At the main gate of the Konoha Camp, a patrol squad that had just completed its mission handed over to another patrol squad, then put away their weapons and walked towards their resting tents.
"Shisui, are you still used to it these past two days?"
Uchiha ken looked at Shisui, who was walking silently beside him, and asked with a low laugh, a look of concern in his eyes.
After all, he was one of the only two geniuses of the Uchiha Clan, along with Ryufeng, and everyone had high hopes for them.
This time, the clan had placed him in his own squad for him to look after on the battlefield, and a week had passed in the blink of an eye, yet Shisui had become increasingly silent, which prompted the question.
"I'm fine, Captain Ken, I'm already used to it."
Shisui, who had been somewhat distracted, came back to his senses upon hearing his name and immediately responded.
"Is that so? That's good."
Uchiha Ken said with a gentle expression. The two boys beside him also interjected.
"I feel like Shisui has changed so much recently!"
"Indeed, he talks a lot less."
Both of them were Uchiha youths of the same generation as Shisui, and all of them had activated their Sharingan. Although it was only a one-tomoe, it was enough to make them stand out among their peers.
"Have I?"
Shisui gave an embarrassed laugh, speaking somewhat awkwardly. His gaze wandered unconsciously.
Suddenly, Shisui's gaze sharpened, looking towards a certain spot. The next moment, his left hand gripped the hilt of the blade behind his back, and he let out a low shout.
"Who's there!"
"Hmm?!"
The other three were also startled, becoming alert. While reaching for their weapons, they followed Shisui's gaze. It was a dark tent shadow, and through the Gekko, a figure on the ground was clearly visible.
The few instantly activated their Sharingan, a dozen tomoe slowly rotating in their pupils, staring intently at the figure. The atmosphere instantly became tense.
"Cough cough, calm down, it's just me, everyone."
Just as the few were about to attack, a helpless voice sounded. Upon hearing it, Ken and Shisui instantly froze. This voice… seemed a little familiar.
As the other party stepped out of the shadows, Uchiha Ken immediately lowered his weapon and exclaimed in surprise.
"Ren?"
That's right, the person was Ren, who was wandering around the Konoha Camp late at night instead of sleeping.
Ren, who had originally thought of finding someone to chat with, wandered through about half of the Konoha Camp before realizing with helplessness that most people were already asleep. The only places with lights on in the entire Konoha Camp were Minato Namikaze's main tent where he handled documents and the Medical Camp.
Finally, by the time he reacted, he had already wandered near the Konoha Camp gate. Feeling a bit bored, Ren immediately decided to go back and lie down on his bed. He didn't expect to be discovered by Shisui unintentionally.
"Yo, Brother Ken, good evening everyone."
After Ren walked closer, he nodded and smiled at the few, while Ken said with some confusion.
"I heard from Elder Yusuke this afternoon that you returned. Why are you out here in the middle of the night instead of resting well in your tent?"
"Uh…"
Ren scratched his head, speaking somewhat awkwardly.
"I had insomnia, so I came out for a walk, and then I ran into you guys."
After Ren finished speaking, he ignored the strange looks from the others, turned his head to look at Shisui, who had put away his weapon, and waved with a smile.
"Yo, long time no see, Shisui."
"Long time no see, Ren!"
Shisui put away his Sharingan and said with some excitement.
Speaking of which, it had been almost half a year since the war began, and the two indeed hadn't had many chances to meet. Ren was busy rushing between various battlefields, while Shisui was on duty in Konoha Village. The last time Ren returned to the village, they missed each other due to time constraints. And Shisui was only transferred to this battlefield two days ago.
"Not bad, it seems your strength has improved quite a bit."
Ren looked at Shisui, who had grown quite a bit taller, and patted his shoulder, a smile appearing at the corner of his eye.
"Yes, I've been diligently training with the seniors in the Leaf Military Police Force, to catch up to Ren and Ryufeng!"
Shisui said with some longing. Among his peers, his goals had always been Ren and Ryufeng, hoping to keep pace with them.
"Hey, then you'll have to work hard, my strength is about to break through again, hahaha."
Ren's eyes were full of smiles, and he said confidently. Once he became a Jinchuriki and his strength advanced further, many plans could begin to be implemented and laid out.
"As expected of Ren, but I won't fall behind either!"
As soon as his voice fell, a helpless voice came from beside them.
"Um, you two, can you chat next time? This timing isn't appropriate, is it?"
"Uh…"
The two turned their heads in surprise, only to find the three standing beside them, looking sleepy, as if they could fall asleep any moment.
"I'm sorry. Ren, everyone has been tired all day and needs to go back to rest. Let's chat next time."
Shisui gave them an apologetic look, then said to Ren.
Seeing how sleepy they looked, Ren immediately felt a little embarrassed and quickly said.
"I'm sorry, Brother Ken, please quickly take them back to rest. I should go back too."
"Okay, then we'll be going first."
Uchiha Ken's eyes also showed a hint of fatigue. After greeting Ren, he led the three young ones from his team away.
"Sigh, let's go back, it's quite cold tonight."
After Ren watched them leave, a sudden cold wind made him shiver involuntarily. He then tightened his clothes and quickened his pace towards his tent. Passing by Minato Namikaze's tent, he saw the light still on inside and couldn't help but sigh.
Being a Hokage is so tough, there's always a pile of never-ending official business on the desk.
But it's fine, it's still a long way before I become Hokage. Let Brother Minato suffer for another decade or so, hehe.
The moment Ren returned to his tent, he burrowed into his quilt. Feeling his body gradually warm up, Ren comfortably narrowed his eyes.
After tossing and turning for half the night, Ren finally felt sleepy. He stared blankly at the ceiling for less than two minutes before falling asleep.
At the same time, inside the main tent.
Minato Namikaze was holding a brush and drawing on paper, his expression both focused and serious.
After a while, Minato Namikaze put down his brush and looked at the densely packed black runes on the paper in front of him, letting out a sigh of relief.
"Finally, another one is done. Hmm, I need to hurry."
Minato murmured as he turned to look at the office desk not far away, where another Minato Namikaze was currently sitting and reviewing documents.
"Main body, we'll be switching shifts in half an hour. Watch the time."
Noticing the gaze from the side, the Shadow Clone slowly raised his head and said softly to the main body in front of him.
After all, compared to handling documents, he preferred creating sealing charms.