Return to the Village

After the remaining Kirigakure ninja were trapped in the Water Palm Prison, they were swiftly dealt with! Only the Kirigakure leader remained. The Konoha Chunin used a scroll to seal his Chakra, eliminating any threat he posed.

With that, the battle was completely over! Maruboshi Kosuke and Anima arrived late, but it was not because they had been too slow. Jiogan had simply ended the battle far too quickly.

Jiogan activated the Qi Sensing Technique once more. Only after sensing no traces of other enemies nearby or farther away did he finally relax.

"Thank you for your support. We are Patrol Squad 28 of the Eastern Front. I'm the team leader, Usui Tani, and these are my teammates. Thank you all for your assistance. Otherwise, our losses would have been even greater!" the Chunin leading the Coastline defense zone said gratefully.

After speaking with Jiogan, Maruboshi Kosuke, and the others, they learned that the Kirigakure ninja had secretly climbed up from the coastal cliffs. They had launched a surprise attack while Patrol Squad 28 was changing shifts and resting. Two people had died immediately, while another two had been injured. With the situation turning critical, they had released the Red Signal Flare.

Fortunately, Patrol Squad 36 had arrived quickly and possessed enough strength to prevent further losses while wiping out the enemy.

Jiogan reminded him, "Release the White Signal Flare quickly. Other comrades might still be on their way to support you. Don't make them come all this way for nothing!"

Usui Tani hurriedly released the White Signal Flare. (P.S. The White Signal Flare indicated that the abnormal situation had been resolved.)

"Our patrol duty still has a week left. As for this captured Kirigakure Chunin leader, I'll notify the outpost and have someone come escort him," Usui Tani said.

"There's no need to go through all that trouble. Today is the final day of Patrol Squad 36's assignment. We'll return to the outpost to report by evening, and another patrol squad will come to take over. We'll escort him back to the outpost ourselves," Maruboshi Kosuke said. "Write down the full details of this battle as intelligence. I need to bring it back to the outpost with me! Jiogan, you too. Prepare a battle report!"

With that, everyone went to wrap things up. Kurama Feiyun treated the wounded members of Patrol Squad 28. After the battlefield had been cleaned up, the two squads parted ways. Patrol Squad 28 remained behind to continue guarding the area while waiting for reinforcements from the outpost, while Patrol Squad 36 took on the task of escorting the Kirigakure Chunin back to their station before returning to the outpost.

At midnight, Jiogan and the others escorted the Kirigakure Chunin back to the outpost. They immediately handed over their prisoner and reported the situation to Torifu Akimichi.

After hearing the report, Torifu Akimichi promptly made arrangements. He sent people overnight to verify the intelligence in the affected defense zone, dispatched additional personnel to join Patrol Squad 28, and ordered an overnight interrogation of the captured Kirigakure Chunin.

After making their report, Jiogan and the others rested at the outpost and waited for the next day's arrangements.

After sleeping soundly for several hours at the outpost, they were finally summoned by Torifu Akimichi around noon.

Upon entering the Command Tent, Jiogan and the others were pleasantly surprised to find Kurama Heiji there as well. They had not seen him for nearly two months. Once all members of Patrol Squad 36 had arrived, Torifu Akimichi said, "After an overnight interrogation, we learned that Kirigakure only sent an advance squad this time. At least three more Kirigakure units will infiltrate the southeastern Coastline, intending to disrupt the peace along the Land of Fire's coast!"

"This intelligence is extremely important. I have already issued orders for Konoha's ninja to prepare in advance, lie in wait, and wipe out every invading enemy!"

"Patrol Squad 36 performed well during this patrol mission. Based on the mission regulations and your military achievements, Jiogan will receive six C-rank Mission records and four B-rank Mission records. Kurama Feiyun, Inuzuka Yoru, and Okamura Taro will each receive five C-rank Mission records and two B-rank Mission records. Anima and Maruboshi Kosuke will each receive five C-rank Mission records and one B-rank Mission record." Torifu Akimichi concluded by announcing everyone's mission evaluations.

