Despite the Rock Village's withdrawal, Konoha pursued the Sand Village, and the Rain Village followed suit, applying pressure and escalating casualties. It was clear that the Sand Village wouldn't linger in the Rain Country's quagmire any longer.
They made a decisive withdrawal, consolidating their forces in the Land of Rivers. But leaving the Rain Country didn't end the conflict; instead, it marked the beginning of a full-scale war between Konoha and the Sand Village.
Now, only Konoha and the Rain Village remained in the once-crowded battlefield.
Bad news arrived one after another.
At the command center, Shinki and Nara Shukako sipped their hot tea. Nara Shukako's face was lined with concern.
"Thank goodness I listened to your advice earlier and requested the village send additional supplies. Otherwise, we'd soon be facing a crisis with no resources left," Shukako said, sounding weary.
The Sand Village, determined to secure victory, had dispatched elite teams deep into the Land of Fire, sabotaging supply routes between Konoha and the front-line camp.
Konoha had prepared for such moves but underestimated the lengths to which the Sand Village would go. The result was a complete disruption of supply lines.
And it wasn't just the disruption of supplies; the Sand Village's elite teams wreaked havoc across the Land of Fire, forcing the Third Hokage into a frenzy. He tugged at his beard in frustration, issuing orders to root out and eliminate these infiltrators.
Even reinforcements from the front-line camp were called back to address the crisis. Among them was Hatake Sakumo, who had become a symbol of relentless dedication. There was even speculation that he might face the same tragedy as in the original timeline, where he killed Sasori's parents.
"It's always better to be prepared," Shinki replied calmly.
With the Rock and Sand Villages withdrawn, Konoha's primary foe was the half-decimated Rain Village. The camp's pressure eased, and fewer injured arrived daily, giving Shinki more breathing room.
"I hope the infiltrators in the Land of Fire are dealt with soon," Shukako said, rubbing his face. "The war may seem more favorable to Konoha, but our casualties are still climbing."
Shukako sighed and asked with a trace of hope, "Shinki, is there really no way to create an antidote for Hanzo's poison?"
The casualties among Konoha's forces kept rising. Most of those deaths were not due to direct combat but poisoning.
The culprit? Hanzo of the Salamander.
Shinki shook his head. "Even if Tsunade herself were here, there wouldn't be a quick solution. This poison is extraordinary, causing cumulative damage. The more poison gas a person inhales, the faster they die. It's not like any ordinary toxin."
"Even Hanzo himself needs to wear a gas mask. Crafting an antidote is extremely complex and time-consuming."
The harsh reality was that Konoha couldn't provide every ninja with a gas mask. The cost was prohibitive. Without an antidote or masks, Hanzo's poison was a nightmare that resulted in severe losses.
"Damn it!" Shukako swore under his breath.
Smiling faintly, Shinki added, "Senior, make sure to send the casualty report to the village as soon as possible. Maybe when the Hokage sees the numbers, he'll finally consider pulling out of the Rain Country."
The Third Hokage's reaction to the casualty report would surely be priceless.
"And remind him to hurry up with the supplies. We can't have our ninjas going hungry while fighting."
Why do I feel like laughing? This pursuit of glory comes at a high cost.
Some might get their faces metaphorically slapped by reality.
"Haha… I will." Shukako started, catching himself as he noticed Shinki's sudden burst of laughter. He could only warn him, "Keep your voice down. The camp's atmosphere is tense. If someone catches you laughing, you'll be reprimanded."
"Haha, sorry, senior. I just couldn't help it."
"Pfft…" Shukako chuckled despite himself.
The situation was comical in a dark way. The leadership back in Konoha, the so-called F4, were undoubtedly under immense pressure.
Even before the full-scale battle began in the Land of Rivers, the Land of Fire was already in chaos. The Sand Village's elite teams had caused widespread panic, drawing the ire of the Daimyo. Furious, he sent emissaries to the Hokage to demand answers.
Konoha, with all its power, was allowing enemy ninjas to infiltrate and wreak havoc? Was their famed strength just for show?
The Daimyo cared little about the intensity of external wars as long as Konoha was funded and kept the Fire Country safe. But seeing villages burn and people die impacted his own interests, and his anger was palpable.
Before the Daimyo's fury could be placated, more bad news came from the Rain Country.
Not only were casualties rising, but the disruption in supply lines left the front-line camp short on resources. They were on the brink of running out of food. Fighting a war without ninja tools or supplies was a joke.
One disaster followed another, pushing even the prepared Third Hokage to the edge.
"What is Shukako doing?! The Rock Village has withdrawn, the Sand Village is gone, and it's just us and the Rain Village now. Why are our losses increasing?" The Third Hokage's voice broke as he slammed the damage report onto his desk.
In the chaotic melee, Konoha had seemed confident. But now that only they and the Rain Village remained, the casualty numbers were alarming.
"Hiruzen, calm yourself. You're the Hokage; you mustn't lose composure," Mitokado Hamura urged, attempting to soothe his old friend. "I think we all underestimated Hanzo. His poison is far worse than we imagined."
Of the hundred Konoha ninja who died, nearly ninety fell to poisoning. Such a death rate was appalling and unacceptable.
"Hasn't the camp developed a targeted antidote yet?" Utatane Koharu asked, worry creasing her features.
"We've tried, but failed," the Third Hokage replied, fists clenched. He couldn't tell if Shinki was genuinely unable to create an antidote or simply covering for himself.
"And Tsunade? What about her?"
Koharu's question hung in the air. The Third Hokage grimaced, reluctant to answer.
He had already sent someone to ask Tsunade, only to have them sent back, dismissed by her outright.
>>>>>
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