The sandstorm on the right flank had completely subsided, leaving only devastation and deathly silence.
The suffocating, terrifying chakra of Shukaku, the One-Tail, had vanished, replaced by the panting of Konoha ninja who had survived the ordeal and the footsteps of those beginning to regroup and clear the battlefield.
Hatake Sakumo sheathed his blade, and the elusive aura of a Kage-level fighter that surrounded him gradually faded.
He first checked Hizashi's and Miwako's injuries.
Hizashi's internal organs had suffered serious damage from overexertion and the impact of Shukaku's power. His face was as pale as paper, but fortunately, Miwako's timely Medical Ninjutsu had stabilized his condition. Two newly arrived ninja from the Medical Corps had now taken over his treatment.
Miwako herself had nearly exhausted her chakra and reached the limits of her stamina. She leaned against a rock, panting softly, but her eyes shone with the brilliance of victory.
Sakumo's gaze finally settled on Shinji Uchiha.
Although his disciple was equally exhausted and covered in small wounds, he still stood straight-backed. His dark eyes calmly surveyed the entire right flank, assessing the situation.
"Well done, Shinji." A hint of barely perceptible approval colored Sakumo's voice.
Had Shinji not interfered with genjutsu at the critical moment and decisively proposed redirecting the threat toward the enemy, the battle on the right flank would never have turned around so quickly. It might even have devolved into a far bloodier war of attrition.
Shinji bowed slightly, his voice a little hoarse. "We were only able to hold our ground because you broke through in time and killed the enemy commanders, Teacher."
He claimed no credit, clearly recognizing that Sakumo's decisive decapitation strike had been the key to breaking the stalemate.
He paused, then looked toward the main battlefield and the left flank. "It