About a day later.
In the forest at the border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Fire, a team of three was rushing back towards the Land of Fire.
Compared to the tense atmosphere when they were heading to the Land of Rivers, the current mood was much more relaxed and carefree.
This team hurrying back to the Land of Fire was none other than Shiraishi, Ruri, and Ayane.
Ever since eliminating that Root squad, they hadn't encountered any enemies and had spent a day in peace.
Shiraishi and Ayane's chakra had recovered, and Ruri had woken up from her slumber half a day ago. Although the injuries caused by her Sage Art had not fully healed and her face still looked very pale, she had recovered some strength and was capable of defending herself.
Considering the many mysteries in this mission, and the possibility that it might involve a power struggle among the Konoha higher-ups, plus the uncertainty of whether the Sand Shinobi had any follow-up pursuit teams, the three of them decided, after Ruri woke up half a day ago, to rush back to the Land of Fire with all their might to find out exactly what this mission was all about.
It was currently around three in the morning, and the sky was still very dark.
Ayane was carrying the temporarily immobile Ruri, rushing at full speed, with Shiraishi following closely behind.
"Speaking of which, is it really okay to go back like this?"
Ayane seemed a little worried and suddenly spoke.
"What are you referring to?"
Shiraishi glanced at her.
"Root ninja are members of the Anbu, right? Although they belong to different factions, they still died by our hands."
Ayane didn't think that going back like this would mean nothing would happen.
Although the Root ninja had framed them first, if the mastermind behind this incident was a high-ranking Konoha official, what could they do even if they knew?
They might even use their killing of the Root ninja as an excuse to convict the three of them.
"It's fine, haven't those bodies already been dealt with? When we go back, we just need to say we fell into a Sand Shinobi trap. If they ask, we'll just insist we didn't see any Root ninja."
Ruri, who was lying on Ayane's back, breathed softly and said slowly.
"Is that all it takes?"
"Of course not. But as long as we flatly deny seeing anything, without evidence, they can't do anything to us. Finally, I will use the power of the Uchiha to pressure the village's higher-ups over this 'erroneous intelligence' matter. If the other party wants to get to the bottom of it, then we'll make this matter known to everyone. Let's see how they handle it."
Ruri said in a calm tone.
Ayane nodded in agreement.
She couldn't use the Hyuga's power to pressure the Konoha higher-ups, but Ruri was different.
She was one of the candidates for the next Uchiha clan head, and within the Uchiha, she had enough prestige, and even a group of very loyal followers.
This was the power of a prominent clan; even the Konoha higher-ups had to consider it carefully.
"Sometimes, I really envy you, Ruri."
Ayane said with a slight smile, looking down.
"Envy? Speaking of which, I haven't settled the score for you two getting together behind my back."
Ruri raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased.
Shiraishi and Ayane gave an awkward smile, turning their faces away, not directly answering Ruri's question.
"When we get back, you'd better explain this matter thoroughly."
"Yes, yes, I know. It's not a big deal anyway, is it?"
Shiraishi scratched his head, looking troubled.
From where should he start, should he tell everything, or tell half and hide half, to smoothly get this matter over with? The power of words was truly irresistible.
"However, I didn't expect you to choose such a risky method, using an incomplete Sage Art to unleash Fire Release. For safety's sake, it would be best to get a follow-up check-up when we return."
"Nagging. I'll do what I want."
Ruri snorted, tossing her black hair, and turned her head away.
"What a hassle…"
Hearing Shiraishi complaining again, Ayane smiled, and was about to say something when, suddenly, two figures appeared in her Byakugan's field of vision.
"Someone is catching up from behind. It's Jiraiya-sensei, and an old classmate from the class next door."
Ayane quickly identified the two ninja chasing them.
Shiraishi and Ruri both frowned.
Although they wondered why Jiraiya and Minato were here, the three of them still stopped and waited for the two to catch up from behind.
Before long, Jiraiya and Minato appeared before them. Both were travel-worn and showed signs of battle, seeming to have had a bit of a tough time.
Upon seeing that Shiraishi and the other two were unharmed, Jiraiya let out a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "That's great, it's good that you three are okay."
If these three had died in a conspiracy, he might have to live with guilt for the rest of his life.
Shiraishi and the others' clothes were somewhat torn and stained with blood, indicating that they had gone through a very brutal battle and narrowly escaped death.
"Jiraiya-sensei, and you, blondie, why are you two here?"
Ruri asked Jiraiya's intentions in a cold tone.
