White Fang pulled out a Sealing Scroll from his clothes and threw it at the Stone Ninja who had lost both legs.
The moment it made contact with the Stone Ninja, the Sealing Scroll emitted numerous white, gauze-like strips that wrapped around the Stone Ninja.
Afterward, White Fang hung the cocoon-like object formed from the Stone Ninja on a tree and turned his gaze to Hayato Ren.
"Well done. I couldn't have defeated three Special Jonin so effortlessly at your age."
In response to White Fang's praise, Hayato Ren merely nodded slightly, as if it were only natural. Then he looked up at the tree.
"Will it be fine just hanging there like that?"
White Fang poked the "cocoon" with his finger.
"He's already sealed. The Anbu will come to 'retrieve' him later—that's no longer our concern. The Stone Ninja wouldn't send just one squad to invade. Let's keep moving."
Hayato Ren nodded and followed behind White Fang as they continued onward.
A week passed quickly, and Hayato Ren and White Fang had managed to eliminate the vast majority of the Stone Ninja.
As for the few who slipped through the net, it wasn't something the two of them could track down—after all, the Land of Fire was vast, and they didn't have anything like a full map view.
Hayato Ren's gains were substantial. Life-and-death battles were the best whetstone for sharpening one's skills.
It was no exaggeration to say that the current Hayato Ren could take on three versions of himself from a week ago.
Now, even without relying on Charmeleon, he could easily handle a Special Jonin.
After slicing open the last Stone Ninja, White Fang gave his blade a sharp shake, flinging the blood off onto a nearby tree.
Then, with a stylish motion, he sheathed his sword and turned to Hayato Ren.
"This mission is successfully completed. I have other matters to attend to, so you should head back to the village on your own."
Without waiting for a response, White Fang vanished instantly into the forest.
As one of the rare Kage-level fighters in Konoha, White Fang had no days off—especially during such a sensitive time.
Thus, Hayato Ren had no choice but to head toward Konoha with Charmeleon.
As they walked, Charmeleon suddenly halted, his expression serious as he stared in one direction.
Charmeleon sensed a chilling aura approaching—a presence like a venomous snake, capable of delivering a fatal strike with a single blow.
Seeing Charmeleon's reaction, Hayato Ren immediately tensed up, his body going rigid as he prepared to retreat to the Summoning World with Charmeleon at the first sign of danger.
Before long, a rustling sound emerged from the bushes.
Suddenly, a head popped out from the grass.
At the sight of that head, Hayato Ren's tense nerves finally relaxed.
"Hayato? What are you doing here?"
Nawaki looked at Hayato Ren with a puzzled expression, then quickly walked over to his side, wiping his nose excitedly as he spoke.
"You'd never guess what rank mission I completed in the Land of Rain, Ren. Let me tell you—it was an A-rank mission! Teacher Orochimaru has already promised to recommend me for the next Chunin Exams. Soon, I'll be a Chunin, one step closer to becoming Hokage. Hahaha..."
Just then, Orochimaru emerged from the bushes where Nawaki had been, followed by two other figures.
Those two were likely Nawaki's teammates.
Orochimaru swept his cold gaze over Hayato Ren and Charmeleon before speaking.
"Hayato Ren, if I recall correctly, you're Tsunade's student. What are you doing here? Don't tell me you..."
His tone noticeably cooled toward the end.
It was hard not to question the motives of a Genin appearing alone at the border of the Land of Fire.
At that moment, a figure suddenly stepped between Hayato Ren and Orochimaru—it was White Fang.
White Fang had already moved some distance away but sensed a powerful Chakra approaching Hayato Ren's location.
So, he swiftly returned to Hayato Ren's side.
White Fang's appearance saved Hayato Ren a lot of explanation. Although, as Tsunade's student, Orochimaru wouldn't do anything to him, it would still have been troublesome to clarify.
However, upon hearing that Hayato Ren would become a Chunin upon returning to the village, Nawaki's face fell completely.
He never expected that, despite being the same age, while he was still proudly celebrating his qualification for the Chunin Exams, Hayato Ren had already become a Chunin.
The stark contrast was enough to dampen even Nawaki's cheerful spirit.
Afterward, Hayato Ren returned to Konoha alongside Orochimaru's team.
Back in Konoha, Hayato Ren first went to Sarutobi Hiruzen to receive his Chunin promotion certificate and Chunin Vest, then headed straight home.
Although he hadn't suffered any physical injuries during the week of battles, his mental energy had been greatly depleted.
After a quick shower, Hayato Ren collapsed into bed and fell asleep.
When he woke again, it was already noon the next day.
Just then, a strange noise came from the kitchen.
Driven by curiosity, Hayato Ren slowly made his way toward the kitchen.
Peering inside, he saw Kushina wearing an apron, holding a spatula, and seemingly attempting to cook something.
Watching Kushina bustling about in the kitchen, a warm feeling suddenly welled up in Hayato Ren's heart.
Noticing Hayato Ren leaning against the kitchen door observing her, Kushina set down her spatula and hurried over to hug him.
"You're finally awake! I was just about to call you for lunch."
Hayato Ren gently patted Kushina's head and asked softly, "Kushina, when did you get here?"
"I came over right after breakfast."
"Then why didn't you wake me up?"
"I didn't wake you since you were sleeping so soundly, Hayato. After all, you just completed an extraordinary mission."
Looking at Kushina in his arms, Hayato Ren unconsciously lowered his head.
Watching Hayato's movement, Kushina's cheeks flushed slightly, yet she made no move to resist.
Just as their lips were about to meet, the smell of something burning reached their nostrils.