"Minato, you're back? How are things at Outpost Three on the eastern side?"
Torifu Akimichi was clearly long accustomed to Minato Namikaze's "sudden appearances" and asked him directly.
"It's been dealt with."
Minato Namikaze's voice was as gentle as ever. "It was a Kumogakure infiltration squad trying to sabotage our supply line. I've already taken care of them."
He made it sound casual, but everyone inside the command tent understood that "taken care of" meant the entire Kumogakure squad had been wiped out.
"Thanks for your hard work."
Torifu Akimichi breathed a sigh of relief. "With you here, I don't have to worry about our flank."
He paused, then introduced Lin Ze. "This is Aoda from the ANBU Special Operations Unit. He's just been transferred from the village to reinforce us."
Minato Namikaze looked at Lin Ze again and smiled. "Hello, I'm Minato Namikaze."
"Aoda." Lin Ze's reply remained brief.
The two had now formally met.
Minato Namikaze could sense that Lin Ze seemed reluctant to talk much, but he was mild-mannered by nature and took no offense.
Just as Torifu Akimichi was about to continue assigning tasks-
A ninja hurriedly threw back the tent flap and rushed inside.
"Lord Torifu! Bad news! Kumogakure has launched another attack! This time, their main force is being led by the Third Raikage himself, and they're advancing straight toward our First Main Defense Line!"
The atmosphere inside the tent instantly grew incredibly tense!
Beneath his mask, the corner of Lin Ze's mouth twitched slightly.
Sure enough... trouble came knocking this quickly.
"The Third Raikage is personally leading the charge?"
Torifu Akimichi's expression also turned grim, and he slammed his fleshy palm against the edge of the sand table.
Although he had expected a head-on clash with this "Strongest Spear," he hadn't expected such