Chapter 108

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"Retreat!"

Rasa gritted his teeth, issuing the retreat order with anger and reluctance. There were problems on the home front, and if he continued to blindly push forward, defeat was inevitable.

Wars between ninjas also consume resources, and not insignificantly. Setting aside basic weapons like shurikens and kunai, just the use of explosive tags could deplete supplies in a battle. If resupply couldn't keep up, it would be easy to suffer significant losses.

Especially since the bulk of the forces in ninja warfare are comprised of Chunin and Genin, who don't have a vast amount of chakra. Explosive tags, serving as substitutes for some C-rank ninja techniques, become the best option for supplementing ninja techniques. Without explosive tags, Chunin and Genin would struggle to engage in prolonged combat.

Besides explosive tags, restorative medicines are also a major consideration. The absence of such supplies severely diminishes a ninja's endurance in battle.

As such, by cutting off the supply for a sufficient duration, the numerical advantage could become a disadvantage, with the well-supplied side chasing down the other.

Rasa couldn't take that risk. He had to move the battleground back into the Land of Wind to shorten the supply line and alleviate the logistical strain.

Seeing Rasa's retreat, Orochimaru immediately led his forces to press forward, reclaiming the territory previously lost. The morale of the Leaf side surged significantly.

"Aragami Kyomu must die!"

Rasa repeated this phrase countless times in his rage within the camp.

After calming down, he asked, "Chiyo, what do you think we should do?"

"Completely withdraw from the Land of Fire, retreat back to the River Country, and form a standoff with Orochimaru's forces."

"This territory was hard-won, giving it up now would waste all our efforts!" Rasa was clearly unwilling. "Chiyo, I still think..."

"Kazekage," Chiyo interrupted. "The war with the Leaf has only been going on for less than four months. The outcomes of a few battles or dragging out the conflict doesn't constitute a significant loss for us.

Don't forget, the other three major hidden villages are still sharpening their knives. As long as we drag this out without significant losses in ninjas or resources, we will ultimately win this war."

Chiyo saw things clearly, having experienced the Second Great Ninja War herself.

"Drag it out, don't show any weaknesses, strive to deplete the Leaf's military strength, especially their elite ninjas. Little by little, we can wear them down. With the current situation, large-scale troop movements are not advisable. We should opt for elite skirmishes at the front and large-scale encirclements in the rear to wear down Orochimaru's front forces while eliminating the thorns in our side.

This steady and secure approach will undoubtedly be effective."

Rasa might not have the strategic or political acumen of Chiyo, but he was persuadable and not overly stubborn.

After some thought, although still with reluctance, Rasa decided to follow Chiyo's advice.

"Let's do as Chiyo suggests."

Then he asked, "Chiyo, should I lead the forces back, or will you personally make the trip?"

"The issue of Kyomu slipping through our fingers originated from me; therefore, I shall take responsibility."

Chiyo decided to personally lead the forces to encircle Kyomu and his team. "There was a first time and a second time, but I will not allow such a thing to happen a third time!"

"Then, I'll leave it to you, Chiyo." Rasa stood up. "I'll arrange for the orderly retreat of the front forces. If you need anything, just let me know."

Chiyo nodded without saying a word, exiting the tent with Rasa as they each set about their tasks.

---

"The Sand's front forces are on the move again."

"It looks like they're planning to leave our territory and retreat back to the River Country," Tsunade pondered. "The Sand seems intent on wearing us down."

"But this is the best course of action for them and presents an insoluble problem for us," Orochimaru said with gritted teeth. "Tsunade, I plan to recall all ninja squads within the River Country and have Kyomu continue to serve as a thorn in the Land of Wind."

"You're giving up on Kyomu?!" Tsunade was shocked.

Orochimaru maintained a stoic face. "Their movements have made their strategy clear—they're blatantly setting up to encircle our squads harassing their rear. With our already limited personnel, and considering all squads in the enemy's rear are composed of elites, continued attrition without reinforcements from the village would leave us defenseless when the Sand launches a major offensive.

Recalling the squads in the River Country while keeping Kyomu as a thorn in their side not only preserves our elite forces but also diverts some of the Sand's attention. It's a win-win situation that benefits us."

Tsunade bit her lip, still disagreeing. "But giving up on Kyomu means we'll lack a team capable of steadily disrupting and raiding the Sand's rear in the future.

Moreover, Kyomu is full of potential and could become a ninja capable of standing on his own, even surpassing Sakumo in strength, given time.

Sacrificing Kyomu for short-term gains is shortsighted and foolish for the future!"

"We're not abandoning him," Orochimaru shook his head. "We're simply unable to offer more help. Moreover, I haven't ordered Kyomu to stay in the Land of Wind without the possibility of retreat.

He's free to withdraw at any time, and I'll arrange for someone to assist him."

Isn't that just self-deception? Tsunade wanted to argue further but Orochimaru stopped her. "We must have faith in Kyomu. If he can break through the Sand's encirclement time and again, he can surely do so this time as well.

Don't forget, Kyomu can summon Ichikishimahime from the Ryūchidō. With her assistance, deceiving the enemy shouldn't be difficult."

