Although the Third Kazekage was injured, the Suna ninja returned to the camp slightly earlier than Kawakaze.
The great battle between Konoha and the Suna ninja had also come to a temporary halt. Both sides had suffered losses, and the outcome remained undecided.
After the ceasefire, both sides heaved long sighs of relief—it was too agonizing to continue fighting at such a grueling pace.
Suna Ninja Camp
"Lord Third, what happened to you?"
Pakura looked at the Third Kazekage, who was lying on the bed with a pale complexion. She already had a guess in her mind.
"Konoha's Kawakaze Hatake was there, and the battle was already lost."
The Third Kazekage didn't vent his frustration on his subordinates despite the defeat, but his tone inevitably betrayed his disappointment.
"You lost?" Pakura asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. The Third Kazekage was a man capable of suppressing a Tailed Beast on his own.
"I underestimated him," the Kazekage admitted. Though he didn't answer Pakura's question directly, his current state made the outcome painfully clear.
"In a few days, Hatake Kawakaze will also return to his camp."
"What are we going to do then?" a Suna ninja asked, his voice tense. With even the Kazekage defeated, he couldn't imagine a path forward for Sunagakure.
"Of course, we'll fight to the death. What else do you think?" Pakura snapped, glaring at him. If Sunagakure had any other option, the Kazekage wouldn't have personally come to the battlefield.
The Hokage sat comfortably in Konohagakure, but here they were, pushed to their limits.
It was not without reason that Pakura was regarded as the "hero of the Suna ninja." Her integrity and resolve were far beyond the average ninja.
The Suna ninja who had spoken stiffened his neck but lacked the courage to argue further. The main reason was simple—he couldn't defeat Pakura, and his words only served to hurt morale.
"Cough, cough~"
The Third Kazekage, irritated by the exchange, coughed lightly to regain control of the room.
"What other option do we have besides fighting?" he said sharply. "Become wandering ninjas?"
Though the words weren't spoken harshly, they sent cold sweat running down the Suna ninja's face.
"I will advance and retreat with the village," the Kazekage declared firmly.
"Hmph." Pakura crossed her arms.
"Don't think about anything else," the Kazekage continued. "Focus on surviving the battlefield."
With that, he snorted and waved his hand to dismiss everyone.
In the end, only Bunpuku, who had remained silent throughout, stayed behind.
"Master, I want to ask you a favor."
"Lord Third, just say it."
Bunpuku folded his hands and opened his eyes, which had remained closed until now. He had done everything in his power during this battle.
"If the situation becomes hopeless, can you save Rasa's life?"
The Third Kazekage's voice was heavy. "It would be like preserving a seed for Sunagakure."
The Kazekage cared deeply for his only disciple. He knew Rasa's Magnet Release ability, capable of creating gold, could be crucial for the village's future. Even if this battle ended in failure, Rasa's survival might provide Sunagakure with a chance to rise again.
"Alas..." Bunpuku sighed. "I'm afraid I don't have that kind of ability."
He had lost hope in Shukaku and had been enduring futile attempts to control the beast for years. After being defeated countless times, his confidence in surviving a direct confrontation was almost nonexistent—especially now that the Third Kazekage had also been defeated by Konoha ninja.
"Just do your best," the Third Kazekage said softly. He seemed to have resolved himself to some kind of plan, and without saying anything further, he turned and left the room.
The silence lingered after his departure. Eventually, Bunpuku also left.
Though the Kazekage hadn't returned with good news, an unspoken truce had been established between the Suna ninja and Konoha.
A few nights later, Kawakaze returned to the Konoha camp with supplies. As soon as he entered, he headed straight for Tsunade's tent.
Tsunade, resting inside, immediately woke up upon hearing him. Seeing Kawakaze, she relaxed. The sight of his smiling face made the corners of her mouth lift slightly as well.
"You've worked hard these past few days. I'm back," Kawakaze said, opening his arms.
