Hatake Sakumo was slightly surprised when he received the order. He had just finished a mission and had yet to return to the village. Only when the orders signed by the Hokage reached his hands did he learn that something like this had happened.
Ever since Asuna had joined the Twelve Guardian Ninja, Hatake Sakumo had volunteered for missions around the Capital, intending to be the first to offer support if anything happened.
Now, the moment Hatake Sakumo had been waiting for had finally arrived. Over the years, he had occasionally visited the Capital and met with Asuna. Compared with before, she had undoubtedly grown more mature, stronger, and far more experienced in battle.
Even so, when he heard that Asuna and Mizuki were accompanying Tobi on an investigation, Hatake Sakumo could not suppress his worry. He had never seen Tobi fight firsthand, but he knew Asuna had nearly died fighting him. Whatever methods Tobi had used, that alone proved how dangerous he was.
"Lord Sakumo, what's wrong?" asked a broad, heavyset man beside Hatake Sakumo. He was a member of the Akimichi Clan named Akimichi Hiroshi, currently serving under Sakumo.
"I've received a new assignment. You should head back first. I need to wait here for some other people." Hatake Sakumo put away the assignment letter and looked over the group.
"Huh?" His subordinates were very surprised. Still, Hatake Sakumo was one of the village's most prominent young ninja, so there was nothing unusual about him receiving a mission at any time. None of them asked what kind of mission it was.
If it had been something he could discuss, Hatake Sakumo would have told them just now. Instead, he had put the assignment letter away, which meant the mission involved some degree of secrecy. As experienced ninja, his