Mother's scent!

"It was my mistake."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression stiffened, then he looked around, realizing his oversight:

"Wait until we get back to the base, and you can tell me in private.

Don't worry, I will report this reconnaissance mission to the Hokage without missing a single detail. Your efforts will not be in vain."

Such a top-secret mission couldn't be discussed in front of everyone. He had simply been too exhausted.

"Thank you for your understanding."

Uchiha Ao didn't say anything further this time, just nodded. "Please lead the way. Brother Jing and these injured need treatment."

Whoosh! Whoosh...

With that, led by Hiruzen Sarutobi, the uninjured ninjas each carried a wounded comrade. Uchiha Ao, meanwhile, carried Jing, trailing behind them.

"That guy..."

After a short while, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to sense something. His expression turned grim as he scanned his surroundings, but Danzo's figure was nowhere to be seen.

"Where did he go?"

Behind them.

"Lord Danzo, the fighting over there... should we not go?"

A young Chunin stood behind Danzo, whose face was still somewhat red and swollen, and spoke with great worry.

"Lord Hiruzen... I fear it will be difficult to explain."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Hokage's most valued disciple. If they stood by and watched him fall into danger without offering aid...

Danzo, as the Hokage's elite guard, would likely be fine, but they were different. The Village's Anbu would truly kill people!

"Hmph."

Danzo withdrew his gaze from the distance and snorted coldly.

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Rest assured, we won't be idle either."

Saying that, he darted further back.

"Not far from here, there's a Rogue Ninja camp. We'll clear them out shortly and return to the base with their heads. No one will say anything then!

If anyone asks, just say these Rogue Ninjas were Cloud Village spies. It'll count as a meritorious deed either way."

The ninjas behind him exchanged glances, their hearts filled with bitterness.

This reason was acceptable on the surface, but no one was a fool. Anyone with eyes could see it was just a flimsy excuse.

Their team's reputation within the Border Defense Force was likely to worsen.

"..."

Danzo seemed oblivious, continuing to speed ahead with a cold expression.

He knew what the consequences would be, but he didn't care.

He had been harboring resentment since being beaten a few days ago. There were bad people among the masses.

He had just seen several Jonin who were close to Kagami Uchiha heading to the scene of the incident, which made him even more restless. Judging by the massive Chakra fluctuations he sensed earlier, he wished more people would die.

And then there were the Chunin under his command... not a single one had stepped forward to help him when he was being beaten.

If that was the case, then he couldn't be blamed!

The reason of simply eliminating Rogue Ninjas was indeed insufficient, but if several Chunin were to "die in the line of duty," then no one would be able to question this reason.

Danzo hid a sliver of a sinister smile and accelerated again, heading towards the target location.

The sun began to set.

"Medical Ninjas, start with the severely injured. Rinon, your medical skills are the best. You'll be responsible for treating Kagami Uchiha. The rest of you, get to your positions, quickly, quickly..."

After returning to the camp, Hiruzen Sarutobi began to direct personnel in an orderly fashion.

Uchiha Ao greeted him, then, carrying Kagami, followed the female ninja named Rinon into the private tent designated for Jonin.

The two had briefly met earlier.

This Medical Ninja's full name was Senju Rinon. (She) had delicate, exquisite features with a classic Eastern beauty. Although (she) was a bit slender, (she) possessed an S-shaped figure.

Especially when moving, (her) chest and hips appeared particularly full through (her) clothes. Just following behind, one could catch the scent of a mature woman's body.

"You can put him here."

Senju Rinon pointed to a bed inside the tent. Ao responded and gently placed Kagami on the bed.

"You can go now. I'll call you when the treatment is done."

"...I won't make a sound."

Uchiha Ao did not leave. Instead, (he) looked into Rinon's beautiful eyes with a serious expression and said, "Brother Jing was injured because of me this time. I want to stay here and watch over him."

"No..."

Before Rinon could finish speaking, Ao stepped forward and suddenly placed his hands on her shoulders.

The sudden closeness made her able to see her own reflection in Ao's eyes.

"Please."

Ao repeated, his voice low but clear, "I promise I'll be quiet. I want to stay with you... uh, Brother Jing."

The tent fell silent, leaving only the sound of their breathing.

Looking at Ao's handsome face, Senju Rinon, who usually valued rules the most, felt her principles waver wildly for the first time. She quickly turned her head away, avoiding his intensely burning eyes, her earlobes burning fiercely.

"...Then... remember to... be quiet."

With that, she fled to the side as if escaping. Only after confirming Ao had sat down in the corner did she crouch down, her face flushed red, and begin the examination.

As soon as she crouched down, her previously loose clothing immediately accentuated her perfect curves.

"..."

Uchiha Ao was captivated by those two rounded mounds for a few seconds before he painfully shifted his gaze to Jing's injuries.

It wasn't that he was abandoning righteousness for lust; it was just that his Sharingan couldn't be turned off!

Actually, he had another reason for choosing to stay and guard: he wanted to witness Medical Ninjutsu firsthand.

Typically, most Ninja of the Uchiha Clan used their eyes to copy combat ninjutsu. Since Medical Ninjutsu was also a type of ninjutsu, he wondered if he could learn it through his Sharingan.

If he could truly learn it, perhaps he wouldn't have to arduously study complex medical knowledge and could perfect that secret technique for stimulating the evolution of the Sharingan!

As the thought crossed his mind, his eyes suddenly narrowed, instantly transforming into Single Tomoe Sharingan.

At this moment, in his eyes, those alluring curves had become various complex blue Chakra circuits, flowing continuously within Rinon's body.

"This is... examining the internal injuries of Brother Jing's body? Hmm... the circuits aren't difficult. Starting with the brain, then the internal organs, and finally the meridians..."

A moment later, a stream of light flashed on the panel.

[Medical Examination 0/100]

[C-Rank Ninjutsu: Can examine a Ninja's injuries]

"Not bad, a good start."

He continued to observe Rinon's Medical Ninjutsu. This time, it should be healing, as he saw Rinon's delicate eyebrows furrow slightly, indicating that this ninjutsu required immense concentration.

Most importantly, the Chakra circuits for this ninjutsu looked ten times more complex than the previous Medical Examination.

"This should count as B-Rank Ninjutsu... Huh? Why didn't she move her palm this time?"

Uchiha Ao frowned.

He saw a surge of green chakra energy from Rinon's palm. That energy, as if possessing consciousness, autonomously drilled into Uchiha Kagami's body meridians, wriggling back and forth, nourishing his body.

"That energy... it's not conscious, but under her control, it's executing an extremely complex treatment."

This level of micro-manipulation, only achievable by those extremely familiar with human anatomy, even cellular structure, and possessing the ability to control hundreds of energy particles simultaneously, allowed Rinon to reach her current healing standard.

"Heh, it seems I underestimated Medical Ninjutsu."

Uchiha Ao chuckled and shook his head.

No wonder medical ninjas of Tsunade's caliber were so sought after in the original story.

This move alone was no less difficult than simultaneously learning several A-rank Ninjutsu.

He'd ask Brother Jing about the method to achieve the Three Tomoe once he woke up.

As for that secret technique, it would have to be put on hold for now.

With that thought, he simply closed his Sharingan and shifted his gaze back to that perfect body curve, appreciating it silently while also pondering.

If I could get her to help me perfect that ninjutsu, would it be faster?

"Mmm..."

At this moment, Uchiha Kagami, lying on the bed, eyelids trembled slightly. He sniffed, then suddenly let out a sleepy murmur.

"So fragrant... like... Mother's scent."