Konoha Year 38, January 3rd, morning, at Konoha's main gate.
When Akaseki arrived, Yakushi Nonō and a blond, square-faced ninja who looked to be in his thirties were already waiting at the gate.
"Captain Akaseki."
When they saw Akaseki arrive, the two greeted him. Akaseki gave a reserved nod.
Nonō: ----
Akaseki then gave the blond, square-faced ninja a few more looks. He did not recognize him, but this was presumably the Anbu member known as "Elephant." Since this was not an Anbu mission, he was not wearing a mask.
"This is my ninja identification. You can call me Guan Ze outside of missions," Guan Ze said proactively.
Akaseki checked the identification and confirmed his identity.
Although his ninja identification only bore the Anbu codename "Elephant" due to his Anbu membership, and his mission records were all concealed, the anti-counterfeit Cursed Seal formula on the document could indeed verify his identity.
"Guan Ze" was certainly not his real name either. "Elephant" was merely an Anbu codename, and he would use an alias when carrying out other missions.
"Guan Ze, let's talk as we go." Akaseki spoke as he led Guan Ze and Nonō westward.
Sky Ninja Village was currently floating within the Land of Wind. Under normal circumstances, the journey would take seven days, while Konoha had set a ten-day time limit for the mission. Of course, being a little early or late did not matter much—
Because they were merely going to report to Clan Head Jiancheng.
"Guan Ze, let me test you." Akaseki immediately put on the air of a captain. "Do you know what Nonō and I specialize in?"
If he had been working with ordinary ninja, Akaseki asking that would have been somewhat arrogant, but—
As an Anbu member, Akaseki believed Guan Ze definitely knew!
"Captain