January 3, Konoha Year 35.
In a forest outside Konoha.
The figures of Gojo Yoru and Orochimaru appeared out of thin air without warning.
"Go home and get some proper rest. I'm giving you a few extra days off this time. Wait for my notice about the next assembly."
After registering their return to the village, Orochimaru still parted ways with Gojo Yoru on the spot, heading to the Hokage Building alone to submit the mission and report on their work.
"Understood, Teacher Orochimaru."
Gojo Yoru was more than happy with that arrangement.
After returning home, the first thing Gojo Yoru did was take a shower.
When out in the field, bathing was undoubtedly the most inconvenient thing.
If it was an intelligence-gathering mission, Gojo Yoru could still find a water source outside, or use the Flying Thunder God Technique to stay somewhere inhabited.
If he felt like being especially indulgent, he could even return home in Konoha to sleep, then head back to the original spot the next day to wait.
But for escort missions, in order to protect the client, Gojo Yoru and Orochimaru had to remain by their side at all times. They simply had no time to bathe.
Gojo Yoru had it even worse. As the disciple, night watch duty was assigned to him, squeezing even his rest time dry.
If he had a choice, Gojo Yoru would rather join a ninja squad on a punitive expedition and face life-or-death battles than take on this kind of escort mission.
Still, this mission had brought Gojo Yoru an unexpected gain.
"I never expected Space-Time to be the first one I completed. Is this the advantage of purity?"
With a towel wrapped around his lower body, Gojo Yoru studied the boy in the mirror, his icy blue eyes