"You understand our clan's ninjutsu," Ha said.
"But you forgot—Ino–Shika–Chō is three people."
Kaito was mid-air when—
"And there's me!"
A red fist the size of a watermelon shot toward him.
"Partial Multi-Size Technique!"
Yumi's embiggened arm smashed toward his face.
Kaito nodded appreciatively.
"Good coordination. Shadow pressure makes me focus forward, and the ambush closes the blind side."
"But…"
"…your intel has a flaw."
POOF!
The "Kaito" being punched exploded into smoke.
Yumi's jaw dropped.
"…A clone?!"
High above them—
The real Kaito stood atop a rock, hands moving in rapid seals.
"Why did I keep dodging near this stone?"
He smirked.
"Because basic clones can't produce sound."
POOF! POOF!
Two stones beside him transformed—
Ryūun and Unma sprang out, blocking Tai's Mental Transfer jutsu attempts.
Kaito finished his seals.
His gaze locked onto the panicked Yumi.
"Demonic Illusion—Binding Technique!"
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