Outside the Conference Hall in the Land of Iron, the wind and snow continued.
Lin Ze came alone, treading through the snow.
The doors to the Conference Hall slowly opened.
Lin Ze stepped inside.
In an instant, dozens of gazes fell on him at once, some scrutinizing, some wary, some hostile, and others filled with complicated concern.
Lin Ze wore a simple black robe, his white hair tied behind his head, his expression as calm as an ordinary person's.
Yet the instant he entered the Conference Hall, everyone felt an invisible pressure wash over them, as though a vast life force lay dormant within him, making even the air grow somewhat stagnant.
The Fourth Raikage stared at Lin Ze, inwardly shaken-
The last time he had met Lin Ze was near the end of the Third Shinobi World War. Nearly ten years had passed, and the pressure Lin Ze gave off was entirely different from back then, as unfathomable as an abyss.
This only strengthened his resolve to deal with Lin Ze.
Lin Ze looked around, his gaze resting briefly on each face.
Tsunade, Jiraiya, Nara Suzaku, Might Duy, Might Guy...
Rasa, Chiyo, Ebizo...
Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi...
Mei Terumi, Ao...
Fourth Raikage A, Mabui...
And Mifune at the head of the table, his hand resting on his sword hilt.
"Quite a gathering."
Lin Ze spoke mildly and walked to the empty seat at the end of the long table, but did not sit down.
"Lin Ze."
Mifune spoke first, his tone solemn. "Thank you for accepting our invitation. The Five Kage have gathered today solely to clarify the recent disappearances of tailed beasts across the shinobi world."
"According to intelligence from all sides, all nine tailed beasts have fallen into the hands of Dragon Release Village. Do you... have an explanation?"