Tsunade stood and embraced him.
"Everything went well, I hope?" she asked.
"I've driven back the Third Kazekage. How about you?"
Kawakaze's sharp eyes scanned her for signs of injury. He could sense traces of battle in the camp, but the strong, steady chakra presences of Tsunade and Sakumo reassured him. If anything had happened to them, he might have lost control the moment he arrived.
"There were casualties on both sides," Tsunade replied, her tone calm but weary. "The situation remains at a stalemate."
After the quiet embrace, they both sat down by the bed.
"You weren't hurt fighting Shukaku, were you? Let me see." Kawakaze leaned forward, his hands reaching out to inspect her.
"Pat!"
A sharp smack echoed in the tent.
"Can you be serious?" Tsunade's cheeks turned slightly red as she glared at him. This wasn't the place for such behavior, and she felt a tinge of embarrassment.
"I just want to see if you're hurt!" Kawakaze protested, trying to justify himself, though it was clear Tsunade didn't need him to check her condition.
"No, keep those paws to yourself."
Tsunade shot Kawakaze a glare, but her previously dull mood lifted slightly. She couldn't help but feel at ease with him around.
"Are you really not hurt?" Kawakaze asked again, his eyes still wandering over her.
"Ask again, and you're out of here."
Tsunade raised her fist in warning. Her skills in fighting Tailed Beasts had improved recently, and the threat wasn't an idle one.
"Fine, I won't ask." Kawakaze backed off, satisfied that her mood had brightened.
"You're back, and it's about time we launched an attack," Tsunade said. The Suna ninja's recent provocations had worn thin on her patience.
"Kill them all."
Kawakaze's confidence brimmed as he thought about facing the Kazekage again. He felt more in control of the situation now.
"Okay, go get some rest," Tsunade said, waving him off. "We'll discuss it tomorrow."
She wouldn't allow Kawakaze to linger too long; she had to maintain her authority as a commander.
"I have a small request," Kawakaze said, stepping closer.
His sudden proximity startled Tsunade, and she instinctively leaned back, clasping her hands behind her.
"What? What's the request?" she asked, already suspicious of his intentions.
"It's just…" Kawakaze began, leaning closer.
Before she could react, his lips brushed against hers.
"Umm…"
After a long moment, their lips parted. Tsunade's face flushed a deep red. Kawakaze didn't push his luck further and stood to leave.
"Good night, my Princess Tsunade."
"Rascal, I'm going to sleep," Tsunade retorted, kicking Kawakaze in the butt.
He simply chuckled, patted her on the back, and walked out of the tent as if nothing had happened.
"Shameless," Tsunade muttered under her breath, but a faint smile lingered on her face. She didn't lie down to sleep until she was sure he had left.
After meeting with Tsunade, Kawakaze remembered his older brother.
In his tent, Sakumo was still awake, methodically polishing his short sword. He was deep in thought, reflecting on the battles of the past few days—a habit he had cultivated over the years.
"Big Brother."
"You're back."
Sakumo didn't even look up, clearly already aware of Kawakaze's return.
"I was just talking to Tsunade about something," Kawakaze said, settling across from him with a sheepish grin.
"No need to explain," Sakumo replied dryly, continuing his task. He knew where he stood in Kawakaze's priorities and wasn't expecting to be at the top of the list.
"What are you talking about? We're brothers," Kawakaze said with mock sincerity.
"Stop it."
Sakumo was tired of hearing the same old argument—blood is thicker than water—a phrase he used to cling to as a child to justify his own wrongdoings, but if his mind hadn't been as sharp, he might have long ago been fooled into crippling himself.
Kawakaze grinned, but his tone shifted. "I injured the Third Kazekage, but unfortunately, I couldn't kill him."
Sakumo finally glanced up, though he ignored the bragging tone. "Is he seriously injured?"
If the Third Kazekage was in bad shape, Sakumo would be more than ready to lead an immediate offensive.