Chapter 9: The Cloud Ninja's Pursuit
Tonari left the Two-Tails' sealed space with practiced ease.
Every day, he would spend some time in the sealed space, trying to communicate with the Two-Tails. Whether it was to build rapport or out of sympathy for the beast, Tonari had his reasons.
His primary goal was simple: to prevent the Two-Tails from going berserk without warning.
Through these daily interactions, Tonari had gleaned critical information from the Two-Tails and his own observations—the seal binding the beast was unstable.
In fact, it was highly unstable.
Had the Two-Tails not been injured during the transfer of the seal, it could have already broken free, escaping its cage to roam as a free-tailed beast. No tailed beast would ever reject such an opportunity.
Thus, Tonari knew he had to improve his relationship with the Two-Tails, at least until he could find help. He didn't expect the Two-Tails to treat him as a friend but hoped that, when the time came, the beast might hesitate for even a fraction of a second. That slight hesitation could mean the difference between life and death.
In the meantime, regular interactions also allowed Tonari to better understand the Two-Tails' current state and thoughts.
This wasn't some cunning scheme born from a deep sense of calculation. Rather, Tonari knew all too well what would happen to a Jinchūriki if they lost control of their tailed beast. He wasn't doing this because he wanted to—it was because he had to.
After leaving the sealed space, Tonari sat quietly in the carriage, recovering his strength.
The day's intense training had left him drained, and even with the Two-Tails' passive assistance, recovery wasn't instantaneous.
As night fell, Tonari prepared to part ways with the caravan.
While traveling with the caravan had been comfortable—food to eat, a place to sleep—Tonari couldn't shake an uneasy feeling.
It was all too easy.
Escaping the Land of Lightning and nearing the Land of Fire without a hitch felt suspiciously smooth.
The simplicity of the journey made Tonari doubt the caravan's motives. Although he had chosen to join them initially, his own safety now outweighed any earlier decisions.
Thus, Tonari resolved to leave the caravan that very night.
The Land of Fire was close, and he could navigate the general direction on his own. Once he crossed the border, reaching Konoha would no longer seem so impossible.
Sitting in the carriage, Tonari focused on recovering his strength while waiting for night to deepen.
When the pale moon hung high in the midnight sky, Tonari peered through the small gap in the window curtain, observing the caravan's guards as they patrolled diligently.
However, midnight was when human vigilance was at its weakest.
It was the perfect time to leave.
Tonari didn't know if the caravan harbored ulterior motives, but caution was the safest approach.
He wasn't about to gamble his life. Survival came first.
With that thought, Tonari quietly slipped out of the carriage. Rolling into a nearby thicket, he made no sound.
His small, slender frame had its disadvantages, but in moments like this, it became a significant advantage.
The clothes he had specifically purchased for stealth proved invaluable, helping him blend into the shadows and avoid getting snagged by branches or undergrowth.
Every ounce of knowledge and skill Tonari possessed came into play as he moved through the forest.
Traveling through dense woods at night was inherently dangerous—more so than during the day—but Tonari had no choice. Reaching the Land of Fire was the only way to ensure even a semblance of safety.
He couldn't be sure whether his tricks had successfully fooled the Cloud Ninjas. After all, he wasn't a shinobi and could only make assumptions about their abilities.
For the sake of safety, Tonari chose to assume the worst: they were chasing him.
His precautions were not cowardice—they were wisdom.
Thankfully, he had conserved his precious food pills during his time with the caravan. Now, they were proving their worth. Though unpleasant to eat, their value far outweighed their taste when survival was on the line.
As the hours passed, Tonari grew more familiar with the terrain. His speed through the forest steadily increased, far surpassing the pace of the caravan he'd left behind.
---
Dawn broke.
With a muffled bang, a noise echoed from near the caravan.
The guards and the caravan leader hurried to the source, only to see a figure standing before the carriage where Tonari had been.
The man's dark complexion, short cropped hair, and simple yet sharp ninja attire immediately caught their attention. A white mask covered his face, and a short blade rested on his back.
On his left arm, a headband bearing the Cloud Village symbol gleamed under the sunlight.
Perched on his shoulder was a small, rotund creature—a mouse, furry and round.
The Cloud Ninja stood motionless, his piercing, emotionless eyes fixed on Tonari's abandoned carriage.
The caravan leader froze, sweat instantly beading on his forehead. "R-r-respected s-sir… t-the boy was in that carriage…"
Swish!
Two swift flashes of light.
The Cloud Ninja's short blade was in his hand, its edge gleaming menacingly before sliding back into its sheath with a soft click.
With a loud crash, the carriage door shattered, revealing… nothing.
The interior of the carriage was empty save for some neatly arranged cargo.
The caravan leader nervously wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, stammering, "H-he was here yesterday… I swear!"
The Cloud Ninja ignored him, stepping into the carriage. Kneeling, he examined the wooden floor while the round mouse on his shoulder sniffed around.
Running his hand lightly over the floor, the ninja muttered, "The scent a human could detect has been completely erased. If not for my tracking mouse, he might have gotten away entirely.
"This boy… he's no ordinary child. Heading for the Land of Fire, perhaps Konoha?"
The ninja's suspicions felt increasingly certain.
He couldn't afford further delays—if the boy reached the Land of Fire, things would become much more complicated.
With that thought, the tracking mouse leaped back onto his shoulder. A moment later, the Cloud Ninja disappeared in a flash.
Outside, the caravan guards and leader collectively let out a sigh of relief.
Nothing terrified merchants more than shinobi.
However, as the Cloud Ninja vanished into the distance, the caravan leader's expression subtly shifted.
"All the necessary notifications have been sent, correct?" he asked.
An older man, the one who had brought Tonari meals daily, stepped forward and nodded. "Yes, but…"
The caravan leader shook his head. "We're not involved in this. Whatever happens next is between them.
"After all, our livelihood depends on the Land of Fire."
(End of Chapter)