As Minato's team of three conversed, the surrounding tents had already been set up, and dinner was nearly ready.
At that moment, Kazuo Yoshino turned his gaze toward the three members of Minato's squad at the front of the caravan and called out, "Lord Minato, dinner is ready."
Minato Namikaze turned around and responded, "Alright, we'll be there shortly."
Then, he looked at Veigar Koshima and Kakashi Hatake, saying, "Let's go. We should eat first."
Veigar and Kakashi nodded immediately. After all, they had night watch duty later, and lacking physical strength wouldn't do them any good.
Moreover, Minato had just issued an order—since they were at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain, ensuring the mission's success through its final night was the top priority. Instead of taking shifts, they would all remain on watch together.
As long as they escorted Kazuo Yoshino safely into the Land of Rain tomorrow and handed him over to Rain's shinobi, their mission would be complete.
Even though Minato's team shared their meal from the same pot as the merchants, they did not sit with them. Instead, after serving their portions, they took seats separately, maintaining vigilance while eating.
During the meal, Kazuo Yoshino slowly approached them. Seeing this, Minato asked, "Mr. Yoshino, is something the matter?"
Kazuo let out an awkward chuckle and replied, "It's nothing much. It's just… we're entering the Land of Rain tomorrow, and I can't help but worry that we might run into danger."
"When I first traveled to the Land of Fire for business, I was attacked near the border."
"So, I have my concerns."
Veigar, who was eating heartily, paused. There was something about Kazuo's words—he wasn't just expressing worry. It was as if he was certain they would be attacked tomorrow.
Sensing their client's unease, Minato immediately reassured him, "Mr. Yoshino, please rest assured. No matter what happens tomorrow, we will protect you."
"This is the duty of a Konoha shinobi."
Kazuo nodded. "That's good to hear. I'll be counting on you."
As Minato and Kazuo spoke, Veigar and Kakashi had finished their meals. Kazuo soon returned to the caravan.
Minato then said, "Veigar, Kakashi, be extra careful tonight."
As he spoke, he glanced at Kazuo's retreating figure.
It was clear—Minato had also caught the hidden meaning in Kazuo's words. He was trying to warn them.
Veigar nodded and asked, "Sensei, do you think the attack will come tonight instead of tomorrow?"
Kakashi added, "Sensei, I have a feeling… as if Mr. Yoshino is hiding something important from us."
Minato was pleased with their awareness. He nodded and said, "Regardless of the situation, our primary mission is to ensure the client's safety."
"Yes, Minato-sensei!" Veigar and Kakashi responded in unison.
Minato's expression grew serious. "Go. Stay alert."
Without hesitation, Veigar and Kakashi concealed themselves in the shadows around the caravan, ready for any potential threat.
Minato observed their positions one last time before vanishing into the darkness himself.
Meanwhile, at the Hokage Residence in Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in his office, still working late.
Just as he finished reviewing the last document and was about to leave for home, a masked ANBU shinobi—wearing a bird-patterned mask—suddenly appeared in the office, kneeling before him.
"Lord Hokage, urgent intelligence."
Hearing those words, Hiruzen's expression turned grave. Intelligence deemed 'urgent' was never trivial.
"Hand it over."
His voice was firm.
"Yes, sir."
The ANBU swiftly placed a sealed scroll onto the Hokage's desk before vanishing into the shadows.
As soon as the ANBU disappeared, Hiruzen unsealed the scroll and quickly scanned its contents.
Moments later, his eyes widened in alarm. Without hesitation, he issued an order:
"Summon Shikaku Nara, Chōza Akimichi, and Inoichi Yamanaka. They are to execute an emergency mission immediately."
From the darkness, a voice swiftly responded.
"Yes, sir."
Hiruzen could sense the presence of three ANBU operatives swiftly departing, each heading toward the respective members of the current Ino-Shika-Chō formation.
...
Back at the border, the night deepened.
A cool night breeze rustled through the trees. Veigar shivered slightly—not from the cold, but from an unshakable sense of unease.
"Is danger approaching…?"
In an instant, he activated his Chakra Sensory Technique, expanding his awareness to its absolute limit.
Kakashi and Minato, too, felt a subtle shift in the air, their instincts sharpening in response.
Minato, in particular, could sense an imminent threat—not through direct detection, but through the honed intuition of a veteran shinobi.
Veigar's sensory abilities were exceptional. Though the standard range for this technique was only fifty meters, his refined chakra control had extended it to over two hundred meters.
Yet, despite this remarkable range, Veigar sensed nothing. The surroundings remained eerily quiet. But his unease only deepened.
Retracting his sensory technique, Veigar swiftly communicated a series of hand signals to Minato and Kakashi.
It was only now that they fully realized the extent of Veigar's sensory prowess—he could detect anything within a two-hundred-meter radius, even in the pitch-black night.
Minato made a quick gesture toward Kakashi, signaling him to hold position and stay vigilant. Then, in a flash, he appeared beside Veigar.
"Veigar, are you certain about your range?" Minato asked.
Every village considered sensory-type shinobi invaluable strategic assets—especially those with exceptional detection abilities. Unlike standard ninja training, sensory skills were a rare gift, reliant on natural talent.
And Veigar clearly had it.
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