March 15, 8:00 p.m., Quiet Mist Mountain in the Land of Rain, Konoha's temporary recuperation station for the wounded.
The station was now on maximum alert...
Of the two patrol squads, one had failed to return on time—and was already an hour overdue!
Akaseki, Minato, and Claw were already standing by at the recuperation station's exit.
Akaseki's expression was grim—the other patrol squad consisted of Zhenpan, Shinnosuke, and Shibi.
Kunugi Mokume, the recuperation station's commander, came before the three. Seeing him, Akaseki hurriedly said, "Captain Mokume, Shinnosuke and the others still haven't returned..."
"I know. Ranwu is on her way as well. Once she arrives, the four of you will search for the missing patrol squad. No matter what clues you find, report back immediately... Whether you find anything or not, you must return before ten tonight!"
As Mokume spoke, Ranwu arrived as well.
"You know the situation at the recuperation station right now... Remember, if you don't return, the station will arrange to evacuate the wounded to the Land of Fire overnight," Kunugi Mokume emphasized to the four.
After the medical station relocated, the wounded and defensive forces left at this original site had steadily dwindled—it should not have been a target for enemy attacks!
There were now only three jonin and twenty chunin stationed at the base. Six of them were Medical Ninja: one medical jonin and five chunin... including Ranwu.
If Akaseki's group failed to return as well, they would be left with roughly three standard B-rank mission squads, each consisting of one jonin and three chunin, while there were still forty-one wounded here.
Of course, there was one slightly better piece of news: roughly half the wounded could still fight. They were greatly weakened compared to when healthy, but if they truly had to evacuate, they