Chase

A group of three Konoha Shinobi could be seen rushing across the forests in Kumo, desperately attempting to cover ground as they distanced themselves from the scene of their crime.

The group body flickered from place to place, as they desperately retreated towards the border, as they planned to hide out in one of the smaller countries along the way to try to shake any potential pursuers that may come after them before finally arriving at Konoha.

However, before any of that, they must exit the hostile territory, and escape the borders of the Land of Lightning, where they were all but guaranteed to die if they stayed any longer than they should.

It had been over three hours since their initial escape, and yet, they had still not passed the Kumo border, nor was there any chance that they would in the near future.

Neko: "Assuming we keep this pace, we will be able to cross the border in just over ten hours"

Guy: " TEN HOURS!?"

Mizuki: "In other words, assuming we are able to keep this pace, we will be able to cross at around noon tomorrow morning?"

Neko: "Sounds about right, although us keeping this pace is a big if, we will need to make a couple of stops most likely to recharge our chakra."

Mizuki: "Shit. How are your guys' reserves doing?"

Neko: "I'm running at about half capacity, although, we always need to stay above at least a quarter tank in case of an ambush"

Mizuki: "Fair enough, I'm lower though, setting up the Doton jutsu for our escape took a toll, even if it was a few hours ago."

Neko: "How much?"

Mizuki: "About a third. should last me about another thirty minutes or so."

Neko: "Ok, we will rest up then, try to make things as brief as possible."

Mizuki: "Yes Captain"

Neko: "And you Guy?"

Guy: "I don't use many jutsu, so my chakra is still pretty full, slightly above half, although, considering that physical energy is part of chakra, resting up a bit wouldn't hurt"

Neko: "Alright, no problem."

The next thirty minutes passed in silence, as the group made sure to keep an eye on their chakra levels before touching down near a riverbank for a brief moment.

Neko: "Alright, I don't want to be here any longer than necessary. Twenty Minutes. Use that time to refill your canisters with water, take some food pills, and lay some traps."

Neko: "Your remaining time can be used for a quick break, however short that may be. This is gonna be our last stop in the Land of Lightning, so we need to make this count."

Mizuki and Guy: "Right"

Besides the obvious refilling of their water canisters and taking food pills, the group laid a variety of traps in the area.

They were all fairly simple, namely, several Barrier Method Formations scattered about in the general area.

After all, they did not have enough time to set up any more advanced or potentially more dangerous traps.

Mizuki silently cursed as he watched most of his paper bombs vanish over the course of this mission, first during their escape, and now here.

Mizuki: "I seriously need to learn how to make these things."

With his job finished, Mizuki meditated for the remainder of their time given, trying to amass as much chakra as possible before departing.

However, it was at this moment that what could only be called smooth sailing on the part of the Konoha shinobi came to an end as the rough waters ahead of them became increasingly apparent.

. . . . .

Mabui and Samui had been moving at a quick pace ever since they departed the site of the failed ambush.

Their first stop: Finding the other end of that damn tunnel.

Lucky for them, all they needed to do was to follow the entrance and make a beeline through the forest before they hit it, a mere couple of hundred meters in.

Seeing this use of Doton, Samui began to think critically about who their opponent could be.

After all, it was rare to see a master of Doton jutsu in Konoha of all places, and most of the entries in the Bingo Book that did fit this category were all jonin.

And to top it all off, Samui could not shake this feeling of familiarity that was overtaking her.

Unless . . .

The pieces were slowly clicking together.

Samui: "Mizuki"

The blonde kunoichi whispered those words to herself, letting them be lost to the wind.

Mabui: "What?"

Samui: "I have a theory as to who one of the enemy shinobi is."

Hearing this, Mabui's ears perked up.

Mabui: "Oh?"

Samui: "Keep in mind that this is just a theory, and it is based on highly circumstantial evidence."

Mabui: "Better than nothing. Spill."

Samui: "Mizuki of Konoha. I met him in the Chunin Exams during my infiltration. He has skill with Iryo Ninjutsu, Katon, and Doton, in addition to having relatively Solid Taijutsu. Also, he can summon snakes and do some specialized jutsu that are based on them."

Samui: "However, the thing that makes him the most dangerous is his Fuinjutsu. He can steal chakra by touching you."

Mabui: "Oh? Sounds like his jutsu match perfectly with what we have encountered so far. And he has quite the resume too. Did you ever fight him?"

Samui shook her head, remembering the agreement the two had made after he bested her. There was no way she was going to admit that she had failed her mission and lost to him, and Mizuki was all too happy to oblige.

Samui: "Never, although I did see him fight during the exams. He was the strongest participant by far, and rumors have it that he even won the tournament in the third stage."

Mabui: "Impressive. You don't happen to have any idea who the others are do you?"

Samui shook her head.

Mabui: "Don't worry about it, the info you have already provided is plenty of help on its own."

And so, with the two Kunoichi finished exchanging information about the potential target, they launched themselves towards the border, knowing that is where they would need to intercept the Konoha Shinobi.

They would have one shot.