NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17: News
Chapter 17: News
Two days had passed since the battle, and the mood in Sakumo's camp was unexpectedly light. The morale of Konoha's forces had reached new heights, thanks to their victory over Sunagakure with minimal casualties. Compared to the grim reports coming from other camps, Sakumo's camp stood out like a beacon of hope.
Rumors began to circulate about what had occurred during the clash with Sunagakure. Whispers of a miraculous medical ninja, akin to Tsunade, spread like wildfire. The fact that so many shinobi had survived against Chiyo's infamous poisons seemed almost impossible. While the details remained vague to those outside the camp, curiosity and speculation abounded.
Inside Sakumo's Camp
The camp buzzed with quiet excitement. Soldiers, still recovering emotionally from the battle, whispered among themselves about the events a few days prior.
"Did you see it?" one shinobi murmured. "That pink light... it was like something out of a legend."
"Shh!" another hissed. "Don't talk about it here. Captain Sakumo doesn't want the details getting out."
Even with Sakumo's order to keep things under wraps, the incredible feat was hard to keep hidden. However, those who had seen the miraculous healing firsthand respected Sakumo's wishes and discouraged others from spreading the story too far.
Meanwhile, inside Team 4's tent, Shin lay on a cot, feigning exhaustion. Though his body had fully recovered, he remained "bedridden," determined to convince everyone that the technique he used was not something that could be repeated often.
Hikari sat nearby, fidgeting with a kunai as she occasionally glanced at Shin. "You really scared us back there, you know," she said softly.
Kakashi, leaning against the tent wall, nodded in agreement. "Yeah. But you did great. I guess you're full of surprises, huh?"
Shin chuckled weakly, trying to maintain his act. "I just did what I could. But don't expect me to pull off something like that again anytime soon."
Outside the tent, two Hattori clan jonin stood guard. They had been dispatched by Kenshin himself after receiving Sakumo's urgent message. Kenshin, upon learning of the situation, had quickly acted to ensure Shin's safety, knowing that his son's power would inevitably attract attention.
The Hokage's Camp
Back in the central camp, Hiruzen Sarutobi read the report Sakumo had sent. The message was careful, omitting any explicit details about Shin's ability while emphasizing the need for further support against Sunagakure's tactics.
Hiruzen sighed, setting the scroll down. "Sakumo is sharp. He's hiding something, but he's doing it for a reason."
Turning to an aide, he gave his orders. "Send reinforcements to Sakumo's camp. Focus on medical support. And keep an eye on any unusual activity from Danzo. I have a feeling he's already heard about this."
News from Amegakure
The victory against Sunagakure was bittersweet, as grim news from Amegakure reached every corner of the shinobi world. Konoha's forces in the region had been utterly decimated, with only Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru surviving their battle against Hanzo the Salamander.
Their survival, however, came at a steep cost. The loss of countless shinobi families cast a shadow of grief over Konoha, even as the legendary battle earned the three surviving shinobi the title of "The Sannin."
Back in Sakumo's camp, the news served as a sobering reminder of the war's reality. Even as they celebrated their temporary victory, everyone knew that more battles—and more losses—were inevitable.
In the quiet of the evening, Sakumo sat alone in his tent, staring at a map of the battlefield. His thoughts drifted to Shin and the miraculous power the boy had displayed.
Kenshin's son... he's more than just talented. But this war will test us all, no matter how powerful we think we are.
Far away, in the Hattori compound, Kenshin received Sakumo's message with a mix of pride and concern. He knew that Shin's secret was slowly slipping into the open, and with it, the risks to his family were growing.
Back in his tent, Shin stared at the ceiling, his mind racing. He couldn't help but think about the future and the challenges that awaited them.
This is only the beginning, he thought. I need to get stronger—not just for myself, but for everyone who's counting on me.