At this moment, on the battlefield, with the departure of the Tailed Beasts, Chiyo directed the Sand ninjas to slowly retreat towards the edge, seeking an opportunity to escape the war.
A black eagle circled in the sky, emitting piercing screeches. The high-pitched sound reached nearly every ninja on the battlefield.
"This is?!"
A ninja clad in black looked up in shock. He was the second-in-command of the Rain Village and the temporary battlefield commander in Hanzo's absence. Instantly, he recognized the ninja beast Hanzo used for transmitting information.
"Rain Country ninjas... retreat!" He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately issued the order, despite his unwillingness. As Hanzo's second-in-command, he feared his leader's wrath.
Upon hearing this command, the Rain Village ninjas did not hesitate. They had long wished to leave this damned battlefield. The difference in strength between them and the Leaf ninjas was too vast. It felt like a ragtag militia standing against an elite force.
Though the Leaf ninjas did not understand the signal's meaning, they saw the Rain ninjas beginning to retreat.
At this moment, there were only two possible explanations for the sudden withdrawal.
The first—and most likely—was that Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya had lost or even perished at the hands of the demigod. Hanzo could have issued the signal to allow the Rain ninjas to gradually withdraw, ensuring his reinforcements arrived swiftly.
The second, far less probable, possibility was that Orochimaru and the others had emerged victorious. Hanzo, having been defeated, could have ordered a retreat to preserve what forces he had left.
However, rational thinking made the latter option seem impossible. After all, Hanzo was the demigod. Rumors suggested that even the Third Hokage himself was no match for him. Jiraiya and the others, merely the Hokage's disciples, could not possibly reach such a level.
Even so, deep in their hearts, many Leaf ninjas clung to a sliver of hope. After all, after two years of fighting in the Rain Country, who among them did not yearn to return home?
Chiyo, however, did not share their optimism. If anything, she relished the thought of Tsunade's demise.
Just as a smug smile began to creep across her lips, it froze in place.
Because at that moment, three familiar voices echoed across the battlefield.
"Summoning Technique!"
With a burst of smoke, three colossal summoning beasts materialized. Perched atop them, three battered but resolute figures gazed down upon the battlefield.
Orochimaru's cold voice, laced with chakra, spread across the entire battlefield.
"Leaf ninjas, we have won this war!"
A stunned silence filled the air before a thunderous roar erupted. Cheers and exclamations pierced the sky as the Leaf forces erupted with joy.
Chiyo's eyes widened in disbelief. Her gaze locked onto the three figures, slightly disheveled yet standing strong. Hanzo had let them live. He had spared them.
"Hanzo, you bastard!"
The three leaped down from their summoning beasts, weaving through the ranks of their comrades to reach the battlefield's center.
"Are you three okay?" Hyuga Tenku stepped forward, his eyes scanning their injuries. It was hard to fathom just how strong Hanzo was to have inflicted such damage on them.
However, due to their haste in returning, Tsunade had only been able to provide basic treatment.
"We're fine," Jiraiya replied, shaking his head.
Tsunade's gaze shifted to the Sand ninjas at the battlefield's edge, finally settling on one particular figure.
She said nothing. But her eyes locked onto Chiyo's, a silent battle of wills unfolding between them.
Meanwhile, under the black-clothed ninja's command, the Rain troops assembled for their retreat.
"Let them leave," Orochimaru commanded. The Rain Country had few shinobi to begin with, and killing them served no purpose. Moreover, Hanzo had spared them. Leaf would reciprocate the gesture.
As the Rain ninjas withdrew, Chiyo's face contorted with barely contained fury. Yet, she steeled herself and gave the command.
"Sand ninja troops, retreat!"
"Letting the Rain ninjas go because of Hanzo, I get that. But why let the Sand ninjas go too?" Nawaki stood beside Uchiha Tatsumi, frowning.
"Look at their position. The majority of them are already on the battlefield's edge, beyond our reach. Besides, the Sand's main force isn't even here. We will face them again soon enough. Instead of spreading ourselves thin, we should focus on eliminating the Rock ninjas in front of us. They are the true main force. If we wipe them out, the Third Tsuchikage will have no choice but to surrender," Uchiha Tatsumi explained.
Tsunade smirked, casting a final glance at Chiyo. "Chiyo, you old hag, we're not done! I will get my revenge!"
Chiyo shot her a scornful glance before swiftly retreating with her troops.
As the Sand ninjas disappeared over the horizon, the Leaf forces exhaled in relief. Had the battle continued, even in victory, the losses would have been immense.
The Rock ninjas, however, were gripped with fear. Kimura, their commander, paled. He had designed this entire encirclement, believing it foolproof. Yet, the situation had flipped completely. Now, death loomed over him.
In the prior battle, they had already experienced the sheer might of the Leaf forces. Now that their allies had fled, they stood no chance against Leaf alone.
Worse yet, Kimura himself was gravely injured.
He clenched his teeth and took a deep breath before shouting, "We still have numbers on our side! If we fight to the last man, Leaf will suffer heavy casualties as well. But I have a proposal. Let us leave today, and I guarantee the Land of Earth will never oppose Leaf again."
But even he knew those words were empty.
After the last Shinobi World War, hadn't the great nations signed peace treaties? How many of those treaties had lasted? They were torn apart as soon as they were signed.
Moreover, verbal promises held no weight.
Jiraiya chuckled. "Fine. In that case, lay down your weapons and surrender. We'll guarantee your safety."
"So there's no room for negotiation?" Kimura gritted his teeth.
Orochimaru's golden eyes glinted coldly. "Leaf ninjas, listen up! Annihilate the Rock ninja troops! Leave no one alive!"
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