In favor of my assumptions played the fact that if the cargo is really valuable, as in the case of Hiroshi, then he would have hired a much more impressive security and couriers.
- Ryo-sensei, where do you think the attack will take place? - Asani asked seriously.
- Probably outside the city limits, but not so far that we'd be lost," I said, scratching my chin thoughtfully.
And by the edge of my consciousness I noted that the enemy observer had gotten beyond my sensitivity, indirectly confirming my version.
- Okay, girls, let's speed up, but first, - I took out a scroll with the cargo, put it in a protective case and gave it to Hoshi, - as a commander, you are responsible for safety.
With a focused nod, the apprentice accepted the case and stowed it in a pouch on her belt. After looking around the team and making sure they were determined, I jumped on the roof of the nearest house and galloped in the same direction the observer had fled. In a "strange" coincidence, nada. No doubt about it.
After leaving the city, Hoshi took on the role of commander, and this time she determined the place for parking, speed of movement and similar things for the team, while I stood back and only monitored the situation, allowing me to gain experience. And I was a little puzzled by the actions of the probable enemy - we were not watched and the ambush I expected was not on the way.
Given my level of sensitivity, I would have sensed the chakra users even with the inevitable disguises, not to mention the fact that only iryonins of the highest degree are capable of keeping up with the speed of even genin and not giving themselves away with small releases of chakra, thanks to their phenomenal control. And I doubt there will be any such among the nukenin and mercenaries.
The question remains, when and where are we going to be caught? At first I thought that at some distance from the city, before we had time to hide far away and get lost in the forests of Ho no Kuni, but the team was moving quietly along the roads, taking breaks, but the enemy did not appear. And that was... alarming.
If I were them, I would have first assessed the force from a distance, and with the obvious advantage in quantity and quality, which by definition I have, I would have attacked at any opportunity long ago. Preparing an ambush on rather slow-moving genin will not leave any difficulty, as well as calculate the approximate route of movement. Or did they recognize me? Unlikely.
- Break," Hoshi commanded as the sun disappeared from sight and it began to darken rapidly.
I unpacked everything I needed for a hearty supper and gave in to three pairs of begging looks, though I had originally intended to suggest that the three kunoichi take care of the food, since the forest was teeming with wildlife and even they could get enough prey without going too far from the camp. I wouldn't have to feed them all the time.
After dinner, the tired girls went to bed, and I took over guard duty, using the kage bunshin (shadow clone) just in case.
A light kick to the ribs from the clone, a few hours after falling asleep, as well as a small group of chakra lights that appeared on the border of sensitivity and was approaching us quite quickly, obviously on the left traces, made me instantly jump up and wake up the sweetly sleeping genin.
Here we are.
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