The intent to retreat

On the way back, Senju Toka's injuries worsened, forcing them to stop at the defensive line established by the Iwagakure Ninja Village and borrow some of its medicine. Even so, they could not heal her completely. Medical care in the Konoha Ninja Village was only just getting started, and the Iwagakure Ninja Village was even further behind.

During their stay, they received intelligence from Iwagakure Ninja who had gone out to investigate. The turmoil in the Land of Rice Fields had largely subsided. Not only had the rampaging Ginkaku destroyed all the provisions and supplies in the Grain Depot, but the Land of Rice Fields itself had also been caught up in the destruction, suffering countless unforeseen losses.

"Now the Land of Lightning will have to withdraw," Kazemori Masaki told the others. "Ginkaku caused us a great deal of trouble, and Lady Toka is still unconscious with serious injuries, but he did do a few things in our favor. He cut off his own side's supplies and dragged the Land of Rice Fields, which had remained neutral all this time, into a disaster it never asked for."

"The Land of Rice Fields deserved it. They might not have sided with the Land of Lightning, but would we have been in such a difficult position if they hadn't let its troops pass through?" Senju Risa said angrily, glancing at the unconscious Senju Toka. "Without that, we wouldn't have had to take on such a dangerous mission, and Lady Toka wouldn't have been hurt like this."

"The Land of Rice Fields has been punished enough. There's no need for us to keep treating them as enemies," Kazemori Masaki said. Trying to settle the blame was a messy business, and the more they picked at it, the more complicated it would become.

"Masaki,