The Sand ninja retreated quickly, using Rosa's cover to fall back in an orderly fashion.
Orochimaru didn't order anyone to pursue them. Konoha simply didn't have the manpower. These weren't just advance troops—they were all the shinobi Konoha could spare for the border, and now they were here, locked in battle.
"Sigh… this is the best we can do. We're simply too few in number," Orochimaru said, watching the Sand forces disappear over the dunes. "If it weren't for Ran and the other Uchiha, we might not have made it through today."
Uchiha Taho, approaching Orochimaru and Ran, shook his head. "Yeah… unfortunately, this time it's just how it goes. We would've liked Sand to pay a higher price, but who could have predicted three villages would gang up on Konoha?"
Orochimaru let out a few quiet sighs and began pulling his troops back, establishing a defensive camp to stabilize the front and prevent another easy breakthrough by the Sand forces.
As for Sand, this time they would be spared—at least temporarily. Orochimaru knew they would return eventually, and Konoha would deal with them then.
"Still… if Sand had deployed the One-Tailed Jinchūriki or Shakuton Yosō again, how would we have handled it?" Orochimaru muttered, concern flickering across his mind.
"Don't worry. With Ran's help, Sand suffered significant losses. I don't think they'll launch a large-scale attack anytime soon," Uchiha Taho said, patting Orochimaru on the shoulder. "But… Orochimaru-sama, I noticed you took some damage from the Gold Dust. Is it serious? After all, you are still our commander."
"Nothing to worry about. Just a scratch," Orochimaru replied with a faint smile, unconcerned. His substitute technique had absorbed most of the attacks anyway. The wounds were nothing more than a curiosity—and, admittedly, an interesting one at that.
Ran stepped forward, joining the two. "Orochimaru-sensei, next time Sand attacks, leave the Jinchūriki to me. My Sharingan should be able to handle them."
Taho and Ryuka turned toward Ran, astonishment written on their faces.
"Ran… has your Sharingan already evolved into the Mangekyō?"
Although the Sharingan was a powerful dōjutsu, and the three-tomoe Sharingan already among the most practical kekkei genkai in the ninja world, not everyone could awaken the Mangekyō. In fact, neither Taho nor anyone in the clan had shown signs of unlocking it yet.
"If Ran has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan… this could mark a new pinnacle for the Uchiha clan," Taho thought, his pulse quickening with excitement.
But Ryuka's expression was tense. She knew that the Mangekyō could only awaken through the deepest personal trauma. Could Ran…?
Ryuka felt a ripple of worry.
"No, teacher, Uncle Taho, Ryuka… my Sharingan is still just the three-tomoe," Ran said calmly. "But I feel my genjutsu is already strong enough. Even if it were Mangekyō-level, I doubt anything could surpass it. I'm confident I can handle a One-Tailed Jinchūriki."
"Good. Don't worry too much. We have to trust Ran. With our current numbers, we have no other options," Orochimaru's hoarse voice resolved the matter.
Meanwhile, at the border of the Land of Wind, Rosa had set up his camp as well. The Sand leadership convened a meeting.
"This time, our losses are considerable," Rosa said, scowling. "Especially against that Uchiha. How could you all be so careless? I've repeatedly told you—do not look into a Uchiha's Sharingan during battle!"
"We tried not to, but his genjutsu… it's impossible to distinguish from reality! Too convincing!" one ninja admitted, frowning.
"Could that Uchiha's eyes already be… the legendary ones?" Rosa muttered, headache forming. Orochimaru had been difficult enough—if a Mangekyō Sharingan joins the field, even our numbers won't matter.
"Don't worry, Rosa," Chiyo slowly approached, her expression calm but knowing. "That Uchiha doesn't appear to have a Mangekyō Sharingan. It's still three-tomoe, though far stronger than ordinary. And his genjutsu… isn't flawless. As long as it's not Mangekyō, we still have a chance." She turned slightly to the monk, Fumoku. "Right, Fumoku-san?"
Fumoku clasped his hands and spoke with the serenity of decades of experience. "War is never just. It sets civilization backward. Whether Sand, Iwa, Kumo, or even Konoha, there should be a chance for peace. Battles are not the answer."
One ninja shouted indignantly: "Don't give me that, Fumoku! Why does Konoha get the best land, the most resources, the most missions, while we in Sand are left with this wasteland of wind and sand?"
Even Ebizō tried to persuade the monk, leaning on moral responsibility. "Fumoku, I'm sorry to ask this of you, but for the sake of the Land of Wind's people, please… help us confront that Uchiha."
Fumoku bowed slightly. "I will do my best to hold that Uchiha back. But I wish for this unjust war to end quickly… so the Sand villagers are not caught in the crossfire. Beyond that, my abilities are limited."
An enraged jonin in the crowd snapped: "Fumoku! You—!"
"Enough," Rosa said firmly. "We are comrades bound by life and death. Stop arguing."
Satisfied that he could at least persuade Fumoku to oppose Ran, Rosa felt a measure of relief.
Chiyo continued, addressing Sand's ninja: "For now, proceed with standard operations. Don't rush to a decisive confrontation. Most of our battles are covert, assassination-style. Observe the enemy's habits carefully. Given time, they will reveal a weakness."
Rosa's anger simmered beneath the surface. The elders still controlled much of Sand's authority. Without their approval, he was powerless in many matters.
"Damn these old immortals…" he muttered under his breath.