And, shortly thereafter - when they've yet again gathered about ten puppies (harder, this time - they seem to be on alert, and are actually hiding) and when Elieyha's not around, Chihiro will notice someone watching them, and not being particularly subtle.

If she is only watching, no action is required.

She leaps out of hiding - at roughly the same time as her dog, from the other side - attacking the two girls.

She seems to be playing at a typical chuunin level.

That's where Chihiro's at, so.

Fortunate that there are two of them. This would be tough, by herself.

And Hisame's skilled enough to complement Chihiro well, but -

"Hey, sensei, do you count as someone we can't injure?"

"If you actually injure me or Chamaru I'll just auto-pass you, how about."

Sounds like a challenge.

Unfortunately for them, even pretending to be a chuunin, Sesshi's good - and clever. They'll have trouble keeping both her and Chamaru away from the kennels.

All they can do is everything they can.

If they delay long enough at least, Elieyha will eventually return.

She lets them delay that long, at least.

Elieyha is slightly hampered by needing to still keep her latest catch contained, but the fight's at least somewhat more even.

She retreats shortly after Elieyha throws in - enough to gauge how they're fighting, at least.

Elieyha plays more of a support role, working with these two. Creating and exploiting openings at range, leaving the front lines to the others.

Hisame flits in and out, supporting Chihiro but not taking the brunt of combat.

Which leaves Chihiro as the main combatant. It is a role she can fill.

They do well, but aren't able to keep Sesshi from slipping away once she's determined her character would be overwhelmed.

"That solves the mystery of the opened locks, at least."

"Makes sense she'd be making this harder for us..."

"I suppose the real question is whether we can do anything more to deter her."

She frowns. "Dunno. She might be playing that she's more reluctant to fight you?"

"Could be. We could switch off hunting and guard duties."

"Yeah. Test it out, at least."

Then puppies can be ensconced and the guard position passed over.

And Chihiro and Hisame can go off into the woods.

Where they shortly get attacked by puppies, who apparently have organized against them. A lot of the same ones that had been originally caught and freed, even.

Fightning puppies: not something her training has covered.