"We have a lot of poisoned people right now. We should return to Konoha as soon as possible."
"I have the antidote now. We can mass-produce it very soon."
As she spoke, Tsunade took out the antidote the Slug Sage had procured and showed it to them.
"How long will your Antidote Pills last?"
Jiraiya frowned as he looked at the Konoha ninja behind them, some of whom were frighteningly pale. He feared that if they collapsed, they might never get back up.
"If they don't fight, they'll last long enough to make it back to the village."
Tsunade knew her own medicine well. If another battle broke out, the Konoha ninja would likely be in grave danger.
"Then let's leave immediately."
"Sakumo-kun, we'll have to trouble you to look after them. We're still injured."
Orochimaru politely explained the situation to Sakumo and the others.
"Alright."
Sakumo nodded in agreement.
Might Duy, Yūhi Shinku, and the other surviving Jonin all nodded as well.
"Let's go."
Kawafune looked at Tsunade as he spoke, and the four of them followed behind the main force.
Sakumo and the others led the way at the front.
Along the road, they could see damaged houses, civilian corpses, and pitiful orphans everywhere.
Even as the victors, Konoha felt no pride at all. This was the sin they had committed.
After resting for the night, the Konoha forces set out again.
The poisoned ninja's conditions did not worsen any further. Just as Tsunade had said, the Antidote Pills had done their job.
On the second day, Kawafune and the other three ate dry rations as they walked slowly behind the main force.
Rain began to fall from the sky, turning into a downpour before long.
The four of them found shelter beneath a bridge.
"The weather in