"Mm!"
Kawaki Aoba nodded vigorously, then closed his eyes and began restoring his Chakra.
Yuhi Shinku also closed her eyes, restoring her Chakra while remaining alert to the surroundings, afraid that other Sunagakure ninja might still catch up to them.
A gentle wind swept across the grassland, rustling the wild grass. The air still carried the scent of gunpowder and blood from the battle.
As the sun set, golden rays spilled across the grassland and over Yuhi Shinku and Kawaki Aoba, as though cloaking them in a layer of golden armor.
They had won this battle, but it was not the end. The threat from Sunagakure still remained. They had a long road ahead and many battles yet to fight, but they would not retreat. They were ninja of Konoha; protecting Konoha was their duty and their conviction.
After about two hours, Yuhi Shinku and Kawaki Aoba had finally recovered some Chakra. They stood, dusting the dirt and blood from themselves. Supporting Yuhi Shinku, Kawaki Aoba asked, "Teacher, can we return to Konoha now?"
Yuhi Shinku nodded. "Mm, we can.
We'll return to Konoha now. We must be careful on the way. Although Sasori is dead and we dealt with his three subordinates, we can't rule out the possibility of other Sunagakure ninja. We must stay alert."
"Understood, Teacher. I will."
Kawaki Aoba nodded, supported Yuhi Shinku, and headed toward Konoha.
Their steps were somewhat heavy, yet exceptionally firm. Every step was filled with conviction, every step carrying them toward the goal of protecting Konoha.
After walking for about an hour, Kawaki Aoba suddenly stopped and frowned. He released his Chakra to sense the activity around them, then said quietly to Yuhi Shinku, "Teacher, something's wrong. There are Chakra fluctuations nearby, and more than one. They seem to be Konoha