Land of Fire · Konoha.
Kakashi Hatake, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, Might Guy.
Four of Konoha's top shinobi stood at the village gates like receptionists, waiting for a "guest" to arrive.
Many more Anbu Ninja were hidden in the shadows, disguised as civilians and ready to provide support at a moment's notice.
They were on such high alert, yet they were waiting for only one person—
Lin Qing.
A day earlier, Jiraiya had received a carrier pigeon from Lin Qing. He learned that Lin Qing had killed Orochimaru and was on his way to Konoha, expected to arrive that very day.
To protect Sasuke, Jiraiya stayed right beside the clean water sphere without taking a single step away.
The Third Hokage had considered Lin Qing's departure from Konoha and all he had accomplished along the way. Afraid something might happen on the road and the fearsome man might start a fight in the village, he had simply sent Kakashi and the others.
They called it protection and reception, but anyone with eyes could see it was surveillance.
"But is this really necessary?"
Asuma was usually an easygoing person, but today he was unusually impatient. He pulled out a cigarette, flicked his lighter, and took a long puff.
"He's just one person. Do we really need all of us here keeping an eye on him?"
Asuma had seen Lin Qing fight Kakashi.
His ability was unusual, but... that was about it.
It had only been a little over half a year since the Uchiha Clan Massacre. No matter how hard Lin Qing had trained day and night, how much could he have improved?
"It's not like he could transform from an ordinary person into an immortal in an instant, like in a fairy tale, right?"
Kurenai was quite interested in Lin