By the time Ren appeared, the three were already cleaning up the battlefield. Shio and Suzuki dragged two corpses together, while Yao skillfully took out a scroll from her Arms. After a few hand seals, white mist exploded and then dissipated, and the corpses were sealed within it.
"Good efficiency."
Noticing the sound from behind them, the few people quickly turned around and saw Ren standing before them, holding a corpse on his shoulder, his hands hanging down, looking at them with a slight smile.
"Captain! X3"
"Hmm."
Ren nodded slightly, put the corpse from his shoulder down, and handed it to the three, while instructing them.
"Seal this guy too. If I hadn't encountered him on the way back, he might have actually escaped."
At this point, Ren also felt like laughing. If this guy had run in any other direction, he would have missed him with his perception. He didn't expect him to rush straight towards them, leading to his own demise.
"Yes!"
Seeing that their captain had nothing on him, Suzuki stepped forward and asked curiously.
"Captain, where's that Jonin?"
"Oh, he ran away."
Ren spread his hands, saying helplessly. Before Suzuki could ask further, Ren turned and walked into the distance, his voice drifting back.
"Alright, it's almost time for the shift change. Back to Konoha Camp!"
"Yes!"
The few people hurried along, and after greeting the incoming shift, they headed towards the Konoha Camp.
Such days had continued for two months, and Ren had no intention of changing to a new mission. This current position was very suitable for them.
The area they patrolled was relatively close to the Land of Waterfall border, so the probability of encountering Stone Ninja and Cloud Ninja was higher, placing them on the front lines of combat.
Under the effect of Ren's perception ability, they would basically "coincidentally" encounter one or two enemy squads every other day, followed by the familiar soldier-on-soldier, general-on-general engagement.
He used Shadow Clones to look after the three, while he himself hunted down enemy Jonin to earn bounties. Those without bounties were brought back to the main Konoha Camp for intelligence gathering and to earn merit.
And the three youngsters also rapidly grew in strength through a large number of battles against opponents of the same rank. The strongest, Shio, could already single-handedly defeat a typical Chunin, and while Yao and Suzuki were a bit weaker than Shio, they could also hold their own against Chunin.
Under Ren's targeted guidance and actual combat, the three of them grew stronger every day.
"Hoshimi Ren squad, identity confirmed, please enter."
"Thank you."
Ren took the proof handed to him by the other party and responded with a smile, then turned to look at the three.
"Go get busy, don't forget to bring me a meal."
"Yes!"
The few people dispersed after responding, disappearing from Ren's sight in the blink of an eye.
Yao went to the Intelligence Department to deliver intelligence, Suzuki went to get food, and Shio went to replenish supplies like Exploding Tags and smoke bombs. The division of labor was clear, and efficiency naturally improved.
Ren arrived at the front of the commander's tent and was about to enter when a familiar voice came from behind him.
"Ren?"
"Hmm?"
The latter turned around and noticed Fugaku not far away, then nodded and smiled.
"Uncle Fugaku, just got back?"
Uchiha Fugaku's duty was to guard the border, always fighting on the front lines.
During this period, the A-B Combo had basically been assaulting the Konoha defense line guarded by Fugaku on the front battlefield, but they were always repelled.
As for Ren, ever since the last attack, he had been leading his squad, so he hadn't engaged the enemy again.
"Yes, just got back."
Fugaku nodded, then looked down behind him and chuckled.
"Itachi, go say hello to Ren."
"Hmm???"
Ren was instantly a little confused, looking at Fugaku with a bewildered expression. Where did Itachi come from? Had Clan Head Uchiha fallen into a genjutsu?
"Yes, Father."
Under Ren's bewildered gaze, a small figure emerged from behind Fugaku, stepped forward, bowed to Ren, and said respectfully.
"Long time no see, Brother Ren!"
"Good, long time no see."
Ren replied subconsciously, then suddenly reacted, looking at the father and son with a look of surprise and saying.
"Wait, Uncle Fugaku, why did you bring Itachi to the battlefield?!"
"It's fine, I brought him to understand war."
Fugaku's expression didn't waver in the slightest as he said in a deep voice.
"Isn't it too early…?"
Although Ren was somewhat surprised, he wasn't overly astonished. After all, as the eldest son of Clan Head Uchiha, it was understandable for Itachi to be brought to the battlefield for training early on. Plus, this was their family matter, and he truly wasn't in a position to advise.
But speaking of which, the two of them really hadn't seen each other for a long time. The last time they met was about half a year ago, not long after the war began, when Ren returned to the village.
In a blink of an eye, it was already the end of the year. In another month, it would be the 48th year. The Itachi in front of him had also grown quite a bit, reaching Ren's abdomen, and his black pupils were unblinkingly sizing up Ren.
"Speaking of which, we really haven't seen each other for a long time, Itachi."
Ren raised his hand and placed it on Itachi's shoulder, his gaze softening as he chuckled softly.
"Hmm, I also haven't seen Shisui in a long time, Brother Ren, have you seen him?"
Itachi looked up at Ren, asking with a hint of anticipation.
"As for Shisui, I remember he's still on the Kirigakure battlefield, right?"
Ren pondered for a moment before saying with some uncertainty.
"Is that so…"
Itachi's pupils instantly dimmed quite a bit. After all, he didn't have many friends around him. Ren and Shisui were both older brothers he respected. After learning he could come to the battlefield, he wanted to know their current situation, but it seemed they weren't on the same battlefield.
"Alright, Itachi, let's talk later."
Fugaku interrupted their conversation, said something to Itachi, then turned his gaze to Ren and said in a deep voice.
"Let's go, Ren. Let's find Minato. There's something you might be interested in."
"Hmm."
Although Ren was somewhat puzzled, he didn't voice his question. He would know soon enough, so there was no need to be anxious.
As soon as the three entered, they saw Minato resting with his eyes closed. Hearing the movement from the doorway, he opened his eyes, and seeing the two of them, he immediately smiled.
"Fugaku, Ren, you've come… Hmm?"
Minato hadn't finished speaking when he saw a child appear behind the two, which made him pause. After looking closely again, he remembered from his memory and asked hesitantly.
"Is this… Fugaku's Itachi?"
"Good memory, Minato."
Ren stood to the side, silently giving a thumbs-up, saying with some admiration.
The two of them probably only met a few times, and they hadn't seen each other for over half a year, yet he could still identify him so quickly. That memory, it was truly impressive.
"Hello, Lord Minato, I am Uchiha Itachi!"
"Hello, you."
Itachi stepped out from behind Fugaku and bowed to Minato in greeting. After the latter responded, Fugaku looked at Itachi and said softly.
"Itachi, go wait for us over there for a bit."
"Yes, Father."
Watching Itachi quietly sit down, Fugaku turned his gaze to Minato, his tone becoming serious.
"Let's begin, Minato, regarding tonight's operation."