"Patrol Squad 36 is now dismissed. You need to return to the village to report and submit the outpost's mission evaluation document to the Mission Hall. You will still need to collect your mission rewards in the village!" With that, he gestured for them to leave the Command Tent.

Maruboshi Kosuke and Anima had received only one B-rank evaluation because they had not made it in time for the battle against Kirigakure. However, the intelligence gained from bringing back the prisoner was highly valuable. The other squad members who had participated in the battle all received two B-rank evaluations, while Jiogan's additional B-rank evaluations were largely due to killing and capturing enemy Chunin.

This Patrol Mission had lasted two months, but its rewards had been plentiful. Every member of Team 11 had improved greatly. They were now qualified ninja, having shed the immaturity they had possessed during their academy days.

Kurama Heiji followed them out and said to the three of them, "I can tell that this patrol mission has helped you grow a great deal. I'm very pleased!"

The three of them smiled confidently, and Kurama Heiji could not help feeling emotional. Before this mission, if I praised them a little, other than Jiogan, Feiyun and Yoru would probably have had their tails in the sky. They've really grown up.

"Pack your things. We'll set out for the village immediately!" Kurama Heiji added.

The three nodded in agreement. They then bid farewell to Maruboshi Kosuke and the other two, agreeing to have a meal together in the village before setting off on their return journey.

Maruboshi Kosuke and the other two chose to rest at the outpost for another night and return to the village the following day.

Two days later, Team 11 returned safely to Konoha. The moment Kurama Feiyun stepped through Konoha Gate, she could not help stretching lazily. "We're finally home. Even Konoha's air feels so much more comfortable!"

Jiogan and Inuzuka Yoru both nodded, deeply sharing her sentiment.

Walking through Konoha's streets, everything felt so warm and peaceful. This was what they had been protecting!

After submitting their mission documents at the Mission Hall and receiving their respective mission rewards, the sight of their bulging wallets made them immediately decide to go have some yakiniku.

As they ate the delicious yakiniku and drank sweet fruit juice, Team 11 enjoyed a warm and lively atmosphere.

At the table, Kurama Heiji said, "This mission kept us away from the village for quite a long time, so rest properly for three days first. Three days from now, meet me at Training Ground 4 in Konoha. I'll assess your strength before deciding on the next mission arrangements!"

Jiogan and the other two exchanged glances and smiled knowingly. Seeing their expressions, Kurama Heiji felt somewhat expectant, curious about just how much they had improved during this time.

After the meal, they said goodbye to one another and headed home.

On his way home, Jiogan deliberately slowed down. He wanted to properly savor the feeling of strolling through the streets. When he passed the Three-color Dango Shop, he bought a skewer and ate it as he walked.

Then he spotted Might Duy on the street. Jiogan immediately called out, "Brother Duy! Over here!"

Hearing someone call his name, Might Duy looked up and saw Jiogan. He immediately said in surprise, "Jiogan, you've finished your mission and come back too!"

"Yes, I returned to the village this afternoon. I just finished having a meal with my teammates. When did you get back, Brother Duy?" Jiogan asked.

"Me too, today. I just came out of the Mission Hall and was thinking of going home to get some proper sleep!" Might Duy flashed his signature smile and gleaming teeth.

"Brother Duy, are you free tomorrow? Let's have a meal together, then have a passionate Youth battle at the training ground!" Jiogan said.

"Sure! Let's have a long-overdue match! And while we're at it, I'll get to eat the grilled fish you make! After two months on the western border, my mouth has gone completely bland!" Might Duy said.

"Alright, it's settled! Tomorrow at ten in the morning, we'll meet at Training Ground 6!" Jiogan set the time and place, and the two went home separately.

The moment he stepped through the door, Jiogan called to the busy figure inside, "Mother, I'm home! I brought you a gift. I found these conch shells by the coast of the Land of Fire and strung them into a necklace. Take a look, Mother. Is it pretty? Do you like it?"

Mieko accepted Jiogan's gift in delighted surprise. Touched, she said, "My child has grown up! Welcome home!"

As she spoke, happy tears flowed from her eyes as she pulled Jiogan into her embrace!