Several days had passed since the capture of Sunagakure's poison stronghold. Through the ongoing purification efforts of Tsunade's squad and the medical logistics units, toxicity in the water sources within Konoha-controlled territory had dropped dramatically, significantly easing the pressure on the front lines.
But everyone knew this was only a chance to catch their breath. Sunagakure's retaliation and next moves could come at any moment.
Shinji Uchiha sat beneath a tent in a relatively shaded spot at the edge of camp, carefully wiping down his long blade, the Blazing Inferno.
The fine scratches and scorch marks left on the blade by that fierce battle gradually faded under the specially formulated maintenance oil, revealing its cold, dark sheen once more.
The mental strain of successive high-intensity battles and developing an ultimate technique needed to be soothed through these mechanical, repetitive motions.
Although his Two-Tomoe Sharingan was inactive, Chiyo's overwhelming presence during that battle, the sight of his injured comrades, and the shudder of holding life and death in his hands when he unleashed Purgatory Slash still played over and over in his mind.
He could feel his ocular power settling, gathering. He seemed another step closer to that threshold.
Compared with the previous few days, the camp had grown more restless and expectant.
Word that the high command would dispatch major reinforcements had long since spread as though it had wings.
"Shinji, look over there!" Hizashi Hyuga's voice carried a barely perceptible note of excitement.
He had no need to point. Shinji followed his gaze and saw a vast cloud of dust rising along the distant horizon.
Soon, a sizable Konoha force came into view, its banners distinct and its steps orderly. They were travel-worn from their long journey, yet radiated the grim, disciplined air unique to elite troops.
The reinforcements