"You're still thinking about Shimura Saburo?" Minato's voice held a trace of helpless amusement. "With his cowardly nature, would he really be stupid enough to go to the front lines and fight the enemy to the death?
"Don't worry. By the time we get back, he'll probably be relaxing at the base."
Sen understood what Minato meant. They hadn't found Shimura Saburo's body.
Minato asked in return, "Then why did you write 'Shimura Saburo sends his congratulations'?"
"Idiot." Sen pursed his lips, his tone tinged with smugness. "I told Kushina that before. Don't you remember? I said I'd make Shimura Saburo famous throughout the world."
Minato was briefly at a loss for words. After a long pause, he finally managed, "...I give up. You nearly died, and you're still thinking about bragging to Kushina."
Under cover of night, the six of them raced for hours, finally reaching the base before dawn.
As expected, Shimura Saburo was safe and sound.
At some point, he'd been assigned a rear-guard duty watching over the wounded. Now he was leading a few others in a rather convincing patrol around the perimeter of the base.
Sen and Minato exchanged a look, each seeing understanding in the other's eyes.
It was a fitting assignment, making the best use of everyone's abilities.
After safely settling the wounded, the two returned to their tent, their bodies exhausted, and tended to their injuries.
Before long, Minato fell into a deep sleep.
His Mental Power had been severely depleted. Only sleep could restore it quickly.
Sen, meanwhile, continued using Medical Ninjutsu to treat his body, swollen and reddened from the Eight Inner Gates. The agonizing backlash surged through him in waves.
The days passed amid rest and vigilance.
Several days later, the two had finally recovered most of their