On the West Capital Plateau in the Land of Lightning, Kumogakure's senior leaders led their army away with grim faces after completing the exchange. Though the outcome left them deeply displeased, they had no choice.
Konoha's senior leaders stood where they were, watching the Cloud Ninja army race eastward, their expressions varied.
"Lord Nawaki, are we really just letting them leave? There may only be sixty thousand of them, but they're still a threat! If we intercepted them along the way, we should be able to..."
Dan Katō, who had barely made his presence felt throughout the meeting, suddenly offered his suggestion with a fierce expression.
The members of Konoha High Command present reacted differently. Some frowned and shook their heads, while others looked eager to try.
Nawaki shook his head. "There's no need! We've already gained enough from the Land of Lightning, and Konoha has no appetite for swallowing this entire country in one go!
"I already have a complete plan. Like Sunagakure, Kumogakure will never pose a threat to me. Our main enemy now is the Land of Water!
"Make your preparations. We'll soon be leaving the Land of Lightning for the next battlefield!"
None of Konoha's senior leaders present objected to Nawaki's orders. All responded respectfully, "Yes, Lord Nawaki!"
That afternoon, under Nawaki's orders, the three hundred thousand allied troops in the Land of Snow crossed the undefended Angel Mountains and entered the Land of Lightning, joining Konoha's main force and taking full control of the Land of Lightning's western border.
Such a massive upheaval in the western part of the continent could no longer be concealed from the other nations' leaders. They soon obtained detailed intelligence on the Land of Lightning.
When news broke of the Land of Lightning's complete surrender and the terms of the