After the War

The war was over. The Rock Shinobi had surrendered.

News of it soon swept across the other battlefield.

"What? The Rock Shinobi surrendered?!"

Ebizo, who was commanding the troops against Konoha, froze. His clouded eyes turned grave.

He wasn't surprised that the Rock Shinobi had been beaten into surrendering, but hadn't it happened far too quickly?

What on earth had happened on that battlefield?

"Ōnoki was crushed by Demon God Kazan!"

That explained it.

Ebizo hated Kazan more than anyone. The image of his own sister being punched clean through still haunted him.

He knew better than anyone how terrifying the Ghost of Konoha was.

He thought quickly. With the Rock Shinobi no longer keeping Konoha occupied, the Sand Shinobi had to leave the battlefield.

Otherwise, once Konoha's forces gathered, the Sand Shinobi wouldn't even have a chance to retreat.

"Send the signal. Have the troops withdraw from the Land of Rain, including those attacking the Land of Lightning!"

"Yes, sir!"

The news soon reached Rasa.

Locked in a fierce battle with Orochimaru, he narrowed his eyes.

"Has something gone wrong?"

"The Rock Shinobi lost. Ōnoki nearly died at Demon God Kazan's hands, and the Rock Shinobi have announced their surrender!"

Useless fools!

Rasa clenched his teeth, unwilling to accept it but powerless to change it.

"Withdraw at once!" He made the decision without hesitation and immediately led his troops away.

The Sand Shinobi could no longer take the Land of Lightning. But what about the Rock Shinobi?

The Sand Shinobi had no agreement with them, and even if they had, Rasa would have torn it up.

The Rock Shinobi had suffered heavy casualties, and even their village's Tailed Beasts had been killed. Rasa had no intention of letting such an opportunity pass.

If Ōnoki had been defeated so