"Uh, Uchiha-san, my name is Namikaze Minato…"
"Shut up, blondie. I wasn't asking you, I was asking your teacher."
Jiraiya patted Minato's shoulder, who was giving a wry smile. Minato had heard in school that Ruri was a difficult person to deal with, so he wasn't surprised by this.
"Regarding this matter, it's a long story, but the most important thing is your safety. The village will definitely give you an explanation later."
"An explanation?"
Ruri's lips curled into a disdainful sneer.
"Yes, I myself will personally vouch for you…"
"No need. The Uchiha's matters, the Uchiha will resolve themselves. We don't need outsiders to interfere!"
Ruri's attitude was also very firm.
Hearing this, Jiraiya became even more certain that Ruri and the others understood some of the problems with this mission.
For example, Root… No, they must have known.
Especially Ruri, a ninja from a prominent clan, whose insight and intelligence were outstanding. Jiraiya dared not try to deceive her on this matter.
"I'm just doing what I should. If the Uchiha want to pursue it, that's your business. I'm helping you purely out of my responsibility and duty as a fellow village ninja."
Jiraiya smiled. In fact, he was happy to see this matter unfold.
There was nothing more satisfying than seeing that Danzo fellow get cornered.
"I hope so."
Ruri didn't take Jiraiya's promise to heart.
The so-called Sannin were nothing special in the eyes of the entire Uchiha clan.
Moreover, they belonged to the Senju lineage. Ruri only believed half of what Jiraiya said.
"Compared to such an insignificant matter, I'm very curious what kind of punishment the Hokage-sama will mete out to that high-ranking official who made a mistake. Isn't that the key?"
Ruri's words, laced with sarcasm, made Jiraiya sigh helplessly.
Even a young girl understood things so clearly. The Uchiha truly was a powerful and influential clan that couldn't be ignored.
Shiraishi remained silent beside them, acting as a small, transparent person in everyone's eyes.
◎
Returning to the Konoha camp was a matter of several hours later.
The sky had just brightened, and the Konoha ninja in the camp were coming out of their tents one after another.
The duty personnel were changing shifts, and medical ninja, without even finishing their breakfast, rushed towards the makeshift infirmary to take over from the medical ninja who had been busy all night.
Since Sakumo Hatake, the leader of Sakumo's squad, had not returned and was still on a mission, Ruri temporarily acted as captain and went to report the mission's details to the highest-ranking officer here, Orochimaru.
Jiraiya took Minato to another place to do his own work.
Shiraishi and Ayane waited idly not far outside the tent.
"Yo, Shiraishi-kid, long time no see. You've gotten much sturdier than before."
A familiar and very cheerful female voice came from the side.
Turning his head, Shiraishi saw a beautiful woman with light blonde hair.
After Shiraishi was momentarily stunned, the other party grinned mischievously and said, "What, you don't recognize me anymore?"
Shiraishi then realized and bowed to the kunoichi: "Long time no see, Tsunade-sensei."
Although he wasn't a direct disciple, Tsunade was indeed an instructor in Konoha's first medical ninja experimental training class, and she had taught Shiraishi a lot about medical ninjutsu.
"Tsunade-sensei, hello."
Ayane also bowed, quickly saluting Tsunade.
Tsunade just waved her hand and smiled, "No need for that, just be casual. Were there any problems with this mission?"
She asked casually.
Shiraishi didn't think much and honestly replied, "I heard Ruri say it was a trap by the Sand Shinobi, who deliberately used false intelligence to lure our Konoha ninja there to annihilate them."
Then, he looked very puzzled, as if he didn't quite understand what this mission was all about.
Ayane coughed twice beside him.
"Hyuga girl, are you not feeling well?"
Tsunade looked at her.
"Hmm, I found my throat a bit uncomfortable on the way back. I might have caught a cold."
Ayane replied.
"Girls should take care of their bodies." Tsunade then turned her gaze back to Shiraishi, gently patted his head, and her voice softened: "It's alright, it's over now. I'll take care of what happens next for you."
"Thank you, Tsunade-sensei. But the Sand Shinobi are really too despicable. Tsunade-sensei, you should be careful too."
Looking at Shiraishi's pure, harmless, and genuinely concerned gaze, Tsunade sighed inwardly.
That Danzo fellow truly deserved to die.
These were all the future pillars of Konoha.
Tsunade inquired a few more times about Shiraishi, and before entering the tent, she also handed Shiraishi several scrolls, all containing Tsunade's valuable experience in medical ninjutsu.
