"Lord Orochimaru." Uchiha Ling bowed slightly, his manners impeccable and his voice calm.
"My squad was on its way to the Western Front when we received an urgent distress signal from Kikyo Mountain Fortress. Since we were the closest, we went ahead to provide support. The mission is now complete, so I've come to report in."
"Oh?"
Orochimaru leaned forward slightly, watching him with interest. His snake-like pupils glinted with curiosity. "The mission is complete? Tell me, what's the situation at Kikyo Mountain Fortress?"
Uchiha Ling's voice remained steady, as if he were describing something trivial. "When my squad arrived, Iwagakure forces were attacking the fortress.
"After engaging them, the Iwagakure commander, Kitsuchi, retreated with the remnants of his troops. The defenders of Kikyo Mountain Fortress suffered more than fifty percent casualties, but the stronghold was preserved.
"Jonin Mimura Yome is organizing the remaining forces to clear the battlefield and reinforce the defenses.
"Reinforcements have arrived and taken over the defense."
Uchiha Ling spoke clearly and concisely, without the slightest exaggeration, yet the information he conveyed crashed through the minds of everyone in the tent like a thunderclap!
They had driven back Iwagakure!
The five hundred elite troops led by Kitsuchi had been routed!
And the three of them had done it!
How was that possible?!
The Anbu Ninja who had delivered the report earlier jerked his head up, his eyes behind the mask filled with disbelief.
The other advisors and jonin in the tent were equally aghast, exchanging stunned looks.
Orochimaru's fingers stopped tapping the armrest. His golden, snake-like pupils fixed on Uchiha Ling, as if he meant to see straight through him.
"Defeated... Kitsuchi's forces?"
A faint, almost imperceptible tremor entered Orochimaru's voice.
"Ling, as far as I know, Kitsuchi led Iwagakure's true elite, including at least ten