I would have to be careful.
Namaski has a big clan. The majority of his genin, or trained field agents, would be out on assignment; however, he usually has a large contingent of students in his training camp. Students can be dangerous, not because they are good, but because they are young and have a burning desire to prove themselves. They are eager to find someone to test their skills on.
The students patrol the surrounding area heavily, but patrols are easily dodged. It’s the ninja that don’t move that are dangerous; it is much harder to detect something that is not moving. Eager for the kill, they might sit silently up in a tree or down in a hole for 2 weeks straight, just waiting for an unsuspecting person to walk by. They are like hidden booby traps just waiting to be sprung.
Yes, I would have to be careful. That means patience.
I might not be able to see a well concealed ninja, but I would be able to feel him.
The Kuji-In or nine symbols of power.
I closed my eyes and relaxed my mind, preparing for meditation. Clasping my hands together and interlocking the fingers I made the symbol for KAI, or the premonition of danger. My mind relaxed then drifted out around me, gently probing through the trees for any emotions or thoughts of an unseen adversary.
I felt nothing but the peace of the forest, every thing was calm. As I began pulling my thoughts back, I felt something.
It was the feeling of excitement.
And it was coming from a tree.
I opened my eyes and looked in the direction of the tree. It looked like a ordinary oak tree. I could see nothing hiding in the branches or around it. There was nothing there but a tree.
But trees don’t feel excitement.
Somebody was there, I was sure of it…
