"Yep, no poison."
He then left the empty bento box where it was and departed with Naruto on his back... At Konoha Hospital, the members of the mission team were also there for further treatment. Choji and Neji, who had more severe injuries, were directly hospitalized.
Fortunately, they were still conscious and able to move.
Lee, who had just returned, also came to the hospital to visit his teammates after completing his own check-up.
"Did everyone return safely?"
"Only Naruto is left. We have the Sand Ninja to thank this time, otherwise Akamaru and I would have been in danger."
Kiba was also in the ward, but his injuries weren't serious and had already been treated by Kano.
"Lee, did you encounter that short girl wearing the red cloud robe?"
Neji sat up from his bed; he felt extremely lucky to have met that girl. Although her Mystical Palm Technique was absurdly painful, it provided him with emergency treatment, otherwise he might not have made it back.
"Don't tell me you met her too?"
"It wasn't just you, it was all of us. We all met that girl named Kashi."
Shikamaru also entered the ward. He was very relieved that in his first time leading a mission, all his teammates were able to return safely, which was also thanks to that mysterious girl named Kashi.
Tsunade came in with him, prepared to treat Neji and Choji.
"Shizune, take Neji for treatment first. His injuries look mostly healed, but in reality, many of the serious wounds weren't cured; they were filled with Genjutsu to simulate the original tissues and organs.
I didn't expect someone could actually use Genjutsu for medical treatment.
Without these false tissues maintaining his life, he might not have lasted until he returned to Konoha. Be careful during the treatment; the Genjutsu must be cleared bit by bit."
"Yes."
Shizune stepped forward and helped Neji toward the operating room, and Lee went to help as well upon seeing this.
"Choji, you come with me. Although your injuries are healed, the side effects of the drugs are still accelerating the death of your body's cells. I now have a rough idea of how to solve it, thanks to the pharmacology books from Shikamaru's family."
Before leaving, she gave Shikamaru an update.
"Naruto and Kakashi are on their way back. The mission failed, but at least everyone survived."
Shikamaru clenched his fists. This time, someone had helped clean up the mess for him, allowing them to return safely. If it weren't for that mysterious girl, at least two members of the team would have been sacrificed on this trip.
He felt the pressure mounting. Was this the reason why Kano didn't want to be a Chunin?
...At this time, Kano had also arrived at Orochimaru's base, where she felt uncomfortable all over. She didn't even want to step inside the main gate. Sasuke was also worried that leaving Kano here alone would be dangerous, so he stayed with her at the entrance.
"Hey, go tell Orochimaru to come out and see me."
Although Sasuke didn't see anyone, he felt that they were being watched. More importantly, speaking like this made him look very cool.
Someone brought the message to Orochimaru, and Orochimaru immediately stood up. He was one of the legendary Sannin, the man who had killed the Fourth Kazekage and the Third Hokage! Who dared to be so arrogant!
"The person who came is Uchiha Sasuke..."
An Uchiha brat dares to be so fierce?
"...and Nara Kano."
"Quick, quick, quick, help me up. I must go and greet Kano personally."
This girl was like his own ancestor! A monster with a Reaper Death Seal cooldown of only half an hour; he couldn't afford to provoke her of all people. If others killed him, he still had a chance to revive, but with a Reaper Death Seal to the face, he definitely wouldn't be able to cheat death.
"Kano and Sasuke-kun, welcome. Please, come inside."
Orochimaru's respectful attitude truly surprised Sasuke.
Kano, on the other hand, was unfazed and spoke quite flatly.
"Orochimaru, I brought your daddy—uh, no, I brought Sasuke. I'm not going in; I find it stinks in there."
Hearing Kano's words, Sasuke also nodded. Even at the entrance, he could smell the stench of decay from inside.
"It's fine, we can talk out here. Kano, I hope you can heal my hands."
Kano examined Orochimaru's hands and then spoke impatiently.
"Don't go breaking the Genjutsu I cast on you. If you undo it again, I won't treat you next time."
"I understand, thank you, Kano. I wanted to ask if there's a way for permanent recovery; it's not good to keep troubling you."
"You sure talk pretty. Fine, it's not like there isn't a way, it just requires you to die one more time. The preconditions are also quite troublesome. Your Living Corpse Reincarnation still has a three-year cooldown, right? Once it's ready, I'll take you for a permanent treatment."
"Then I thank you in advance. Is there anything else you need me to do? Any request will be met."
"You must teach Sasuke well and are not allowed to have any wicked designs on him. He is my good friend and my comrade. Also, give me the ring you got when you were in the Akatsuki."
Orochimaru nodded in agreement and had Kabuto fetch the ring to give to Kano. Afterward, she made one more request.
"Help me kill Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado."
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