At the Medical Camp.
"Quick, bring him in!"
The curtains of an empty tent were drawn open, and the sturdy man who had previously carried his companion for treatment, along with a Medical Ninja, entered the tent one after another.
"You two can rest here tonight. I'll come back to check on him tomorrow morning.
If anything goes wrong, you can come find me anytime; I'm staying in the tent directly opposite yours."
After a brief re-examination of the patient's condition, the Medical Ninja turned to the sturdy man beside him and said with a hint of helplessness.
"Alright, thank you, Doctor. We're sorry to trouble you so late at night."
"It's my duty."
With that, the Medical Ninja turned and left the tent. After all, he had many patients under his care and needed to take turns looking after them during his shift.
As for this patient, who was suspected of being under genjutsu, it could only be initially determined that his injuries were not severe. It was best to observe him for another night.
"Phew, finally made it in."
The man on the bed suddenly threw off his covers, then flipped over and sat up, a smile on his face. There was no trace of the unbearable pain he had shown earlier.
"Don't be careless. You can't relax here."
Aoki, who was standing nearby, walked to the bed and whispered to Ren.
"Don't worry, I've already sensed it. The tents near us are all empty. The closest people are in the tent twenty meters away from us.
This room they gave us is great, very quiet."
Ren said cheerfully. The tent they had entered earlier was packed with injured people, so the Medical Ninja had moved them to this empty room.
It was both comfortable and secluded, solving their accommodation problem.
"You fellow…"
Aoki tapped the forehead protector on his head, looking at Ren with a touch of helplessness, then said softly.
"Then you should rest early. I'll take the first half of the night, and you take the second half."
This was the enemy's main camp, so they couldn't afford to be careless. Although guarding like this meant neither of them would get good rest, it at least ensured their safety.
"Okay."
Ren didn't refuse. He nodded, lay back down on the bed, and closed his eyes, ready to sleep.
Before long, Ren's breathing became even. Aoki, after looking at him, lay down on another bed, pulled out a small notebook and a pen from his In arms, and began to write and draw in it.
Unconsciously, the first half of the night passed. Before Aoki could even call him, Ren woke up leisurely. After sitting up on the bed, he immediately waved to Aoki across from him.
"It's about time. Go rest."
"Mm."
Aoki didn't decline. After putting the small notebook and pen back into his In arms, he went to sleep in his clothes.
"Hmm… When can I finally get a good night's sleep?"
Ren was wrapped in the quilt, staring blankly at Aoki, who was sleeping across from him.
"Isobu, Chomei, are you two asleep?"
"No. X2"
Ren immersed his consciousness into his body, skillfully jumping onto Isobu's head and sitting down. He looked at the two giant beasts in front of him, propping his chin with his hand, and asked curiously.
"Isobu, Chomei, do all Tailed Beasts not need to sleep?"
"Mm."
A response came from Isobu beneath him, and then Chomei, directly opposite, continued.
"We don't need to replenish energy through sleep like you humans do. For us, sleep is just a way to pass the time."
Chomei's tone was somewhat complex. They, the Tailed Beasts, had been created by the Six Paths Sage in ancient times, and thousands of years had passed since then.
Originally, they were free and unrestrained, roaming various parts of the Ninja World. However, a few decades ago, Senju Hashirama captured eight of them in one go, and even Shukaku, who thought he had escaped, was sealed prematurely by the Hidden Sand Village.
Over these decades, after the Jinchuriki who sealed them died, they would be re-imprisoned in sealing containers, awaiting the arrival of the next Jinchuriki.
To pass these dark days, they could only rely on sleeping and napping to kill time. Unconsciously, decades had passed.
Thinking of this, Chomei subconsciously looked at Ren. If not for him, he and Isobu would probably still be waiting for the next Jinchuriki in that dark sealing space…
Although he wasn't completely free now, it was much better compared to before.
"Just wait a little longer."
Ren stood up, yawning and rubbing his eyes, muttering.
"It should be soon. When the time comes, I'll help you two go home."
Looking at the disappearing Ren, Chomei and Isobu exchanged glances, a glimmer of hope flashing in their eyes simultaneously.
Go home…?
"Hoo."
Ren opened his eyes, and what met his gaze was the unfamiliar tent ceiling. Aoki, across from him, was still fast asleep, his posture unchanged.
"I wonder what time it is now."
Ren threw off the covers, got up, went to the door, and pulled back the curtain. A cold wind blew in his face.
"Hiss, what kind of weather is this?"
Ren immediately shivered, put the curtain back down, and sat back on the bed. It was already a bit dim outside, but there was still some time until dawn. Let that guy sleep a little longer.
Just as Ren was pondering, Aoki, across from him, had already opened his eyes. After sitting up, his gaze turned towards him.
"Hm? You're awake."
"Mm."
Aoki nodded, then lay back down, closed his eyes, and said softly.
"I suggest you rest a bit more. We'll leave after that Medical Ninja checks on you."
"Alrighty."
Ren was more than happy to get more rest; otherwise, what would he do if he had no energy during retreat and combat?
Not long after, Ren opened his eyes and said softly to Aoki, who was not far away.
"He's here."
A few breaths later, the familiar Medical Ninja lifted the curtain and walked in. Noticing Ren on the bed, whose complexion had already returned to normal, a look of joy involuntarily appeared on his face.
"It looks like you've recovered well."
Aoki, who was nearby, quickly jumped off the bed and ran to him, saying with gratitude.
"Thank you, Doctor. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know what to do."
"It's my duty. Oh, right, if you feel mostly recovered, then leave. Don't miss your mission time."
"Certainly, thank you, Doctor."
After seeing him off, Ren immediately flipped off the bed, stretching his limbs while looking at Aoki.
"Let's move. Our time is very tight."
"Mm."
Just like before, Aoki supported Ren, and with the guards' concern, they exited the Medical Camp. Then, at a crossroads not far away, the two parted ways.
Aoki went to meet with the intelligence personnel and obtain information, while Ren continued to plan the retreat route.
Half a day passed like this, and by the time the two met again, it was dusk.
Arriving at a deserted spot, Ren asked softly.
"How was it? Was it smooth?"
Aoki nodded, saying in a deep voice.
"It's done. Have you decided on the retreat time and route?"
"Of course."
Ren's lips curled slightly upward. He stroked the forehead protector on his left arm and smiled.
"Tonight!"