CHAPTER 26 - Return to the Village

After Akimichi Fuu took care of the two Iwa Nin, he immediately went to support Hyuga Kiyo. However, when he arrived at the battle scene, he was surprised to find that a nine-year-old girl was the one gaining the upper hand. 

The Iwa Nin, thrown into disarray by Akimichi Fuu's sudden appearance, was swiftly seized by Kiyo Hyuga. She delivered a precise series of strikes, landing thirty-two hits with the Eight Trigrams Palm, sealing his chakra and inflicting serious internal injuries. 

Akimichi Fuu spared the Iwa Nin's life and, along with Kiyo, went to support Hyuga Mirai. However, when they arrived, they found that Mirai had already dealt with his opponent. Both of them were unharmed, and it appeared as though the battle had been handled effortlessly.

"Captain, he's still alive. Should we keep him for interrogation?" Hyuga Mirai asked after inspecting the Iwa Nin.

"No need. One living prisoner is enough," Akimichi Fuu replied, pointing to the Iwa Nin he was holding in his hand. His expression turned serious. "This base has been compromised. We need to retreat to the village immediately and hand the Iwa Nin over to the village authorities."

They were in the Land of Grass, and if they delayed, they might run into ninjas from the Land of Earth. While it was inconvenient to carry a prisoner, they would be met with support once they crossed into the Land of Fire.

"Understood, Captain," the three responded promptly. They quickly cleaned up the battlefield. Hyuga Mirai finished off the Iwa Nin with a single shuriken and carefully checked his ninja tool pouch. After confirming it was safe, he began to loot the corpse. 

It wasn't that he had a greed for money, but due to several circumstances, Mirai had to be frugal. As long as he had enough money, he could restore his energy by consuming large amounts of food. This was tied to his training, so despite it being against the Hyuga Clan's honor, Mirai had no choice but to do it.

Kiyo Hyuga understood why Mirai collected the money, and she almost tried to stop him. But the words never left her mouth, so she simply turned her head away to avoid watching.

It didn't take long before they had finished cleaning up the scene. As for the intelligence gathering at the base, Akimichi Fuu had no intention of letting them handle it. Since the Iwa Nin had killed and looted the place, they assumed it had already been thoroughly searched. They needed to hurry back to the village to report to the Third Hokage.

On the way back, Mirai couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret for not being able to search for that woman from the Uzumaki Clan. But he knew she was in the Land of Grass, so if he ever had another mission here, he could try again.

In less than two days, Akimichi Fuu's team crossed back into the Land of Fire. They found some border patrol ninjas to assist them, and they returned to Konoha without delay.

"We're finally back!" Kurenai Yuhi stretched and sighed in relief as she felt the weight lift off her shoulders. The B-rank mission had kept her on edge for so long, and she was in dire need of relaxation.

"We'll head to the Hokage's office first. After the report, we can disband," Akimichi Fuu said, recalling that all three of them had performed well on the mission. After a moment of thought, he added, "You all have earned some time off this time."

"Really?" Kurenai Yuhi exclaimed, her face lighting up. "Thank you, Captain."

Hyuga Mirai and Hyuga Kiyo also smiled. After days of missions and training, they were more than happy to get a break.

Mirai was thinking about applying to use the Konoha Hospital's lab. Spending more time in the village would benefit his research as well.

The four of them made their way to the Hokage's office, bringing the captured Iwa Nin along. After meeting with the Third Hokage, Akimichi Fuu detailed the mission.

After hearing the report, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, tapped the desk thoughtfully. Two ANBU, wearing masks, appeared almost instantly.

"Take this Iwa Nin to the interrogation department," the Hokage instructed. The ANBU, without a word, grabbed the unconscious prisoner and vanished with a burst of Shunshin.

Hiruzen Sarutobi then turned to Akimichi Fuu's team with a warm expression. "Fuu, you did well. The Iwa Nin's attack on Konoha ninjas wasn't just random, and it's clear they had ill intentions. If we can extract information from him, we'll be better prepared along the borders."

"Given that you encountered four Iwa Nin, including a Chunin, and brought one back alive, I'm promoting this mission to A-rank. You'll receive A-rank payment," the Hokage continued. "Also, according to the rules, you're entitled to exchange for a B-rank ninjutsu. Does anyone want to take that offer?"

Hiruzen's question was almost rhetorical. Akimichi Fuu's combat style was already refined, and B-rank ninjutsu wouldn't benefit him. The others, being from the Hyuga Clan, had their own inherited jutsu and wouldn't waste time learning new ones.

Hyuga Mirai stepped forward and spoke up. "Hokage-sama, may I request the opportunity to use the Konoha Hospital's lab?"

"The Konoha Hospital's lab?" Sarutobi Hiruzen paused, his face showing confusion. "Mirai, why do you need the hospital's lab?"

"Because when I was studying medical ninjutsu, I had some thoughts about Yang Release chakra. I'd like to use the equipment to verify my ideas," Mirai explained. 

It was well-known that Mirai had a remarkable talent for medical ninjutsu. By the age of ten, he had already mastered numerous techniques, save for the few most difficult A-rank jutsus.

"Hm, I see. If that's the case, I approve your request," Sarutobi Hiruzen said after some thought. Allowing Mirai to use the lab wouldn't be an issue. If Mirai discovered something useful, it would benefit the village. And since Fuu's team had performed admirably, it wouldn't hurt to grant this small request.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Mirai said with a smile, holding the approval slip in his hands. 

With this, he would have access to the hospital's lab whenever he needed it, as long as he didn't damage the equipment.

Mirai couldn't help but think that Hiruzen Sarutobi probably didn't realize just how valuable the hospital's lab equipment was. He had only seen a few of the devices himself, and they were expensive and hard to obtain. The Hokage had so easily approved it, likely unaware of the full extent of their worth. But it didn't matter to Mirai—once he got access to the lab, he could begin his research on Yang Release chakra treatment seals and genetic cell studies.

After receiving their payment, Akimichi Fuu's team left the Hokage's office. 

This time, Mirai didn't join them for a celebratory meal. Instead, he hurried home, packed a few things, and then made his way to the Konoha Hospital. 

(End of Chapter)