The desert night finally brought a hint of coolness, but it could not cool the blood that all but boiled in Konoha's frontline camp.
News of the great victory at the Sandstone Fortress swept into every Konoha ninja's heart like the most potent stimulant.
Especially when the four members of the Hatake Squad returned to camp, supported by their comrades, drenched in blood and covered in wounds yet with eyes sharp as blades, the entire camp erupted in thunderous cheers!
This was no mere celebration of victory. It was a tribute to an unyielding will, a release after successful revenge, and an affirmation of their unwavering convictions!
In the most brutal way possible, the Hatake Squad had proven that Konoha's fangs were still sharp!
Defeat was not frightening. What was frightening was losing the courage to rise from defeat and bite back hard!
A detailed battle report was quickly compiled and placed on Torifu Akimichi's desk.
The burly Konoha elder read the words, "Two Sunagakure elite jonin and two regular jonin killed in battle. Puppeteer Wenshu severely wounded (arm injury). Puppeteer Huxia lightly wounded (neck scar). All members of our Hatake Squad severely wounded." A terrifying gleam burst from his usually narrowed eyes.
His fingers tapped lightly against the desk, producing a dull sound.
The loss of two elite jonin and two regular jonin was not an unbearable, devastating blow to a village with Sunagakure's vast resources.
But the chain reaction brought about by this victory was worth far more than those four jonin themselves!
First came a complete reversal in morale.
The defeat at Wind Howling Gorge had cast a shadow over Konoha's front lines for a time, while Sunagakure's morale had soared.
But the bloody battle at the Sandstone Fortress was like a resounding slap across Sunagakure's face.