The corpses of several dozen men lay in a row—some whole, some not. The Kirigakure who had already reported to the Pure Land didn't seem to mind.
We tried, we lost, we got wiped in one wave—nothing more to say.
Konoha Ninja who had not taken part in the fighting gathered to clear the field, treat the wounded, or collect their comrades' bodies.
[Remember this site's domain: Taiwan Novel Network has a huge library—ƚɯƙαɳ.ƈσɱ—read to your heart's content.]
There's no war without death; even a lopsided encirclement can cost Konoha dearly when the enemy fights to the death.
But in the end, it was still a victory.
At minimal cost, Konoha had eliminated more than forty of the Mist's elite, piling even more misery on Kirigakure forces already barely holding on in the Land of Fire.
The Medical Ninja who had come along were treating the injured. Higashino Shin didn't need to lift a finger this time—truth be told, he was exhausted. He had burned through Chakra all day; even if his body held out, his mind was spent.
He sat resting with Gekkō Hayate and Yūgao Uzuki, watching Konoha Ninja bustle about. Enemy corpses were laid out like pork at a market: searched, examined, logged, then Sealed and stored for later.
Even dead, a Ninja's body is a trove of secrets—intel to extract, jutsu to piece together through special means.
As he watched, Shin suddenly flopped onto his back in the grass.
Yūgao jumped. "Shin, what's wrong? Are you hurt?"
"Huh? No, just beat after a whole day. We crushed the enemy and won—time to relax."
"Thank goodness—you scared me!" She exhaled and patted her perfectly flat chest.
"Yūgao, Sensei said Shin's stronger than he is—how could he get hurt?" Hayate consoled her, then glanced at the Kirigakure corpses. "Hey, Shin, don't you think war is pointless? Those Mist Ninja died for nothing. Like so many others, they lost their lives in this war—and for what?"
Shin answered lazily, "Freedom. Their Souls can rest in the Pure Land—no more dying for some Village, nation, or grudge."
"I just don't get why other Villages start wars. What gain could outweigh the cost?"
"Plenty of gains…" Shin tilted his head, eyeing Hayate. What's with this guy today—channeling Shisui and mulling over the big questions?
Is there a rookie wall for Ninja? After you get used to killing, do you naturally hit a spell of doubt?
He looked straight at his friend. "Hayate, you're not pitying these Mist Ninja, are you?"
"Huh? No way!" Hayate shook his head at once.
"Good. Know your side: they're invaders. Whatever their reasons, if they set foot in another land, they'd better be ready to die.
Picture it—if Konoha lost today, the corpses on the ground would be you, me, Yūgao, and most civilians in that town over there. Nobody would pity us then."
Yūgao nodded. "Exactly. These bastards invaded the Land of Fire—dying serves them right. The other Villages too—wish they'd all drop dead."
"A-hem!" Hayate coughed, eyeing his relaxed teammate. "Shin, I almost think you enjoy war."
"Nah, I don't enjoy war—I enjoy battle, a life that's thrilling and intense!"
"Good. Because no one in their right mind likes war."
"Who says?" Shin pointed at Uchiha Fugaku in the distance, animatedly conferring with Jonin like Nara Suzaku. "Look—our Lord Fugaku loves it!"
Gekkō Hayate: "…"
Uchiha Fugaku didn't love war either, but this one was a rare chance for the Uchiha Clan—he had to seize it.
Until now the campaign had been led by Orochimaru, with Nara Suzaku as strategist, plus Hyuga Hiashi—who never saw eye-to-eye with him.
Though the Uchiha had contributed most and bled hardest on the Eastern Front, they held little say; victory was credited to Orochimaru.
But things had changed. Orochimaru vanished for days and, even when back, barely took charge. Hiashi was reassigned to the Northern Front, and Nara Suzaku was only an adviser. Who else had final say but Fugaku?
Today's annihilation had been won under his command, wiping out dozens of Mist elites and clearing the hidden dangers behind the line.
Next, while Kirigakure was weak, he would drive them back to the Land of Water for total victory.
Then the greatest credit for the Eastern Front would be his.
When to restore Uchiha glory? In this very battle—right now!
Such were the uncontainable thoughts of the Clan Chief.
---
Back at the Command Center camp, night had fallen.
After dinner, Higashino Shin's trio washed up and turned in early; weary bodies and minds needed sleep.
So did every unit that had fought that day.
The hapless Gekko Yun Jian was dragged to the command tent for a meeting—because he was a Jonin.
Jonin were not only a Village's top brass but its core fighting force. Few on the Eastern Front could skip a summons.
Inside the command tent, lamps blazed bright.
Uchiha Fugaku had fought all day as a mainstay; though his body ached, his spirit soared.
Had he opened his Sharingan then, it would have shone redder than ever.
He looked at the gathered Konoha officers. "My comrades, our war with Kirigakure must end.
After talks with Jonin Nara Suzaku, we agree they're at their weakest. We should strike now, crush them, and restore peace to south-east Fire Country.
What say you?"
The Jonin murmured among themselves, then all concurred.
The war had dragged on too long; they were weary—some had fought non-stop since its start against every Great Village.
Watching familiar faces fall and green replacements arrive had worn them down; ending it early sounded good.
In the Great Ninja War, even Jonin died any day. In recent years, too many comrades had vanished for good.
Who could say whether tomorrow it would be their turn?
Someone asked, "Lord Fugaku, when do we move, and from which direction?"
Fugaku tapped the map. "We'll hit the Mist strongholds in the old Land of Whirlpools.
Intelligence says Kirigakure's remaining main force is on that peninsula. Once we clear it, the Mist in the Land of Waves will pose no threat—they'll have to retreat to the Land of Water or die.
That will give us final victory in this war.
Attack is set for two days hence."
A Sarutobi Jonin leading Asuma's squad questioned, "Jonin Nara, does Lord Orochimaru know of this plan?"
Fugaku bristled; couldn't that question wait until later?
Nara Suzaku glanced at Fugaku, then answered, "Lord Orochimaru is aware and has entrusted Chief Fugaku and me with full authority."
No one raised further doubts.
Fugaku swept his hand. "Settled, then. Prepare yourselves. In two days—counterattack!"
"Sir!" xN
Watching the Jonin file out, Fugaku felt a pang of emptiness.
Commanding Village Jonin felt nothing like leading Clan shinobi—this must be the Hokage's power.
If only it were permanent: supreme authority over the Village and the long-cherished wish of the Uchiha.
He himself cared little for power, but as Clan Chief he was pushed toward it whether he wanted it or not.
Sometimes, he felt he had no choice.