Xun Uzumaki saw the people who had returned. There were only...
Twelve!!
Of the sixteen jonin, only twelve had returned. Their green flak jackets were covered in dust, and smiles of joy filled their faces. Though they had all suffered minor injuries and cracks marred their jackets, none of it could hide the excitement in their hearts.
Xun Uzumaki's eyes reddened. They...
Had truly carried out his mission with all their hearts!!
"Prince Xun, we succeeded." One jonin carefully pulled out a scroll, smiling as he respectfully presented it with both hands. "This is Iwagakure's Super Light-Heavy Technique."
"This is the Hero's Water from the Land of Falls."
"And this is Sand Country's Puppet Technique, though Sunagakure only agreed to provide the basic version!"
"..."
Looking at what they had brought back, Xun Uzumaki secretly wiped away his tears and said with a smile, "You are truly the heroes of the Land of Whirlpools!!"
Now that they had obtained the goods...
How had they been injured??
"Your injuries?" Xun Uzumaki asked in confusion. He had made it clear long ago that they were to retreat if things became impossible. Yet four jonin had been lost. What had happened?
Had they started negotiating halfway through a fight??
You had to be kidding!
Who did business like that? Were they supposed to become friends through fighting??
They had already killed people. How were they supposed to negotiate after that?
"It was the Anbu." The whirlpool ninja exchanged looks before finally saying, "Konoha's Anbu."
"They discovered us and tried to take us away. In the end..."
"To cover our retreat, they..."
Xun Uzumaki clenched his fists tightly as he listened to the whirlpool ninja. He had never expected this, truly never expected it!
Those who had sacrificed themselves had not died at the