The battle ended.
Kurenai Yuhi stood on the messy battlefield, her gaze sweeping over the Cloud Ninjas lying on the ground—one Jonin and four Chunin. All of them had lost their ability to fight; some were unconscious, while others were still twitching.
A look of pleasant surprise slowly emerged on her face.
Team 8 had actually dealt with an elite squad of Cloud Ninjas?
If this news reached the Village, it would likely shock many people.
One must know that Team 8 had never been considered outstanding among the squads that graduated at the same time.
Other teams had geniuses, Bloodline Limits, and powerful clan inheritances, but what about them?
A reconnaissance-type squad.
Their missions were always about "observing," "reporting," and "avoiding direct conflict."
Even as their leading Jonin, she was only mid-tier among Konoha's Special Jonin. While her Genjutsu was presentable, it was far from the level of those combat-oriented elites.
But now—
They had taken down an elite Cloud Ninja squad led by a Jonin in a head-on confrontation.
Could you believe it?
Kurenai Yuhi lowered her head and looked at the massive, pitch-black figure beside her.
Heisha was licking the blood off his claws. Sensing her gaze, he looked up at her.
"What are you looking at?"
Kurenai Yuhi smiled.
"Looking at you."
She spoke softly, her red eyes filled with tenderness.
She knew that if it weren't for Heisha today, and if it weren't for Great Remnant and the others—
Team 8 would have definitely met their end here.
As a Special Jonin leading three Genin against one Jonin plus four Chunin, there would have been only one outcome.
Death, or being taken prisoner.
And as prisoners—
Kurenai Yuhi's gaze fell upon the small white figure not far away.
Hyuga Hinata was crouching beside Great Remnant, her small hand gently stroking Great Remnant's fur, an excited smile on her face.
The little princess of the Hyuga Clan.
The inheritor of the Byakugan, one of the three great Dojutsu of the Ninja World.
If she fell into the hands of the Cloud Ninjas...
Kurenai Yuhi didn't dare to think further.
She took a deep breath, walked up to Heisha, reached out, and gently patted his head.
"Heisha."
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
Heisha narrowed his eyes and didn't pull away.
"You've already said that."
He spoke in a low, buzzing voice, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness, yet also a bit of... satisfaction.
Kurenai Yuhi laughed.
"Then I'll say it again."
"Thank you, Heisha."
After saying that, she withdrew her hand, and her gaze fell upon the five Cloud Ninjas who had lost their ability to fight.
One Jonin, four Chunin.
Alive.
If they could be brought back to Konoha, it would be a major achievement.
They could pry information from their mouths about why Kumogakure was reaching into the Land of Fire's border, learn their plans, and understand Kumogakure's movements.
She looked at Heisha.
"Heisha, these people..."
Heisha raised his head and followed her gaze to the five Cloud Ninjas.
Then, he shook his head.
"The people, we are taking them away."
Kurenai Yuhi was stunned for a moment.
"But..."
"No buts," Heisha's voice was low and calm. "It's the Patriarch's order."
Kurenai Yuhi fell silent.
She knew Heisha was right.
Yang Jiu had said not long ago that the Wolf Ninja Village needed population and Ninjas.
These five Cloud Ninjas were indeed excellent "resources."
However...
She bit her lip.
These were Cloud Ninjas, enemies, and prisoners from whom vital intelligence could be extracted.
Bringing them back to Konoha would be of immense value.
But—
She looked at Heisha, at this giant wolf who had just fought desperately to protect them, and at the charred fur on his body burned by Lightning Release.
If it weren't for him, she would be a dead person by now.
If it weren't for him, Hinata might have already been captured by the Cloud Ninjas.
If it weren't for them, Team 8 wouldn't be standing here alive at all.
She took a deep breath.
"...Fine."
"I'll tie them up first to make sure they can't escape."
Heisha nodded.
A moment later.
The five Cloud Ninjas were tied up securely, their mouths stuffed with cloth, and thrown together.
Great Remnant stepped forward, picked up two in his mouth, and tossed them onto his back.
The other Ninja Wolves followed suit, taking the remaining Cloud Ninjas.
Kurenai Yuhi watched this scene and then looked toward the distant Mountain Bandits' camp.
There were still over thirty Mountain Bandits to deal with.
This C-rank mission still needed to be completed; leaving these bandits would be bad for the people in the surrounding towns.
She turned around and looked at the three children.
"Let's finish off the Mountain Bandits first."
This time she didn't let Great Remnant and the others intervene, instead wanting Inuzuka Kiba and the others to see some blood and hone themselves.
A moment later.
The entire Mountain Bandits' camp was covered in corpses.
"Alright, we'll take these guys back first, so we won't escort you back."
Heisha walked up to Kurenai Yuhi and spoke.
Kurenai Yuhi glanced at them and nodded.
"Be careful on the way."
Heisha nodded.
"You too."
With that, he turned and led the other Ninja Wolves and the five Cloud Ninjas, galloping off toward Wolf Valley.
Kurenai Yuhi watched them disappear into the forest and took a deep breath.
Then, she turned and looked at the Mountain Bandits' camp.
"Let's go."
"We're heading back too!"
—
One day later.
Konoha Village, Hokage Office Building.
Kurenai Yuhi stood before Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk with a serious expression. Standing behind her were the three members of Team 8—Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuga Hinata, and Shino Aburame—all three children looking equally solemn.
"mission completed?" Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe and looked at them.
"Completed," Kurenai Yuhi nodded. "The Mountain Bandits' stronghold has been cleared, and all thirty-seven Mountain Bandits have been brought to justice."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with satisfaction.
"Good work. The mission report—"
"Third Hokage."
Kurenai Yuhi interrupted him, her voice grave.
"During this mission, there was an unexpected situation."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow furrowed slightly.
"Speak."
Kurenai Yuhi took a deep breath and slowly began:
"At the Mountain Bandits' stronghold, we encountered Cloud Ninjas."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils contracted slightly.
"Cloud Ninjas?"
"Yes," Kurenai Yuhi nodded. "A five-man squad. The leader was a Jonin, and the other four were Chunin."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe stopped mid-air.
Kumogakure's reach had extended to the Land of Fire's border?
"And then?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice dropped. "How did you escape?"
Kurenai Yuhi fell silent for a second.
In that brief second, countless thoughts flashed through her mind—should she say it? What would happen if she did? What would happen if she didn't?
"Hmm?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the fleeting hesitation on her face, and his brow furrowed slightly more.
Kurenai Yuhi gritted her teeth.
"...We defeated them."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's frown deepened.
"You mean... you and Team 8 defeated an elite Cloud Ninja squad led by a Jonin?"
His tone was flat, but those aged eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze falling on Kurenai Yuhi like a blade.
Kurenai Yuhi lowered her head, wishing she could bury it in her chest.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at her in this state and remained silent for a few seconds.
Then, he slowly spoke:
"Tell me, how did you do it?"
Kurenai Yuhi did not answer.
"And—" Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "since you defeated the elite Cloud Ninja squad, where are they?"
Kurenai Yuhi clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white.
Her face was full of hesitation, her teeth biting her lip so hard she almost drew blood.
A battle was raging in her mind.
Speak?
Don't speak?
If she spoke, she would have to expose the secret of Wolf Valley and the fact that she and Team 8 had signed contracts with the Wolf Clan.
If she didn't speak, Hiruzen Sarutobi's suspicion would only deepen, and he might even send people to investigate...
Finally—
She closed her eyes and let out a long breath.
"Third Hokage..."
She raised her head, meeting those old but sharp eyes.
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