Chapter 202

The camp was still in motion, and news from the front line couldn't be delivered in time. This delay was troubling and could lead to a series of issues. The best way to address these problems was to move the camp closer to the front lines.

However, while moving the camp sounded simple in theory, executing it was a daunting task. Even though the Sand Village couldn't counterattack and invade the River Country in the short term, establishing a new camp required considerable time and effort. Every department within the camp had to be transferred in phases.

All of this responsibility fell on Orochimaru.

Despite his workload after the war, Orochimaru didn't forget to highlight the achievements of their recent victory. He made sure to report to the village and also informed the daimyo.

The Sand Village, meanwhile, had its own share of struggles. Following their defeat, Chiyo needed to establish contact with the Third Kazekage. As for informing the daimyo, that decision rested solely on the Third Kazekage.

In the Bear Country, the Third Kazekage, who had been pursuing the enemy and was on the verge of crossing into enemy territory, was caught completely off guard.

If the scroll didn't contain the village's encryption code, Chiyo's handwriting, and her seal, the Third Kazekage might have assumed it was an enemy ploy to disrupt his plans.

Lost?

The village had been defeated? Just like that?

Was it Chiyo's incompetence, or was the enemy exceptionally fierce?

For two years, Konoha and the Sand Village had been locked in a stalemate. To suffer such a major defeat so abruptly was a bitter pill for the Third Kazekage to swallow.

He had intended to continue his pursuit and corner the two fleeing Konoha elders at the Bear Country's border. But this shocking news forced him to stop.

"Retreat!"

Leaving only that command, the Third Kazekage ascended into the sky on his iron sand, rushing back to the village as quickly as possible. He needed answers directly from Chiyo.

The defeat was something he could accept—reluctantly—but he had to understand how it happened. Even though the reasons were detailed in the scroll, the Third Kazekage refused to believe them without seeing or hearing it directly from Chiyo.

Meanwhile, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Hamura, who had been desperately fleeing, suddenly noticed that their pursuers had stopped.

"Koharu, do we need to send someone to investigate?" Koharu asked, panic evident in her voice.

"What's there to investigate?" Mitokado Hamura snapped, his patience gone. "Since the enemy has stopped chasing us, we should leave this cursed place and get back to the village immediately!"

His temper had changed drastically.

Mitokado Hamura's usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by frustration and anger. Koharu's earlier decisions had directly led them into this predicament.

The thought of investigating their enemy's sudden retreat made Hamura furious.

Investigate?

Hamura glared at her, his face battered and bloodied from the pursuit. Poison from the enemy's weapons had worsened his injuries, leaving half of his face permanently scarred.

His injuries weren't just a result of bad luck. They were the cost of saving Koharu during the retreat.

For someone who once had endless patience for Koharu, Mitokado Hamura now felt nothing but resentment.

"Koharu, I—"

"Enough! I don't want to hear your apologies."

Hamura cut her off sharply, his voice devoid of any warmth.

Her attempts to speak died in her throat. For the first time, she saw nothing but disdain in his gaze.

"While the enemy has withdrawn, we need to move. We're returning to the Land of Fire and the village as fast as possible," Hamura commanded coldly.

The mission had destroyed whatever goodwill he once had for Koharu. He couldn't help but compare her to Shimura Danzo. One acted recklessly without considering the consequences; the other was impulsive and quick to provoke.

He silently vowed to stay far away from them once they were back in the village.

"Everyone, gather! Leave a team to clean up the traces we've left behind. The rest of you, prepare to march for the Land of Fire immediately," Hamura ordered.

The others cast hesitant glances at Koharu, but they obeyed Hamura without question. They too wanted to leave this hellish battlefield and return home.

At the Sand Village camp, Shinki looked at the ruins and sighed.

"The Sand Village is truly thorough. They even demolished their own buildings to leave us with nothing to use."

Orochimaru, standing beside him, smirked. "Most of those structures weren't demolished by the Sand Village."

Shinki raised an eyebrow, confused.

Orochimaru continued, his tone playful. "Those buildings were destroyed by the self-exploding puppets you created."

Shinki blinked, then surveyed the scene more carefully. The scars on the ground and the scattered debris spoke of violent destruction.

It was true—his puppets had wreaked havoc on the Sand Village camp.

"If it weren't for such an attack," Shinki muttered, "do you think that old woman Chiyo would have retreated?"

Orochimaru chuckled. "Perhaps not."

Rebuilding the camp in this area would take time, but the strategic location made it worthwhile. As they looked around, the war-torn field served as a stark reminder of their victory—and the challenges ahead.

>>>>>

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