As Hyuga Soshi and his companions disappeared from the area.
Only the Rock Ninja Captain's body remained sprawled in the cave, forgotten by everyone.
Meanwhile, in another hidden outpost in this desolate land, a brutal battle had just come to an end.
"Zzt!"
A piercing crack of thunder gradually faded away. The cave, which had been brilliantly illuminated by blazing blue lightning, immediately fell dark.
"Tap!" "Tap!" "Tap!"...
Amid the echoing footsteps in the passage, Namuie's figure slowly emerged into the cave.
He glanced at the dozen or so bodies lying on the ground, their blood pooling around them, and spoke hoarsely.
"Have the ninja from the other great nations really gotten this weak? Even our village's Genin are probably stronger than them."
"Since coming to this continent on the Raikage's orders, I've found that, aside from the Konoha lot being somewhat interesting, the Rock Ninja and Sand Ninja are utterly pathetic."
At his words, one of the several shadows standing in the cave chuckled.
"Namuie, don't use these people as a measure of the Sand Ninja's and Rock Ninja's strength. They're only cannon fodder sent out to scout."
The speaker's voice grew slightly troubled as he continued.
"We haven't encountered the ones who truly represent their strength yet... And I hope we won't..."
Hearing the Cloud Ninja's words, Namuie didn't seem particularly concerned. He simply ignored them.
"You've just been on land too long, Moki. I only believe what I see..."
"From what I've seen so far, neither Konoha nor the Rock Ninja or Sand Ninja have shown any strength that would make the Cloud Ninja wary..."
"Even the Hyuga Clan, said to be the foremost clan in Konoha, is nothing but a bunch of schemers. Set aside their ocular powers, and their ninja talent is nothing special."
"It's