As for Ayane's attitude, it doesn't really matter, because even when this guy is angry, she only keeps a smile on her face, leaving people completely unsure whether she's angry or doesn't care in the slightest.
Because of this, to some extent, she's even more dangerous than Ruri.
Ruri, on the other hand, is very straightforward. Both happiness and anger are plainly shown on her face.
At this moment, she is truly angry, and it's the kind of anger that's burning with intense fury.
If I don't provide a reasonable explanation, something terrible might happen, and Hakushi truly can't predict what.
The Katsuyu clone on Hakushi's shoulder also sensed an atmosphere as oppressive as a brewing storm filling the house. It began to wriggle its body indifferently, slowly crawling down Hakushi's back to the ground, distancing itself from this smoke-filled battlefield.
Master Hakushi's emotional life is certainly colorful. Katsuyu couldn't help but reflect on this.
"Um, what's going on with you two? There's no need to welcome me back with such frightening expressions."
Hakushi tried to ease the stifling atmosphere that was sucking him into a quagmire.
Upon hearing Hakushi's clumsy excuse, Ruri snorted coldly, "You really have the nerve to say that. You disappeared for more than a week without a word. If you didn't come back, I would have really thought you were completely missing."
"That's right, Hakushi-kun. Do you know how much trouble you caused us by suddenly leaving? You disrupted our work schedule, and we were also worried sick about your safety."
Ayane also reprimanded Hakushi for his wrongdoings.
Hakushi could roughly imagine how Ayane and Ruri had been driven to their wits' end during the time he was gone.
After all, normally, it's he who handles the affairs, with Ruri in charge of vigilance and extermination, and Ayane supervising the work. Asking the two of them to replace him indeed must have made them feel at a loss.
"I'm not a child, there's no need to worry about my safety. However, since I have returned, I will be more cautious next time."
The main reason was his sudden trip to Shikkotsu Forest. After all, Katsuyu used the Reverse Summoning Jutsu to take him there, which was not Hakushi's own intention.
His initial plan was to first summon a part of Katsuyu's clone to understand the situation in Shikkotsu Forest before deciding whether to go there.
Unexpectedly, after he signed the contract with Katsuyu in a sneaky way, Katsuyu directly summoned him to Shikkotsu Forest without the opportunity to explain things to Ruri and Ayane.
Additionally, the natural Immortal Technique training environment in Shikkotsu Forest, alongside learning Katsuyu's healing-type Immortal Technique, took a few days, preventing him from returning shortly.
"So this one is from Shikkotsu Forest..."
Ayane looked toward the silent Katsuyu nearby.
Ruri also turned her gaze over, looking at Katsuyu with interest.
"Ah, yes, it's a clone of the Shikkotsu Forest Sage Katsuyu. It came with me this time because there are important matters to handle. Normally, you can just call it Katsuyu; that's its name."
Hakushi introduced Katsuyu's identity to the two.
"Good afternoon, ladies."
Katsuyu's soft voice chimed in.
Since it was their first meeting and they weren't very familiar, Ruri and Ayane just nodded lightly at Katsuyu as a greeting.
In comparison to the newly arrived Summoning Beast like Katsuyu, they were more familiar with those foolish sons and daughters.
"Did you both come for something?"
Hakushi asked.
The way they previously looked as if they were here to hold him accountable did scare Hakushi a bit.
"Mainly, we came to see how things are on your side, and also to inform you that the batch of Medical Apprentice Ninjas has safely arrived in the Land of Fire via sea and should be entering Konoha by now. Additionally, it's confirmed that the Third Kazekage of Hidden Sand Village has gone missing before the start of the Third Great Ninja War, through espionage operations from various villages. The cause of the disappearance is unknown, and assassination can't be ruled out as a possibility."
Ruri summed up the situation.
Indeed, the disappearance of one of the Five Kage, the Kazekage, is not a small matter. Moreover, Ruri couldn't imagine anyone capable of quietly taking away one of the current Five Kage, such an incident is unheard of.
"Is it confirmed?"
Hakushi responded with a bit of surprise, as Kazekage's disappearance was still speculation from various parties.
Now that it's confirmed Kazekage disappeared before the war, it implies that the nations already have concrete evidence of Kazekage's disappearance; otherwise, they couldn't assert it so clearly.
Of course, it might also be a ploy set by Hidden Sand, but that possibility seems unlikely.
"However, even after Kazekage's disappearance, Hidden Sand has the nerve to wage war against Konoha. That's truly daring."
Ruri had firsthand experience with the power of Hidden Sand Ninjas during the Second Great Ninja War.
Overall, they were not on the same level of strength as Konoha.
Konoha's Bloodline Limit and Hiden Jutsu Ninjas are numerous, and it's not just the top-tier ninjas but also a potent force that deters the nations.
These Bloodline and Hiden Jutsu Ninjas, although individual strength may be inferior to top-tier ninjas, when calculated by Ninja Race, they are more intimidating than any single powerful ninja.
The Uchiha Race's notorious reputation was built on this premise.
Whether individually or as a race of ninjas, as long as they can serve as a deterrent, they represent power.
In losing a top-tier ninja like the Third Kazekage, Hidden Sand still dares to initiate war against Konoha. It indeed makes Ruri see them in a new light.