"Lord Shin'nosuke, Captain Uchiha Yuan has regained consciousness."
Inside the command tent, a Konoha ninja reported respectfully to Sarutobi Shin'nosuke.
Shin'nosuke was reviewing an intelligence dossier. Upon hearing the news, he set the papers aside, a smile spreading across his face.
"That's wonderful—Uchiha Yuan has finally woken up."
A weight lifted from his heart. On one hand, he truly admired and cared about Uchiha Yuan, hoping for his swift recovery.
On the other, given En's recent battlefield achievements, the Uchiha clan would naturally value him greatly. If he had remained in a coma—or worse, died of his injuries—the clan would certainly have made trouble.
Shin'nosuke pulled out a medical report from beneath several documents. It was the diagnosis written by the medical-nin stationed at the camp.
The report noted traces of a powerful Lightning Release attack in En's wounds. The lightning chakra had caused extensive internal and external damage to his body.
Moreover, the medics discovered deep signs of cellular exhaustion—his body's vitality had sharply declined, evidence that he had burned through his life force in battle.
As a result, the medical-nin had given him less than a twenty percent chance of regaining consciousness—
and even if he did awaken, less than a forty percent chance of full recovery.
In other words, Uchiha Yuan was very likely to be crippled.
What a pity Lady Tsunade isn't here… If she were, En's injuries could be treated far more effectively.
Shin'nosuke sighed inwardly, then said aloud, "Let's go visit Captain Uchiha Yuan. The fact that the Cloud's assaults have weakened these past few days is all thanks to him."
According to the latest intelligence, the Fourth Raikage had likely already withdrawn from the battlefield, returning to the Hidden Cloud Village.
Covert reports suggested that the Raikage had suffered severe injuries—so serious he could no longer take part in combat.
Inside another tent, Uchiha Yuan was sipping a medicinal broth spoon-fed to him by Pharmacist Nono, while listening to Yamanaka Kono's account of recent developments on the front.
Not long after En awoke, Yamanaka Kono had hurried over upon receiving the news.
At present, besides Kono and several other jōnin, Akimichi Umi, Inuzuka Yamazuki, and Moonlight Ryūka were also present.
"Lord En," Kono said excitedly, "the Cloud-nin haven't launched any new offensives lately. In fact, they've even pulled back their defensive lines. It seems they've been thoroughly cowed by you."
"Your name has spread across the entire battlefield. Everyone knows you single-handedly fought the Fourth Raikage and gravely wounded him.
The men all revere and respect you deeply now, Lord En—and their morale has never been higher. On several fronts, we've even repelled the Cloud's attacks and pushed them back toward the border between the Land of Hot Springs and the Land of Frost."
"I've analyzed it with several strategists. The Raikage's injury may well be the turning point of this war. The Cloud will likely have to pull back their forces."
Yamanaka Kono's face was full of excitement as he spoke.
After finishing his medicine, Uchiha Yuan wiped the corner of his mouth and asked, "Kono, what about our casualties?"
At that, Kono's expression dimmed.
"Lord En… our Fourth Battalion suffered catastrophic losses. According to the latest count, less than forty percent survived—and of those, nearly a third are gravely wounded."
"Other than yourself, Lord En, all of the battalion's other captains were killed in action. Only Captain Iwamoku Sumirō remains alive, but he's also badly hurt and receiving treatment in a nearby tent."
En then learned from Kono's report that on that day, while the Fourth Raikage led the main Cloud force in a frontal assault against the Fourth Battalion's line, another Cloud unit had struck their rear camp.
That strike force had included an eleven-man elite jōnin squad. Their sudden charge had torn through the camp's defenses, surrounding Sarutobi Shin'nosuke and the command staff.
Only after a fierce battle had Konoha managed to repel the attack—but the Cloud's losses were minimal.
Uchiha Yuan frowned. "Then our numbers here must be fewer than the Cloud's now."
"Haha, no need to worry, Captain En," came a cheerful voice as Sarutobi Shin'nosuke entered the tent. "I've already sent word to Lord Jiraiya. The First Battalion has dispatched two platoons to reinforce us."
"Lord Shin'nosuke."
Everyone in the tent stood and saluted.
"Lord En, how do you feel now? Any lingering discomfort?"
Two medical-nin accompanying Shin'nosuke stepped forward and began examining En.
"After taking the medicine, the pain has eased considerably," En replied.
The medics exchanged a few words with Pharmacist Nono, then reported, "Lord En's condition appears stable. There are no signs of deterioration. As long as he continues his daily medication, his injuries should gradually recover."
After the medics left, Shin'nosuke looked solemnly at Uchiha Yuan.
"Captain En, the village will never forget your contribution. By holding back the Fourth Raikage, you've turned the tide in our favor."
"Lord Shin'nosuke, there's no need for such praise. The Uchiha are part of the village—fighting for it is only natural.
I'm no different from those comrades who fell on the battlefield; I've simply been fortunate enough to survive."
Hearing this, the ninjas accompanying Shin'nosuke looked at En with newfound warmth.
Even Akimichi Umi, Inuzuka Yamazuki, and the others standing nearby regarded him with deeper respect.
At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the tent, followed by a greeting:
"Greetings, Lord Ichizō."
The First Battalion Commander, Shimura Ichizō, entered the tent with five subordinates in tow.
"Ichizō, what brings you here? Has something happened with the Cloud-nin?"
Shin'nosuke turned toward him.
"Relax, Shin'nosuke, nothing of the sort. There's been no sign of renewed aggression." Ichizō smiled thinly. "I just came to see the great hero who repelled the Fourth Raikage."
His eyes fell upon the bedridden Uchiha Yuan. Though his face wore a smile, his gaze was cold and filled with disgust.
"As expected of the Uchiha—the village's foremost clan. Another genius among your ranks. I heard the Fourth Raikage retreated in utter disgrace. Impressive… truly impressive."
Then, his tone shifted.
"But what a pity. Our great hero paid a heavy price for that victory. I hear that even if you recover, you'll never be the same again—perhaps even… a cripple."
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