After the storm dissipated, the settlement was a mess.
Collapsed tents, scattered grains, cracked ground, and the smoke of battle had not completely cleared.
The ninjas of the Land of Water were the first to act, some propping up fallen tents and re-securing them with ropes.
Others took out their first-aid kits and treated the wounds of injured refugees.
Medical ninjas gathered around Sakura, checking her injuries while distributing medicinal herbs. Green Chakra flowed in their palms, soothing the pain of the injured.
"Don't panic, everyone! Slowly stand up and come here to get food and water!"
A Jonin from the Land of Water shouted, his voice steady and powerful, calming the frightened refugees.
The surviving refugees emerged from their hiding places, their faces still showing signs of shock, but as they saw the busy ninjas, hope gradually ignited in their eyes.
Sasuke leaned against a broken tree, observing the bustling scene before him. His scarlet Mangekyo Sharingan gradually returned to black.
The Chakra of Yin Kurama and the vitality of the Senju and Uzumaki bloodline were still slowly healing him. He could feel his strength gradually returning.
Sasuke nodded slightly, saying nothing, but simply took a wheat cake from a nearby grain sack and handed it to an elderly refugee.
He watched the scene of refugees helping each other and ninjas providing full-scale aid, and the hostility in his heart, born from the battle, gradually subsided.
Under the care of the medical ninjas, Sakura was barely able to stand. She clutched her still-aching chest and walked over to Naruto and Sasuke, a faint, weak smile on her face.
"I didn't expect to encounter such a troublesome enemy, but fortunately, everyone is fine."
"Sakura, don't move around, get some more rest." Naruto quickly said, his tone full of worry.
"It's alright, just some superficial wounds, nothing serious."
Sakura waved her hand, her gaze sweeping over the devastated settlement.
"Let's help too. The sooner we restore this place, the more at ease everyone will be."
The three exchanged glances and tacitly joined the rescue efforts.
The sun gradually set in the west, and the golden afterglow bathed the settlement in a warm yellow hue.
After several hours of busy work, most of the collapsed tents had been re-erected, and the injured refugees had received proper care.
"Alright, let the other ninjas handle things here. Let's go back and rest first."
Naruto stretched, and a wave of exhaustion washed over him. His eyes were almost unable to stay open.
The continuous battles and post-war busy work had almost completely drained him of all his strength.
Sakura nodded, her face still a bit pale. "Yes, Sasuke, your eyes also need a good rest. You just awakened the Mangekyo and then forcibly activated Perfect Susanoo, which is too much of a burden on your eyes."
Sasuke had no objection. He could feel his eyes were still somewhat dry and indeed needed quiet rest.
The three walked towards the temporary camp outside the settlement, their steps heavy, yet imbued with the relief of having survived a disaster.
Behind them, the refugees' thanks, the children's laughter, and the ninjas' conversations intertwined, forming a warm symphony.
The temporary camp was set up on a flat grassy area, away from the chaos of the settlement.
The three entered their assigned tents, and after a simple wash-up, lied down to rest.
Naruto fell asleep almost as soon as he touched the bed, his even breathing echoing in the tent, a tired smile still on his face.
After taking her medicine, Sakura gradually drifted into dreamland, her brows slightly furrowed, seemingly still enduring the pain of her wounds.
As night deepened, the moonlight was like water, sprinkling onto the camp tents, casting a faint silver glow.
Around the camp, the ninjas of the Land of Water took turns on guard, vigilantly observing the surroundings, and the bonfire flickered in the wind, making crackling sounds.
However, no one noticed that beneath the ground not far from the camp, a yellowish-brown Chakra was quietly surging.
Kitsuchi's true body had been hiding underground, holding his breath, patiently waiting for the opportune moment.
He had witnessed the entire process of Naruto and Sasuke jointly defeating Hiruko, and his heart was filled with both apprehension and relief.
Apprehension at their power, and relief that he hadn't acted rashly, and even more relief that Sasuke was extremely weak after the battle—this was the opportunity he had dreamed of.
"Sasuke... this time, you won't escape."
Kitsuchi gritted his teeth underground, his injured arm still throbbing faintly, but it did not affect his resolve in the slightest.
He formed hand signs, and Chakra spread through the soil, silently approaching Sasuke's tent.
Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique!
Kitsuchi's figure transformed into a yellowish-brown stream of light, drilling through the cracks with almost no sound.
Inside the tent, Sasuke was immersed in the circulation of Chakra, his perception somewhat diminished due to fatigue.
But the moment Kitsuchi entered the tent, the Yin Kurama within Sasuke suddenly became agitated, and his Chakra violently fluctuated.
Sasuke's heart jolted, and he abruptly opened his eyes. His black pupils instantly turned scarlet, and the Mangekyo Sharingan reappeared.
"Who?"
Just as he was about to get up, a fierce glint flashed in Kitsuchi's eyes, and he quickly formed hand signs.
Earth Release: Hardening Technique!
His arm instantly became hard as stone, striking towards Sasuke's chest with a whooshing sound.
At the same time, he pulled out a black pouch and violently crushed it. The colorless and odorless Paralysis Poison Gas instantly permeated the air.
This was his backup plan, specifically prepared to deal with Sasuke in his weakened state.
Sasuke's pupils contracted sharply. Just as he was about to gather Chakra to counterattack, he inhaled a small amount of the poison gas.
His internal Chakra instantly became sluggish, his limbs felt heavy as lead, and his newly awakened Mangekyo Sharingan's light dimmed due to the combined effects of the poison and fatigue.
Crack!
The sound of bones breaking was clearly audible.
Sasuke groaned, blood spilling from the corner of his lips, his body slammed against the tent wall by the immense force, and the canvas instantly tore.
He tried to draw the kusanagi sword from his back, but found his fingers unable to exert force. The flow of Chakra was blocked by the poison gas, preventing even the most basic hand signs.
"Sasuke, you won't be so lucky this time." Kitsuchi sneered, his eyes filled with triumphant greed.
He reached out and firmly grabbed Sasuke's arm. "Come back to Iwagakure with me. Your Mangekyo Sharingan is destined to belong to us."
Sasuke gritted his teeth and struggled, his eyes filled with unwillingness and rage. His scarlet Mangekyo Sharingan stared fixedly at Kitsuchi, but he could only watch helplessly as he was dragged by the other party towards the ground crack outside the tent.
The effect of the poison gas became increasingly apparent. His consciousness began to blur, and his physical strength slowly drained away.
The ninjas on guard outside the tent noticed the commotion and were about to rush over, but they were trapped by Kitsuchi's pre-arranged Earth Release trap.
Three stone walls suddenly rose, blocking them outside.
"Want to save him? Too late." Kitsuchi sneered, dragging Sasuke into the ground crack.
Yellowish-brown Chakra surged, and the crack instantly closed.