The curtain of rain overhead dispersed, and in this country where sunshine was a rare sight, Jiraiya and the others saw the rising sun.
After a night of fierce fighting, it was over. The Konoha forces began clearing the battlefield.
Blood mingled with rainwater and soaked into the earth.
Watching the bodies being dragged away, Jiraiya could not help lamenting.
"What does war even bring us?"
Beside him, Orochimaru stared at the bodies and offered his own answer.
"Death."
"Orochimaru."
Jiraiya turned to Orochimaru, the most coldhearted of them all. He had never expected even Orochimaru to express such a sentiment.
Unfortunately, he had no idea that what moved Orochimaru was not the cruelty of war, but the fragility of life.
A face that had not changed in over a decade surfaced in Orochimaru's mind.
He could not help wondering.
Did immortal life and ageless beauty exist in this world?
"There's no point standing here lamenting."
Tsunade turned and headed toward the tent.
"What we should do is end this war sooner."
Jiraiya nodded, agreeing with Tsunade.
Orochimaru fell silent for a moment before finally heading toward the tent.
"I'll help you formulate the antidote."
Time flew by. With Orochimaru's help, Tsunade developed an antidote to Sunagakure's poison in less than three days.
Meanwhile, news arrived from Hatake Sakumo. He had severed Sunagakure's supply lines, and restoring them would take time. He had also killed Elder Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law.
The name White Fang of the Leaf became renowned throughout the Shinobi World. He had infiltrated an enemy village alone and cut off its supply lines.
A ninja like that was truly terrifying.
With Tsunade's antidote and Sunagakure's supply lines severed, Konoha launched an all-out offensive against Sunagakure.
Sunagakure's forces collapsed on every front. Ultimately, to preserve their strength, the