Chapter 135

It's a bloody and ruthless battle, with no room for pretense. Kaguya Clan and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are both fierce and warlike. The Shinōbi of Sunagakure have a simple mindset—failure means the village will demand an explanation, and defecting means their entire family will be held accountable. Moreover, Hitoshi's son is still in school, and if he doesn't hold his ground here, Kirigakure's forces will overrun Kaze no Kuni, putting their homes at risk even if the Sāndaime Kazekage manages to repel them. Therefore, the best course of action is to fight with full strength, strike hard against Kirigakure's Shinōbi, and strive to win the war.

After a day of intense fighting, both Kirigakure and Sunagakure suffered heavy losses. Over 300 people were killed on each side, and the remaining Shinōbi were almost all injured to varying degrees. The injured numbered nearly 2,000, rendering them temporarily unable to return to the battlefield. The ferocity of the battle caused both Yasuke and Kaguya Clan to pause and reflect on the situation.

At the Kirigakure fleet, Kaguya Clan listened to his subordinates with a grim expression. One cautious Mist Ninja suggested finding a way to address the wounded, as their presence on the ship would lead to infections and dampen morale. Kaguya Clan, known for their warlike and irrational nature, raised his head and scanned the Mist Ninjas present with fierce eyes. Eventually, he lowered his gaze to the bandage on his chest and twitched his mouth. He realized that the battle had been pushed to its limits.

"Let's return. I remember there's a small island nearby. Send someone to explore it. If there are people, shoot them down; if not, we'll rest there. We can't afford to have no one there, and we can't afford to reduce the intensity of our daily battles," Kaguya Clan ordered, his contemplation evident.

Observing Kaguya Clan and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist heave sighs of relief, Yasuke couldn't help but find their relief amusing. They had all suffered significant injuries in the battle. Nearly all seven of them were wounded, and the Suna Shinōbi faced them with the mindset of exchanging wounds for wounds and taking lives. After all, the reputation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist wasn't stellar. Furthermore, their assassination techniques, their forte, were rendered useless. The Kirigakure assassination techniques relied on the assistance of specific Kirigakure techniques. However, when confronted with a dense fog and the onslaught of Chakra Guns, they had no chance to execute their skills.

Yasuke, too, found himself in a similar predicament. Battling both Kaguya Clan and Three-Tails, particularly the desperate Kaguya Clan, had taken a toll on him. He had sustained several wounds, although not severe, they required bandaging. Luckily, Sunagakure had an ample supply of medical Shinōbi and medicinal ingredients. Those in need of treatment and rest were swiftly transferred to the nearby sea city.

Yasuke contemplated his situation, realizing that fighting like this was too dangerous. He needed to enhance his defensive power. Examining the scar on his chest, he grimaced. He had been forced to withstand numerous strikes from Kaguya Clan. Kaguya Clan had the ability to create bones outside his body to enhance his defense, making him fearless in hand-to-hand combat. Yasuke, on the other hand, lacked that advantage.

"Perhaps I can explore the possibilities of Shikotsumyaku," Yasuke thought, considering Kaguya Clan's bone-manipulating abilities. He furrowed his brow momentarily before dismissing the thought. If he set his mind to it, he could accomplish anything. Manipulating his Kekei Genkai, he pulled out iron sand from the ground, covering his entire body. Soon, a black-clad Yasuke emerged. He picked up a shuriken and stabbed himself, the resulting clash of metal reassuring him. He began refining this style.

Meanwhile, both the Third-Mizukage and Hitoshi pondered their positions as the war escalated. The two of them had experienced the exhilaration of the battle from the start. Over 300 people had died directly in combat, and nearly 2,000 Shinōbi required treatment and rest. Considering that Suna Shinōbi had initially deployed over 9,000 troops, and Mist Ninja numbered over 10,000, the withdrawal of one in ten individuals was substantial. Hitoshi, upon observing the battlefield, couldn't help but express his frustration.

He hadn't fought in the war nor commanded it, and he had never encountered such madness before. Ultimately, Hitoshi consoled himself, realizing that sometimes ruthlessness was necessary for a modicum of peace. The Third-Mizukage's reaction was less composed. After receiving the report, he was ready to jump onto a speedboat and swing his 40-meter ice blade at Kaguya Clan. Frustrated by the sudden shift in plans, he questioned whether they were being too excessive. However, Hōzuki Clan Leader stepped in, suggesting that Chief Kaguya Clan retreat slightly, find a small island for rest, lower the intensity of the battle, and focus on training their troops. The Third-Mizukage sighed and dispatched a batch of medical Shinōbi and medicinal ingredients to treat the injured promptly, ensuring minimal non-combat losses.

The events in Kirigakure and Sunagakure didn't go unnoticed by the other Hidden Villages. They sent messages of congratulations, expressing their awe at the intensity of the battle between the two villages. Others remarked that the fighters from Kirigakure and Sunagakure were true men, displaying exceptional bravery by engaging in such high-intensity combat. They noted that their own battles, which resulted in killing a dozen enemies each day, already left them feeling stressed. In comparison, Kirigakure and Sunagakure had lost over 300 soldiers at once, with nearly a thousand injured and in need of rest. Some even applauded their resilience, jokingly suggesting that they aim for 500 battle casualties next time. They held Kirigakure and Sunagakure in high esteem, admiring their indomitable spirit and unwavering resolve.