Crisis Situation

Night fell, and at the temporary medical area, the emergency treatment of the last batch of severely wounded patients finally came to an end.

Hyuga Tianyi straightened his nearly rigid back and let out a long breath.

His Byakugan had already been deactivated, but the soreness around his eye sockets remained pronounced.

Fortunately, the gentle chakra and vitality continuously provided by Katsuyu had allowed him to hold on.

Aoi gently rubbed her wrist nearby, her face equally full of exhaustion.

"At last... it's under control for now." Aoi spoke softly, looking at Tianyi with relief.

"Thanks to your Byakugan, we were able to find many hidden areas of corrosion."

Tianyi shook his head. Just as he was about to speak, someone walked over to them.

"You two did well." Tsunade praised their work approvingly.

Then her gaze settled on Tianyi.

"Tianyi, come with me. Aoi, you should get some rest too. There's a tough battle tomorrow."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade." Aoi answered respectfully, giving Tianyi a somewhat sympathetic look.

Tianyi paused in slight surprise, but he did not ask any questions and simply followed silently behind Tsunade.

They soon arrived at a cave entrance in the camp, half-enclosed by an enormous rock wall.

Steady firelight and subdued conversation spilled out from within.

Upon entering the cave, they found it far more spacious than expected.

At its center stood a huge sand table roughly built from sand and soil, with small flags of different colors planted across it.

They marked hills, canyons, oases, and possible strongholds on both sides.

Several figures gathered around the edge of the sand table.

Hatake Sakumo stood at the head, with several captains wearing Jonin or Special Jonin forehead protectors beside him.

Most of them were wounded or wrapped in bandages, their faces pale.

Tsunade's arrival drew