Popular recommendation: "Did they withdraw?"
Sarutobi Asuma, who was patrolling the front lines, stared at the vacant territory in the distance and said in disbelief,
"They probably didn't, right?"
Ever since clashing with the Land of Waves, Asuma had learned just how cruel war could be. During the Third Ninja War, as part of Konoha's new generation, he had not gone to the heart of the battlefield. Most of his missions had involved reconnaissance and transporting supplies.
Things were different now. They had grown up, and as Konoha's pillars, they needed to charge into the front lines. Many shinobi he knew had died at the hands of the Land of Waves' shinobi.
Moreover, ever since the fighting began, that Twelve Kizuki had never retreated a single step. He had fought with the resolve to smash the cauldrons and sink the boats!
Especially given the enemy's immense strength. If Pakura took action, only the combined force of Ino-Shika-Cho could handle her, which had caused Konoha no end of trouble.
"Let's go back and tell everyone first."
Kurenai could not make up her mind either, but the enemy's retreat meant that they had finally achieved a measure of victory in this war.
Before the Land of Waves' shinobi left, Muzan had spent an entire night burying Explosive Tags throughout the area. With a single order, he could turn the whole place upside down.
"This was Shikaku Nara's plan. That man liked to think things through before acting, hoping to achieve the outcome he wanted."
As Muzan pondered this, a thunderous boom suddenly came from afar, accompanied by a mushroom cloud slowly rising into the sky.
Flames and smoke from the explosion blended together. Even Muzan could feel the ground crying out in anguish.
"Let's go. Even if they take this area, it