Camp.
Namikaze Minato looked at the three gathered before him and said softly, "Are you ready? If you are, then let's go. I received orders to escort you back to the village as soon as possible."
"Escort?" Kagetsu and Shisui both keenly caught the key word.
What kind of people would require Namikaze Minato to drop everything and personally escort them? The border outpost had only been stabilized thanks to Namikaze Minato's harassment and strikes, as well as his ability to hold off Rui, the Third Hokage's son, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
If he left now, weren't they worried the situation would worsen again?
"Don't worry. Kumogakure has focused all its attention on the Rain Country, Grass Country, and Waterfall Country. For the time being, they probably won't have more manpower to harass or invade the Land of Fire." Namikaze Minato saw their doubts and took the initiative to explain.
"Would they give up that easily?" Shisui recalled the Cloud Shinobi who had relentlessly pursued them. Judging by their uncompromising pursuit, they did not seem like the sort to tuck their tails between their legs.
"Kumogakure's main force has been tied down by Sunagakure, and the forces they split off also suffered considerable losses in an earlier battle. In other words, it's not that they want to give up invading the Land of Fire. They have no choice but to abandon that plan after considering the situation on multiple fronts.
"So there's no need for me to stay behind anymore." Minato smiled.
"Kumogakure set a trap for Senior Minato, but Teacher Minato saw through it and turned the tables, killing several Jonin." Shisui quietly passed the information to Kagetsu.
Kagetsu nodded in understanding.
Even though every ninja village had different requirements for promotion to Jonin, and different standards of strength,