Paths of Divergence

Vengeance Rising

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Chapter 7

-Vengeance Rising

Concealed in the trees, Team Kari examines the densely packed forest around them. According to the map the supposed hide out should be in their current area. The team patiently waits for their captain's cue for what to do next.

"I want this done by the books..." Shizake states. "Spread out, pinpoint an entrance and alert the rest of us with the call sign."

The three answer with only a nod, flickering out of the tree and into the surrounding area. They spread out in a shotgun formation, quickly surveying the area for things that look out of place. Shozen activates his Byakugan looking for any significant sign or hint of chakra signatures. Toshi focuses in on the sound of the forest, a skill she picked up during her time as an ANBU, where she is able to completely block out her other senses except for sound.

Shītto peruses the forest regularly, deciding to keep an eye out in case a quick reaction is needed. Naturally, Shizake has his Sharingan activated, able to pick up minute changes in the forest's thick overgrowth.

After a long half hour of searching the area, the three meet back up back where they started to discuss their findings.

"Anything on your end Shozen?" Shizake asks in a hushed tone.

"Yeah... almost missed it though. I found wire running along the ground. Nearly missed it except that I noticed it was covered in a thin layer of chakra. It was obviously attached to something but I thought it was a trap. Searched around but couldn't find anything that looked remotely like a trap. When I tugged the wire there wasn't any slack but I didn't want to possibly activate anything." The Hyuga explains.

"Wait, did you say a wire? I stepped on one just like that. The only reason I knew it was there was because when I stepped on it I could tell the difference in noise from the regular forest floor. " The brunette girl interjects.

The black and blonde spiked Shītto chuckles before explaining the same thing, a wire attached to an unknown source. The three of them turn to Shizake before he too nods his head and confirms the same thing.

Shizake clears his throat, getting ready to explain the plan.

"We're not sure what it is. Just because there's nothing to signify a trap it could very well be one that's concealed in some unknown way." He says.

"True but it could be a way in... some sort of... puzzle maybe?" Shozen adds.

"How so?" Shītto curiously wonders.

"Bear with me... but what if it's meant for all the strings to be pulled together. One person alone would need to know a clone jutsu. I assume only very few know the way in and out of this place." The Hyuga explains.

"Hm..." Shizake thinks, sitting on Shozen's words. "It sounds plausible... but I don't want to risk anything."

"They were covered in chakra though, as far as I'm aware, I've never encountered a trap with chakra laced lines unless it was connected to a puppet..." Shozen trails off on the last word.

"What would a puppet be doing out in the middle of the forest alone?" Toshi asks.

"Not sure... I'm just basing it off of what I saw." Shozen says with a shrug.

Shītto scratches his head before snapping his fingers, "Then how about we set it off safely? We each make a clone and pull the wires together, that way if anything happens our clones will take the damage."