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For three intense days, Sakumo led Haruto and Daichi through a maze of dense forests, rocky inclines, and treacherous paths, meticulously following the faintest traces of the Sand assassins. They moved with unwavering focus, making camp only when exhaustion demanded it and speaking in low, controlled whispers to preserve the stealth they so desperately needed. The mission's importance and the weight of the hidden threat loomed over them like a shadow. Each shift of the wind, each rustle in the underbrush could signify an enemy presence, and each of them was hyper-aware, muscles coiled and ready.

During rare breaks, Haruto shared his custom jerky—a nutrient-dense, scentless ration he'd devised to be both energizing and untraceable. Sakumo, always keen on practical innovations, was intrigued by the jerky's efficiency and subtlety. Unlike the standard rations, Haruto's jerky was less noticeable by scent-sensitive enemies, a quality Sakumo valued. As they chewed on the tough strips, Sakumo suggested Haruto consider refining the recipe further, even hinting at collaborating with the Akimichi Clan. With their expertise and reach in the production of food pills, Haruto's jerky could become a mainstay for Konoha's field operatives. The idea took root in Haruto's mind, promising not only steady income but also the possibility of creating something that would benefit his village.

On the third day, the painstaking reconnaissance finally bore fruit. The Hyuga-led team detected subtle traces of Sand shinobi activity, their Byakugan eyes capturing faint disturbances in the landscape that were invisible to most. Just as Sakumo's team prepared to close in for support, a city guard staggered toward them, eyes wide and bloodshot, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His uniform was rumpled and damp with sweat, his face drained of all color, looking as if he'd clawed his way out of a nightmare. With barely enough strength to speak, he managed to gasp a single word: "Chiyo." Then, before anyone could react, his body convulsed, collapsing to the ground as foam bubbled from the corners of his mouth.

Haruto crouched, observing the telltale signs of poison with detached precision. "Poison," he murmured, rising without a trace of hesitation. There was no saving the man—the poison was lethal and quick. Their mission was clear, and the guard's fate, as unfortunate as it was, would have to remain a footnote.

Sakumo's face darkened as he took in the implications of the name "Chiyo." She was one of the Sand Village's most formidable shinobi, a puppeteer of legendary skill and a kunoichi known for her deadly intelligence. If she was leading this operation, they were dealing with a far greater threat than they had anticipated. The pieces fell into place in his mind, and he quickly turned to Haruto and Daichi, his voice low, steady, and grave.

"Chiyo is as dangerous as they come," he began, his gaze unwavering. "If she's involved, this mission has escalated beyond what we expected. I need you two to fall back to the Hyuga's position and maintain surveillance on the Sand outpost. No engagement—observe and report only. I'll handle Chiyo myself."

Daichi's jaw tightened, his fists clenched at his sides. He looked ready to protest, frustration flashing across his face, but he swallowed the words. Sakumo's authority was absolute on the field, and Daichi knew better than to question his command. Haruto met Sakumo's gaze, his expression grave. Both young shinobi were well aware that Chiyo was no ordinary opponent. She was a tactician, a master puppeteer, and a formidable strategist, whose presence alone meant that they were facing a challenge beyond their usual scope.

Without a word, Haruto and Daichi turned and moved back, retreating towards the Hyuga's position to resume reconnaissance. The instant they disappeared into the shadows, Sakumo drew a deep breath, steeling himself. Then, in a surge of chakra, he activated his lightning movement technique, his body becoming a blur of motion as he sped toward Chiyo, the trees and terrain whipping past him in a haze.

As he neared the skirmish, Sakumo's sharp gaze took in the chaotic scene ahead. His remaining jonin and Katsume were engaged in a fierce battle against two Sand jonin and two chunin. The fight was grueling, with both sides trading attacks, each shinobi's movements a careful balance of offense and defense. Exhaustion was beginning to weigh heavily on Sakumo's allies, their stances slightly less steady, their strikes a beat slower. Yet they held their ground with unwavering resolve.

Standing calmly behind her allies, orchestrating the battlefield with a calm menace, was Chiyo herself. She moved with eerie precision, launching senbon with practiced, deadly aim. Each needle was thrown not to kill but to unnerve, disrupt, and keep Sakumo's team on edge, her every move calculated to maintain control over the battle. Oddly, Chiyo hadn't yet summoned her puppets, a peculiarity that immediately caught Sakumo's attention. A kunoichi of her caliber didn't forgo her primary weapons without reason.

"Hello, Sakumo," Chiyo's voice called out, smooth and mocking, carrying across the battlefield with unsettling clarity. She approached him slowly, her hands raised in a mock gesture of peace, though her eyes betrayed a simmering malice. Her lips twisted into a thin smile, sharp as a blade, as her gaze studied him, her every move laced with dangerous intent.

"Chiyo," Sakumo replied evenly, his stance tense as he gauged her movements. He knew better than to take her at face value. "Whatever you're planning, it ends here."

Chiyo's smile widened, cold and haunting, as though she held a secret advantage hidden from him. "Perhaps," she murmured, a note of false humility in her voice. "Your presence here certainly complicates things, Sakumo. But sometimes, unexpected obstacles lead to… creative solutions." Her words hung in the air, dripping with ominous suggestion. After a brief pause, she added, her tone like ice, "At least my real body will get to take care of a Hyuga up close. I noticed your two young chunin aren't here with you. Did you send them with the Hyuga to keep watch on me?"

Her words hit him like a punch, a chilling realization dawning as he read the malicious intent in her gaze. The Chiyo standing before him wasn't real; she was a decoy. Before he could react, the Chiyo in front of him vanished into a cloud of smoke, leaving only the sinister implication of her trap.

Sakumo's mind whirled as he reassessed the situation. His jonin and Katsume were holding their own, but their mission was clear—they were here to protect the merchant's son, who was vulnerable amidst the chaos. He could see his team gaining ground, pushing back the remaining Sand shinobi, but he knew they were stretched thin. Leaving them in this critical moment felt like an enormous risk, yet allowing Haruto and Daichi to face Chiyo's true body alone was nothing short of a death sentence, especially if she was accompanied by additional Sand forces.

As he hesitated, he saw his masked jonin land a decisive blow on one of the Sand jonin, leveling the odds. Only one jonin and two chunin remained on the Sand side. Katsume, close to achieving special jonin level, could hold her ground, but she would be tested against Sand's elite. They had a fighting chance to secure the merchant's son, but their survival was a tenuous balance.

Sakumo turned to his jonin, his voice steady and urgent. "Hold the line here. Protect the objective at all costs." His gaze lingered on Katsume, conveying an unspoken command that mixed both trust and the weight of expectation. Without waiting for a reply, he activated his lightning movement technique again, vanishing into the mist-laden trees with a crackle of chakra and pure determination. His destination was clear: reach Haruto and Daichi before it was too late.

He knew the full extent of Chiyo's capabilities—her ruthlessness, her precision, her lethal adaptability. Chiyo didn't just defeat enemies; she dissected their strategies, picked them apart until only threads remained. Sakumo's focus sharpened as he pushed himself faster, trees blurring into dark streaks around him, his only hope that he would reach them before the merciless kunoichi did.