Two minutes later, the only ones still standing on the field were the Anbu wearing masks. They were all more or less stained with blood, but none of it was their own.
"Vice Captain!"
A tall figure appeared in front of Ren. His short black hair was tied back, and he wore a dog mask on his face. The weapons in his hands were connected, and fresh blood dripped from the blades.
"Looks like you're using it well, Akimichi Maruto," Ren tilted his head, looking at him with a light chuckle.
"I told you, in Anbu, you should use code names, Vice Captain," Akimichi Maruto put away his weapon and said helplessly upon hearing his name.
Although they all knew each other's identities, their Vice Captain was always like this, which was a headache.
"It's all the same."
Ren waved his hand casually, then looked at him and asked with some curiosity, "By the way, has that secret technique, Needle Threading, been taught to you by Choza-sensei?"
Akimichi Maruto scratched his head and said softly, "The clan head taught it to me two days ago, but I haven't fully mastered it yet. It's a bit difficult to use."
"Don't worry, take your time."
Ren patted his shoulder, comforted him for a few moments, then walked past him, nodding to everyone and saying, "Same as always, clean up the battlefield."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded, then began the cleanup.
While covering up traces of the battle, they checked the bodies. After confirming death, they sealed all of them into storage scrolls and brought them back to the Village, handing them over to the Intelligence Department to see if any useful information could be obtained.
Although these Genin-level guys probably weren't of much use, trying wouldn't hurt. If they discovered major intelligence or something, it would be a free Credit.
Suddenly, a figure rushed out of the forest. Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and entered combat mode, gripping their sword hilts, just about to draw them, when Ren's voice made them relax their hands.
"It's Kakashi, continue."
Kakashi, hearing his name, rolled his eyes and said grumpily, "Call me by my code name, Vice Captain."
"It's all the same."
Ren waved his hand, then his gaze fell upon the half-dead man being dragged on the ground.
"Resolved?"
"Yes."
Kakashi nodded, saying, "This guy was fast, so it took a bit of time."
"Good that it's resolved."
As the two talked, the battlefield had already been cleaned up. Akimichi Maruto stepped forward and nodded, saying, "Vice Captain, everything is done."
"Good, then let's return to the Village."
Everyone wasted no time, leaping onto tree branches one after another, led by Ren, and began their journey back.
By the time the sun was directly overhead, they had returned to the Village.
After handing over the mission and arranging for everyone to disband, Ren changed into his own clothes and walked out of the base.
Walking alone on the bustling street, Ren's face was full of indecision.
Should he go to the market to buy groceries and cook at home, or mooch a meal, or go to a restaurant for the first time in a while?
Just as Ren was troubled, two figures appearing in front of him immediately caught his attention. Recognizing them, his eyes lit up, and he quickly followed them, calling out at the same time, "You two, please wait!"
"Hmm?"
Minato and Kushina stopped, turned to look, and noticed Ren walking quickly towards them.
"Ren?"
Noticing Ren in casual clothes, Minato's face showed a hint of dread. He tentatively asked, "You didn't disband early again, did you?"
"How could I?" Ren rolled his eyes, then grinned and said, "Disbanded right on time, perfectly."
After speaking, Ren turned to look at Kushina, who was already showing, and smiled, "Kushina-nee, your due date is approaching, isn't it?"
"Yes."
Kushina nodded, caressing her belly, and said with a smile, "About two more months."
"So..." Ren turned his gaze to Minato, his expression a bit strange. "Are you dumping your work on Shikaku again?"
"Cough, cough, cough!" Minato coughed twice, glanced at Kushina beside him, and said awkwardly, "Isn't it that Kushina wanted to go for a stroll? So I asked Shikaku to help me out for a bit."
After speaking, Minato seemed to feel it was inappropriate and quickly added, "I'll go back to work overtime this afternoon. I won't delay Shikaku from getting off work."
"Alright, alright."
Ren didn't mind; after all, this wasn't the first or second time.
Minato, worried about his wife, would always finish his documents early and then use Instantaneous Body Technique to go home. When there was too much work, he would ask Shikaku to help share the burden, as long as it didn't delay him from going home to see his wife.
As for Shikaku, it was the same. He would help Minato finish his work early to go home and look after his own wife. His wife's due date was even earlier than Kushina's, around the end of next month.
Minato also understood that the two men lived their lives understanding each other in this way. As time passed, both of them were more anxious than their wives, wishing that tomorrow was the due date.
"So, where are you two going for a stroll?" Ren looked at the two gift boxes in Minato's hand and tilted his head.
"We're going to visit Fugaku's house," Minato said, and Kushina beside him added, "Mikoto gave birth two days ago. We're going to see little Sasuke."
"Oh?" Upon hearing the name, Ren's spirits immediately lifted. He quickly turned and ran into a nearby gift shop. A moment later, under the confused gazes of the two, he walked out carrying several gift boxes.
"Alright, let's go."
Ren carried the gifts and grinned at the two, saying, "Anyway, I'm off work. I'll go see Itachi and little Sasuke with you."
To see little Sasuke and Itachi, and mooch a meal at the same time, I'm truly a genius. Ren thought to himself with satisfaction, and Minato and Kushina had no objections. The three of them walked side by side towards the Uchiha Clan Grounds.
As soon as they arrived at the Uchiha Clan Grounds, they ran into Shisui, who was walking from a distance.
"Hokage-sama!"
Seeing them, Shisui was the first to greet them, and they all responded with smiles.
"Shisui."
Ren looked at him, carrying Needle Threading on his back and wearing his combat uniform, and asked curiously, "Did you just return from a mission?"
"Yes."
Shisui nodded and said softly, "I went on an escort mission for a few days and just got back."
After speaking, he looked at the gift boxes they were carrying, his eyes filled with confusion.
"You all are..."
"Oh, this?" Ren lifted the gifts and smiled, "Aunt Mikoto gave birth, we're going to see little Sasuke."
"Eh?" Hearing this, Shisui was startled, then looked at Ren with some surprise. "She already gave birth?"
He had been out on a mission for four or five days. No one had told him when he returned to the Village, so he truly didn't know that his clan leader's second child had already been born.