The Team Downpour was recalled to Kirigakure not even two weeks after the battle of the northern shores ended. Them being so far away from the village was also the perfect alibi for the ongoing investigation on who broke into the Kirigakure's treasury... but didn't take anything at all. Honestly, Rei was quite amused at the disbelieving and uncomprehending looks of the Kirigakure's higher-ups whenever he spied on them discussing it. He naturally left copies of the scrolls in the treasury so all seemed as if somebody was there but didn't take anything. It was driving them sparse and Rei enjoyed every second of it.

Sadly, he found only the jar with the sleeping Six-Tails in it and had no idea where Three-Tails was but he didn't care much about that. Six Tailed Demon was much harder to come by anyway as Rei knew a few events in which the Three-Tails was supposed to 'participate'. He would still have time to act on it later and get some chakra from the beast but the Six-Tails was different. Rei didn't even remember the arc with Utakata as he was totally bored by it and didn't much care about it. ​​

The biggest topics in the village were mainly two things.

Mei's ascension to the first SS-rank ninja ever, and the failure to invade the Land of Fire alongside the loss of the Kiri forces in the battle of northern shores. One was incredibly positive while the other... not so much. It was more than obvious which one was the preferred topic in the village and Mei was simply going sparse by how casually she is being greeted by people who would glare and scorn her just a few weeks ago. She really wasn't happy about it and this time it was her who was glaring at everyone who even tried to open their mouth in order to start a 'casual' conversation with her.

As for the less popular topic... Kirigakure lost 10% of its ninjas in that battle. The order to retreat from the Kumo front was already sent. Officially, Kirigakure was still a part of the war while unofficially, the village lost too much in Konoha to continue fighting. The higher-ups basically decided to hole up and focus on surviving the war rather than participating. Two of the four members of the seven swordsmen fell and only thanks to the other two surviving members did Kirigakure managed to keep their swords. Himeno, the heiress of the Yuki clan died. At least twenty more A-rank shinobi of Kiri also met their end... Kirigakure was simply too exhausted to continue to waste its forces for the war. There was no profit in it anymore.

When Rei heard about the losses, he even felt a pang of guilt for the deceased since it was because of him that Konoha managed to ambush Kiri forces but then he remembered one crucial thing. The commander was the Third Mizukage. He was supposed to be a genius at tactics and he made such a grave oversight as not expecting a searingly warm and pointy welcome when he arrived near the shores? At that point, Rei decided to not bother. Frankly, he expected better from the man.

Speaking of the Mizukage, he became a broken husk of his former glory. The village had to be mostly run by the Council as he grieved for Himeno and that state lasted for three weeks until the Mizukage finally decided to take his responsibilities seriously again and since then, he didn't leave his office at all. Just lucky he had an adjacent bathroom there.

The guy didn't even have the time to chat with the Team Downpour about their recent mission since he was dealing with the fuck-up he caused. Many whispers of removing him and installing the Fourth Mizukage started to be heard in the wind and Rei could only shake his head. Even Konan believed the Kiri was going to become worse for wear.

"Are we finally leaving?" Konan asked as she sat on the couch with Rei's head on her lap while she lovingly caressed his hair. "I am quite fed up with this village. Living normally is nice and all but when you got paper everywhere in order to eavesdrop and know the darker secrets..."

"Yeah," Rei sighed. "I just want a last meeting with Mizukage. Call it my vanity but I want to see his new mental state after he lost the woman he loved. After that, we will use the war to elevate our status, perhaps?" He threw her a mischievous look which she promptly returned.

"Eh? You want to get an SS-rank rating? I doubt it would be so hard." Konan hummed.

"Not only that, we still have a year and a half until the end of this war. We gotta improve the Dimension, get stronger, get better, ahem, I mean get more infamous..." Rei trailed off but then snorted. "I personally don't want to join any other hidden village. They are too constricting and expect their ninjas to serve them to their deaths without question." Rei shook his head. "I have had enough of that in Kirigakure and I must admit we were lucky the Mizukage wanted to accommodate us otherwise it would be far worse and much more uncomfortable."

"Right..." Konan gained a faraway look as she reminisced about the last years. Suddenly she snapped out of it and tilted her head. "What about Tsunade? She should be stuck in Konoha until the war ends."

Rei nodded at her with a slight appreciative smile. "As she should be. That way nobody can associate her with us. It's not like she can't just teleport to the Dimension and train. Furthermore, I am sure she is quite content with having so many free test subjects. Poor patients of Konoha Hospital." Rei snorted mockingly, earning himself a reproachful but amused slap on his shoulder by Konan. Both settled and Rei just enjoyed Konan's finger coursing through his hair for a few moments before he sighed. "I noticed I have been neglecting the creation of new seals since the war started." He idly commented.

"Yes, I have become a bit lazy too. It's time to get back into the form." Konan simply agreed and if Mei or Ringo heard her, they would quickly pale and run for their lives. If the training they were put through was to be considered 'lazy', they didn't want to see what 'real' training was like.

"By the way, Tsunade is getting quite good with Senjutsu. Becoming a real berserker with her instant healing and brute strength."

"Ah?" Konan playfully tilted her head. "Well, you would know. After all, you did spend a few days with her in the Dimension. So? Did she get any better? You know... in bed." She sultrily asked and Rei barked out a laugh.

"Yeah... she is a delight." Before Konan could react, she found herself in a princess carry as Rei marched towards their bedroom. "In fact, I will just show you."

Both laughed at that, lust apparent in their eyes. Somehow, puberty hit them hard, and with the high amount of Nature Energy in their system... let's just say Konan and Tsunade were glad for anti-pregnancy seals. Yet another reason why Rei didn't want to add Mei until she was fifteen years old and was willing after knowing all the facts.

That night became Mei's favorite as she spied through a barely visible mist on Konan and Rei having fun while she was left to her own lonesome devices. Who said training in espionage was boring and unexciting?