During this period, this ninja from Takuma repeatedly led his men out to search within his assigned area. Not to mention his own territorial waters, he even crossed the border and entered the territorial waters belonging to the Land of Fire, which is the territory of Konoha Village, just to see if he could provide support as soon as possible if he encountered any situation.
"Ah? Teacher Qing has already returned to the village? Then we won't trouble Takuma. We don't need to rest, the three of us will go straight back to the village!"
When Qi heard the words of Jonin on the other side, his face lit up with joy. Although it might not sound good to say it like that, in Qi's heart, he was truly only concerned about the safety of his own team. It wasn't that he didn't care about the others, but rather that he simply hadn't reached that point yet.
Mei Terumi and Kisame, standing side by side with Kisame, shared similar feelings, both of which were reflected on their faces, only one was more obvious and the other slightly less so.
"Is there such a rush? Well, that's fine. I'll send your information back to the village first!"
After a slight pause, Takuma nodded gently.
A hint of admiration flickered in his eyes as he looked at Qi.
As mentioned before, the performance of Kei and his group in the Chunin Ninja Exams held in Konohagakure will surely spread throughout the entire Shinobi World as time goes by. This was a very rare Chunin Ninja Exams all four major ninja villages participated.
In such an assessment, the performance of Qi and others will certainly receive varying degrees of attention from different countries, not to mention that Qi is from the Yuki Clan.
His exceptional qualities were bound to attract the attention of others, Takuma was no exception. Now, after observing and interacting with him closely, he had gained even greater recognition of Qi.
Sometimes, it's the details that matter that truly make a difference!
Takuma trusted his judgment of people, and Qi made a really good first impression on him.
"Yes! Then we'll excuse ourselves!"
Qi, along with Mei Terumi and Kisame Hoshigaki on either side, bowed together before leaping into the air.
They hurried back towards the village.
After watching Qi and his two companions disappear into the distance, Takuma led his men back to the base and used the communication facilities there to send a message back to the village that Qi and his group had returned.
After spending several hours, the three of them finally returned to their ninja village on the afternoon of June 25th.
This trip away from the ninja village lasted for nearly a month, and the series of events that occurred during that time, especially the ambush on the return journey, truly gave Qi a feeling of being in another world.
Seeing his own ninja village's familiar architectural style again, I must say, I did feel a slight sense of relaxation.
However, this sense of relaxation was completely dispelled upon entering the village, by a different, somber atmosphere.
Looking at the expressionless faces of the few Mist Ninja guards at the main gate, and their faint yet chilling aura, they were quite a sight.
Qi's brows furrowed unconsciously.
While it's true that Kirigakure and its Mist Ninja have always given off a cold and aloof impression, this feeling seems to be even stronger now than before.
I don't know if this is just my imagination.
As Qi was registering to return to the village, he was silently thinking to himself.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Mei Terumi and Kisame on his left and right sides. Seeing that neither of them seemed to have any particular feelings, Kei chuckled to himself. He figured he'd probably been too tense lately and was being a bit overly sensitive.
It still feels the same as our own ninja village!
If the Mist Ninja were always smiling and gentle, that would be the strangest thing in the world!
Just as the three of them finished recording their return to the village and stepped into the village.
"Kei, Mei Terumi, Kisame!"
Not far away.
A familiar figure flashed over, and a deep, resonant voice rang in the ears of the three.
Upon closer inspection, Qi Jonin that the figure was none other than Ao, the Jonin instructor of their Team 7!
"Teacher Qing!"
The moment I saw Qing.
Both Kei Mei Terumi wore faint smiles.
Even Kisame's expression changed slightly at this moment, no longer so rigid.
After spending several months together...
Kisame genuinely felt a certain degree of identification and belonging to Team 7.
"I'm so glad you came back safe and sound!"
Qing patted the shoulders of the three little ones in his team and said with a gratified expression.
Under those circumstances at the time.
Qing had already prepared for the worst.
Now that he can see his three little ones have returned safely, Qing can hardly hide his excitement!
"Teacher Qing, are there any other people who have returned? What happened to Konoha...?"
"This isn't the place to talk, let's find somewhere else."
Qing waved her hand, interrupting Qi.
Then.
She also brought the three little ones to her home.
The four sat down facing each other. Ao first inquired about the three's escape. Kei, Mei Terumi, Kisame then briefly explained how they retreated.
It's quite obvious that among the three, Kei was in the most danger of being chased, but Mei Terumi and Kisame were in much worse situations.
Each of them had a Jonin leading the pursuit.
In other words, they were lucky that there weren't enough sensory-type ninjas to go around, Mei Terumi and Kisame didn't end up in a situation like Kei's, where they were almost certain to die.
They paid a price to break through.
"Although the process was much more dangerous, it's best that you all came back safely!"
Qing said with great emotion.
"So, all of our other companions, are they?"
Mei Terumi asked with a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
"Almost all of them were wiped out. Apart from the three of you, only two others returned. There's still no news about the others. They're most likely dead in battle. Information from Konoha confirms this."
Qing sighed softly and said.
News from Konoha!?
"Um?"
"Was Hozuki Shingetsu one of the two who returned?"
Kei, Mei Terumi, Kisame all spoke at the same time.
It's clear from their words and expressions that they each have completely different focuses.
Kisame was simply furious at the killing of his comrades. It wasn't about any deep feelings or anything like that; it was just a very direct anger at feeling that the dignity of the Mist Ninja had been ruthlessly trampled underfoot by Konoha!