The Konoha Ninja stood all around, watching the scene with wary, grave expressions.
Yet no one dared to stop Sosuke from leaving.
Even Captain Kazumi had been taken down in a single strike. What good would it do for them to step in?
And so Sosuke calmly made his way toward the village gates, with the Rock Ninja following close behind.
At that moment,
Jiraiya stepped in front of Tsunade. His expression was heavy, his eyes downcast as he asked quietly,
"How is Captain Kazumi's injury?"
Tsunade was doing her best to heal Kazumi. She discreetly wiped the tears from her face and rallied herself, though her voice remained slightly hoarse.
"If the wound had been even a little farther off, it would have pierced her heart. At that point, no one could have saved her."
"Fortunately, the blade went through the tissue above her heart. Aside from causing significant blood loss, it didn't do much damage."
At her words, the dejection in Jiraiya's eyes gave way to a growing brightness.
He stared at Tsunade, asking hesitantly,
"Tsunade... do you think... someone with Sosuke's skill could have missed with his blade?"
Jiraiya's words gave Tsunade pause. She had been so focused on treating Kazumi that the thought hadn't occurred to her.
Given Sosuke's calculating nature, if he had truly wanted to kill her, why would he have left them a chance to save Kazumi?
"Are you saying... Sosuke hasn't completely turned his back on Konoha? That... he still has feelings for us!?"
Her eyes lit up, and her trembling voice carried a faint, barely perceptible note of excitement.
At her words, Jiraiya nodded firmly. The dejection in his eyes had vanished, replaced by resolve.
"If that guy still cares about us, then... no matter what it takes, I'll bring him