Night Namikaze didn't delay this time. After a brief rest in the Land of Hot Water, he returned straight to Konoha.
After two days of hurried travel, he finally returned to his "loyal" Konoha village at dusk.
The afterglow of the setting sun spilled over the Hokage Rock, plating the faces of the past Hokages with a layer of gold. Night stood at the village entrance, looking at this familiar scene, and the exhaustion of the journey seemed to dissipate at this moment.
He wasn't in a hurry to go to the Hokage Building to submit his mission. Although his body wasn't tired, returning to Konoha naturally made his mind relax.
He went directly back to his small house. This decision surprised Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had just received news of his return. After all, they already knew about the turmoil in Hell Valley, but specific intelligence hadn't been transmitted back yet. Everything was waiting to be revealed by his mission report.
"How did this kid cause such a huge commotion on a simple reconnaissance and collection mission?"
Hiruzen stood by the window of the Hokage's office, smoke rising from the pipe in his fingers. "It seems the matter in Hell Valley is more complicated than expected."
"Perhaps."
In the office, Danzo Shimura slowly walked out of the shadows, a cold glint in his single eye. "The first thing he does upon return isn't submitting the mission report, but going straight home. Such disregard for ninja regulations... Hiruzen, how long will you indulge him?"
Hiruzen didn't turn around, merely saying indifferently, "One should be flexible during missions. Besides, how Night completed this mission remains unknown."
"Flexible?"
Danzo sneered. "I see it as arrogance. A brat from a civilian background acting so presumptuously just because of some talent... what will become of him in the future?"
---
At this moment, Night was leisurely soaking in his bathtub, the warm water washing away the dust of the journey.
His Mind's Eye of the Kagura was slightly active, sensing the movements around him. Surprisingly, no ninjas came to probe; everything was so peaceful.
"Let's hope it stays that way..." he whispered to himself, a cold smile curling his lips.
---
Early the next morning, Night walked unhurriedly toward the Hokage Building. Along the way, many villagers greeted him. While his mission experiences were classified, the fact that he was Orochimaru's disciple had long since spread.
"Night-kun, haven't seen you in a while. Out on a mission again?" Auntie Keiko from the Dango shop asked enthusiastically.
"Yeah." Night smiled and nodded, avoiding details about the mission.
This ordinary daily life made him feel a bit comfortable, but at the same time, it kept him sober. In this dog-eat-dog ninja world, only sufficient strength could provide a guarantee for such peace.
---
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen watched Night walk in calmly, a flash of surprise in his eyes.
After not seeing him for a month, the aura of this young ninja had undergone a subtle change. unlike his previous sharp exposure, he now felt like a sheathed blade, hiding his edge.
" This is the mission report for the trip to Hell Valley." Night took out a prepared scroll and placed it on the desk.
Hiruzen didn't open the scroll immediately but looked at him with a hint of admonishment. "I heard you went home to rest as soon as you returned?"
"After traveling for two days straight, adjusting my condition was necessary."
Night responded calmly, "Besides, some... unexpected situations occurred during the mission, requiring time to organize the report."
Just then, Danzo walked in from outside and said coldly, "What unexpected situation prevented you from submitting the mission record immediately?"
Night glanced at Danzo and said flatly, "It involved internal affairs of the Uchiha clan. I believed it needed careful handling."
These words made both Hiruzen and Danzo freeze.
"Uchiha?"
Hiruzen finally opened the scroll and scanned it quickly. As he read deeper, his brow furrowed tighter.
The report detailed Hachitsutsu's forbidden experiments and argued the malicious nature of the matter, noting that the ringleader, Hachitsutsu Uchiha, had even extended his hand to his own clansmen.
Therefore, with the assistance of Yashiro Uchiha, the two successfully killed him.
"Hachitsutsu, is it..."
Hiruzen put down the scroll, recalling the life of this Uchiha Jonin. As a typical power-seeker, it wasn't surprising he would do such a thing.
Danzo came to the desk, took the scroll, and scanned it quickly. A glint flashed in his single eye. "Where are the experimental materials and data?"
The "experimental materials" Danzo mentioned were undoubtedly the Ketsuryūgan and Sharingan, and the "data" referred to Hachitsutsu's experiment records.
"All destroyed."
Night didn't change his expression, barely wanting to acknowledge him. "Such forbidden research shouldn't remain in this world."
"Bastard!"
Danzo flew into a rage, scolding, "Leaving aside how precious those research results were, the large quantity of dojutsu Kekkei Genkai alone was a priceless treasure!"
Hiruzen also felt it was a pity, but as the Kage of the village, he couldn't express interest in the results of human experiments, or it would trigger a series of problems.
"Enough, Danzo."
Hiruzen feigned a reprimand, then turned to Night. "You did the right thing. Such research that violates ethics indeed shouldn't continue."
He paused, then added, "But next time in such a situation, try to bring it back to the village for disposal."
Night nodded perfunctorily at their double act, not caring much.
"Furthermore, your mission report mentions being attacked by the Cloud in a town in the Land of Hot Water...?"
Hiruzen changed the subject, asking about another point in the report. "Was your setup exposed?"
"Not entirely. A isn't a fool; he sensed something fishy but couldn't act in Hell Valley, so he wanted to capture me for interrogation."
Hiruzen wasn't worried. He knew Night had the Flying Raijin for protection. As long as he didn't act rashly, escaping wouldn't be an issue.
Danzo, unaware of the details, questioned, "Then how could you escape? A is the son of the Third Raikage; his strength is extraordinary!"
Hiruzen knew his old friend was unaware of the specifics and was about to cover for Night when Night dropped a bombshell.
"Nothing special. He couldn't take a beating."
"?"
"?"
Both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura were puzzled. Was this statement too relaxed? After all, the mission report only mentioned it in passing; everyone assumed a direct confrontation hadn't occurred.
"Impudent brat, are you trying to fool this old man?"
Danzo felt his intelligence was being insulted. A, the practically designated heir to the Cloud, was evaluated as "couldn't take a beating"?
"Don't you have spies in the Land of Hot Water?" Night retorted calmly. "Or no ears in the Cloud?"