The smoke of battle had yet to fully clear from the border, and the air still carried the mingled scent of earth and blood.
Zongyan stood atop a rock on high ground, gazing toward the rolling mountain forests along the distant border.
"This battle is finally over, more or less. Those other villages were persistent enough. It took almost a month of fighting before they finally stopped."
His gaze swept over the woods below, where they had fought over and over. Traces of battle lay everywhere.
The tug-of-war that had lasted nearly a month finally came to an end. Having gained little, the Cloud Shinobi, Iwagakure shinobi, and Sunagakure shinobi had no choice but to withdraw.
"I thought they were just looking to grab what they could and leave. I never expected them to be this persistent. Aren't they afraid of losing what little reserves they've only just built up?"
Zongyan felt somewhat helpless. The other three villages really did cling like burrs.
Just then, Uchiha Itachi walked over from nearby.
"The allied forces have now withdrawn along the entire front. Word has already spread everywhere. Father sent word that it's time for us to go home."
Zongyan turned toward Uchiha Itachi, a smile curling at his lips.
"Really? After being away for so long, I really do miss Mother and Sasuke."
Uchiha Itachi, too, could not help missing the little squirt at home who was always calling for his big brother. Even a girl's smile involuntarily rose in his mind.
"It's time we went home for a look. But although the Three Great Shinobi Villages have withdrawn for now, I'm afraid they won't stay quiet for long."
Zongyan was hardly surprised to hear that. Wasn't that just how shinobi were?
"That's fine, because they won't get another chance to