The defeated Kirigakure fleet, like an injured sea beast, dragged its broken remnants and vanished miserably beyond the horizon, leaving behind only the sound of waves crashing against the shore, as if washing away the bloody battle that had just occurred. East Sea Bay regained its surface tranquility, yet the messy combat marks on the beach, the bloodstains that had not yet dried, and the scattered, broken ninja tools silently recounted the recent tragedy.
Sunagakure's latest orders were quickly delivered via communication hawk.
Pakura's unit continued to guard the coastline, establishing temporary fortifications, closely monitoring the sea, and guarding against the Kirigakure's return. As for Pakura herself, the reputation of her Scorch Release, following this great victory, rapidly swept across the land like the hot wind along the coast.
On the other side, Sayo received new instructions: lead the participating Puppet Squad, escort the injured comrades from the battle, and return to the Village.
There was no grand ceremony, no deafening cheers; the work following the victory was practical and quiet. Sayo's Puppet Squad and Medical Ninja searched carefully among the sand and rocks, gently placing every injured comrade onto a stretcher or loading them onto the still-functional Camel Puppet transports. The bodies of the fallen were collected as thoroughly as possible, wrapped in clean white cloth. Their names would be carved onto the Memorial Stone, and their sacrifice would be remembered by the living.
The team began marching silently westward. They had arrived as swift as fire and wind, but returned as steady as mountains. Sayo still stood upon the broad shoulder armor of the "mirage," but the Chakra Thread behind his head had been retracted. The massive puppet merely followed the team silently, like the most loyal guard. His gaze swept over the battle scars along the route, which were gradually being buried by the wind and sand, and over the pained, furrowed brows of his comrades on the stretchers. His eyes were profound.
They had won this battle, and won beautifully. But the wounds of war are not easily erased by a single victory.
As the familiar outline of Hidden Sand Village, constructed of massive rocks and sand, gradually appeared on the horizon, the atmosphere within the team began to subtly shift. The fatigue remained, but an indescribable excitement and anticipation sprouted and spread in the silence.
Still several miles from the Village Gate, Sayo suddenly raised his hand, and the entire team slowly came to a halt.
He took a deep breath, leaped down from the Camel Puppet, and landed steadily on the sand. He turned to face the team behind him, a team that had endured the trial of blood and fire, returning with victory and scars.
His gaze swept over every Puppeteer comrade. Most of their puppets were damaged, some even incomplete, but their eyes were exceptionally bright.
"Everyone," Sayo's voice clearly reached every person's ears, "We won. We defended our homeland and repelled the powerful enemy. Now, we are home."
He paused, then his voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable strength: "Put aside your fatigue, and stand tall! Let the Village see who protected them in their time of crisis! Let everyone see the sharp edge of our Puppet Squad!"
Before his words finished, he clapped his hands together, then raised them high!
"Boom!!!"
A massive cloud of white smoke burst forth, and the huge, imposing silver-gray giant—the complete form of "mirage"—suddenly reappeared, standing majestically amid the wind and sand. Sunlight streamed across its smooth armor, reflecting a cold, glorious sheen!
No more words were needed.
The surviving Puppeteers instantly understood Sayo's intention. A surge of passion filled their hearts, and all fatigue seemed to be instantly dispelled.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
A series of summoning white smokes exploded consecutively within the team!
Puppets of various shapes and sizes were summoned one after another. There were Raptor-Type Puppets specializing in close combat, their sharp claws gleaming; Multi-Armed Puppets for long-range support, their bodies covered in firing ports; sturdy, heavy Fortress Puppets for defense; and even a few highly skilled Puppeteers who summoned their carefully repaired, ancient puppets inherited from their fathers, which, though showing wear, added a layer of historical gravitas and resilience!
At this moment, they were no longer a team of exhausted wounded soldiers. They were a victorious army! A torrent constructed of steel, Chakra, and indomitable will!
Sayo leaped onto the shoulder of "mirage." A dozen condensed Chakra Threads burst forth from the back of his head, connecting him to the giant. Controlling "mirage," he took massive strides, leading the charge toward the Village Gate.
Behind him, the Puppeteers leaped onto their own puppets, either following closely or guarding the flanks. The injured who could not ride puppets were carefully protected by their comrades in the center of the formation. A steel torrent composed of dozens of various puppets, exuding an air of solemnity and victory, marched grandly toward the gates of Hidden Sand Village.
The heavy footsteps, the whirring of machinery, and the scraping of metal converged, creating a sense of power that was both heart-stopping and immensely reassuring.
The Village Gate had already been thrown wide open.
Inside the gate, the Sunagakure villagers, having received the news, had poured out almost entirely, spontaneously gathering along both sides of the road. They craned their necks in anticipation, their eyes filled with hope, excitement, and the gratitude of those who survived a disaster.
And when the massive silver-gray puppet "mirage" first appeared at the Village Entrance, stepping through the gate with its incredibly shocking presence, the crowd instantly erupted!
"It's Lord Sayo!"
"And the Puppet Squad! They've returned!"
"We won! We really won!"
Cheers, cries, and shouts erupted like a mountain roar and a tsunami. People waved their arms, throwing prepared, sand-colored strips of cloth—symbols of Sunagakure—into the air.
At the very front of the crowd, all the high-ranking officials of the Village were present, led by Fourth Kazekage Rasa, including Elder Chiyo, Ebizō, Jonin Baki, and Karura, who was holding her young daughter Temari. They quietly awaited the heroes' return.
Rasa looked at the majestic "mirage," at the black-haired youth standing proudly atop it, and at the Puppet Squad behind them, which, though wounded, possessed a soaring spirit. The corner of his stern mouth twitched slightly, finally forming an extremely complex but satisfied curve. He saw the future, and the most resilient hope that Sunagakure had grown in its desperation.
Elder Chiyo's eyes were slightly moist. She saw another path that Sasori had never taken, seeing new, bright possibilities for the Puppet Technique.
Sayo controlled "mirage" to stop steadily ten steps away from the high-ranking officials. He leaped down lightly, and the Chakra Threads behind his head instantly retracted.
He stepped forward, and the Puppeteers behind him also controlled their puppets to stop, their movements perfectly synchronized.
Sayo knelt on one knee, bowed his head in salute, his voice clear and steady: "Fourth Kazekage-sama, Elders, Sayo was ordered to intercept the Kirigakure enemy forces at East Sea Bay. The mission is now complete. We have routed the enemy's main force, killed three of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and forced them to retreat to the sea. I now lead my unit back!"
Behind him, all the Puppeteers saluted in unison—those standing on their puppets and those guarding the wounded, without exception. The cluster of steel paid the highest respect to their Kage.
Rasa strode forward and personally helped Sayo stand up. His gaze swept over Sayo, over the awe-inspiring Puppet Squad behind him, and over the injured, and he said in a deep voice: "You have worked hard! You are Sunagakure's heroes! Sunagakure is proud of you!"
"Certain Victory! Sunagakure, Certain Victory!" Someone shouted first, and immediately, the entire Hidden Sand Village echoed with this deafening cry, full of hope and strength.
Returning victoriously, the heroes celebrated their triumph. The gloom covering Sunagakure was, at this moment, completely dispelled by the light of victory brought by this steel torrent.