This battle was truly the largest armed conflict since the Second Great Ninja War. No one expected the Third Great Ninja War to open with such a massive clash—fighting raged from dawn to dusk, darkening the sky and dimming the sun and moon.
Ninja are still human—they need food and sleep. As night gradually fell, both sides tacitly pulled back their lines to return to camp for rest. Of course, they didn't forget to hurl parting taunts: "Just wait—I'll take your dog head tomorrow!" The main forces withdrew, leaving only genin from both sides carrying torches, dragging the corpses of their fallen comrades. All the chaos temporarily returned to silence.
In Konoha's camp, beside a roaring bonfire, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat bare-chested, holding a bowl of strong liquor. He tilted his head back and drained it in one gulp.
"Here!"
Minato Namikaze produced a large magnet, suspending it above Hiruzen's body.
Soon, a soft scraping sound came from the magnet.
Iron sand had adhered to it.
"It all seeped through gaps in the chainmail weave. You'd better switch to sturdy leather armor," Minato advised.
Inoichi Yamanaka touched some iron sand from the magnet and sniffed it.
"No poison. A tetanus shot should handle it."
"He didn't skip poison out of kindness—he's worried about friendly fire," Hiruzen said coldly.
Inoichi pulled out a syringe, wiped Hiruzen's arm with an alcohol swab, and administered the injection.
"Hokage-sama, would you like something to eat?" Secretary Hisako asked.
"Don't you know my rules? Get out!"
If the soldiers haven't eaten, the general doesn't eat. This had always been Hiruzen's combat habit.
Besides, today's battle had gone poorly, and Hiruzen was clearly in a foul mood. Hisako could only retreat awkwardly.
"What are our casualties? Tch!" Hiruzen asked Chief of Staff Shikaku Nara, just as Inoichi was disinfecting his wounds, making him hiss in pain.
"Not light. Eight hundred dead, over a thousand wounded. At least four hundred can't continue fighting and need to be sent to the rear for recovery."
"What about Sunagakure?"
"Unclear exactly. Should be... about the same as us?"
"How are the squad leaders?"
"Not good."
Shikaku shook his head.
"Speak!"
Hiruzen's face was dark as water.
"Shibi Aburame was poisoned by hornets. He collapsed from toxins after returning to camp and hasn't regained consciousness. Hiashi Hyuga's left arm was shattered—compound fracture. He'll need surgery back in the village. Hizashi Hyuga broke four ribs and also needs surgery. Tsume Inuzuka is seriously injured, and her ninken Kuromaru was killed. These are all combat-ineffective. The others can still fight!"
"Damn it!"
Hiruzen slammed his thigh with his fist.
"I never imagined Jinghang could be so patient, secretly developing such terrifying combat power. After all these years, Sunagakure's strength has become monstrous—they can go head-to-head with Konoha to this extent. What the hell is Danzo doing as ANBU Chief?! Why don't we have any intelligence?!"
In his fury, he smashed his empty bowl to pieces.
"Hokage-sama, Jinghang is truly cunning. Haven't you noticed? Many of the people he's cultivated over the years specifically target us Konoha forces. Look—"
Shikaku tried to continue his analysis, but Hiruzen raised his hand to interrupt.
"Shikaku, discussing this now is meaningless. Once war starts, it can't be stopped. What we need to figure out is how to fight the coming battles."
Shikaku pondered for a moment.
"Know yourself and your enemy, and you'll never be defeated. Our current situation is knowing very little about enemy intelligence, so we can only work on knowing ourselves."
"You mean deploy the reserves?"
The so-called reserves were the two thousand ninja Hiruzen had left in Konoha. These weren't weak troops—quite the opposite. They were elite forces led by veterans like Shōchō Aburame and Torifū Akimichi. The cream of the Second Great Ninja War with formidable combat power, originally stationed in the village to guard against Kumogakure from the south. But now, with Sunagakure's field army showing such fierce strength, Shikaku couldn't help but consider this force.
"If we don't deploy the reserves, we'd have to use the tailed beasts. Otherwise, we'll become increasingly passive until total collapse."
"Let me think."
Hiruzen fell into contemplation.
At this moment, Secretary Hisako brought over a food box.
"Hokage-sama, the troops have all eaten. Please have something too. After fighting all day, you need nutrition to keep going."
"Nutrition?!"
Hiruzen took the food box and suddenly looked up.
"Pass the order—raise the no-battle flag, strengthen camp vigilance and defenses. Shikaku, arrange for the wounded and combat-ineffective ninja to be sent back to the village for treatment. Also notify Torifū Akimichi to lead the reserves here immediately!"
Compared to Konoha camp's gloom, Sunagakure's camp was much more cheerful.
Jinghang ordered torches lit, sheep roasted, and fine wine brought out. His command: eat meat freely, everyone gets one bowl of wine.
Standing on the command platform with his wine bowl raised, he addressed his men.
"This first bowl, I toast to the brothers who died on the battlefield today!"
He poured the wine onto the ground.
"They're all heroes who defended home and country. With this bowl, I honor their spirits in heaven! May they bless us to completely crush the Konoha bandits!"
Hearing this, the ninja all poured their wine onto the ground.
A nearby ninja immediately refilled Jinghang's bowl.
"This second bowl, I toast all the brothers who fought today—you're the best! In today's battle, we didn't let Konoha advance one step, showing Sunagakure's might. From now on, Hiruzen Sarutobi will have to think twice—Sunagakure isn't to be trifled with! Come on, drink!"
He drained his bowl in one gulp.
The ninja all showed proud expressions. Konoha had dominated the ninja world for nearly fifty years, but now at Lishi Fortress, after a full day of fighting, it was basically a draw—already a huge victory.
Everyone emptied their bowls.
"This third bowl—we'll save it."
Jinghang pushed away the ninja trying to pour more wine.
"We'll save it until we completely crush Konoha, then drink this victory celebration. Then we won't go home until we're drunk!"
Jinghang's boldness ignited the Sunagakure ninja's enthusiasm. Cheers erupted, applause thundered.
In this battle, Sunagakure lost over 600, with 600+ wounded and about 300+ unable to fight. The good news: not a single Earthly Branches member was killed or wounded. This first battle was indeed well-fought by Sunagakure.
After stepping down from the platform, Jinghang immediately received a secret report from an Intelligence Division ninja.
"Zhanmeng's encrypted message—Konoha's two thousand reserves will depart tomorrow."
"Excellent! Perfect timing! Let them come!"
Jinghang smiled.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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