During the Battle of Mount Kikyo, nearly 20,000 Sand ninja troops were ultimately reduced to only a few hundred who escaped the Land of Rivers Desert and retreated to the Land of Wind.
Yet Konoha had claimed final victory with fewer than 2,000 casualties.
From Mount Kikyo down to its slopes, dense gray bones covered the entire mountaintop, forming a forest of dead bones.
On cold nights, it seemed as though countless murders and piercing cries echoed there.
Ten years from now, perhaps no one would dare set foot on that mountain again.
The war in the Land of Wind was over, and the Makino Camp was being dismantled as well.
Thousands of Konoha's elite forces had finished assembling and would return to Konoha Village tomorrow morning.
Only the ninja who had been stationed at the border before the war remained behind, continuing to watch Sunagakure's movements.
That night, the camp was quiet. The joy of victory was hidden in everyone's hearts, because two grueling battles still awaited them.
Mirai remained in his tent, pondering a question.
It seemed that, even without sharing it, he was exceptionally skilled in genjutsu.
A single gesture or glance could often send a jonin into a dream.
Dong Ge had once asked Black Zetsu about it, but the old man had merely revealed a strange, sinister smile and told him, "You'll find out later!"
It seemed his body still hid even deeper secrets. Mirai muttered to himself, then narrowed his eyes and looked up at the tent flap.
A slender shadow stood there. It seemed to have been there for a long time, yet also as though it had just arrived.
Dong Song's gaze sharpened. He rose to his feet and walked outside.
A chill lingered in the air, revealing the newcomer's identity.