"Phew—finally, it's over!"
Witnessing the Cloud Ninja army retreating, Konoha's ninja could finally exhale a collective sigh of relief. They sheathed their kunai, clambered out of trenches and grassy hideouts, and erupted in excited shouts.
Among them were those who bore severe injuries. Overwhelmed by the victory, some collapsed and couldn't muster the strength to rise again.
"Over here! We need a medic!"
Joyful cries and sorrowful tears echoed throughout the battlefield. These ninja, once adversaries, now bonded through the crucible of this tragic conflict.
The camaraderie forged in the crucible of life and death proved to be the most enduring. Even Uchiha ninja, usually aloof, found themselves softened and extended kindness to civilian comrades who fought shoulder to shoulder within the village.
It was a sense of unity that had been elusive during the past two decades of uneasy peace but quietly fermented on the battlefield—a somewhat ironic development.
While the rift between the ninja families may have diminished, animosities between villages and nations continued to swell.
"Long live Lord Sarutobi!"
"All hail Sarutobi-sama's might!"
"Praise Lord Uchiha Kagami!"
As the war's commander-in-chief and a celebrated hero, Hiruzen Sarutobi, a disciple of the second-generation Hokage Senju Tobirama, naturally garnered the adoration of all. He basked in the limelight and stood as a beacon of hope.
The ninja world is a stage where strength speaks volumes. As one of Tobirama's six disciples, Sarutobi, like Mitokado Homura, would only gain wisdom and experience as he aged. Some, however, silently lamented the poisoning of the battlefield and the inevitable treacherous paths it paved.
Sarutobi, in his twenties, stood shoulder to shoulder with Raikage—an uncommon and potent force. While he may not ascend to Tobirama's heights in the future, he had already earned recognition.
Tobirama, with six disciples hailing from Uchiha, Sarutobi, Shimura, and the three others, had successfully united Konoha's power. The Senju clan, in a broad and calculated move, cast a wide net to gather diverse talents, selecting the best from various interest groups and clan factions to inherit the Will of Fire.
In this Ninja World War, Sarutobi's exemplary performance had placed him at the forefront of Tobirama's disciples. If this war was Tobirama's evaluation, Sarutobi had already surpassed his peers.
"Long live Lord Kagami!"
As another hero, Uchiha's ninja staunchly supported their clan head. Despite the controversies surrounding him, his undeniable strength, coupled with the assistance of others, forced C, the Cloud Ninjas army commander, into a hasty retreat, leaving a brilliant record in his wake.
"Orochimaru, I appreciate you stepping up and fighting for my sake!"
Uchiha Kagami sought out Orochimaru with a smile on his face.
If it weren't for Orochimaru, it wouldn't have been as easy to restrain C.
"Hee hee, no need to thank me. After all, you once took a significant risk by venturing deep into enemy territory to rescue me. I'm just returning the favor; no need for gratitude," Orochimaru modestly replied, wearing a smile.
However, his eyes betrayed no emotion; those snake-like pupils stared indifferently.
The excessively polite tone made it clear that it was a formality, and Orochimaru clearly meant to keep a distance.
"This..."
Observing Orochimaru's calm demeanor, Uchiha Kagami was momentarily stunned, a bit perplexed. He then smiled, patted his shoulder, and walked away slowly.
"Hee, my apologies. I'd rather not get too close to you," Orochimaru whispered casually.
The Uchiha clan members around rarely confronted Orochimaru; instead, they glanced at him and walked away. After all, Orochimaru was the alleged mastermind behind the collapse of the original Third Elder faction. While other Uchihas might not be well-informed about it, they harbored no positive feelings toward Orochimaru and were openly hostile.
Although Orochimaru came to their aid today, the proud Uchihas were not inclined to accept his affection casually. Even when Uchiha Kagami, the clan head, expressed admiration for him, they felt a hint of disdain.
Yet, Orochimaru purposefully maintained his distance from the Uchihas, knowing that these proud individuals would find him more agreeable this way. By doing so, he could gradually diminish their previous prejudices and become just another passerby in their eyes.
The Uchiha clan dynamics were intricate and peculiar, and Orochimaru exercised caution. At this stage, he needed to avoid excessive interaction with the Uchihas because the "Uchiha Dragon" was about to emerge. His current aloofness was a strategic move to keep a low profile.
In Orochimaru's perspective, the Uchiha clan was both a massive treasure trove and a dangerous abyss. If he intended to scheme against the Uchihas, he had to deliberately distance himself from them. He could only observe from the sidelines, relying on others' identities to achieve his goals and ensure a more certain future.
Especially after discovering the suspicious traces of the Black Market's potential attack!
"Huh—what a serious injury; it almost didn't heal!"
At this moment, Tsunade seemed to have rediscovered her sense of purpose and was diligently working to heal and save lives.
In the previous battle, due to Sarutobi's advice, these two "young masters" could only play minor roles, leaving Orochimaru to dominate the battlefield at will.
At that moment, Tsunade began to radiate heat, and Jiraiya rushed over to Sarutobi like a loyal steed, incessantly seeking advice.
"I'll pitch in too!"
Silently, Orochimaru approached Tsunade, who was diligently working. With practiced ease, he donned gloves, picked up a scalpel, and began treating the wounded, reminiscent of a battlefield scenario in the Land of Wind.
Naturally, he seized the opportunity to absorb the cells and blood of the injured from both Konoha and Cloud Ninjas. It was the same routine as before.
"Uh... Orochimaru, what's going on with you? You must have exerted yourself earlier. Let me take over; you can rest."
Tsunade was momentarily taken aback, her face inexplicably flushing. She busied herself with organizing medical equipment, looking a bit flustered.
"But how can that be? There are so many wounded here, and so few medical ninjas. It's my duty to help. Saving lives is like extinguishing fires; that's what I should do!"
Whether influenced by Takeshi or not, Orochimaru spoke these words with complete sincerity, lacking any hint of embarrassment. Instead, he seemed rather righteous.
"Many cells lose vitality over time, so it's best to collect them promptly," Orochimaru thought.
"Uh... Well, thank you so much..." Tsunade appeared a bit overwhelmed. She felt obliged to acknowledge his assistance, though she wasn't entirely sure why she wanted to thank him.
"Sarutobi's apprentice is quite the prodigy. Not only strong at such a young age, but also skilled in medical ninjutsu. Truly impressive!"
"That's true. Look at how harmonious their relationship is!"
Onlooker ninjas observed the two industrious individuals from a distance, nodding and commenting on the seemingly harmonious bond they shared.
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