The sun dipped slowly below the horizon, staining the sky in deep shades of crimson and gold.
As twilight settled over the battlefield, the relentless sounds of slaughter gradually faded. The roar of explosions, the clash of steel, and the cries of battle—all of it began to die down, replaced by an eerie, suffocating silence.
What remained was devastation.
The earth was cracked and torn apart, soaked with blood that had seeped deep into the soil. Broken weapons lay scattered everywhere—kunai bent out of shape, shattered swords, torn scrolls, and splintered armor. Corpses littered the ground, some whole, others unrecognizable, reduced to fragments by overwhelming force.
The battlefield had transformed into a graveyard.
Standing amidst the wreckage, Nara Shikaku faced his opponent across the ruined field.
His usually composed appearance was now in disarray. His clothes were tattered, stained with blood and dirt. Burn marks from Lightning Release techniques scarred his body, and several puncture wounds dotted his arms and torso. Despite his injuries, his posture remained steady, his sharp eyes fixed firmly on the man before him.
"Dodai," Shikaku said, his voice calm but firm, "you've lost. Withdraw."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the battlefield.
"Continuing this fight will only result in meaningless casualties."
Across from him, Dodai stood with a dark expression. His body bore signs of battle as well, though his posture remained upright. His eyes scanned the field—his subordinates, still struggling, still fighting, driven by rage and desperation.
From the moment he had seen Konoha's ninja throwing themselves into battle without regard for their lives, he had understood.
This offensive… had already failed.
And yet—
He clenched his fists tightly.
He didn't want to accept it.
He couldn't accept it.
The Raikage had entrusted him with this mission. He had been given the responsibility of leading this war, of breaking through the Land of Fire's defenses and claiming victory.
He had believed—no, hoped—that this time would be different.
But reality had crushed that hope.
Dodai let out a cold snort.
"Hmph. Don't get cocky, Shikaku," he said, his voice filled with suppressed anger. "The Raikage will not give up."
His gaze hardened.
"Wash your necks and wait. We will return."
Then, raising his voice, he shouted:
"Kumogakure ninja—withdraw!"
His command echoed across the battlefield like thunder.
For a brief moment, it felt as though time itself had stopped.
The fighting ceased.
Blades halted mid-swing. Hands froze mid-seal.
Then, as if a silent agreement had been reached, both sides began to disengage.
The Kumogakure ninja quickly retreated, putting distance between themselves and their opponents. On the other side, the Konoha forces did not pursue.
They couldn't.
Everyone was exhausted—physically and mentally. They had been fighting on sheer willpower alone. Continuing the battle now would only lead to unnecessary deaths.
A strange and surreal scene unfolded.
Enemies who had been locked in deadly combat moments ago now turned away from each other, retreating step by step.
As they withdrew, both sides carried their wounded and gathered the bodies of their fallen comrades.
Those who still had bodies.
For those who had been torn apart in the chaos of battle, there was nothing left to retrieve.
They were left behind—absorbed into the earth.
Next year, the grass here would grow especially lush.
Konoha Camp
The atmosphere in the Konoha camp was heavy and suffocating.
Everywhere, injured ninja lay on the ground or were propped up against makeshift supports. Blood stained the soil, and the air was thick with the scent of medicine, sweat, and iron.
There were too many wounded.
Far too many.
The few medical ninja present were overwhelmed, moving frantically from one patient to another, doing everything they could to keep people alive.
Aoki Yoru sat briefly as someone wrapped a bandage around his arm. His injuries were minor compared to most—just cuts and bruises, nothing life-threatening.
Beside him, Kenta was in a similar condition.
Without wasting time, the two stood up and joined Yui, who was already working tirelessly among the injured.
"Over here—help me hold him down!"
Yui's voice was urgent but controlled.
They rushed over.
A young ninja lay on the ground, his abdomen torn open, his intestines spilling out. His face was pale, his breathing shallow.
Kenta swallowed hard but steadied himself.
Aoki Yoru knelt down and began assisting, his movements precise despite the chaos around him.
There was no time to hesitate.
No time to feel.
They worked quickly, doing everything they could to stabilize the injured.
But the reality was cruel.
Medical supplies were running low.
They had no choice but to prioritize.
Those with severe but treatable injuries were attended to first.
Those missing limbs… were simply bandaged to stop the bleeding.
