Over the next few days, Ren spent most of his time wandering around the Konoha Camp, either helping Kurenai at the Medical Camp or visiting old acquaintances he hadn't seen in a while, living a very pleasant life.
He had been through a lot during this period, fighting from the Land of Earth to the Land of Rain, then entering the Land of Water, and finally switching to the Land of Wind, constantly engaging in battles.
Now that the Ninja World War was in its final stages, it was time for him to rest.
News also came from White Fang on the Kirigakure battlefield, telling them to stay here and rest for two days.
After all, their actions had greatly weakened the Hidden Mist Village; not only were the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist completely incapacitated, but the Third Mizukage was also indirectly angered to the point of returning to the Village for hospital treatment.
Now, only Yagura was left to support the front line. Having lost the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, they no longer had the capital to contend with Konoha. Most of their time was now spent huddled within the Land of Waves, and their morale had plummeted to rock bottom.
The situation here was also excellent. Konoha and Sunagakure had ceased hostilities. The day before yesterday, Hidden Sand Village even sent people to deliver surrender documents and seek peace, with Nara Shikaku and Nara Choumei responsible for receiving and negotiating.
Hidden Sand Village, having fought until now, was completely unable to sustain itself. The daily consumption of supplies and money was astronomical, and coupled with the Land of Wind's Daimyo's dissatisfaction with them, even military expenditures were significantly cut, so out of necessity, they could only choose to surrender.
Although two days had passed, the two sides still hadn't reached an agreement, but neither side was in a hurry. Since the fighting had stopped, signing the surrender agreement was just a matter of how many resources would be compensated.
And today was the day the two sides had set to finalize things.
The place they were currently in was at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, with the Land of Wind to the west and the Land of Fire to the east.
After all, negotiations like this were not really appropriate on either side's territory.
As time passed, the sun rose to the top of the sky. Several people walked out of the house and stood on the road, facing each other.
"Then, farewell, Lord Shikaku and Lord Choumei."
Hidden Sand Village's negotiator was a middle-aged man who looked much older than Shikaku and the others. His head was wrapped in a turban, and he bowed slightly to the two people in front of him.
"Take care, we won't see you off."
Shikaku stepped forward, extended his hand to the other party, and smiled.
"Alright, then we shall take our leave first."
The middle-aged man nodded, then turned and led his subordinates towards the Land of Wind.
Since the mission was complete, they had no time to waste staying longer. Getting the news back to the Village was the priority.
"It's finally over."
Nara Choumei said with some emotion, looking at the distant figures of the few people.
As the initiator of the Third Shinobi World War, and now the first to surrender, it was indeed somewhat ironic.
"Is it settled, Choumei Uncle, Shikaku?"
Ren dropped from the roof nearby, yawning and muttering.
Bored in the Konoha Camp, he followed the two as a guard to this place.
He didn't understand negotiations, and since the weather was nice, Ren simply slept on the rooftop to sunbathe for a while.
To be honest, occasionally taking a nap in the sun like this was really nice.
"Ren, is this really okay for you?"
Watching Ren lazily rub his eyes, Nara Choumei couldn't help but put a hand on his forehead, saying somewhat helplessly.
Ren had been idle in the Konoha Camp these past two days, spending all his time with Kurenai, like a complete idler.
Of course, no one said anything to him, after all, if anyone else had completed so many impressive missions, a two-day rest was certainly no problem.
"Don't worry, Choumei Uncle."
Ren stretched, speaking.
"I know what I'm doing."
"Hmm."
Nara Choumei nodded, no longer saying anything.
His main concern was that Ren would become complacent because of this, not that he thought his rest was wrong.
Ren had always been very opinionated since he was a child. A few reminders from him would be enough; he would understand.
The three of them didn't waste any time. After eating something simple in the small town, they began to return to the main camp.
When they returned to the commander's tent, they immediately felt the rather oppressive atmosphere inside.
Orochimaru sat behind the desk, his expression calm, while Jiraiya, sitting next to him at the conference table, clenched his fists, looking grimly at the scroll spread out on the table in front of him.
Tsunade stood to the side, arms crossed over her chest, a complex look in her eyes as she gazed at Jiraiya.
Seeing this scene, the three who had just entered were instantly stunned.
"You're back, Shikaku, Choumei."
Orochimaru's hoarse voice instantly brought the two back to their senses. They quickly came to the desk and handed over the drafted documents.
"Lord Orochimaru, the mission was successfully completed."
"Hmm."
Orochimaru finished reading the documents and placed them aside, nodding to the two.
"You've worked hard these past two days. Go and rest first."
"Yes!"
The two didn't ask further. After speaking, they turned and walked out. Ren was about to follow and leave when Tsunade called out to him.
"Ren."
"Here!"
Ren turned around, quickly came before Tsunade, and said with a serious expression.
"Teacher, what are your orders!"
In this atmosphere, he dared not act playfully. Saying less and doing more was what he should be doing.
Tsunade picked up the scroll from the table, handed it to him, and said softly.
"News from the Iwagakure Battlefield..."
"Hmm?"
Seeing his teacher's expression, Ren instantly had a bad premonition. He quickly took the scroll and read it in detail.
Soon, Ren's expression changed. When he saw the words "Kannabi Bridge," "Minato," and "missing in action," he immediately understood what had happened.
"Phew."
After reading, Ren closed the scroll, his expression becoming solemn.
As expected, this was the Kannabi Bridge incident.
This bridge was one of Iwagakure's most important rear supply routes. Minato's team's mission was to destroy it. Although the mission was successfully completed, Obito did not return.
A vital supply line was destroyed, and the cost was just an ordinary Uchiha kid. For Konoha, this was a great victory.
But for Minato, Kakashi, and Rin, Obito's comrades, they lost their best friend and disciple.
Jiraiya's reaction was understandable then; his grand-disciple died in battle, and no one would be happy about that.
As for Ren, who knew the other party wasn't dead, although he had some regrets, he had no intention of doing anything about it.
Madara was still alive, and his own strength had not reached the point where he could stop him, so Ren's choice was not to intervene but to wait and see.
He could try to make up for the regrets, but that prerequisite was having the ability to bear the significant risks faced after making changes.