That night, Hatake Sakumo and his team met with the other squad to plan the route for transporting Rōshi to Minamoto no Masakaki's Konoha camp.
Initially, Uchiha Ken and Mizuki, having arrived in the Land of Rain at the same time, had a decent relationship, but after the Uchiha Setsuna incident, things grew cold.
Even though Mizuki knew it wasn't Uchiha Ken's fault, her emotions made it difficult for her to accept.
However, during the Battle of Kawanojo, Uchiha Ken's willingness to expend himself to eliminate as many Sand Shinobi as possible proved his loyalty to the village.
The Anbu had previously reported that Uchiha Ken had no significant ties to the renegade group, and with his merits from the Battle of Kawanojo, his reputation gradually recovered.
After the war, Uchiha Kagami specifically met with him for a detailed discussion, even informing him about the Mangekyo Sharingan and advising Uchiha Ken to use it carefully in the future.
With the commander adopting such an attitude, there was virtually no longer any objection to Uchiha Ken within the camp.
Similarly, since her father believed Uchiha Ken had no major issues, Mizuki couldn't hold onto the matter.
She had received a hint from her father to take good care of Uchiha Ken, lest he cause trouble due to psychological problems.
Upon Uchiha Ken's return to the camp, he once again formed a team with Fujimura Yuki and Kurihara Kana.
That day, Fujimura Yuki embraced Uchiha Ken tightly, congratulating him on his return.
Fujimura Yuki was very happy because Uchiha Ken had proven his innocence, and his performance in the Battle of Kawanojo had given him greater leverage to pursue higher positions within the village.
Perhaps after the war, Uchiha Ken would qualify for Jonin.
His strength undoubtedly met this condition, and his military achievements included his merits from the Battle of Kawanojo.
For Uchiha Ken, the Jonin qualification wasn't particularly important.
He only hoped to live well in Konoha Village after the war, and if possible, to meet with Risa, as she played a significant role in helping him overcome Uchiha Setsuna's betrayal.
"I never thought we'd be operating with Captain Sakumo, Ken.
It seems you're really trusted," Fujimura Yuki remarked as he and his two companions headed to Hatake Sakumo's tent.
Although they had previously participated in battles with Hatake Sakumo and his team, that was a superior-subordinate relationship, as subordinates in war.
This time, however, two squads were working together.
While they didn't know the mission yet, it was certainly a confidential one, and those participating must be highly trusted individuals.
"It's alright," Uchiha Ken said, though he felt a sense of relief.
Hadn't he put in so much effort precisely because he hoped to live well within the village?
Although Uchiha Ken had been treated poorly in the Anbu and viewed with strange looks, it was ultimately due to his adoptive father.
The village's treatment was understandable.
He had no reason to be dramatic and claim the village treated him badly just because of this treatment.
After he proved his loyalty, didn't the village treat him well?
Moreover, Uchiha Ken still hoped to meet with Risa to thank her, and he had other thoughts in his heart.
Regardless, he intended to live well in Konoha Village.
Arriving at Hatake Sakumo's tent, they reported their presence and were told to enter.
Hatake Sakumo and his team were inside.
Sakumo nodded slightly to the three and then invited them to sit, saying, "No need to be nervous.
Although I'm primarily responsible, since this is an operation involving two squads, we need to cooperate closely.
Everyone's opinion is very important."
"Captain Sakumo, I'd like to ask, what is our mission this time?" Fujimura Yuki asked.
Hatake Sakumo glanced at Fujimura Yuki.
He knew Fujimura Yuki was from the Senju clan, of course, because Minamoto no Masakaki had specifically instructed him to pay attention to him.
He didn't understand why Minamoto no Masakaki wanted him to focus on this young man, though the young man's abilities were indeed good.
"Our mission this time is to bring the jinchuriki captured in the war to Lord Hokage," Hatake Sakumo said seriously.
"Iwagakure will undoubtedly do everything they can to reclaim the jinchuriki, so we must be extremely careful."
Hearing that they were to bring the jinchuriki to the Hokage, Uchiha Ken, Fujimura Yuki, and Kurihara Kana's expressions all became solemn, understanding the importance of this mission.
Not only was the jinchuriki's importance going to make the Iwa Shinobi desperately try to reclaim him, but successfully completing this mission would also mean getting noticed by Lord Hokage.
Each of the three greatly hoped to execute this mission well, as it could be a great opportunity to gain the Hokage's attention in the future.
Uchiha Ken's mood was relatively calm, as his demands weren't very high, but Fujimura Yuki and Kurihara Kana were somewhat excited.
Especially Kurihara Kana; unlike the other two, she didn't come from a prominent background.
Aside from normal promotion through merit, a faster path was to gain the appreciation of the higher-ups.
"I feel a bit nervous," Fujimura Yuki said with a laugh, rubbing his hands together, showing his inner turmoil.
"We're all the same.
You all must understand the jinchuriki's importance.
Iwagakure will certainly be desperate.
Although Lord Kagami will block the main Iwa Shinobi army for us, we can't guarantee what kind of people Iwa Shinobi will send to pursue us," Hatake Sakumo said.
With their two-squad combination, few people could hope to defeat them, but the Iwa Shinobi's goal wasn't to eliminate them, but to reclaim the jinchuriki.
They only needed to satisfy that condition.
Hatake Sakumo himself could think of ways that didn't require eliminating them, such as destroying the seal on Rōshi's body and causing the Tailed Beast to rampage.
Although it was a method that would harm a thousand enemies and cost eight hundred of their own, it would still give Iwagakure hope of getting the jinchuriki back.
When shinobi are desperate, they can resort to any means.
"In any case, the higher-ups have entrusted this mission to us, and we must do our best to complete it.
Just maintain that mindset," Hatake Sakumo said.
Uchiha Ken and the other two exchanged glances and nodded slightly.
Then, everyone began to discuss how to transport Rōshi to Minamoto no Masakaki.
The journey was quite long, and since there were only two squads, it was better to take complex terrain.
Although troublesome, it was nothing for shinobi and could hinder the entry of large forces.
"One problem is, how do we get the jinchuriki to cooperate with our actions?
He can't possibly follow us obediently, can he?" Uchiha Ken asked.
Even though Rōshi was somewhat moved by Konoha Village's actions, he wouldn't simply bow down and join Konoha Village.
Taking him along wouldn't be a docile affair.
"We will use sealing jutsu to suppress his chakra and sedate him with medicine.
As for how to transport him, that is indeed a problem," Hatake Sakumo mused.
"If someone carries him, and he suddenly wakes up, he could be taken hostage—though the possibility is small, we must consider this.
And if we use some kind of equipment to carry him, it seems a bit cumbersome and might allow pursuers to catch up."
"Oh, right, why don't we use Miss Asuna's method?" Fujimura Yuki interjected, looking at Asuna.
"Wouldn't that be very convenient?"
Asuna was startled at first, then immediately understood what he was referring to—the method of transfer using Katsuyu.
If this method was used, there would be no need to bear the risk of a squad carrying Rōshi.
It wouldn't even require the entire team to arrive; as long as Asuna alone arrived, or a small Katsuyu summoned by Asuna arrived, the goal of quickly transporting someone could be achieved.
Previous medical camp raids and the Battle of Kawanojo had proven the effectiveness of this method, and this time, there was no need to bring many people; just one person would suffice.
Asuna thought for a moment and nodded, "It's feasible.
I think this method is safer.
The risk of having Rōshi by our side is quite high."