Just as Clan Elder Yangyong had expected—
There were not many Stone Ninja forces in the area to begin with, and the two Jinchuriki both needed to recuperate. They did not immediately counterattack the Kannabi Bridge Outpost, instead watching as Konoha perfected the Sealing Technique around it.
A day and a half later, the support squad led by Dan Katō arrived at the Kannabi Bridge Outpost.
"Captain Kato, thanks for the effort." Seeing Dan Katō's exhausted face, Akaseki hurried over to greet him.
The young Uchiha Chunin beside him quickly said, "Brother Akaseki! You and the two Clan Elders were the ones who worked hard taking the stronghold. What hardship was there in us coming as reinforcements? Even if we had to carry people on our backs, we'd still get here!" As he spoke, he shot Dan Katō—this sickly weakling—an unhappy look.
Dan Katō's mouth twitched. Indeed, he had been unable to keep going halfway through the journey, and Mokume had carried him for part of the way.
Dan Katō had no strength to refute the Uchiha Chunin's mockery.
Akaseki:
As expected of my Uchiha clansman. His social awareness was reliably terrible.
Dan Katō grinned with pale lips. "That's right. The success of this surprise attack will be a huge help to both the front lines and the rear. Where is Captain Akimichi?"
"Resting. Should I call him?" Akaseki looked worried at Dan Katō's condition.
It seemed Dan Katō had truly been exhausted by the journey. His body had always been relatively weak, and besides—
Akaseki had always worried that Captain Kato's injuries from Yugakure had not fully healed. He had looked haggard even before this, otherwise he would not have repeatedly requested to join the battle, only for the Hokage Building to keep him from the front lines. With