Before long, the ANBU returned to summon Kazan to a meeting.
But they didn't dare enter the Forest of Death. All they could do was shout from outside.
They found it hard to get used to at first.
Who were they?
ANBU!
Konoha's elite force! They were used to appearing and vanishing at will, delivering orders before disappearing with the Body Flicker Technique.
Coming and going without a trace—it was the height of cool.
Now several of them stood at the edge of the Forest of Death, looking helplessly at one another.
Not one dared step inside. The moment they got close, the Nine-Tails would fix its gaze on them.
At last, the ANBU wearing a Fox Mask stepped forward as the squad captain and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Lord Kazan, the Fourth Hokage requests your presence!"
"Got it."
Kazan had eaten his fill. His round belly suddenly shrank like a punctured balloon, returning to normal in an instant.
"I'm off. Want to come, Nine-Tails?"
The Nine-Tails didn't answer. It simply returned to Kazan's body.
Before retreating to the Sealing Chamber, though, it shot Hakimi a provocative look.
"I'll be going, then."
"Roar!"
Hakimi roared to say it wanted to come too. It had clearly seen the Nine-Tails' look.
It was enough to drive a tiger mad.
I was here first!
Kazan read its thoughts and felt rather speechless. "Konoha doesn't have a conference room big enough for you. Stay here in the Forest of Death and keep an eye on those people. I'm off."
He floated into the air and flew toward the Hokage Building.
When he reached the Conference Room, Minato's assistant hurried to open the door for him. Kazan stopped with one foot poised to kick it open.
"Um... Lord Kazan, the Fourth Hokage