At night, in the mountains and forests within Land of Grass, a petite black shadow was traveling quickly.
Lin Ze maintained even breathing and was extremely fast, but every time it landed, it only made a slight sound, just like the real Aoda walking in the forest.
'It's already early morning the next day, so there's still plenty of time.'
Nearly twenty hours have passed since Konoha set off, and Lin Ze estimated his speed and remaining distance.
At this rate, it will take up to ten more hours to reach the mission's designated pickup location, which is far less than the forty-eight-hour time limit stipulated in the mission.
'However, I always feel something is wrong, executing B-Rank Mission alone, or handling such a sensitive job as a spy...'
Lin Ze As he hurried on, he went through the details of this task over and over in his mind.
ANBU No matter how tight the manpower is, a seven-year-old newcomer will not be allowed to carry out cross-border tasks alone.
What's more, when it comes to responding to spies who carry important intelligence, this kind of task usually requires the cooperation of at least two people, one to respond and the other to provide warning and support.
'Is the third generation testing me? Or...Danzo?'
Lin Ze had thought before that after he hugged Hiruzen Sarutobi's thigh, there would definitely be no problem in the village, but he couldn't be sure after leaving the village. After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was not a police officer in the Pacific, and he couldn't control it so leniently.
'If it is the design of Danzo, then this so-called "Dandelion" is probably also the person of Root...'
But it is obviously impossible to give up this task based on Lin Ze's conjecture. There is no other way, so Lin Ze can only be more vigilant.
Then he deliberately controlled his speed, not only to preserve his physical strength to deal with unexpected situations, but also to give himself enough time to observe and think.
The taste of Soldier Pill is really not flattering. It is dry and rough, with an indescribable bitter taste of Medicinal Herbs. It feels like eating sand when chewed, and it scratches the throat when swallowed.
But I have to say that this thing is really hungry, and a small one can provide the energy required for several hours of high-intensity action.
'No wonder Ninja people eat this thing as a meal. The efficiency is really high, but the taste... Tsk, it's not as good as those compressed biscuits and pre-made dishes in the previous life.'
After simply replenishing energy, Lin Ze hit the road again.
The closer he got to the mission location, the more cautious he became. Not only did he maximize his senses, but he also opened his eyes wide to observe his surroundings from time to time.
Unfortunately, although Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon greatly enhances Lin Ze's vision at night, it can only be regarded as slightly stronger than ordinary people during the day.
'The vision enhancement brought by Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon is still too weak. If only I could have the insight of Byakugan or Sharingan...'
Lin Ze shook his head, put aside unrealistic fantasies, and focused on his journey.
At noon, Lin Ze finally arrived at the response area marked on the mission Scroll - a remote Valley located on the Land of Grass border.
'Valley? The connection point is actually chosen in such a place?'
Lin Ze stopped abruptly and quickly hid in the canopy of a tree with dense leaves. He stared at Valley in front of him and carefully observed the movements around him.
According to common sense, most response tasks will be chosen in densely populated areas in cities and towns, where they are hidden and difficult to arouse suspicion.
But this time we chose to go to such a remote place, Valley, and Lin Ze had an inexplicable premonition that something was wrong.
The mountains on both sides of the Valley in front of me were steep and dense, with only a narrow path leading to the depths. The terrain was easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it was also easy to be ambushed.
'This terrain... is perfect for killing people and silencing them.'
Lin Ze's heart was ringing with alarm bells.
He did not enter rashly, but carefully investigated the surroundings of Valley several times, observing the situation in the valley from different angles.
As far as the eye could see, no obvious signs of an ambush were found, and no abnormal Chakra fluctuations were detected.
'Either it's really safe, or... the other party's anti-reconnaissance capability is extremely strong, or it's extremely well hidden.'
Lin Ze prefers the latter.
After repeatedly confirming that there was no obvious danger, Lin Ze sneaked into Valley as quietly as a ghost.
According to the task instructions, he needs to connect with "Dandelion" under a piece of Eagle Beak Rock deep in Valley.
It was very quiet inside Valley. Lin Ze concentrated its aura to the extreme, just like the real Aoda, slowly moving forward with the help of Rock and the shadows of the shrubs.
It didn't take long for Lin Ze to see the protruding piece of Eagle Beak Rock.
A small shadow area formed below Rock, and a vague figure could be vaguely seen curled up there, almost blending in with the surrounding environment.
'Found it.'
Lin Ze did not step forward immediately, but carefully observed the surroundings again, especially those locations suitable for ambush.
After confirming that it was safe, he slowly walked out of the shadows.
It seems casual, but in fact, you are ready to turn on Eight Gates Released Formation at any time.
"The windmill is turning." Lin Ze lowered his voice and spoke the password for the connector.
The figure in the shadow moved slightly, and a hoarse and deep voice responded, "... Only to Land of Fire."
The code matches.
The man slowly stood up from the shadows and walked out.
When he saw the other party's appearance clearly, Lin Ze's brows frowned slightly under the mask.
This is a man who looks to be in his thirties, tall and thin, wearing a shabby gray traveling suit and a dusty cloak.
His face was pale as if he had not seen the sun for a long time, his lips were thin and pale, and his nose was high and straight.
But the eyes made Lin Ze feel very uncomfortable - it was a kind of indifference like a cold-blooded animal. The color of the pupils was very light, almost gray-white. There was almost no emotion when looking at people, only a sense of inspection and evaluation.
What worries Lin Ze the most is that this person exudes a vague and cold aura. It is not the sense of oppression brought by Chakra, but a deeper and more essential coldness, as if he has no respect for life.
'This temperament...'
Lin Ze was alert, but he still kept a businesslike tone and asked, "Code name Dandelion?"
"It's me, are you here to meet me?"
"ANBU, Aoda." Lin Ze pointed at his mask, "Where's the information?"
Dandelion did not come up with the information immediately. Instead, he looked Lin Ze up and down with his gray eyes, especially Aoda Mask on his short stature and face, as if to confirm whether he was Lin Ze.
"Just you?"
"I am the only one with the mission instructions." Lin Ze replied calmly, "Intelligence."
Dandelion seemed to hesitate for a moment, but still carefully took out a small metal tube about the thickness of a finger from his arms:
"Important information regarding the troop mobilization of Iwagakure in Land of Grass."
The moment he handed over the metal tube, Lin Ze keenly noticed that his fingers were trembling slightly, and an extremely obscure Chakra wave emanated from Dandelion.
'It's really a scam!'
Lin Ze's heart rang with alarm bells, and he stepped back sharply the moment he took the call.