Hiruzen Sarutobi stared blankly at the red-haired young man who had suddenly appeared before him. Then his brows shot up as he scolded him:
"Damn it, do you think I'm so old that I can't even walk anymore?"
"Konoha is facing a terrifying organization like Akatsuki right now. Why didn't you and Minato tell me about this?"
"Why were Chunin involved in pursuing such terrifying rogue ninjas?"
"Sending them like that is murder!"
"And why did you suddenly come here instead of staying properly in the village?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized the newcomer as his disciple, Uzumaki Kuming. Before Kuming, Hiruzen had no desire to show any weakness. He did not want his juniors to see him as powerless and feeble.
Moreover, the thought that his son had led Chunin like Shikamaru Nara to pursue such formidable enemies filled him with regret. These were powerful foes that even he, the Hokage, could not handle, yet they had sent Chunin after them. It was far too reckless. Even if they had to pursue them, they should at least have sent experienced Anbu and a full Jonin squad.
"Uh, Sensei, you asked too many questions at once. I don't even know where to start."
"Minato gave the order to pursue Akatsuki. You know I'm retired now."
"As for why I came here, wasn't it because you suddenly disappeared?"
"I couldn't sense your Chakra in the village, so I expanded my range. When I sensed you here, I rushed over."
Uzumaki Kuming turned back with a chuckle before shifting his gaze to Sasori and Deidara. Upon hearing him, Sasori and Deidara were both startled. They exchanged a glance, their faces full of disbelief. Asuma stood there with his mouth open, unable to speak for a moment, while even Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly.