The horizon stretched endlessly, its fiery hues blending into the bloodstained coastline. The setting sun cast a somber glow over the battlefield, where the echoes of a brutal war still lingered.
On the shoreline, Konoha ninjas worked tirelessly, collecting their fallen comrades and assessing the aftermath. Despite their victory, no one smiled. The air was thick with grief and exhaustion, the weight of their losses eclipsing any sense of triumph.
Scattered across the battlefield were the broken bodies of countless comrades who would never return to the village. Among the survivors, the atmosphere was heavy with guilt and sorrow. Victory had come at too steep a price.
In the distance, Fugaku, Nawaki, and other senior figures stood silently, their eyes fixed on a lone figure kneeling by the mangled corpse of Uchiha Yoru. The man hadn't moved in hours.
As the sky darkened, the grim task of cleaning the battlefield finally drew to a close. A Konoha ninja approached Fugaku, handing him the battle damage report. Fugaku accepted the scroll and unrolled it with a steady hand, though his expression betrayed his apprehension.
His dark eyes scanned the report, and as expected, the news was grim. Of the nearly two thousand Konoha ninjas who had fought, nearly half were dead. Many of the survivors bore grievous injuries.
Crack.
Fugaku's fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white. The sound of bones grinding against each other was barely audible over the crashing waves.
Teeth gritted, Fugaku turned to those around him. His voice was measured but filled with steel. "Send this information back to the village. Tell them Uchiha Fugaku is prepared to accept any punishment. However, I have one request."
He paused, his Sharingan flaring with bloodshot intensity. "Once the war stabilizes, we must uncover the identity of the one who poisoned our troops. Issue a bounty with the highest reward—our clan will cover all costs."
Fugaku's gaze lingered on Uchiha Yoruki, who was still kneeling by Yoru's body. The complicated emotions in Fugaku's eyes were fleeting but undeniable.
Meanwhile, in Konoha's operations meeting room, a suffocating tension hung in the air.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat at the head of the table, the battle report lying open before him. His weathered hands trembled as he read, and when he finally set the document down, the table beneath his fingers quaked violently.
"Boom!"
With a sudden burst of chakra, the table splintered and shattered, sending shards flying across the room.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu flinched at the display of fury, their aged faces twitching in discomfort.
Danzo, seated to the side, remained stoic, though his calculating eyes gleamed with a hint of opportunism. "Sarutobi," he began, his tone deliberate, "while the losses were severe, this victory leaves Kirigakure in a weakened state. Only three members of their infamous Seven Swordsmen remain. This is an opportunity."
Danzo's eyes glinted as he leaned forward. "We could redirect forces from Kirigakure to the Land of Rain. If we reinforce that border, we might finally break the stalemate."
Homura and Koharu nodded in agreement, their gazes shifting to the Third Hokage for approval.
Hiruzen's face was a mask of restrained fury, but Danzo's words struck a chord. After a long silence, the Hokage exhaled deeply. "Very well. Reinforcements will be sent to the Land of Rain."
He paused, his sharp eyes narrowing. "But only one."
Danzo blinked in surprise. "Only one?"
"Uchiha Yoruki," Hiruzen said firmly.
The intelligence report had highlighted Yoruki's pivotal role in the recent battle. His awakening of the Mangekyō Sharingan had turned the tide of war, a feat impossible to ignore.
At the border of the Land of Rain, the war had dragged on endlessly. Konoha's forces, led by Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya, had managed to hold their ground against formidable opponents, including the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, Roshi. Yet, even with their strength, victory remained elusive.
Yoruki's Mangekyō Sharingan could tip the scales.
Homura nodded in agreement. "A single reinforcement would minimize risks on other fronts. Yoruki's abilities should be sufficient to break the stalemate."
Koharu added, "With Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique, he can transport Yoruki to the battlefield without leaving his own position vulnerable."
Hiruzen's gaze hardened. "Inform Minato immediately. Ensure he understands the importance of this mission."
Homura bowed slightly. "Understood."
Danzo, however, was less enthused. His sharp features twisted in dissatisfaction. "What of Uchiha Fugaku's proposal? Should we truly honor it?"
At this, Hiruzen's calm facade cracked, and his eyes blazed with fury. "The individual responsible for poisoning our troops nearly wiped out an entire division. We will pursue them relentlessly. This is not a matter of debate!"
Homura and Koharu exchanged cautious glances. Hiruzen's unwavering commitment to the safety of Konoha's shinobi was both his greatest strength and his greatest vulnerability.
"As for Fugaku," Hiruzen continued, his tone softening, "he bears no blame. Instead, the heroism displayed in this battle must be acknowledged. The sacrifices made here will not be forgotten."
Danzo's lips thinned into a line. "And what of Yoruki? The power of the Mangekyō Sharingan is no small matter. Its potential to shift the balance of power within the village cannot be ignored."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "That's enough, Danzo."
The Third Hokage's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "The Uchiha clan fought and bled for Konoha today. If we exploit this tragedy to sow distrust, we risk alienating every ninja who stands on the front lines."
Danzo's expression darkened, but he held his tongue.
Hiruzen's voice softened, but his resolve remained firm. "Konoha belongs to all of us, not to any one clan or individual. Do not bring this up again."
The room fell silent, the weight of the Hokage's words settling over everyone.
After a long pause, Homura nodded. "Let us proceed as the Hokage commands."
Back on the battlefield, the bodies of Konoha's fallen had been laid to rest, their comrades performing rites of farewell with solemn reverence.
Uchiha Yoruki stood alone, his grief etched into his features as he stared at the horizon. The blood-red sun dipped below the waves, its glow fading into the encroaching darkness.
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