Due to the injuries on the body not yet healed, the walking speed was not fast.
"What did the higher-ups say?"
Hakushi and Ayane leaned in to ask.
Ruri glanced at the two, suppressing her inner anger as much as possible and said, "What else can we do, Commander Orochimaru-sama ordered the three of us to return to the village immediately and await orders."
"Immediately?"
"Return to the village and await orders?"
These two questions were successively spoken by Hakushi and Ayane, with surprised expressions.
"Wait, Sakumo-sensei hasn't returned yet..."
"He told us not to wait for him and to set off immediately, escorting other squads with non-combat-ready injured back to the village."
Ruri repeated the order, feeling displeased.
"Is that so? It seems the situation is more complicated than I imagined."
Hakushi said meaningfully.
Although Sakumo's team has a special role, the battlefield's overall commander is one of the Sannin, Orochimaru.
He has a higher authority to deploy on the spot than their team leader, Hatake Sakumo.
So, even if Hakushi's group of three protested, it would be of no use; they could only return to the village and await further orders.
As for matters concerning Sakumo, the three of them were completely in the dark. There are many unresolved questions regarding this mission's failures, but as the commander, Jonin Orochimaru, would not explain them to the three.
In the end, it's a matter of identity and strength.
If Sakumo were here, even if Orochimaru held a higher position, he couldn't ignore Sakumo's questions.
"That's how it is, pack up and get ready to leave."
Ruri was full of displeasure; she wasn't ready to return to the village.
They had only been on the front lines for a few days; now they had to return, treating her like a toy.
Half an hour later, quite a few Konoha ninja had gathered at the Konoha Camp, preparing many carriages, inside which rested many of the injured.
Accompanying Hakushi's group were over thirty Konoha ninjas, including four Jonin and several medical personnel responsible for caring for the injured.
...
"Why let those three return?"
Inside the tent, Tsunade sat beside him, looking puzzled at the pale-faced young ninja.
His long, jet-black hair hung straight down; his handsome face carried a somewhat delicate air.
This person was the commander of Konoha's forces against the Hidden Sand on the front line, Orochimaru.
Ranked alongside Jiraiya and Tsunade as one of the Three Legendary Ninja.
Faced with Tsunade's question, Orochimaru's reason was simple: "A war is imminent, and I don't want this kind of troublesome political dispute to pollute my area."
"But letting those three return like that..."
"This matter must not be known to Sakumo. He doesn't suit this political arena and might cause other troubles. Konoha's main goal now is to repel the Hidden Sand Ninja; I don't want to be distracted by such issues."
Orochimaru shook his head; regardless of the truth of the matter, he was not interested.
He would not be distracted by it; ultimately, everything depends on the Hokage's decision, as he is not the ultimate decision-maker.
"I don't worry about the Uchiha and Hyuga girls, but that boy..."
"You care about him?"
Orochimaru appeared intrigued and looked at Tsunade.
"He is one of my students. I don't want him to encounter the village's dark side. If he does his duty as a medical ninja well, that's enough for me."
Tsunade sighed.
"Yes, in such chaotic times, survival is the best outcome. Yet, human growth often comes with pain, experiencing the coldness of the world. Like how Nawaki was to you, to me as well."
Orochimaru said this, gazing at his hands, a trace of sadness inadvertently flashing in his eyes.
"In reality, there's nothing we can do, nothing we can change..."