"Sorry to keep you waiting." Minato Namikaze's golden hair shimmered in the setting sun, and he wore an apologetic smile. "The battle was a little trickier than I expected."
"No worries, Minato-sensei." Haotian shrugged, his tone casual. "We're used to it by now." He glanced at Uchiha Mei beside him. The girl was pale, but her gaze was firm, as if she were hiding something.
Zhiwei laughed heartily and patted Minato on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Minato. We've already dealt with the enemy's main force. The rest are just minor nuisances, nothing to worry about." His relaxed tone stood in stark contrast to Minato's apologetic expression, as if they hadn't just survived a life-or-death battle but had merely finished a casual training exercise.
Watching them, Haotian thought, These two really do fight like lone wolves.
Minato's uncanny Flying Thunder God Technique and Zhiwei's exquisite genjutsu were both weapons that could take on a hundred opponents. No wonder they were always sent out alone.
"Minato-sensei!" Obito jumped excitedly in front of Minato, his eyes sparkling. "Once I become a Chunin, teach me the Flying Thunder God Technique!"
Kakashi, standing nearby, snorted disdainfully. "You? Learn the Flying Thunder God Technique? Start by mastering the basic ninjutsu!"
"What did you say?!" Obito's temper flared at once. He spun around and grabbed Kakashi by the collar. "Say that again!"
Kakashi glared right back at him, unflinching. "I said you—"
"Okay, okay, you two." Minato smiled helplessly and stepped between them. "You're still as energetic as ever." He—
The eight-person squad regrouped and headed toward the Western Front camp.
The setting sun bathed them in its afterglow, stretching their shadows and lending a hint of warmth to this war-torn land.
When they returned to camp, the atmosphere immediately grew lively.
Cheers, laughter, and conversation rose all around them. Soldiers embraced one another, celebrating a hard-won victory.
Team Minato was welcomed like a band of heroes, and everyone looked at them with admiration.
Haotian felt the bustle around him, yet not a ripple stirred in his heart.
He followed at the back of the group in silence, his gaze passing over one excited face after another, but he couldn't find anyone he truly related to.
"Come on, let's report to Lord Orochimaru." Minato's voice pulled Haotian from his thoughts.
He nodded and followed the group toward the tent at the center of camp.
A figure stood silently at the entrance.
He was tall, dressed in black shinobi clothes, and wore a white mask that revealed only a pair of chilling eyes.
"Hiruko?" Minato exclaimed in surprise.
Hiruko said nothing, only giving a slight nod, his gaze fixed on Haotian.
"What are you doing here?" Minato asked, puzzled.
Hiruko still didn't answer. He merely swept a cold glance over the group, then turned and walked into the tent.
Minato and Zhiwei exchanged a look, both perplexed.
They stepped aside to let Haotian and the others enter first.
As Haotian passed Hiruko, he felt a wave of icy air.
He instinctively looked up and saw that Hiruko's gaze was still fixed on him.
Just as Haotian was about to ask him something, Hiruko suddenly stopped. He turned his head slightly and said in a low voice, "You're quite good..."
Haotian felt a chill emanating from Hiruko, as if a venomous snake were coiled beside him.
Hiruko's voice was low and hoarse, as though it had come from the depths of hell.
"You're quite good..." It sounded less like praise than a judgment, an appraisal.
Haotian frowned slightly. Hiruko's gaze felt like an X-ray, as if it could see right through him.
Suddenly, Hiruko's gaze shifted to Obito. "Hmph. Dead last." He spat out the words coldly, full of contempt.
Obito froze for a moment, then flushed with anger.
"What did you say?!" He clenched his fists and was about to charge over and confront him.
Hiruko ignored Obito's anger. He simply gave a scornful smile, then turned and left the tent.
His dark figure vanished into the night, leaving only a trace of icy menace behind.
"Damn it! Who does that guy think he is, talking to me like that?!" Obito stamped his feet in fury, his fists clenched so tightly they creaked.
He turned to Minato, hoping his teacher would back him up.
Minato patted Obito on the shoulder and said gently, "Don't take it to heart, Obito. Hiruko is a very dependable shinobi. He's just a little eccentric."
"But..." Obito started to say, but Minato cut him off.
"Come on, let's go in." Minato said, then entered the tent first.
Inside the tent, Orochimaru sat behind a desk, reading a scroll.
His face was pale, and cold light glinted in his golden snake-like eyes.
Minato and Zhiwei walked up to the desk and bowed respectfully.
"Lord Orochimaru, the mission is complete." Minato handed him a scroll.
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