A New Assignment

At the main frontline camp in the Land of Rivers, the air was thick with the stench of blood, the scent of medicinal herbs, and an oppressive sense of exhaustion. News of the Sandstorm Squad's near annihilation caused little stir. In this massive meat grinder of war, casualties in a single squad were far too common. Yet as Shaye stood amid the bustling camp, he felt an unprecedented loneliness.

Captain Jing Liang had been sent to the severely wounded ward. After emergency treatment by the military medics, his right wrist had been saved, but as Shaye had expected, that hand—and with it, his life as a ninja—was over for good. Xu had been ordered to rest, but emotional trauma was far harder to heal than physical wounds. She often jolted awake from nightmares, fear of those scarlet eyes still lingering in her gaze.

One dead and two wounded. Of the once-coordinated Sandstorm Squad, only Shaye remained fully capable of fighting.

However, the war was at its most intense, and Sunagakure had no time to let anyone wallow in grief. Before long, an order arrived through Elder Chiyo's adjutant.

"Chunin Shaye!" The adjutant's expression was stern. "Given your Medical Ninjutsu capabilities and the current surge in frontline casualties, the medical unit is critically understaffed. By Elder Chiyo's order, you are temporarily requisitioned to report to the field hospital immediately and assist with treating the wounded! No mistakes!"

The order was brief and urgent. Shaye accepted it in silence, without the slightest hesitation. He first went to the severely wounded ward to look at Captain Jing Liang, who was still unconscious, then visited Xu in the temporary rest area. Her condition had stabilized somewhat, but she remained quiet and withdrawn.

"Wait for me to come back," he said softly to Xu. Then