Return to Konoha

"Xuanhui? You're back so soon? It feels like you only left a moment ago!"

"Lord Jiraiya, light travels at the fastest speed. It's normal for me to be a little faster."

Orochimaru and Tsunade also came over, equally surprised by Xuanhui's early return.

"Xuanhui, report. What did you do in the past hour and a half?"

"I looted some medical supplies, melted down all the materials at Hub Two, then tricked Hanzo away and blew up the armory at Hub One."

After he said that, the three of them fell silent, staring wide-eyed as a storm raged through their minds, seemingly trying to process it all.

"It seems... that really could be done?"

"Let's see whether Hanzo withdraws tomorrow. If he does, the pressure on Konoha's front lines will drop sharply, and the three of us will have more freedom as well."

Other than Xuanhui, who said he was tired and ran off to sleep on a nearby bed for a few hours,

the other three stayed awake until dawn.

Things turned out exactly as they had expected!

While Hanzo was investigating Hub Two last night, news arrived that the armory at Hub One had been blown up.

Hanzo immediately lost it. No one could take out two Hidden Rain hubs in such a short time!

Not even the Three Ninja could do it!

Konoha must have sent reinforcements of at least two jonin!

"Damn it! Were the people on the Hidden Sand side raised on sand?

Konoha actually still has enough troops to send two jonin!"

"Our tactics are flawed! Withdraw for now and fall back behind Rainy Night Gorge!

We'll turn around and hit the Hidden Sand first!"

Konoha's momentum was at its peak. They had to avoid its edge for now!

If Konoha continued its pursuit, Rainy Night Gorge's perilous terrain would be easy to defend and difficult to assault. It would certainly make them suffer!

Hanzo reorganized his forces overnight and began retreating to the rear.

Since there was barely anything left to take with them, the retreat was surprisingly swift.

It was not until the sun rose that Konoha's intelligence ninja hurried back.

"Lord Jiraiya! Lady Tsunade! The Hidden Rain Village has withdrawn all its forces! They are currently stationed behind Rainy Night Gorge!"

Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged a glance.

It had worked, just as expected!

"What is Rainy Night Gorge like?"

"The mountain paths are rugged, with cliffs hemming it in on both sides. It is shrouded in fog year-round. Enter it in daylight, and it feels like night!"

"Then we won't advance either. We'll confront the Hidden Rain in front of Rainy Night Gorge!"

If the enemy did not move, neither would they!

They could not advance easily, and the enemy could not counterattack easily either!

Tsunade patted Jiraiya on the shoulder.

"All right, Jiraiya, go write the letter. Tell the old man that Konoha's front line has gained a massive advantage!

And don't forget your agreement with Xuanhui!"

"Hahaha! Of course not!"

Jiraiya and Tsunade turned and entered the tent. Xuanhui was still lying on the bed in the corner, while Orochimaru was reading beside him.

Jiraiya began writing a letter at the desk nearby.

Tsunade went to tell Orochimaru the news.

Orochimaru nodded without saying anything. He merely set down his book, took out the mission list, and began scanning it up and down with his narrow snake-like eyes.

Xuanhui heard Tsunade's words and happened to wake up as well.

Tsunade told Xuanhui that the Hidden Rain had retreated. Like his teacher, Xuanhui simply nodded and let the matter pass.

Orochimaru handed the mission list in his hand to Xuanhui.

Xuanhui took it and saw several S-rank missions circled in red!

"These missions are relatively easy. I'll leave them to you for practice.

Didn't you want to save money? Make more contributions, and it'll be easier for the old man to approve funding for you."

"Funding? What funding?"

Tsunade seemed to have heard something very important!

Orochimaru told Tsunade about Xuanhui's plan to open an orphanage.

After hearing it, Tsunade's maternal instincts exploded. She tightly hugged Xuanhui's head and told him he was such a good child!

Xuanhui was now tightly wrapped in happiness, unable to break free no matter how hard he tried!

"Don't worry, Xuanhui! If the old man refuses to approve the funding, I'll beat him up!

If you don't have money, come to your big sister! Your big sister has plenty!"

"Sister Tsunade... don't you gamble? Where did you get all that money?"

"You brat! Was it Jiraiya who told you, or Orochimaru?"

Tsunade's face was bright red, though Xuanhui did not think it was from embarrassment.

Jiraiya and Orochimaru acted as if they had heard nothing, both lowering their heads to busy themselves with their own affairs.

Yet cold sweat still beaded on their foreheads. It seemed the Hidden Rain's weather was rather humid and hot.

"I knew I hadn't misjudged him... He's a pillar of Konoha!

And an especially thick one at that!"

The joy and excitement in his heart refused to settle for a long time!

Only after quite a while did Hiruzen Sarutobi finally calm down.

No matter what he asks for, as long as it's within reason, I'll grant it!

He picked up another letter and began reading it.

The contents were simple: during the battle on the Hidden Sand front, Sakumo Hatake had taken the heads of Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law, the enemy commanders.

Konoha still held the advantage on the Hidden Sand side.

In that case, letting them return for a look every now and then would not delay anything at all.

Thus, Hiruzen Sarutobi began writing a letter, preparing to inform them that whenever the fighting was not urgent, they could occasionally return from the front lines to the Hidden Leaf Village so long as it did not affect frontline deployments.

When this news reached Konoha's front line on the Hidden Rain battlefield, the Three Ninja's eyes lit up.

The Hidden Rain had already been driven back by Konoha, and it was unlikely they would be able to stir up trouble again for the next few months.

All three wanted to return for a look, and there were other jonin here who could take over for them.

Naturally, Xuanhui agreed as well. It was on the journey back that the three of them would encounter Yahiko and his companions.

Besides, during these two years of war, Hidden Cloud ninja should come to visit the village. He had to witness that famous scene.

"Then let's pack up and get ready to go."

After packing their bags, the four set out on their journey home beneath a light rain.

Orochimaru was pondering something. Ever since they had set out, Xuanhui's eyes had constantly been darting around as though he were looking for something.

"What are you looking at, Xuanhui?"

"The architectural style here in the Hidden Rain is vastly different from Konoha's! I'm studying it, Teacher, so don't interrupt me."

Orochimaru seemed to have suffered some kind of blow. His gaze no longer lingered on Xuanhui.

Of course, the truth was nothing like what Xuanhui had said.

He was searching for a trio of children: one red-haired, one orange-haired, and one blue-haired.

That excuse had naturally been made up on the spot!

When fooling people, the more absurd the explanation, the easier it was to believe! If it was too rigorous or too awkward, it would only invite suspicion.

"Oh! There they are!"

Xuanhui had already sensed them. Even when he was not actively using his perception, his sensory range was still slightly stronger than that of an ordinary jonin.

Before long, three heads slowly popped out from behind a house, staring at the backs of the four of them.

Tap, tap, tap, tap!

Footsteps?

The three turned around and saw three children running toward them.

The orange-haired boy in the lead ran up to them and bowed.

"You're Konoha's Three Ninja, right? I've seen you fight!

We're willing to do anything. Please teach us ninjutsu!"