Hatake and Uchiha Lan's Return

"Can you walk?" Hatake Sakumo asked, studying Uchiha Lan with concern.

"I'm fine, but I'll need a hand." Uchiha Lan gritted his teeth and forced out the words. Pain had left his face pale, but his eyes remained resolute.

Hatake Sakumo offered a strong arm and helped Uchiha Lan slowly to his feet. Leaning on each other, they made their way toward the Konoha Camp, one step at a time. The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground. It was a quiet scene after a brush with death. Though wounded, they were grateful to have survived, and they knew home lay ahead.

Hatake Sakumo's arrival had been like the first light of dawn on the battlefield. His steady, powerful voice had rung out like a great bell, reaching every Konoha Ninja. He stood straight as a pine, his unwavering gaze giving the panicked fighters something to hold on to. Hope flared among them again.

"Charge with me! Show them what Konoha Ninja can do!" Hatake Sakumo roared. The White Fang gleamed coldly in his hand as he led twenty eager Konoha Ninja into a fierce counterattack against the Hidden Stone ninja.

The noise of battle rose to a deafening pitch. War cries, screams, and the thunder of jutsu crashed together. Nearly a hundred combatants had turned the land into a killing field. Jutsu streaked and crossed overhead like a brilliant, deadly meteor shower, their light pouring down on the enemy as though chakra were limitless.

"Lightning Release Hatake Blade Technique—Thousand Lightning Slashes!" Hatake Sakumo shot toward the enemy like a bolt of lightning, leaving afterimages in the crowd. Gripping the White Fang with both hands, he unleashed two sharp slashes. The blades of light tore through the air with a piercing whistle. Then he called forth lightning and