Chapter 25: What Is Your Dream?
Kawakaze and his group—four people and one dog—remained concealed in the trees, observing the construction site until the team completed their work for the day. Despite their vigilance, they didn't spot a single suspicious figure.
"It seems they're not going to make a move today," Kawakaze remarked, standing gracefully on a slender branch, his balance flawless. "Let's come back tomorrow."
"What if they never make a move?" Tsunade asked, her sharp, beautiful eyes fixed on Kawakaze's upright figure.
Sakumo and Nayuki stayed silent, quietly awaiting Kawakaze's response. Only Onimaru, the dog, seemed restless, glancing around with evident boredom.
From his elevated perch, Kawakaze surveyed the group. His gaze lingered on a certain someone, his thoughts wandering until Tsunade's question snapped him back to reality.
"It's just a test for now," he said, his tone nonchalant. "Three days is the limit. If there's no movement by then..."
He trailed off deliberately, enjoying the suspense.
"That's enough!" Sakumo interrupted, visibly irritated by his brother's theatrics. His White Fang persona was barely contained, his temper nearing its edge. "If you don't finish your sentence, I'll kick you."
"Cough, cough," Tsunade pretended to clear her throat, masking a small smile at Sakumo's outburst.
"Alright, alright," Kawakaze relented. "On the fourth day, we'll have the construction team proceed with their work in a big way. But... doing so will likely lead to civilian casualties. These three days are our best chance to lure out the old fox."
He sighed as he spoke, the weight of his words sinking into the group. In the ninja world, civilians were always the most vulnerable, a fact that never grew easier to accept.