Chiyo and Tsunade locked eyes, each gaze burning with a fury that seemed ready to ignite the air between them.
Ninjas from both sides continued landing behind their respective leaders, the atmosphere growing increasingly cold and solemn.
As commanding officers of the Konoha and Suna forces, even though both were now battered and bruised, as long as neither called for a halt, the battle would continue.
"You're quite something, young lady," Chiyo finally said slowly after a long pause, her voice slightly trembling.
After continuous fighting—especially Tsunade's last punch that forcibly interrupted her technique—Chiyo's already weakened chakra had been violently severed, surging chaotically through her meridians and causing serious internal damage.
As for Tsunade herself, she was no different—every cell in her body had reached its breaking point. If not for Katsuyu restoring some of her strength at the last moment and her own iron willpower, she would have collapsed on the spot.
"Old hag, you're not too shabby either," Tsunade shot back sharply, though inwardly she acknowledged Chiyo's strength. In a one-on-one fight, she knew she definitely wouldn't stand a chance now.
At this, Chiyo showed neither pleasure nor anger. After a slight pause, she tightened her lips and said, "Even if Konoha in the Land of Fire seeks revenge, I believe we've already paid enough compensation by now, don't you think?"
Since Konoha forces had entered the Land of Wind, Sunagakure had already suffered tremendous losses.
If they still harbored resentment over the Rain Village incident, those damages should more than make up for it.
At this stage of the war, both sides were nearing their breaking points. If the battle continued, there would be no choice but for the two Kage themselves to step in directly.
Even though Konoha's Third Hokage was powerful, Sunagakure's Third Kazekage was certainly no pushover either.
Once that point was reached, ending the war between the two nations would become extremely difficult.
Yet immediately, Tsunade sneered coldly, saying, "Enough? Do you really think it's that simple?"
"If things hadn't changed unexpectedly, most of us here today would have died in the Land of Rain."
"Do you really think this matter can just be dropped, Elder Chiyo?"
Her body was weak, but her tone remained sharp and unyielding—the two surprise attacks by the Suna ninja had nearly caused devastating losses to Konoha.
Moreover, without Minato stealing back Desert's Sorrow from Sunagakure and successfully producing an antidote, the poison created by Chiyo alone could have wiped out most Konoha ninja present here.
Hearing Tsunade's words grow colder with every sentence, Chiyo's face darkened like the bottom of a cooking pot.
Tsunade's words made Konoha's stance perfectly clear.
It looked like they absolutely would not back down.
Echoing the mood of every Konoha ninja present, they all glared at the enemy with predator-like intensity, eager to rip each one apart.
Though the Suna ninja felt the same bitterness, their fury lacked the overwhelming dominance shown by Konoha.
After all, Konoha had always stood at the top of the Five Great Ninja Nations, while Sunagakure had long been at the bottom.
Such perceptions had long been ingrained in the minds of most people.
Tensions flared when even the strongest Hidden Village found itself challenged — and the reactions among the ninja were far from unified.
"What exactly do you plan to do? Do you really think your group can flatten our Sunagakure?" Chiyo sneered. Even if Konoha was a fierce tiger, Sunagakure was no weak prey to be hunted at will.
Two powerful foes clashed—victory wouldn't come without a heavy price.
"Flattening your entire village is too bold a claim, but eliminating your Puppet Brigade and capturing the lives of leaders Kouhi and Liufei—Konoha is quite confident about that." Sakumo Hatake coldly declared from behind Tsunade.
"You want our heads? Try taking them—if you dare!"
Kouhi and Liufei erupted in anger, both instantly raising their voices in outrage.
"Both of you shut up!"
Chiyo shouted to silence them. Whether due to rank or seniority, neither dared defy her command.
Despite being wounded, Chiyo still exuded formidable presence as she glared at Sakumo Hatake. "Sakumo Hatake, you are indeed a troublesome opponent," she said icily. "But if you seek their lives, you may end up losing your own."
Her tone was sharp and resolute. Whether it was the Puppet Brigade or Kouhi and Liufei themselves, they were forces under her command.
Any loss would shake her authority within the village.
"Feel free to try!"
Sakumo's voice remained calm, yet his eyes burned with intense killing intent. Kouhi and Liufei shared the same grim determination.
"If that's settled, how about another battle in one month—this time a life-or-death match?" Tsunade suddenly spoke.
Hearing this, Kouhi shot back immediately, "If we're going to fight, why wait a whole month?"
"If you don't mind that old hag behind you dropping dead from shock, I have no objection." Tsunade replied naturally, casting a glance toward Chiyo behind Kouhi.
Kouhi fell silent at once.
"One month—you must have some trick up your sleeve." Chiyo, however, sensed something suspicious beneath Tsunade's words and questioned her with mild confusion.
"Nothing special." Naturally, Tsunade wouldn't reveal the truth—that she had arranged to meet Minato in roughly a month.
With his help, Sakumo Hatake would finally stand a chance against Liufei's Metallic Puppet.
After a brief pause, Chiyo said, "Since you refuse to explain, we'll take our leave now. Feel free to stop us if you wish."
With that, Liufei helped her up, and together they turned to leave.
This scene happened to be witnessed by a somewhat recovered Minato and Mikoto.
They had just reached the ridge overlooking the valley, watching everything unfold from above.
Sensing the turbulent chakra signatures of Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Chiyo, Minato quickly pieced together what had occurred.
These three had fought each other to mutual destruction.
Minato hadn't expected such an outcome—not because he underestimated Tsunade and Orochimaru, but because he was surprised they managed to fight Chiyo to such an extent.
Yet as he anticipated, despite reaching this point, neither side showed signs of final war or retreat.
"I have no problem with that either. But in one month, unless you hide yourselves back inside Sunagakure, Konoha will come find you."
"Retreat!" Tsunade's voice rang out from behind. Chiyo slightly turned her head and ordered the surrounding Suna Ninja Unit.
The Suna Ninja quickly left this valley, which had been utterly devastated by battle.
Tsunade immediately sat down on the spot and looked over at Orochimaru beside her. He, too, seemed to be nearing his limit. She asked, "Are you okay?"
Orochimaru smirked coldly, "'Not dead yet.'"
"Hmph." Tsunade muttered under her breath, her eyelids growing heavier.
Just as she was losing consciousness, two figures leapt down from above the valley.
Junko Watanabe had already sensed them, and Sakumo shifted his gaze as well.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The two landed in front of the group—it turned out to be Minato and Mikoto...
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