Reborn in Konoha as the Anbu Torturer - Chapter 718

Aoba felt a bit confused at this moment. He couldn’t figure out what the person standing before him intended to do.

It was clear that the person had come to find him.

But upon seeing Aoba, the individual looked terrified, as if they had seen a ghost.

This was somewhat puzzling.

“Who are you?” Aoba immediately asked, staring at the ninja before him.

“Whew…”

The gatekeeper ninja took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled, his eyes still showing lingering fear as he looked at Aoba.

Too terrifying!

This person is simply too terrifying!

The gatekeeper ninja could feel an inexplicable, intense aura of bloodlust radiating from Aoba.

He had heard bits and pieces about Aoba, though only a few details.

Back when rumors circulated in Konoha’s interrogation department, there was talk of a “Demon with a Cat Mask.”

He received some inside information at that time, learning that the so-called “Cat-Mask Demon” was Aoba.

But he dared not speak of it.

Given that the identities of Anbu members were always kept secret, it was understandable that he didn’t know everything. Still, he had a faint idea of what to expect.

The gatekeeper ninja, well-informed as he was, knew that many Anbu members had specialized roles. Some were extremely powerful, while others were notorious for brutality, and the “Cat-Mask Demon” was especially feared for his cruelty.

In the past, ninjas from other villages often passed through Konoha’s gates, and the gatekeeper would overhear various rumors.

Initially, foreign ninjas or merchants should have paid more attention to Konoha’s internal matters. But once word of the Cat-Mask Demon spread, they would think twice before causing trouble.

The person’s reputation for cruelty and ability to do terrible things was enough to make anyone cautious.

This reputation made the gatekeeper ninja feel uneasy when tasked with finding Aoba. He already had reservations, but standing inside the Anbu dormitory, it felt like being in a bottomless abyss.

No one should inhabit this place.

At least, not according to his understanding.

However, not only was someone living here, but Aoba was the only one living there.

What kind of terrifying person could live in a place like this alone?

The gatekeeper ninja took a deep breath, increasingly convinced that Aoba was someone to be feared.

After all, if he had to live in this place by himself, he would never agree to it.

Just walking down the hallway made him feel extremely uneasy.

But now, seeing Aoba walking toward him and hearing him ask questions, the ninja’s anxiety skyrocketed, and it felt as if he was facing a demon.

“That’s right!”

Aoba nodded slightly after a moment of hesitation, focusing his gaze on the gatekeeper ninja.

“I am Aoba.”

“Why are you looking for me?”

Aoba curiously examined the gatekeeper ninja, noting his somewhat old-fashioned attire. From how he was dressed, it was clear he hadn’t yet attained the rank of ch?nin, as he wasn’t wearing the standard green outfit.

He had already sensed that Minato Namikaze had sent this person, but Aoba couldn’t just come out and say it. He had to maintain the appearance of ignorance.

“How… how did you know I was here to find you?”

The gatekeeper ninja, hearing Aoba’s response, was again stunned, becoming even more panicked.

He was losing his composure.

After everything that had happened, nothing seemed to go the way he expected.

First, he had escorted the members of the Akatsuki trio to Minato.

Both groups were way out of his league—the Akatsuki were disciples of Jiraiya, while Minato was the soon-to-be Fourth Hokage of Konoha.

But somehow, he had managed to offend both sides.

Maybe… only Konan hadn’t blamed him.

But that didn’t mean she was on his side, either.

It was a complete disaster.

And now, standing before Aoba, he dared not offend him. After all, Aoba was the only remaining Anbu member, and since Minato held him in high regard, Aoba would likely occupy a significant position in the future.

But what unsettled the gatekeeper ninja was how Aoba immediately knew he was here for him.

Had he been that obvious?

No. Not.

He had only just met Aoba.

So how?

Is he some kind of ghost?

Right now, the gatekeeper ninja’s mind was filled with questions. His thoughts were chaotic, and having read too many ghost stories, the sight of Aoba in this dark world made him immediately wonder if Aoba was even human.

“You came all the way here. Who else could you be looking for?”

Aoba’s lips twitched slightly, feeling somewhat frustrated by the ninja’s unnecessary question.

The Anbu dormitory was empty except for him.

Who else could this person be looking for?

Does this question need to be asked?

What is he even doing here?

Aoba could tell from the gatekeeper’s ninja’s face that he was terrified and confused, unable to ask straightforward questions.

“So, what do you need?”

Aoba decided to keep the conversation from going on pointlessly and asked directly.

As soon as he spoke, the gatekeeper ninja realized his mistake and began nodding repeatedly.

“Yes, yes!”

Finally, feeling more grounded after confirming that Aoba was human, the gatekeeper ninja quickly returned to his task. His eyes were locked on Aoba as he continued nodding, relieved to be carrying out his mission.

“Lord Minato is at Ichiraku Ramen, waiting for you. He needs to speak with you!”

The gatekeeper ninja blurted out quickly.

After getting that message out, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders.

He couldn’t bear the pressure any longer.

With every task he completed, the tension eased just a little.

“Minato is looking for me?”

Now, it was Aoba’s turn to be surprised. He hadn’t expected this.

He had sensed chakra coming from Ichiraku Ramen and knew something was going on there, but he hadn’t anticipated that Minato would call for him.

“Did something happen?”

Aoba asked, sensing that there must be an issue with Minato contacting him so soon after they had just parted ways.

It may have had something to do with Konan.

Aoba began to suspect this.

After all, the only difference between now and before was that Minato had encountered Konan at Ichiraku Ramen.

Aoba had sensed their chakras coming together in the exact location, but he didn’t know the details of their interaction.

Now that the gatekeeper ninja had mentioned Minato calling for him, it confirmed that something had indeed occurred.

“I…”

The gatekeeper ninja hesitated. He wasn’t sure if he should divulge more information since his mission was simply to bring Aoba to Minato. Saying too much could lead to unintended consequences.

“Is Minato still at Ichiraku Ramen?”

Aoba prompted further, seeing the ninja freeze up again. Realizing that questioning him would lead nowhere, Aoba took charge of the situation.

“Yes, yes! We should head over quickly!”

The gatekeeper ninja, snapping out of his daze, gestured for Aoba to follow him out of the dormitory.

“Alright, let’s go. You can fill me in on what happened along the way.”

Aoba agreed, but he couldn’t let the gatekeeper off so quickly. He still wanted to know what had transpired.

“Well…”

The gatekeeper ninja hesitated again, unsure if he should disclose any more.

“I get it!”

Seeing the ninja’s reluctance, Aoba knew pressing him wouldn’t yield better results. He also realized that the man might not even know all the details.

Aoba sighed.

Instantly, he flashed behind the gatekeeper ninja like a ghost, startling him.

“Wha… what are you doing?!”

The gatekeeper ninja, utterly shocked, turned to face Aoba, his hair standing on end as if he was about to explode with fear.

Smack!

A clear sound rang out as Aoba lightly patted the gatekeeper ninja’s head. It wasn’t a brutal hit, more like a gentle touch, but it still made a slight sound.

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