Chōza Akimichi's medicine proved incredibly potent. After less than ten minutes of rest, Uchiha Kai's chakra reserves had almost fully recovered.
Glancing toward Namikaze Minato and Imai Kenta, Kai gave a silent nod. The three of them quietly began their approach to Kannabi Bridge.
Though the bridge was several kilometers away, it was a short trip for skilled shinobi. Within minutes, they reached their staging point—concealed within a dense thicket overlooking the structure.
From their vantage point, Kai observed the massive bridge spanning the river. It was an impressive structure—solid, reinforced, and vital for Iwagakure's supply lines. But no matter how grand it looked, its fate had already been sealed.
"Kenta-kun, stay hidden," Minato whispered. "Once Kei and I draw their attention, look for your opening and move across."
"Yes, Captain," Kenta replied quietly. He was clearly nervous, but trying to stay composed.
Minato nodded, then turned toward Kai. Kai didn't say a word—he simply activated his Sharingan, its three tomoe spinning into place.
Minato gave a faint, approving nod. Without another signal, the two of them shot forward.
The terrain in the Land of Grass was flat, but the forest they crossed was dense and tangled. The foliage provided cover—but also increased the risk of traps. Shinobi from Iwagakure's infamous Explosion Corps were known to operate here.
As they sprinted, Kai's keen senses picked up faint traces of chakra lingering in the air.
"Careful," Kai warned, eyes narrowing. "Ambush."
He quickly flicked a few kunai toward those chakra signatures. They didn't explode—but the deceptive chakra presence immediately vanished. Clones.
Kai had no intention of giving the enemy an early advantage. Even if they were already aware of their presence, caution was never wasted.
Suddenly, a figure burst from the brush directly in front of Kai. He was fast—almost unnaturally so—and his fists glowed with compressed chakra.
A taijutsu specialist with a chakra-enhanced fighting style… Kai recognized the signs immediately. This wasn't just brute strength. It was a kekkei genkai at play.
Even at high speed, Kai stopped cleanly—without hesitation or imbalance. His movements were smooth and precise. Though his Sharingan still displayed only three tomoe, its true capacity had already evolved to the Mangekyō level, granting him superior perception and coordination.
The enemy's trajectory was clear. Kai waited for the slightest misstep—when the attacker overcommitted, Kai drew his blade in a fluid arc. The short sword gleamed, cutting clean through where the enemy's neck should have been.
But it was only a body flicker. A misdirection.
Kai wasn't surprised. Veteran shinobi never attacked without a fallback plan. This man clearly had no intention of dying in a frontal clash.
"Are you alright?" Minato called from behind, briefly glancing over his shoulder.
"Keep going," Kai said firmly. His eyes scanned the terrain. "There's someone hiding underground… a tracker, maybe an assassin. A Hunter-nin?"
Minato nodded. "Sounds like it. Problem?"
"I can handle it," Kai muttered. "And if you stay too long, we risk Han showing up. Better to move now."
Kai understood clearly: if Han, the Five-Tails' jinchūriki, entered the battle, they'd be in deep trouble. Fighting two powerful Iwa-nin at once, even with Minato at his side, wasn't wise.
Minato understood as well. He gave a small nod and vanished in a blur, moving toward the bridge.
After Minato disappeared, Kai spoke aloud into the trees—half mocking, half probing.
"Cautious, aren't you?" he said with a smirk. "Worried Minato might double back? I get it… your survival instincts are impressive."
The forest remained silent.
Kai sighed. This enemy was patient. Too patient. Clearly waiting for Minato to be well out of range before making his move.
Kai stayed alert, circling slowly. He couldn't pinpoint the man's location. Not yet.
"Earth clone for the first feint," Kai muttered, narrowing his eyes. "Then the Hidden Mole Technique… and a Silent Killing stance. You're good. Much better than that brute Loess."
He paused, then added, "Fighting someone like you is more interesting. You prefer shadows. Deception. I respect that. I've been due for a decent challenge."
No response.
Still circling, Kai sheathed his blade and turned as if to leave.
"Well then," he called, raising his voice just slightly. "You can sit there and watch if you want. Maybe you hate jinchūriki, huh? Want us to kill the Five-Tails for you? Maybe your family died when the beast rampaged?"
He launched himself toward the treetops—leaping into the air, fully exposing his back.
A risky move. Vulnerable. If the enemy was going to strike, this was the time.
Sure enough, the moment his foot touched a branch, a figure lunged from below, chakra-charged hands flashing with lethal intent.
But Kai smiled.
"Got you."