Konoha.
Lin Ze appeared at the Orphanage entrance, travel-worn.
He had spent more than twenty days in that underground cavern, only starting back to Konoha five days before the mission deadline. On the way back, he had also wiped out several Iwagakure logistical supply points along remote routes, bringing this S-Rank reconnaissance and sabotage mission to a successful close.
Submitting the mission report went smoothly. Hiruzen Sarutobi looked over the detailed reconnaissance records and the coordinates of the destroyed supply points on the scroll, his eyes betraying little emotion. He merely offered a few customary words of encouragement and granted Lin Ze another two days off.
Lin Ze felt no particular reaction to this.
Back at the Orphanage, Lin Ze immediately sought out Kabuto, who was buried in his studies in his room.
"Kabuto, look what I brought you."
A gentle smile appeared on Lin Ze's face as he took several thick new books from his ninja tool pouch.
Kabuto looked up and adjusted the glasses on his nose. When he made out titles such as "Advanced Guide to the Human Meridian System," "Cellular Activity Theory and Clinical Practice," and "Advanced Applications of the Chakra Scalpel" on their spines, his eyes instantly lit up, as though he had discovered the most precious treasure.
"Big Brother Lin Ze!" Kabuto accepted the books with delighted surprise, carefully stroking their covers. "These books... must have been hard to get, right?"
"Not really. I happened to come across them while I was out on my mission," Lin Ze said casually, making no mention of how he had specifically scoured the Land of Earth's black markets for them. "Have you run into any difficulties with your studies?"
Kabuto nodded vigorously, then shook his head somewhat sheepishly.
"There are a few things I don't quite