The Kumogakure party found the whole thing strange even as they watched from the sidelines. But they had not left Konoha yet, so no one said anything more. The mission was complete, and ruining it at the last moment would leave them with nothing but regret.
With that in mind, they all looked solemn. Only after passing through Konoha's gates did one of them carefully ask, "Lady Samui, what's wrong? You haven't looked well this whole way."
They had been unhappy with Samui's conduct at first, but now that things had reached this point, they no longer held it against her.
Samui shook her head slightly. She offered a faint smile, said she was fine, and kept walking.
She did not know why things had not happened as she had expected. But now that the mission had succeeded, there was no point dwelling on it. They needed to get home.
The others did not understand, but they asked no more questions. They were too caught up in the joy of their successful mission.
Perhaps because they could barely contain their excitement, they traveled much faster than before.
They returned to Kumogakure in three-quarters of the time the journey would normally have taken. The moment they passed through the main gate, they felt like heroes returning in triumph.
When Raikage Yotsuki A received word that the mission was complete, he was thrilled. He even came out to greet them, laughing heartily.
The mission was clearly a success, yet Samui showed none of the excitement one might expect. She did not even smile.
Yotsuki A paid it no mind. Grinning, he slapped Samui on the shoulder. "You did well on this mission. I'm giving you a few days off!"
Without waiting for her reply, he turned to the others and laughed. "That's