Konoha's forces had split into two groups.One, led by the famed "White Fang" of Konoha, relentlessly pursued the retreating Sunagakure troops, cutting them down without mercy.The other, under Tsunade's command, remained behind to sweep the battlefield and treat the wounded with all their strength.
"We can't hold them—fall back!""Run!""Help!""Scatter—split up!""I don't want to die!"
The Suna ranks collapsed completely, their shinobi fleeing in panic, scattering across the desert like headless insects. All that mattered now was escaping Konoha's pursuit.
The elite of Sunagakure protected Chiyo and the other senior officers, retreating from the battlefield first with a small contingent. This left the majority of ordinary Suna shinobi behind, straggling and exposed. Those who fell behind were quickly overtaken by Konoha's hunters and eliminated one by one. The fleeing ninja wailed in desperation, terrified of being the last one caught.
Konoha gave them no chance. The White Fang's elite strike unit specifically targeted Suna captains who tried to rally their scattered troops, crushing any attempt at regrouping before resuming the merciless chase.
From afternoon until nightfall they hunted their enemies. Only when darkness fully set in did Konoha's forces halt their pursuit and turn back.
Konoha had won a great victory, but there was no celebration. Too many of their own had fallen. The survivors worked in grim silence—treating comrades, tending to the injured, gathering the bodies of the dead. Many lay buried beneath the desert sands, and had to be dug out. The battlefield also needed to be cleared of enemy gear and supplies.
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio soon regrouped with Hinata Haruki and his team. Choza Akimichi, who had fought ferociously earlier, was now clutching his stomach in agony—the side effects of the green soldier pill clearly not yet worn off. Shikaku and Inoichi supported him, while Shikaku hurriedly fed him a dose of their clan's secret medicinal remedy.
Haruki had burned through nearly all his chakra during the battle, spending it on one decisive technique after another. Even so, he went straight to the medical corps, using his hands alone to help with surgeries and emergency care. Chakra or not, he could still save lives.
By the time the pursuing force returned and the battlefield was fully secured, Konoha's army finally began to withdraw.
Looking out over the devastation, Haruki let out a long breath.
"At last… Konoha has won."
The Second Great Ninja War — a decisive battle had taken place in the deserts of the Land of Wind between Konoha and Sunagakure.
Suna had fielded nearly 10,000 shinobi; Konoha, almost 13,000. The result was an overwhelming victory for Konoha. Sunagakure's forces were utterly shattered: about 2,600 dead, 3,400 wounded, and 400 taken prisoner. Konoha's own casualties numbered around 1,100 dead and 2,300 wounded.
After this defeat, Suna no longer had the strength to launch any counterattack, retreating deep into their homeland to fortify key strongholds. Konoha, however, had also suffered heavy losses and could not mount an immediate offensive.
Until Suna surrendered, both sides suspended large-scale battles. Instead, the war shifted to small skirmishes, ambushes, and assassination missions.
Konoha – Hokage's Office
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat at his desk, brows furrowed. Across from him stood Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, the head of the Uchiha clan, and the head of the Hyūga clan. The air in the room was tense.
Danzō was the first to break the silence.
"Hiruzen… how much longer are you going to delay?"
Koharu's voice was sharp.
"Have you considered our proposal to remove Tsunade from command? Her incompetence has left Konoha on the defensive at the front. The medical station nearly collapsed under her watch! She fell for the enemy's trap, lost eight elite jōnin, and the strike on the main supply base failed. We've been stuck in stalemate for far too long. For the sake of the shinobi at the front, she should be replaced."
Her tone made it clear she had little fondness for Tsunade, another strong-willed kunoichi.
Homura added,
"She's still young and inexperienced—mistakes are to be expected. Let's appoint Hatake Sayun as supreme commander instead."
The Uchiha clan head chimed in,
"I propose that the position go to someone from the Uchiha. Fugaku would be an excellent choice."
Only the Hyūga clan head remained silent, seemingly indifferent to whether Tsunade stayed or went, waiting for his turn to raise other matters.
Hiruzen exhaled a stream of smoke.
"Let's wait a bit longer. Sayun has gone to support her, and the latest reports show the situation is already turning in our favor."
Danzō pressed on.
"Which is exactly why Sayun should take command! The moment he arrived, the situation improved. You can't ignore Tsunade's failures, Hiruzen! Don't let the fact that she's your student—"
"I know exactly what my student is," Hiruzen cut him off sharply. "As both her teacher and her superior, I will give her the trust she deserves."
His eyes hardened.
"I expect the same from all of you. She can lead our forces to victory. If she fails, I, as Hokage, will take full responsibility."
