Rain still fell over the Land of Rain. Covered in blood, Orochimaru pulled his kunai free. The Stone shinobi before him collapsed, twitched, and soon stopped breathing.
Orochimaru let out a long breath. The anger in his heart gradually subsided. He had kept up this frenzied slaughter for three days and nights.
He had fought without stopping, suffering countless wounds along the way. As long as an injury was not fatal, it could not slow him down.
Konoha Camp continued to operate as usual. Orochimaru's arrival let the shinobi there breathe a sigh of relief.
A Medical Ninja soon came over to treat Orochimaru's wounds.
"Lord Orochimaru."
A Jonin approached.
Orochimaru nodded. "Has there been any word from Konoha?"
"The village sent word. If we find no trace of Danzo, we're to withdraw to Konoha for now. Danzo may have deliberately drawn Konoha's attention to the Land of Rain."
"Then gather the shinobi. Prepare to withdraw."
"Yes."
In Konoha, Land of Fire, the shinobi transporting the body finally arrived after three days of travel. The Third Hokage held a funeral.
Nearly every family in Konoha sent someone to attend. After all, the deceased was the First Hokage's grandson.
A few days after the funeral, Orochimaru led his team back to Konoha. On the surface, nothing had changed between the Three Sannin.
But Fugaku could see a faint rift had formed between them. At the very least, Orochimaru and Tsunade could no longer talk about everything as they once had.
Time passed slowly in that calm.
It was a peaceful day for Konoha, but not for the Hatake family. Kakashi, who would become a leading figure of Konoha's next generation, was born that day.
Reiko had a difficult labor. Tsunade arrived in time to save her life, but the ordeal left