Leitao followed the faint traces left in the jungle by the ninja and the pilot, moving as swiftly and agilely as a panther through the dense woods. His eyes were sharp and determined, missing no detail. He trod lightly and quickly, skillfully avoiding the tangled tree roots and jutting stones that could slow his pace.
After tracking them for a while, Leitao analyzed the situation calmly. He knew that if he simply gave chase in a straight line, given his late start and the enemy's speed, he would struggle to catch up. He stopped, leaned forward slightly, and carefully observed his surroundings and the trajectory of the tracks. Combining his knowledge of the local terrain and the deployment of the Japanese Army, he concluded that it was highly likely the ninja was escorting the pilot back to the county seat. After all, the Japanese Army held a stronghold there; they would find shelter and reinforcements, and could use the complex urban environment to conceal their movements.
Leitao made a prompt decision. Instead of blindly following the existing tracks, he used his familiarity with the area to quickly chart a shortcut toward the county seat. He turned and headed toward a small hill. The elevation was higher, and he wanted to gain a vantage point to check for any unusual activity and better fix his route.
Chapter 149