"An explanation?"
Ruri's lips curled into a scornful smirk.
"Yes, I will personally vouch for you..."
"No need. Uchiha matters will be handled by the Uchiha, we don't require outsiders to meddle!"
Ruri's stance was equally unyielding.
Hearing this, Jiraiya was more certain that Ruri and the others understood some of the issues present in this mission.
Like Root... no, they must know by now.
Especially Ruri, this ninja from a prestigious family, had excellent vision and intellect. Jiraiya dared not be deceitful in this matter.
"I'm just doing what I should. If the Uchiha wish to pursue this, that's your affair. My assistance comes from my duty and responsibility as a ninja from the same village."
Jiraiya smiled, and truth be told, he didn't mind this outcome.
Making Danzo eat dirt, there was nothing more satisfying than that.
"I hope so."
Ruri wasn't swayed by Jiraiya's promise.
The so-called Sannin, in the eyes of the entire Uchiha, were nothing significant.
Besides, being affiliated with the Senju line, Ruri only believed half of what Jiraiya said.
"Rather than these inconsequential matters, I'm very curious about what punishment the Hokage will give to the high-ranking official who erred. That's the real issue, isn't it?"
Ruri's words, laced with sarcasm, made Jiraiya sigh helplessly.
For such a young girl to see things so clearly, the Uchiha truly was a formidable clan not to be underestimated.
Hakushi stood silently by, serving as an invisible figure in everyone's eyes.
◎
Returning to the Konoha Camp was a matter of several hours later.
The sky had just lightened when the Konoha ninja in the camp began emerging from their tents.
Guards were changing shifts, and medical ninjas, without even a full breakfast, rushed to the makeshift infirmary to take over from the medical ninjas who had been busy all night.
Because the captain of Sakumo's team, Hatake Sakumo, had not returned and was still on a mission, Ruri temporarily assumed the captain role to report the mission details to the highest-ranking officer available, Orochimaru.
Jiraiya took Minato elsewhere to handle their own tasks.
Hakushi and Ayane waited in boredom, not far from the tents.
"Yo, Hakushi, it's been a while. You've really grown since back then."
A familiar, spirited female voice came from the side.
Turning his head, Hakushi saw a beautiful woman with light blonde hair.
After a moment's pause, the woman gave a mischievous smile and said, "What, don't you recognize me anymore?"
Realizing who she was, Hakushi bowed to the female ninja, "Long time no see, Teacher Tsunade."
Though not a direct disciple, Tsunade was indeed an instructor in Konoha's first experimental medical ninja training class, having imparted much knowledge of medical ninjutsu to Hakushi.
"Jonin Tsunade, hello."
Ayane also bowed, hastily greeting Tsunade.
Tsunade waved her hand and smiled, "No need for that, just feel free to be casual. There were no issues during this mission, I hope?"
She asked, seemingly casually.
Without much thought, Hakushi honestly replied, "I heard from Ruri that it was a Hidden Sand Ninja trap, deliberately using false information to lead us Konoha ninjas into a massacre."
Then, he displayed a very puzzled expression, seeming not to understand the situation of the mission clearly.
Ayane coughed twice on the side.
"Hyuga's young girl, are you feeling unwell?"
Tsunade looked at her.
"Yes, I felt a bit of a sore throat on the way back, maybe caught a cold."
Ayane replied.
"Girls need to take care of their health." Tsunade then turned her gaze to Hakushi, gently patted his head, and softened her voice, "Don't worry. Things are in the past now. I'll handle the upcoming matters for you."
"Thank you, Teacher Tsunade. But the Hidden Sand ninjas are really despicable, Teacher Tsunade should also be careful."
Seeing the pure, sincere look in Hakushi's eyes as he expressed concern for her, Tsunade sighed inwardly.
That Danzo truly needed to be damned.
These were the future pillars of Konoha.
Tsunade exchanged a few more words of concern with Hakushi and, before entering the tent, handed him a few scrolls containing her valuable experiences in medical ninjutsu.
She genuinely admired a straightforward and earnest young man like Hakushi. Even if his talent in medical ninjutsu wasn't particularly outstanding, his entry into Sakumo's team might have been through a woman's connections, but his seriousness and dedicated spirit deserved Tsunade's dedicated nurturing of such an earnest and hardworking young ninja.
Perhaps the young Uchiha girl saw this in him too, Tsunade thought to herself.
"You're really bad, Hakushi-kun."
Watching Tsunade enter the tent, Ayane teased Hakushi.
If she hadn't known the truth, she might have been convinced by Hakushi's talk.
"I don't want it to be this way either, but this is my means of survival. Plus, deceiving those who truly care for me leaves me feeling bad. She's one of the few, like you and Teacher Fujimura, who genuinely wish me well."
This brought thoughts of Fujimura Daiga, the homeroom teacher who had overseen his six-year educational journey.
Still single, by now almost thirty, truly concerning.
About ten minutes later, Ruri came out from the tent, visibly displeased.