With the smoke of battle and the contamination at sea cleared away, the joint fleet of Konoha and Kirigakure began its voyage home. Unlike the tense, grim mood on the journey out, the atmosphere was noticeably lighter. Though everyone was exhausted, their faces shone with the relief of having survived and the joy of victory.
Kirigakure's ships led the way, with Konoha's following close behind. Mei Terumi stood at the bow herself to offer the Konoha shinobi her most heartfelt thanks, promising that Kirigakure would remember this debt and that their alliance would grow stronger.
Ling and Naruto were ordered to rest in their cabins. Naruto began snoring almost as soon as his head touched the pillow; his excessive expenditure of senjutsu chakra had plunged him into a deep sleep. Ling was equally exhausted, but the icy shock of that fleeting glimpse of the "Sacred Lord" deep within his consciousness, along with the strain on his soul from forcibly activating the "Life Forbidden Zone," kept him from drifting peacefully to sleep. He could only close his eyes and regulate his breathing.
Several days later, the fleet reached a port in the Land of Fire. Having received word well in advance, Tsunade had sent a party to welcome them. When Ling and Naruto set foot on Konoha soil after so long away, the warm sunlight and familiar air made them feel as though they had returned from another lifetime.
"Ling! Naruto!"
A clear, urgent female voice rang out. Ino hurried out of the welcoming crowd, her blond ponytail bouncing as she ran. She gave both of them a quick once-over, making sure they were still "in one piece," before fixing her gaze on Ling, whose face remained somewhat pale.
"Are you two all right? I heard the enemy this time was