The night was deep, and the dense forests on the border of the Land of Frost were even colder and more desolate than those of the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Springs.
The cold wind swept through the bare branches, making a howling sound.
A group of twelve Uchiha moved swiftly through the woods. Although they were fast, the fatigue from continuous long-distance flight and the fact that they were carrying the young Shisui meant their overall speed could not reach its limit.
While moving rapidly, Uchiha Shao Yu suddenly raised his hand, signaling the team to slow down. Everyone immediately stopped and dispersed alertly to keep watch.
"Lord Shōba?" Uchiha Renka, who was responsible for scouting ahead, turned back and asked in a low voice.
Shao Yu's gaze swept over the surrounding terrain. This was a relatively open woodland with thin snow on the ground, making it easy to leave tracks. Not far ahead, the terrain began to become complex, with rising hills and piles of rocks.
"Renka," Shao Yu spoke, his voice clear and calm in the cold wind.
"From now on, as we move, let's deliberately leave some traces."
"They don't need to be too obvious, but they should be enough for an experienced tracker to find after a careful search, and to be convinced that they are real traces we left pointing in the direction we are heading."
Uchiha Renka was slightly startled. The other clansmen around them, including Uchiha Mikka and others, also cast puzzled looks.
During an escape, erasing traces is an instinct and a basic skill for a Ninja. Why leave them on purpose?
"Lord Shao Yu, this..." Renka was somewhat puzzled.
Shao Yu knew an explanation was needed. He signaled everyone to take a short rest and then said:
"Have you thought about it? Konoha's pursuers may already be on their way. Moreover, to ensure they can take us down, the configuration of the pursuers will definitely not be weak."
His gaze swept over everyone, lingering for a moment especially on the several Chunin and Shisui.
"The speed of our team does not depend on the limit speed of Jonin like me, Renka, Tekka, and Chikage, but on the relatively slower people in the team, such as Shisui, and several Chunin companions who are not known for their speed."
"When Konoha's pursuers analyze our team's composition, they will definitely take this into account. They will send elites who are fast enough to catch up with our mixed team."
"This means that if we just keep running, it's only a matter of time before we are caught. If we are caught while exhausted and in poor condition, the situation will be extremely unfavorable for us."
Hearing this, everyone's expressions became solemn.
They knew Shao Yu was right. With Shisui and a team that wasn't entirely composed of Jonin, there were indeed shortcomings in endurance and top speed for a long-distance trek.
"So," Shao Yu continued, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Since we can't outrun them, we won't run. At least, we can't let them catch up to us according to their rhythm."
"We will deliberately leave 'real' traces pointing this way, making the pursuers believe we are fleeing deep into the Land of Frost."
"Then, we won't actually go far in this direction."
"Instead, we'll stay nearby and find a terrain suitable for ambush and defense, like behind those rocky hills over there, to hide and seize the time to rest, recover Chakra, and adjust our state."
His gaze became even sharper.
"At the same time, we'll use this time to set traps along the paths the pursuers are most likely to pass and around our chosen ambush point—Explosive Tag traps, Genjutsu triggers, physical tripwires..."
"Use everything we're carrying that can cause trouble. We don't expect the traps to kill many pursuers, but we want to disrupt their formation, consume their Chakra, and create chaos and panic."
"When the pursuers follow the traces we left and step into our pre-set battlefield, they'll think they've caught up with us in our exhausted flight. In reality, they'll be facing us while we're rested, recovered, and have laid out layers of obstacles."
Shao Yu's voice wasn't loud, but it was convincing.
"By then, the initiative will be in our hands. Whether to fight or leave, and how to fight, will be decided by us."
"We can even take this opportunity to severely damage or even eliminate some of the pursuers, making them afraid to pursue us so closely, thus gaining more breathing room and a safer escape distance."
After listening, everyone's eyes lit up.
Especially the several young Chunin; their original worry about being caught up had now turned into a burning desire to fight. Uchiha Renka nodded heavily.
"A brilliant plan! Lord Shōba! Instead of fleeing passively, it's better to take the initiative and set a trap! I understand, I'll handle the traces well—they must be able to follow, but it shouldn't look too deliberate."
"Mm."
Shao Yu nodded.
"Remember, the traces must be natural, consistent with the oversights a mixed team might leave while traveling in a hurry."
"Leave it to me." Uchiha Renka solemnly accepted. As a Jonin, he was also an expert in tracking and counter-tracking.
"Mikka," Shao Yu looked at another core member.
"Take two people and coordinate with Renka. While laying the traces, also begin a preliminary reconnaissance of the terrain ahead suitable for an ambush, focusing on areas that are easy to defend and hard to attack, have retreat paths, and are convenient for setting traps."
"Yes!" Uchiha Mikka took the order.
"Ling, Mei, you two take care of Shisui and prepare medical and reconnaissance support. Everyone else, stand by to set traps." Shao Yu assigned tasks in an orderly manner.
"Yes! Lord Shao Yu / Lord Shōba / Brother!"
Everyone responded in unison, their fatigue replaced by a sharp edge of readiness for the upcoming battle.
Soon, the team moved into action again.
Uchiha Renka and Mikka took their men and skillfully began to create escape traces, heading towards the more complex mountainous terrain ahead.
Meanwhile, the main force, led by Shao Yu, quietly deviated from the main direction indicated by the traces. Using the cover of night and terrain, they crept toward a rocky slope on the other side that was sheltered from the wind, hidden, and had natural stone forests and caves to rely on.
There was one more thing Uchiha Shao Yu didn't say.
And that was who would be leading the pursuers.
Right now, the Sannin and the White Fang of Konoha are all on the Hidden Sand Village battlefield, so they definitely can't come. As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, he has to personally oversee Konoha Village. For a minor rogue Ninja like himself, Hiruzen, as the Hokage, certainly wouldn't come to pursue him personally.
Who else are the high-level combat forces of Konoha during this period? As Konoha's pillar, Uzumaki Mito, Hiruzen Sarutobi would definitely not allow her to leave Konoha. Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu could be considered half-high-end combat forces, but if it were them, Hiruzen Sarutobi would probably not feel comfortable letting them come to their deaths.
Then it's clear who the person pursuing them is.
It can only be the King of Pots.
In the entire Konoha Village, he is the most suitable candidate.
If it's Danzo, Uchiha Shao Yu feels he doesn't need to worry much. Although Danzo's strength is decent, Shao Yu knows his trump cards clearly, whereas Danzo knows practically nothing about his Mangekyo Sharingan.
Ninjas, after all, fight based on differences in knowledge and intelligence.
Shao Yu carefully calculated the time. Elder Setsuna said the matter would be leaked about four to six hours after they left. Adding in information transmission and the pursuers' preparation, they would probably set out about half a day later than them.
They stayed in the inn for more than four hours. If Danzo is leading a Jonin squad, they should be less than four hours away from them by now.
Four hours is enough for them to do many things.
While Renka, Mikka, and the others were still preparing traps, Uchiha Shao Yu had his own things to do.
He wanted to tame some usable Shikigami within these four hours.
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808