Dawn broke in the east.
After a night of bloody fighting, the Sarutobi ninja force had suffered heavy casualties.
Rustle!
Hyuga Hiashi ducked into the medical unit's Tent. Groans and screams filled his ears, and everywhere he looked, he saw bloodstained ninja missing arms or legs.
He frowned. "How bad are the casualties?!"
A Sarutobi ninja with Bandages wrapped around his head stepped forward and said coldly, "Hyuga Clan Head! I want to know where the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan users were last night?!"
"Where was the Hyuga Clan while Commander Uchiha Fugaku led us into a bloody battle?!"
Hiashi's gaze sharpened. "Are you questioning me? What's your name?"
The Sarutobi ninja replied grimly, "Sarutobi Hinosuke!"
"Fine, Hinosuke!"
Hiashi spun and pointed toward the camp outside.
Anger filled his face.
"Uchiha Fugaku and I drew up the battle plan together! The Uchiha and Sarutobi ninja were responsible for the main battlefield, while the Hyuga were assigned to support them and protect the camp!"
"Go outside and look. Large parts of the camp have been destroyed!"
"We suffered heavy casualties too!"
Hinosuke clenched his jaw and glanced back at the wounded Sarutobi ninja. "But... we've lost at least a third of our people!"
Hiashi sighed.
"I understand... I'll take full responsibility for our defeat!"
After a pause, Hiashi said helplessly, "Since the Sarutobi Clan can't fight any longer, withdraw. Kirigakure won't let this end here. They started this war, and now that they've won a hard-fought victory, they'll press their advantage!"
"The Hyuga and Uchiha will fight to the death against Kirigakure's next, fiercer assault. Get the wounded out of here, quickly!"
"Fugaku is dead. As acting commander of the First Division, I authorize the Sarutobi ninja to withdraw from the fighting!" Hiashi looked grief-stricken, yet every bit the man putting duty