The attack had been so effective that Chiyo was left with no choice but to retreat. The losses at the Sand Village camp were so severe that even Chiyo's steadfast resolve couldn't withstand the internal and external pressure. A full-scale assault alone wouldn't have been enough to break her determination.
The camp's devastation, combined with another assault on the front line, forced Chiyo to order a retreat. Without this strategic attack, it would have been nearly impossible for Konoha to push the Sand Village back into the Land of Wind.
Orochimaru offered no comment, merely smiling in agreement as Shinki voiced this truth.
"If it were that easy to drive the Sand Village back, this full-scale war wouldn't have dragged on for nearly a year before finally shifting," Shinki added.
Indeed, the recent victory hinged on Orochimaru's daring strategies and his ability to persuade Shinki to launch a surprise raid on the camp. Without their combined efforts, the war might have continued to grind on indefinitely.
While the ninjas in the camp were busy with the logistics of moving, Shinki and Orochimaru found themselves with a rare moment of respite. After treating a group of injured soldiers, Shinki returned to his earlier state of idle observation.
"Dragging it out..." Orochimaru muttered.
He didn't entertain any naive notions of defeating the Sand Village in a single stroke. Their enemies were formidable and wouldn't fall so easily. Moving forward, the war would devolve into localized skirmishes, with both sides locked in a prolonged struggle.
The Land of Wind was vast, its environment harsh and its weather unforgiving. Such conditions naturally turned the conflict into a war of attrition, where supplies and resources would determine the victor—a battle of endurance.
"The side with deeper reserves will have the upper hand," Orochimaru mused.
Shinki nodded, appreciating that Orochimaru had remained level-headed despite their significant victory.
"By the way," Orochimaru said suddenly, "our people retrieved a batch of puppet parts and materials from the Sand Village's warehouse. Do you want them?"
"No, I don't need those anymore," Shinki replied dismissively. "The fact that they left those materials behind means they aren't worth much. I'll focus on making new puppets with better materials. It'll save me time and effort."
In a hidden temporary camp within the Land of Wind, the Third Kazekage arrived after rushing back at full speed. This camp, initially intended as a logistics station for transferring supplies, had now been repurposed into a command post.
As he entered, the sight of the despondent and hollow expressions of his fellow Sand Village ninjas made the Third Kazekage's heart sink. The defeat had clearly dealt a severe blow to morale.
At the command center, the Third Kazekage took the central seat and spoke coldly. "Chiyo, I need an explanation."
Chiyo, composed yet somber, bowed slightly. "Lord Kazekage, I did not anticipate the shift in the war situation. The responsibility for this defeat lies entirely with me."
Her frank admission caused the tension in the Third Kazekage's face to ease, if only slightly.
"Explain what happened. I want every detail," he demanded. The brief report in the scroll wasn't enough to satisfy him—he needed a comprehensive understanding of what had transpired.
"Yes, my lord," Chiyo began.
"Konoha had meticulously planned this attack. It was led by Konoha's so-called 'God Slayer,' Hyuga Shinki. Using specially crafted puppets, he dropped scrolls containing even more puppets from the sky. Though the camp's sensory ninjas detected something falling, the puppets launched their assault before we could react."
Chiyo continued, her voice steady despite her frustration. "The attack occurred between three and four in the morning—the time when people are most deeply asleep. The camp plunged into chaos immediately."
The Third Kazekage frowned. "The puppets alone couldn't have caused this level of devastation," he said skeptically.
"You're correct," Chiyo admitted. "While the puppets were individually strong, it was their ability to self-destruct that caused the most damage. Their explosions were far more powerful than conventional explosive tags. They detonated on contact—whether it was a person, a structure, or even a tent. Many of our ninjas were killed before they even had the chance to wake fully."
Her voice grew tight with anger as she continued. "This suicidal, self-destructive fighting style left us completely unprepared."
The Third Kazekage could only imagine the sheer chaos of such an assault. He finally conceded, at least internally, that Chiyo's loss wasn't entirely unjustified. Even if he had been present, the outcome might not have been drastically different—though he believed his magnetic release abilities would have mitigated the damage.
"Aerial assaults... such a disgusting tactic," the Third Kazekage muttered through gritted teeth.
Chiyo nodded, her expression grim. "Currently, we have no way to counter Hyuga Shinki's airdrop strategy. Even if we anticipate such an attack, defending against it is nearly impossible. We can't stop all the scrolls from falling, and once the puppets hit the ground, the damage is inevitable."
The Third Kazekage's frustration was evident. "I will take over the front-line camp personally. My magnetic release will at least provide some defense against these cursed puppets."
Chiyo bowed her head in acknowledgment. "Understood. I will return to the village to oversee operations there. Stabilizing morale and organizing resources will require my attention."
This arrangement was logical. With the Third Kazekage at the front lines, Chiyo's presence in the village was critical to maintaining order and managing supplies.
"I'm counting on you," the Third Kazekage said.
"Yes, my lord."
Chiyo wasted no time. After handing over her responsibilities at the camp, she departed for the Sand Village. She knew the war was far from over, and her role in managing the village's resources and personnel would be vital for the battles yet to come.
>>>>>
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