After the Land of Water's army withdrew, it would not launch another attack for a while. Hiruzen Sarutobi began putting the City in order, sending the severely wounded away for treatment and having the bodies cleared away. Those with minor injuries rested where they were. Everyone was exhausted after the prolonged fighting, and almost as soon as the order to rest came, they slumped to the ground.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly at the sight. He understood the defenders' reaction—the pressure of the Enemy Forces' attacks had been immense, and this was what happened when they finally relaxed. But it was not a good sign. It meant the defenders were close to their limit and could be pushed past it at any moment.
Standing beside the City wall, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the Land of Water's army retreat into the distance and set up camp. A trace of anxiety stirred within him. Although his appearance had dealt a blow to their morale, it had not been overwhelming. They would not need long to regroup.
Once they attacked again, they would certainly not repeat their earlier mistake. They would account for Hiruzen Sarutobi in their plans. In that case, even a ninja of his caliber might not be able to hold out for long.
Only one thing could turn the situation around: reinforcements from the village. Hiruzen Sarutobi's greatest problem was his lack of manpower. Although the Uzumaki Clan excelled at defense, they lacked the offensive strength he needed, and there were too few Konoha Ninja and Land of Fire Samurai skilled in direct combat.
He had just tallied their losses. Nearly two-thirds of the elite samurai brought from Miyamoto were gone, as were almost half the Konoha Ninja he had brought himself! Even if the Enemy Forces had suffered equal losses, or