Morning sunlight filtered through the dense leaves, scattering patches of light across Lin Mu's face.
"Mmm..."
Lin Mu slowly opened his eyes. All he could feel was pain throughout his body.
Fear lingered in his heart as well.
He had actually fallen asleep alone in this dense forest, in the dead of night no less.
It was nothing short of a miracle that he hadn't encountered any danger.
He stood up and stretched, feeling a lingering ache where he had been stabbed in the abdomen yesterday.
He lifted his shirt to check. Fortunately, the wound had almost healed.
"It's getting late. I'd better hurry back."
Lin Mu looked up to get his bearings, then quickly headed back to town.
With his injuries still troubling him, he couldn't move very fast. It took him a full half hour to reach town.
It was still early. Naruto and Jiraiya were probably still asleep.
Standing outside the room, Lin Mu tugged at his collar.
He knocked on the door, but no one answered for a long while. He paused in surprise.
Could Naruto Uzumaki still be practicing in the clearing?
He really was dedicated!
He felt around in his pocket. Fortunately, his key hadn't fallen out.
Click, click...
Lin Mu took out the key, unlocked the door, and went inside.
The room was clean and tidy, without any sign of anyone being there. Sure enough, Naruto Uzumaki must have spent another night training outside.
"That guy's perseverance really is admirable."
Lin Mu went over to his bed, found a fresh set of clothes, and changed into them. Then he folded his damaged clothes and put them away.
After a moment's thought, he went into the bathroom to wash up.
Feeling refreshed would help him train.
About another half hour passed before everything was