Hyuga Sho returned to the camp.
When the crowd's cheers had faded into the distance...
Hyuga Sho was already walking alongside Uchiha Fugaku, Jiraiya, and the other high-ranking commanders at the base.
The Fourth Raikage had been defeated.
The battle could no longer continue.
That was determined by Kumogakure's system and traditions.
The failure of its spiritual leader, who was also its strongest fighter, would cause morale to collapse rapidly.
So... the best choice was to return to Kumogakure and recuperate.
A true man knew when to bend and when to stand tall.
The exaggerated injuries on A's exterior after Hyuga Sho's attack had not affected his foundation.
After returning, he would certainly find a way to grow stronger.
But in the short term... Kumogakure would not invade again.
Unless the son couldn't win and had to call his dad out.
They would have the Third Raikage come out of retirement.
However... that would be meaningless.
Because the Third Raikage was already sixty years old.
His idea was to nurture the next generation.
Failure was the mother of success. Sometimes, a setback was not a bad thing.
"I knew you would come, but I didn't expect you to make such a huge commotion."
Uchiha Fugaku smiled.
His serious, square-faced features revealed a rare smile.
"When an ally is in trouble, of course we can't stand by and do nothing."
Hyuga Sho made no attempt to hide it in front of Jiraiya.
He was making it clear that he and the Uchiha Clan had formed an alliance.
As for what Jiraiya thought...
That was not something Hyuga Sho needed to consider.
"Your clanswoman... subordinate, I've already sent people to look for her..."
Uchiha Fugaku was referring to Hyuga Oto.
Their conversation, Jiraiya's silence.
And the awe shown by everyone around them.