She genuinely admired Shiraishi, this pure and upright young man. Even if his talent in medical ninjutsu wasn't outstanding, and he might have joined Sakumo's squad through connections, his serious and focused spirit made him a worthy junior ninja for her to cultivate vigorously.
The Uchiha girl must have also seen this in him, Tsunade thought to herself.
"Shiraishi-kun, you're really too cunning."
Ayane watched Tsunade enter the tent and then complained to Shiraishi.
If she hadn't known the truth, she would have almost believed Shiraishi's nonsense.
"I don't want to be like this either, but this is my capital for survival. And deceiving someone who treats me so genuinely, I don't feel good about it either. She, besides you two and Fujimura-sensei, is a ninja who truly wishes me well."
At this point, Shiraishi recalled Fujimura Taiga, his homeroom teacher who had accompanied him through six years of his academic life.
He wondered if he had ended his single life yet. He was already a Chunin-sama nearing thirty, which was truly worrying.
Ten minutes later, Ruri walked out of the tent, looking annoyed.
Due to her injuries not yet healed, her walking speed was not fast.
"What did the higher-ups say?"
Shiraishi and Ayane leaned in and asked.
Ruri glanced at the two of them, trying to suppress her inner anger, and said, "What else can they say? Commander Orochimaru-sama ordered the three of us to immediately return to the village and await orders."
"Immediately?"
"Return to the village and await orders?"
These two questions came out of Shiraishi and Ayane's mouths consecutively, with expressions of surprise.
"Wait, Sakumo-sensei hasn't returned yet…"
"He told us not to wait for him to return, but to set off immediately and escort the injured who cannot participate in battle back to the village with other squads."
Ruri repeated the order, still annoyed.
"Is that so? It seems things are much more troublesome than I imagined."
Shiraishi said meaningfully.
Although Sakumo's squad had a special role, the overall commander of the battlefield was Orochimaru, one of the Sannin.
He had higher authority to deploy forces on the spot than their squad leader, Sakumo Hatake.
Therefore, no matter how much Shiraishi and the others protested, it would be useless, and they could only obediently return to the village and await orders.
As for Sakumo's situation, the three of them were completely unaware. The mistakes in this mission and many unresolved questions remained, but presumably, Orochimaru-sensei, as the commander, would not reveal them to the three of them.
Ultimately, it was due to their insufficient status and strength.
If Sakumo were here, even if Orochimaru had a higher position, he wouldn't be able to ignore Sakumo's questions.
"That's how it is. Pack up, we're leaving."
Ruri was thoroughly displeased; she hadn't planned on returning to the village.
She had only been at the front lines for a few days, and now she had to go back. It felt like they were just toying with her.
Half an hour later, many ninja gathered at the Konoha camp, and many carriages were prepared, with numerous injured shinobi resting inside.
Accompanying them, besides Shiraishi and the other two, were over thirty Konoha ninja, including four jounin. The team also had several medical personnel responsible for caring for these injured… "Why send those three back?"
Inside the tent, Tsunade sat to the side, looking at the pale young ninja with confusion.
His long, dark hair fell straight down, and his handsome face carried a somewhat effeminate aura.
This person was Orochimaru, the overall commander of Konoha's front-line forces against the Sand Hidden Village.
He was a ninja on par with Jiraiya and Tsunade, one of the Sannin.
In response to Tsunade's question, Orochimaru's reason was simple: "War is imminent. I don't want this troublesome political dispute to make things chaotic here."
"But sending those three back like this…"
"Sakumo cannot know about this. He is not suited for this political arena; he might cause other problems. Konoha's main goal now is to repel the Sand Shinobi, and I don't want to be distracted by this sort of thing."
Orochimaru shook his head. Whatever the truth of the matter, he wasn't interested.
He also wouldn't let this distract him, and ultimately, the outcome depended on the Hokage's own decision. He wasn't the final arbiter.
"I'm not worried about the Uchiha and Hyuga girls, but that boy…"
"Are you very concerned about him?"
Orochimaru looked at Tsunade as if very interested.
"He's one of the students I taught. I don't want him to be exposed to the dark side of the village. It's enough for him to do his duty as a medical ninja and survive."
Tsunade sighed.
"Yes, in these chaotic times, surviving is the best outcome. But human growth is often accompanied by pain, by experiencing the coldness of the world. Just like Nawaki to you, and to me as well."
As Orochimaru said this, he looked at his own hands, and a trace of sadness flashed in his eyes.
"Actually, we can't do anything, we can't change anything…"