Chapter 23: Aftermath and Resolved.
The ambush had ended, leaving the convoy shaken and weary. Among the team, a few had fallen—those caught too close to the initial blast or overwhelmed by the enemy's swift assault. The forest was eerily quiet now, save for the ragged breaths of the survivors and the distant calls of birds.
Shin crouched beside a fallen teammate, his chest tight with the weight of the cost. The shinobi world was harsh and unforgiving, and today's fight had been a brutal reminder.
Sakumo's voice rang out, calm but firm, "We've lost some good people. We can't let their sacrifice be in vain."
The group gathered quickly, forming a protective circle. Without modern tools, they relied on hand signals and subtle gestures to communicate silently, eyes sharp for any hint of renewed threat.
Shin's mind raced. The bracelet on his wrist, still warm from the Djinn's power, pulsed with a quiet energy. He hadn't revealed its true nature to anyone, and he wouldn't—not yet. This secret was his alone, a weapon and a burden.
"We move at first light," Shin said, his voice steady despite the exhaustion. "We regroup with the main forces and prepare for whatever comes next."
The night deepened, cloaking them in shadow. Each shinobi took their turn standing watch, the bonds between them forged tighter by fire and blood.
For Shin, the path ahead was clear. To protect his comrades and to survive, he would need to grow stronger—and that meant facing the darkness inside and out.