As long as they were alive, that was enough—for now.
After finishing with one patient, Yui suddenly spoke, her voice unusually quiet.
"Hyuga Taiichi… is dead."
The words hung in the air.
Aoki Yoru and Kenta froze momentarily.
Neither of them spoke.
They had expected this.
They knew that war would claim lives—people they knew, people they had trained with.
But even so—
Hearing it still hit hard.
Aoki Yoru's mind drifted back.
He remembered their first day at the Ninja Academy.
Hyuga Taiichi had stood confidently during his introduction, his eyes full of ambition.
"I will become the pride of the Hyuga Clan," he had declared.
Back then, he had been full of life.
Then, a year later, everything changed.
He had become quiet. Withdrawn.
A seal appeared on his forehead.
After that, he trained relentlessly, pushing himself harder than anyone else. He graduated at the top of his class, but the light in his eyes had dimmed.
And now—
He was gone.
"I wonder…" Kenta muttered softly, his voice heavy, "how many of us will still be alive when this is over."
No one answered immediately.
After a moment, Yui stood up and walked toward the next patient.
"We'll find out," she said simply.
Kumogakure – Raikage's Office
"Bang!"
The sound of shattering wood echoed through the room.
Another table lay in pieces.
The Raikage stood in the center, his expression furious, veins bulging across his forehead. Lightning chakra crackled faintly around his body, distorting the air.
He had just received the report from the front lines.
At first, he had smiled.
He had thought it was news of victory.
Instead—
It was failure.
Complete failure.
His carefully prepared supplies had been destroyed.
His forces had suffered heavy losses.
And the offensive had collapsed.
"Raikage," a calm voice spoke.
Mabui, his secretary, bent down gracefully and picked up the report from the floor.
"This is the tenth table you've destroyed this year."
Her tone was neutral, as if commenting on the weather.
She handed the report back to him.
"Should we consider withdrawing?" she continued. "Rebuilding supplies will put significant strain on the village. Additionally, the Land of Earth has begun making movements."
The Raikage snorted.
"Ōnoki…" he muttered. "That old man only acts when there's something to gain."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Send Nii Yugito to the border. That will keep him in check."
Then, without warning, he stood up and leapt out of the window.
His voice echoed as he disappeared into the distance.
"Mabui, prepare supplies and weapons."
"I'll go personally."
"If we run out of food… we'll take it from the Land of Fire."
Konoha – Hokage Office
Inside the Hokage Office, the atmosphere was tense.
The four senior leaders of Konoha were gathered together.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat at his desk, quietly smoking his pipe as he read the report from the front lines.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Shikaku has done well," he said. "Not only did he destroy the enemy's supply point, but he also repelled their offensive."
Danzo, seated nearby, remained expressionless.
When he spoke, his voice was cold and rough.
"Flying ninja beasts are strategic assets."
"They must be controlled by the village."
"Aoki Yoru must hand it over."
The room fell silent.
Hiruzen glanced at him calmly.
"Absolutely not."
His voice was firm.
"That is his own opportunity."
He exhaled a stream of smoke.
"If we begin taking summoning beasts from individuals, what message does that send to the other clans?"
"It would only create fear and distrust."
Danzo snorted softly but said nothing more.
He had not truly expected to take the creature.
He only wanted to plant the idea.
Homura Mitokado quickly intervened to ease the tension.
"The Raikage will not give up easily," he said. "The next attack will be even more intense."
Hiruzen nodded.
"I will send reinforcements immediately."
He turned to Koharu.
"Accelerate supply collection."
She sighed lightly.
"It will be difficult, but we can manage."
Then—
Danzo spoke again.
"Iwagakure is mobilizing."
The room fell silent once more.
After a long pause, Hiruzen spoke.
"Send all remaining jonin to the Land of Earth front."
"Our clans will contribute as well."
There was no room for argument.
Finally, Danzo stood.
"I will take command of the Land of Lightning front."
Hiruzen shook his head.
"No."
"Jiraiya is already on his way."
"I will personally oversee the Land of Earth."
Danzo's expression darkened.
Without another word, he turned and left, slamming the door behind him.
Walking down the corridor, his face was grim.
"If only…" he muttered, "…I had stepped forward first."
The war had paused.
But everyone knew—
This was only the beginning.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)