The Konoha group returned to their original camp first and found that it had not suffered much damage. After realizing they had missed them, the enemy had likely hurried back.
As night fell, the logistics and medical personnel returned as well.
Konoha had suffered more than two hundred casualties in this battle, while killing over four hundred enemies and capturing more than sixty prisoners, including one Jinchuriki.
Some of the severely wounded and the dead would be sent back to the village early the next morning.
Shikaku urgently relayed messages to the village and the Daimyo's Palace, ordering heightened border defenses to prevent the last batch of Cloud Ninja from breaking through and escaping.
Bonfires rose throughout the camp. After dinner, people gathered in twos and threes to chat, though some were in low spirits. Those who had died might have included their friends or relatives.
Shin faintly heard people discussing him. Those who had participated in the battle were recounting what they had seen on the battlefield that day to the logistics personnel.
The fire crackled, and someone began dancing around it, humming a tune and beat from their own mouth.
This was the sort of scene that only appeared after a victory, making people feel that even the deaths had been worth it.
No one knew how many more hard battles lay ahead. More than seven thousand Cloud Ninja were still stationed beyond the border.
The moon shone brightly amid sparse stars, and all things gradually fell asleep.
Shin emerged from the tent and felt a chill. Wrapping his clothes tighter around himself, he walked over to the bonfire to warm up.
The night was deep and heavy, and Shin felt somewhat restless. He felt that he had been given too little time to grow. He had thought