The return journey to Konoha was significantly more relaxed and slow-paced compared to the pace at which they had traveled when departing from Konoha.
It was natural.
After all, when they had left Konoha, they were pressed for time. They had to reach their destination as soon as possible and find the possibly injured Konoha survivors as well.
And during the return journey, they had no such concerns.
Additionally, their team now had several ninjas who were fatigued from constant, high-intensity combat. Not to mention, they had suffered varied degrees of injuries.
Even with Seimei's treatment, they needed proper rest to let the natural healing process of their bodies repair their weakened constitutions.
Some even had a few fractured bones, which needed extended recovery, even after consuming supplementary potions.
Naturally, they traveled at a moderate pace of 50-60 km/h.
They had also camped at night to rest.
That moderate pace and a night of rest left most of the Konoha ninjas considerably energized before they continued their return journey at 3:30 AM.
Although they encountered several chakra beasts with C-rank and B-rank danger ratings, Seimei and the S-rank ninjas finished them off with practiced ease.
Apart from those minor nuisances, they had not faced any other trouble.
In the end, they reached the gate of Konoha within a couple of hours of sunrise.
After entering the gate, Senju Tatsuya said, "I will deliver the report and submit the dead bodies with intact heads to Lord Hokage. I will go with Elite Jonin Hiroshi and ANBU Captain Crane."
"You all can go back to your homes."
"Of course, the ANBU operatives will be coming with us to see the Lord Second," interjected the ANBU Captain Crane.
Everyone nodded without hesitation.
Seimei also handed the scroll containing the head of the Kaguya clan ninja to Senju Tatsuya. He didn't really need the head.
The body of the corpse was what he was after.
As for the head…
It could go to hell for all he cared about.
What would he even do with that?
Play football?
It wasn't like the Kaguya clan had a Dojutsu-related Kekkei Genkai. If they did, Seimei would have long plucked Kaguya Katsuro's eyes from his corpse.
Thankfully, that wasn't the case.
The Kaguya clan's Kekkei Genkai was Shikotsumyaku.
So, the secret of their bloodline most likely resided within their bone marrow, stem cells, blood cells, and nerves.
He would make sure to run all the experiments he had imagined, but never got the chance to implement.
He just lacked a specimen…oh no…he meant a willing donor with a bloodline closer to the Otsutsuki lineage.
Who knew the lady of fortune would smile at him on this trip?
Seimei praised the non-existent Goddess several times in his mind, which he only dared to do because he had transmigrated to the Ninja world, not the world filled with cosmic horrors and Mr. Fool.
"And those of you who have suffered from several injuries and poisons, you'd better visit the Konoha hospital for a proper check and treatment."
"Although Seimei, this lad, had treated you after the battle, he didn't have the equipment available in the hospital."
Seimei was busy musing when he suddenly heard Senju Tatsuya mention his name.
At that moment, he heard another Konoha ninja ask, "Is it necessary? I think I can recover completely after a few days of rest."
"Seimei's treatment was pretty good."
Seimei couldn't help but blink at the Konoha ninja who had just uttered those words.
Hmm?
Is that guy trying to save money? Either that or they are afraid of the boring days they will have to spend.
Oh yeah, the hospital food is as bland as a rubber, too.
I understand.
But brother, aren't you worried about dropping dead in the middle of the next mission?
What if you are suffering from some hidden ailments?
Like AIDS!!
Okay, I admit the ninja world doesn't have any HIV. Even if it had HIV pathogens, they wouldn't be able to do shit to the robust immune system of the Shinobi.
At this, Uchiha Hiroshi suddenly chimed in, "We are not advising you, we are ordering you to visit the Konoha Hospital."
"You don't have to worry about the money."
"You will receive subsidies for the treatment of any injuries you have suffered on duty."
"So chill."
"I don't want you guys to die in the next mission because of untreated hidden injuries and drag me down."
"I don't need burdens."
Uchiha Hiroshi, with his three-tomoe Sharingan activated, radiated authority, literally.
His stance practically screamed: You will either go to the hospital of your own will or I will grab your collar and drag you there.
But it was clear that beneath his tough exterior existed a deep concern for his subordinates.
Tsundere Uchiha, indeed.
"I…I understand, Jonin Hiroshi."
The ninja nodded and replied with affirmation.
Since they were getting subsidies, it wouldn't hurt to visit the Konoha hospital for a thorough check-up.
But that wasn't the main reason for their hesitation.
Money? They could earn it back by completing a few missions.
At most, they would just live frugally for a couple of weeks.
The boredom of lying on the bed for a few days without anything to do was tolerable, too. So was the bland food of the hospital.
But those horrible nutritional pulp mixtures that the hospital served and forced them to gulp down?
Damn it…
They didn't know how to describe the taste of that slimy stuff.
Horrible.
Absolutely horrible.
Slimy. Pungent. Fishy. Bitter. Funky. Almost semi-rotten.
Just remembering the taste of that 'healthy food' sent shivers down all the ninjas.
Couldn't those lazy fellows do something to improve its taste?
Seeing their almost green faces with complicated expressions, Seimei could somewhat discern their thoughts.
Must be thinking about the food and the nutritional pulp.
Seimei almost laughed out loud on the spot.
Almost.
But with a self-discipline as firm as iron, he held back.
Seimei smiled at the ninjas and said, "Since you won't be needing me during the reporting process and I am not injured either, I will head straight to my home."
"See you later, everyone."
Senju Tatsuya, Uchiha Hiroshi, and the ANBU captain nodded.
The middle-aged ninja, whom Seimei had detoxified and saved, expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for treating me. If not for you, I wouldn't have made it back alive."
Other ninjas who had received Seimei's treatment also thank him.
"Thanks, kid."
"See you later, Seimei."
"I will treat you the next time I see you outside of a mission."
Seimei accepted their gratitude with a smile, waved his hand, activated the Body Flicker Technique, and vanished from the spot.
As he moved toward the Senju compound, he couldn't help but witness the peaceful village that his father and uncle worked hard to build.
The shopkeepers had opened their stores and were welcoming customers with a smile.
The civilians were strolling through the road without any worries.
The ninjas were chatting, training, and smiling at each other despite the gruesome physical training they had to endure every day to stay in shape.
The elderly people who were either feeding birds or looking over kids with serene expressions on their faces.
The children were laughing and frolicking about.
It was Konoha.
His home.
No matter how much blood he had to shed outside, he could always come back here and feel the warmth of a peaceful and safe haven.
Seeing the bustling Konoha warmed his heart.
"It's good to be home."
----------------------------------------------------
A/N: If you like my story and want to read ahead, you can check out my P@treon page and read up to 17 Advanced chapters!
patreon.com/Seigan
You can also help me by sharing the story around. Thank you for reading!