Hearing this, Tsunade sighed and gave up on arguing. However, after a pause, she still wanted to push a bit further, to provide as much help as possible on the front.

"I think we should immediately launch an offensive against the Sand's front forces. Making them feel pressured on the battlefield will prevent them from focusing all their forces on encircling our squads in the rear."

"That's all we can do," Orochimaru agreed. "But I can't guarantee the effectiveness. If the Sand is determined, our efforts might not mean much."

"We'll do our best..." Tsunade's mood was somewhat downcast. "If it weren't for the severe shortage of personnel, things wouldn't be this bad."

"We'll stall as long as we can. I believe the future holds a turning point for the war."

"Let's hope so."

Shaking her head, Tsunade turned to leave. Orochimaru wasn't idle either, immediately organizing personnel to chase after the Sand's steadily retreating front forces.

As Tsunade said, the more they could deplete the Sand's forces, the better it would be for the future of the war.

---

**Roran.**

After days of travel, Kyomu and his team arrived here for supplies, perfectly disguised without arousing suspicion.

"What are you looking at, Captain?" 

"Nothing much, just finding Roran quite unique," Kyomu shook his head, moving on. "Maybe after the war ends, or when there's an opportunity, I'll come back for a visit."

The team didn't press further, and Kyomu didn't explain what made Roran so special.

Dragon vein, however, were an alluring power he was keen to tap into—not for time travel but for the chakra they contained. He had no regrets in the past or expectations for the future that made time travel appealing.

Putting his thoughts aside, Kyomu started to feel out the changes in his body. Since acquiring his new passive skill, almost a month had passed.

Apart from decimating a Sand ninja field hospital, Kyomu hadn't killed many Sand ninjas himself, not fully utilizing the passive.

It wasn't that he didn't want to; it was just that the Sand ninja were too numerous, risking being overwhelmed is not a good choice.

Since entering the Land of Wind, Kyomu had been on the defensive, with each aspect of his physicality nearly tripling: stronger, faster, more spirited, and with more chakra.

However, these were just the basics. Fully realizing these improvements in power would take time, which was scarce during the war.

"Kind of jealous of Kakashi and Obito right now," Kyomu mused. "They're probably still on standby in the village. If it were me, I'd definitely be stronger than I am now."

Before he could dwell further, a messenger snake appeared at his feet—it was a message from Orochimaru.

Holding the report, Kyomu's initial glance filled him with frustration.

"I've become expendable?!" he cursed inwardly. Even if the reasons were valid, couldn't they have sought reinforcements from the village, especially with the other three major hidden villages still at bay?

His expression visibly darkened as he quickly formulated a plan.

"Everyone, halt. There's a change in plans."

"Captain, what's happened?"

Kyomu decided not to hide the truth. "The Sand has changed its strategy. They no longer seek a quick victory but plan to solidify their rear and gradually erode our elite forces.

To preserve more of our elites, Orochimaru has recalled all ninja squads from the River Country.

We, deep behind enemy lines, will attract all of the Sand's attention. It's less about the Sand encircling our elites and more about them encircling us."

"What?" Ren and the others were in disbelief. "It shouldn't be like this..."

"The Sand isn't foolish, and this war allows them to drag things out, something we can't afford," Kyomu explained. "The Sand isn't fighting alone, whereas we face battles on multiple fronts. The advantage is clearly theirs.

While I don't agree with Orochimaru's decision, it's the reality."

"Captain, we'll follow your lead," a squad leader immediately expressed support.

"Thank you for your trust."

Nodding, Kyomu issued orders. "Retreat to Roran. Since we can't leave right away, let's use this time to rest and celebrate New Year's in a foreign land."

Kyomu was initially angry but soon showed no signs of panic.

Why panic? In fact, he was somewhat pleased.

Previously, he was worried about not having time to explore Roran's dragon veins due to the war. Now, Orochimaru had inadvertently provided ample time.

It was an unexpected boon, albeit with risks. But Kyomu wasn't in a hurry. With Ichikishimahime's assistance, solving this issue wouldn't be hard.

He was also curious about any connection between the "dragon" in dragon veins and the "dragon" in Ryūchidō.

Just as he was about to turn back, Ren raised a concern.

"Captain, didn't we spot some suspected Sand intelligence ninjas in Roran during our last resupply? They didn't notice us, but I'm worried..."

"Turn them into one of us," Kyomu suggested. "Besides, we don't plan to stay long in Roran. I have a plan."

Ren nodded, following Kyomu back to Roran.

Disguise was necessary, and with so many new faces, they couldn't just stroll through Roran openly.

Opting for a bold move, Kyomu led his team into the queen's palace in Roran.

However, seventy people were too conspicuous, and their presence would inevitably be discovered given enough time.

The consumption of food and water alone would betray them.

When night fell, and everyone was deep in sleep, Kyomu summoned Ichikishimahime, the millennium-old loli, using a summoning jutsu.

The disruption to her sleep left Ichikishimahime in a foul mood, on the verge of lashing out.

"Aragami Kyomu, you better have a good reason for this, or else..."

(End of Chapter)