Hagoromo didn't wait for the Chunin Exams to fully conclude.
Once his specific duties and proctoring work were finished, he returned to the front lines.
During the following period, Sarutobi Asuma underwent continuous, high-intensity medical treatment.
Through massive and borderline inhuman procedures, his body recovered at an extraordinary speed.
He proved through personal experience that medical ninjutsu isn't as delicate as people make it seem.
Subsequently, the combat power of Squad Hagoromo was officially restored.
As the squad's No. 2, Asuma's absence had naturally placed heavy restrictions on their activities.
The squad then resumed their routine daily patrols.
Within their assigned sector, they patrolled the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain.
They monitored the movements of Rain ninjas and prevented small enemy squads from infiltrating.
Combat missions had been added to their reconnaissance duties, but they were highly specific.
Hagoromo's targets were limited to four-man cells similar to their own to ensure a balanced fight.
If they encountered medium or large enemy forces, the mission didn't expect them to commit suicide.
Hagoromo was still expected to prioritize gathering and transmitting intelligence.
As for the previous deep infiltration missions, they wouldn't be happening as frequently.
The Land of Rain wasn't Konoha's backyard, and the enemy wasn't stupid.
Frequent infiltrations would likely provoke a massive retaliation.
Unexpectedly, since resuming their duties, they rarely encountered any Rain ninjas at all.
Even when they did, the Rain ninjas refused to cross the border line.
They would retreat the moment they were spotted without ever engaging in combat.
Considering the earlier reports of abandoned outposts, Hagoromo began to wonder.
Was Hanzo the Salamander actually preparing to throw in the towel?
The Great Nations were bullies, after all.
A village like the Hidden Rain, even with a Demi-God, couldn't win against the Five Great Powers.
If you can't win, you stop playing, or you risk losing everything down to your underwear.
As it turned out, Hagoromo's guess was remarkably close to the truth.
The squad wandered their patrol zone for about two months.
The border remained deathly quiet throughout that time.
The Hidden Rain had retreated across the board, and skirmishes dropped toward zero.
The fact that the Rain had no movement was the biggest movement of all.
Just as Hagoromo questioned the necessity of these patrols, the squad was recalled by Jiraiya.
"Entering the Land of Rain? Openly?"
Jiraiya's words left Hagoromo completely stunned.
He had assumed the new mission was another infiltration to scout Hanzo's next move.
The silence on the border was unsettling; Hanzo was either quitting or brewing something terrible.
Based on the man's unpredictable nature, the possibilities were a fifty-fifty split.
Hagoromo looked at his three teammates.
Entering the Land of Rain boldly with just this small group felt like a death wish.
Did people really think Hanzo was a toothless tiger now?
Had everyone forgotten how the Sannin got their title?
It was a title earned in defeat, and nobody should forget who handed it to them.
Seeing the confusion on their faces, Jiraiya began to explain the situation.
"Actually, not long ago, Hanzo sent a request for peace to Konoha."
"Combined with your reconnaissance and the Rain's recent moves, we believe the intent is real."
"So, we are sending a goodwill ambassador to the Hidden Rain."
Hagoromo understood now; Hanzo really was serious.
But was he the ambassador? That seemed highly unlikely.
"So, am I the ambassador? Because I feel like I'd just be a target in there."
Jiraiya just looked at him like he was an absolute idiot.
Hagoromo was definitely overthinking his own importance.
"Your squad is responsible for guiding the ambassador."
"It takes a heavyweight figure to actually negotiate with Hanzo."
Hagoromo was heavy enough with his iron gourd, but Jiraiya meant political weight.
Since it was just a guide job, Hagoromo finally relaxed.
Then came the big question.
"Who is the goodwill ambassador?"
There were only a handful of people in Konoha who counted as true "heavyweights."
Jiraiya spoke four specific words:
"Shimura Danzo."
The answer was logical, but it didn't make it any less weird.
Danzo handling goodwill? Who were they trying to scare?
Either Danzo would scare Hanzo into tears, or Hanzo would scare Danzo.
Could goodwill even exist between those two men?
Konoha might as well have sent Danzo to marry Hanzo; they had the same vibe.
The Shimura were a prestigious clan that had produced many famous figures.
In the world of shinobi, Shimura Danzo was a man of complex shadows. He was someone who couldn't be simplified as just good or bad.
Hagoromo had met Danzo once, not long ago.
His knowledge of the man from his past life was limited.
He knew Danzo was the Darkness of the Shinobi, obsessed with the external hardware.
In reality, as a student of the Second Hokage, Danzo was a powerful ninja.
His primary combat style involved the use of Wind Style.
This was easy to judge; the man had a cross-shaped scar on his chin.
Legend said he practiced the Vacuum Wave too hard as a kid and slipped.
He accidentally sliced his own chin open with his own jutsu.
It was a lesson: even a dark, scheming old man likely had a stupid past.
Hagoromo thought for a moment and spoke up again.
"With Lord Danzo's intelligence network... surely he doesn't need us as guides."
"I bet he knows enemy territory better than we do."
Hagoromo was certain Danzo was more familiar with the Rain than any of them.
Jiraiya turned his gaze away to the side.
Hagoromo could only see his profile, making it hard to read his expression.
Jiraiya spoke in a very casual tone.
"He doesn't need you to lead him; in fact, his group will be leading yours."
"However... you must be the ones to 'lead' him... understand?"
The words were circular, but Hagoromo understood perfectly.
They weren't there to guide Danzo at all.
They were there to watch him.
Jiraiya clearly didn't trust Shimura Danzo as much as the Third Hokage did.
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