The elders exchanged glances. With Hiruzen taking such a firm stand, they could only relent.
Koharu sighed.
"Very well. We'll trust the Hokage's judgment."
Homura added,
"Let's hope she maintains this advantage and defeats Suna."
It was then that Danzō revealed his true motive.
"Tsunade may remain in command—but I request to take her student, Hinata Haruki, under my guidance."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.
"What are you getting at, Danzō?"
"Don't you know? Tsunade has shown no real interest in training Haruki. She's neglected him, dumped him in storage work, and hasn't taught him a single jutsu."
Danzō's smile was cold.
"I won't allow the First Hokage's granddaughter to ruin a Konoha prodigy. I demand that Haruki become my disciple, so I can train him properly."
Hiruzen hesitated.
"Perhaps that's just Tsunade's teaching style. Besides, Haruki is already her student—he can't simply take another master."
Privately, though, the Hokage thought, Could Tsunade really be refusing to take him seriously? I assumed she was just saying it… but maybe she truly is that stubborn.
Danzō gave a dismissive snort.
"From what I hear, she never officially accepted him as her disciple. If that's the case—"
The Hyūga clan head spoke up for the first time.
"If there's been no formal apprenticeship, I'd prefer Haruki return to the clan for proper instruction."
Danzō seized the moment.
"Tsunade's battlefield blunders are one thing, but to neglect her own student? Unacceptable. Bring Haruki to me—I'll see to his training."
"No. Everyone in the village knows Haruki is Tsunade's student. That's already settled," Hiruzen replied firmly, relieved the matter was public knowledge.
Danzō's tone sharpened.
"Hinata Haruki has performed brilliantly—both with the supply convoy and at the medical station. He's a genius chūnin, yet Tsunade treats him with indifference. A change of teacher is only logical. The fault lies with her!"
The Uchiha clan head frowned.
"Performed brilliantly? Explain."
"He discovered and eliminated an enemy ambush on the supply convoy, personally capturing a jōnin. He helped devise the counterattack, killed multiple enemies, and then—when the medical station was sabotaged—used his medical expertise to save it, exposing and killing a Suna spy in the process. This is confirmed by ANBU special operations reports."
The room fell silent as the intelligence report was passed around.
Homura murmured,
"Nako Senju was a fine medic. Seems she passed her skills on well to her son."
Koharu nodded.
"A talent like that shouldn't be ignored. If Tsunade won't teach him, someone else should."
Even the Hyūga clan head was quietly impressed.
His gentle fist techniques are probably enhanced by his medical knowledge…
Hiruzen thought grimly, So the boy hid his true skill even from me. No wonder he sought Tsunade out.
The Uchiha leader spoke up,
"A doctor of that caliber is worth befriending—he might save your life one day."
Danzō drove his point home.
"She's wasting his potential. Replace her."
The Third Hokage's mind worked quickly. Tsunade… maybe you really don't want him as a student. If so, that was a poor choice. I can't let Haruki be wasted—if necessary, I'll take him myself. Or hand him to Orochimaru, who loves gifted students. Jiraiya wouldn't be bad either. And if it's medical ninjutsu he seeks, I'll open all of Konoha's archives to him, plus a capable mentor.
Aloud, he said,
"We'll ask Haruki himself. If Tsunade truly isn't suited, he can choose another master. Agreed?"
The elders nodded. The Hyūga wanted him back, the Uchiha coveted his skills, and Danzō… smiled faintly, believing he'd already won.
Just then, a shinobi burst into the room with a scroll in hand.
"Urgent report from the front, Lord Hokage!"
"Read it."
"Victory report: Yesterday, our forces engaged Suna in decisive battle. The enemy's main strength has been destroyed—they can no longer counterattack. Victory secured. Signed, Tsunade."
The room froze for a heartbeat, then Hiruzen rose to his feet, eyes shining.
"Excellent! Suna's surrender is now only a matter of time!"
He swept his gaze across the elders.
"Now… does anyone here still think Tsunade should be replaced?"
No one spoke. Danzō and Koharu, in particular, had no answer.
Hiruzen's tone was iron.
"She has brought Konoha a decisive victory. Changing Haruki's teacher now would undermine her authority. I want Tsunade and Haruki to speak directly—once I hear from them both, we'll revisit the question."
They had no choice but to agree.
Danzō's face was dark, rage boiling beneath his calm exterior. Why now? Why a sudden victory?! This ruins everything! How did she crush Suna so quickly?!
Hiruzen, watching him struggle to keep his composure, barely managed to suppress a smile.
Heh… this victory couldn't have come at a better time.