To tell the story from the other side, Chōza brought Asuma and Kurenai back to Konoha.
The three of them looked at the village gate, standing there for a long time, yet unwilling to walk through it.
When they set out, they had clearly been a four-man squad, so how come only three people were returning now?
Chōza and the other two had waited at the border outpost for three days.
After seeing the squad led by Nara Suzaku return dejectedly, empty-handed, their hearts sank to the bottom once again.
Starting from the night Chōza and the others arrived at the border outpost, a heavy rain had begun to fall in the vicinity.
The continuous downpour over several days washed away all traces of battle, also making the search by Nara Suzaku and Nara Shiozu and the others extremely difficult.
Nara Suzaku and his squad simply couldn't find the exact location where Ryoma had clashed with the last wave of Iwa-nin pursuers.
After expanding the search area as much as possible, Nara Suzaku looked at the incessant heavy rain pouring from the sky and couldn't help but feel anxious for Ryoma.
In his heart, Suzaku believed his nephew absolutely wouldn't die so easily. Since he chose to deal with the Iwa-nin this way, he must have at least some degree of confidence.
However, just how much confidence he had might have been influenced by his comrades.
Perhaps Ryoma indeed decided to hold the rear alone for the sake of Chōza, Asuma, and Kurenai.
But given Ryoma's personality, he absolutely wasn't the type to easily make such a foolish decision as "sacrificing himself"!
It's just that this terrible weather not only stranded Nara Suzaku and the others' rescue efforts on the spot, but if Ryoma was seriously injured, this kind of weather could easily kill him!
Nara Suzaku thought to himself, "You have to hold on, Ryoma!"
After three days of searching fruitlessly, Suzaku's originally firm heart also began to waver.
Glancing at the sky where a light drizzle was still falling, he took out a map and realized they had already ventured deep enough. Continuing further would greatly increase the chance of encountering follow-up Iwa-nin units or ninjas from other villages.
Suzaku gritted his teeth, steeled his heart, and gave the order: "Pull back to the outpost for now!"
Hearing this, Shiozu ran to Suzaku's side and said anxiously, "Captain, let's search a bit longer. In this weather, it's not easy for the enemy to find us, but if the enemy finds Ryoma first, then..."
Suzaku turned around and said in a tone that brooked no argument, "We're retreating first. I can't risk the lives of my squad members."
Shiozu could only lower his head dejectedly and obey Suzaku's order.
Suzaku walked at the very front of the squad, but his tightly clenched fist showed that his heart was not as calm as his outward appearance.
...
Chōza and the other two presented their mission proof and entered the village.
Originally, Chōza wanted the tense Asuma and Kurenai to go back and rest first, while he went to the Hokage building to report the news. However, both Asuma and Kurenai insisted on going together, so the three rushed to the Hokage building without stopping.
The Third Hokage sat at his desk, his ever-present pipe in his mouth, puffing away.
After listening to the report from Chōza about Squad 6's mission situation and experiences this time, the Third Hokage exhaled a heavy cloud of smoke, looked at Chōza, Asuma, and Kurenai, and slowly said, "You three have really worked hard, Chōza, Asuma, Kurenai."
"This mission was executed splendidly. Information sent back from other front lines indicates that the Iwa-nin have indeed been much quieter lately, which also proves that the victory achieved by your squad in intercepting the Iwa-nin forces is undeniable!"
Hearing the Third Hokage's words of praise, Chōza and the others showed no sign of happiness. Even Asuma, who had always sought recognition from the Third Hokage, remained utterly dejected.
Looking at the three, the Third Hokage sighed and continued, "I also find Ryoma's situation very regrettable. In this operation, he lived up to the name of a Konoha ninja. He is truly a junior with the Will of Fire..."
Asuma, however, stepped forward and directly interrupted the Third Hokage, shouting loudly, "Old man, Ryoma definitely isn't dead yet! Hurry up and send a squad to the Land of Grass to support him. Words of praise like that can wait until he gets back!"
