Mei Terumi had come to Konoha with twelve people, but left with seventeen.
Though Shinji and his two companions were only going through the motions and would not be returning to the Land of Water with her.
Gaara had not been locked up. His chakra points had simply been sealed beforehand. Once they returned to Kirigakure, there would surely be plenty of people there who could let him experience the "warmth of home."
Karin kept far away from Gaara and did not dare look at him at all.
His brutal performance during the Chunin Ninja Exams had probably terrified her.
In fact, plenty of people had been left trembling in fear by Gaara during the Chunin Ninja Exams, some even questioning their lives.
In every sense, he was a monster through and through.
After they had walked for a while, a sudden sound came from the woods, and everyone stopped in turn.
Even Gaara raised his head, a tiny flicker of hope stirring inside him. Could people from his village have come to rescue him?
If so, he would willingly bear the name of monster again...
One more time... as long as...
"Big Brother Shinji!"
Traveling light, Sasuke had been waiting here for some time. He knew he could not appear among Kirigakure's party before they left Konoha, so he had simply come out ahead of them.
"Let's go."
Shinji was not surprised either. After calling out to him, he continued on his way.
Sasuke preferred this sort of interaction, comparatively speaking, so he immediately ran over to Shinji and followed close beside him with a stern face.
Hidan and the others had long since grown used to it. Even Mei Terumi and Hozuki Mangetsu said nothing.
But Karin, Gaara, and the Kirigakure examinees all found it a little strange.