It was well understood that most ninja were pretty much stuck with tree-hopping or running along the ground or otherwise travelling in a manner which could be intercepted.
Elites with special jutsu to use could and would screw with that. Certain Earth Release techniques could get around the lack of bridges or allow for travel underground. Other techniques allowed for flight or rapid movement. There were near-teleportation techniques like shunshin and other techniques that could make the high-level nin nearly invisible.
The above was one of the reasons that the Hyuga clan had such prominence within the village, and pride in their place. It was also one of the original reasons for the Caged Bird Seal. Hyuga were preferred for border patrol, as their Byakugan bloodline allowed them to spot those hidden underground and concealed in clouds. If the technique used chakra, they'd find the nin through that.
That ability was only applicable though if the Hyuga knew to look. A stealth or concealment technique was a lot more likely to be used than a movement technique. Underground movement was normally too chakra intensive to be kept up for very long, and most Hyuga didn't make a habit of checking clouds for hiding ninja.
There was also chakra use to consider. Most of the Hyuga clan couldn't keep their Byakugan active for long periods as it rapidly depleted their chakra reserves.
Neji Hyuga knew all this. He also knew something was going on where border security was being tested more in the past few weeks than it had been in recent years.
"Neji. Three kilometers NNW," said Tenten.
"Probably just another rabbit," muttered Neji, knowing that the girl's odd limbs had probably relayed one of the 'motion sensor' devices going off.
Obligingly he activated and focussed his Byakugan, though he was better at close and mid range with it than at a distance. What he saw caused the annoyment to evaporate. "Three nin. Concealment technique of some kind, they are blurred to my vision."
"Yosh! Time to unleash our fires of youth!" promised Maito Gai.
"Yes, Gai-sensei!" seconded Rock Lee.
"Well, it's at least something to do," said Tenten, stretching her artificial legs.
Neji couldn't really find fault with that observation.
"How did you manage to smash two of them?" asked Naruto, a little stressed and upset.
"Kiba tried to find the highest speed at which he could control the vehicle," said Kurenai Yuhi. "Unfortunately, he managed to impact his bike into Hinata's."
Naruto twitched. "How bad?"
"The vehicles are pretty much scrap," said Kurenai.
"Uhm, no, how bad are the ninja injured?" asked Naruto.
"Kiba's fine, Hinata will be back to duty in two weeks," said Kurenai.
Naruto nodded. Have to get even with Kiba later. Have to rebuild the bikes. Hinata was that weird dark-haired girl that always sat in the back and would never look at me? Meh, she has to work with dog-breath so that's punishment enough.
Kurenai noted that the boy had gone back to work, and was silent for a few moments. "What is that?"
"Trick kunai," said Naruto absently.
"A bit bigger than usual," noted Kurenai.
Naruto picked one up and handed it to her.
"Heavier too," noted Kurenai. "Why is the ring on the end green?"
"One-shot mechanism inside," said Naruto. "The green ones are motion detectors. You toss one into a tree or something, that turns it on. Then when something comes by, the kunai send out a signal. The advanced ANBU masks or Tenten's equipment picks up the signal."
"Ah," said Kurenai, glancing at the various different colors.
"Was there something else?" asked Naruto. He was quite aware that Ibiki could be unpleasant if he wasn't at least somewhat respectful of the jonin.
"Yes, actually," said Kurenai.
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(Posted Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:03)
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