The Third Hokage looked at Asuma, whose face was full of stubbornness but whose eyes were glistening with unshed tears, and sighed helplessly.
He knew that Asuma was currently unable to accept the fact that Ryoma had most likely "died", after all, Asuma, Kurenai, and Chōza owed their lives to Ryoma's rescue.
But in the eyes of the Third Hokage, Ryoma was indeed no different from having "died in the line of duty".
However, seeing Asuma's determined face, the Third decided to let him calm down first. He couldn't keep provoking him at a time like this; after all, Asuma was still just a child.
"Alright, then Konoha ninja Nara Ryoma will be provisionally listed as missing. I will also contact the commanders at various border outposts. When there are enough personnel, I will dispatch squads to help search for Ryoma's whereabouts."
Chōza understood that this was the greatest guarantee the Third Hokage could offer, so he had to pull back Asuma, who wanted to say more, bowed to the Third Hokage, and said, "Thank you very much, Lord Third Hokage!"
The Third Hokage nodded and then said, "Regarding Squad 6, this information mission is rated B-rank."
"Because during the mission execution, you discovered and dealt with the Iwa-nin's secret weapon transport unit, and later annihilated an Iwa-nin company led by four Jonin. Therefore, it is specially approved that all members of Squad 6 will have two S-rank mission experiences added to their records, along with corresponding rewards!"
Looking at the three who still wore gloomy expressions, the Third Hokage continued, "Furthermore, Nara Ryoma, member of Squad 6, displayed courage and fearlessness in his meritorious service during the Iwa-nin interception. It is specially approved that, on this basis, he will have one S-rank mission experience added to his record!"
"As for the reward, we'll wait until there's news of Ryoma, or have the Nara Clan handle it for now."
Chōza and the other two bowed together and said in unison, "Thank you, Lord Third Hokage!"
The Third Hokage also had a terrible headache.
Ryoma wasn't just the only possessor of a Kekkei Genkai in the Nara Clan; he was also the disciple of his beloved pupil, Orochimaru, making him his own grand-disciple.
He had absolutely no idea how to explain this to either side!
"Sigh, I should find time to summon Orochimaru here. As his teacher, he needs to be informed."
The slightly aged voice of the Third Hokage slowly echoed through the room.
...
Meanwhile, Ryoma, who had already been presumed "dead" by most people in the village, was staring blankly at the surrounding trees, lost in endless thought.
Damn it.
How come it feels like I'm going further and further off course.
Aiya, you little *bastard*.
Where the hell has this place brought me?
Is this even still the Land of Fire?
Ryoma swore that next time he went out, he would definitely bring a map himself.
Otherwise, relying on his previous life's geography score of 27 points,
it was really a bit difficult to judge the correct direction!
Ryoma could only trust the Flying Corps members, who were constantly searching for the right direction up in the sky.
He had to admit, if it weren't for the Shadow Corps,
Ryoma estimated he'd even have trouble taking care of his own basic needs!
After a tense and exciting period of identification,
the Flying Corps led Ryoma to continue advancing in a direction completely opposite to the one he had just been walking in.
Ryoma thought: "Nice!"
Finally, after several days of traveling over mountains and through rivers, that long-missed gate once again appeared in Ryoma's line of sight!
At this moment, Ryoma's eyes were already welling up with tears.
Ryoma's current appearance was such that if you threw him directly onto the street, any kind-hearted passerby would probably toss him a few coins.
Apart from the long sword strapped to his back, which looked somewhat valuable, nothing else on him appeared worth anything.
His clothes were practically hanging in strips. It got to the point where the evil sword, Mò Yé, expressed that it absolutely didn't want to be carried on Ryoma's back anymore.
Bro, our styles are completely different here!
At this moment, ignoring the confused looks from the Konoha guards,
Ryoma, face full of excitement, shouted loudly at the sky:
"I'm back, Fuck Yeah!"
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