A special thank you to my patrons:
—Cain, kevin Williams, Jose Sierra, Salim, Archer, Acedia, kurtis newman, 66835, Alex Rushing, Nhoxious, Tom89, Nithin Samuel.
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
—————————————————————
Konoha, Hokage's Administrative Building, Conference Room.
A meeting of utmost importance to Konoha was convened here. Even the Third Hokage, who had been retired and staying at home, attended.
The Council of Elders had a seat reserved for the Sarutobi clan. Even if the Third Hokage hadn't come in person, he would have received the information anyway. Kazuki decided to invite him along as well, to save the old man from having to snoop around secretly.
Everyone took their places, waiting for the meeting's presiding officer to arrive.
"Lord Advisor."
As Kazuki walked into the conference room, followed by Shikaku carrying an armful of documents, everyone except the Third Hokage rose to their feet.
"Please, everyone, be seated."
Kazuki nodded briefly toward the Third Hokage, who acknowledged the gesture. After exchanging greetings, Kazuki walked directly to the head of the table and sat down. Shikaku immediately distributed the documents he had brought.
Only after handing out all the documents did Shikaku move to his own seat. Before sitting, he sternly reminded everyone present.
"These are highly classified village documents. I trust I don't need to remind you all of the confidentiality regulations."
With that, Shikaku finally took his seat.
Kazuki sat in his chair, waiting for everyone to review the documents.
"Sssss!!"
Several of the more impatient individuals opened the documents and quickly scanned the contents. They couldn't help but gasp, looking up at Kazuki in the head seat with astonishment.
Lord Advisor is planning to deal Iwagakure a severe blow?
Everyone had speculated that the village was planning a major operation, but no one expected it to be this ruthless.
If Konoha pulled this off, Iwagakure would surely be hopping mad.
But what could they do about it?
Don't forget—during the Third Great Shinobi War, Iwagakure did the exact same thing to Konoha.
What they wanted now was revenge!
After reading the documents, many found their breathing growing heavier.
It could be said that everyone present wanted nothing more than to hit Iwagakure hard.
After all, the wounds Iwagakure inflicted on Konoha during the Third Great Shinobi War ran deep.
Even to this day, the impact lingered.
This score had to be settled.
Back then, lacking the strength, they could only blame themselves for being powerless.
Now, with both the strength and the opportunity, all that was left was to go for it.
As for whether Iwagakure would suffer after being attacked—what did that have to do with Konoha?
When Iwagakure attacked them and kicked them while they were down, did they ever consider whether Konoha would have a hard time?
You started it; we're just finishing it.
After everyone had finished reading, Kazuki spoke.
"As you can all see, the village is preparing to intervene in the war. We've had an agreement with Kumogakure for some time now. Kumogakure has fully committed to the Land of Waterfalls battlefield. As their ally, naturally, we cannot lag behind. The meeting today is a pre-war briefing. The key difference is that this must remain confidential. Only after the surprise attack is complete can we formally declare war."
"Excellent!"
"Let's crush those Iwagakure bastards!"
"Wipe them out!"
Those whose clans had suffered heavy losses in the Third Great Shinobi War couldn't hold back their curses.
Their emotions ran high.
Kazuki didn't stop them. With war approaching and Konoha preparing for revenge, everyone had been holding in their anger. Letting it out was a good thing—it made them feel better.
Once everyone had vented enough, Kazuki continued.
"The plan is simple: Konoha needs to retaliate, so we need to launch a surprise attack. Therefore, I need to dispatch an elite force to carry out the offensive. This elite force will primarily consist of clan members and some exceptionally skilled civilian ninja. Additionally, we'll mobilize a conventional force of about two thousand to the border camp. They'll be stationed there solely to prevent any Iwagakure counterattack. Are all the clans prepared?"
"Lord Advisor, rest assured. Our personnel are ready. We can move out immediately upon your order."
"Our clan as well."
Representatives from various clans spoke up in succession, expressing their readiness.
"Good."
Kazuki expressed his satisfaction.
"Kazuki."
At this point, the Third Hokage interjected.
"I have no objection to the village's war plan. But mobilizing this many people—keeping it secret won't be easy."
Kazuki had already sent someone to inform the Third Hokage about the earlier mix-up involving Shikaku.
Though somewhat disappointed, the Third Hokage had accepted the situation.
To be precise, Kazuki sending someone to notify him personally was already a considerable show of respect.
If not for the current tense situation, Kazuki might not have bothered.
He could have just let the Third Hokage anticipate, and then go from anticipation to disappointment.
Experiencing that kind of emotional rollercoaster would surely be... interesting for an old guy like him.
"I've considered that issue."
Kazuki nodded affirmatively.
"Mobilizing a large number of ninja at once would certainly draw attention. So we need to move in batches. Fortunately, Kumogakure has already declared war and fully committed to the Land of Waterfalls. That should draw most of the attention away from us."
Move in batches?
That would indeed make the target much smaller.
But whose turn would it be first?
Everyone's focus converged on Kazuki. He didn't keep them in suspense.
"Personnel movements will remain confidential for now. I hope everyone can exercise restraint. Absolutely no coordination between clans during this period. And don't let me catch anyone trying. As for which clan moves first, I'll notify them directly. Just be prepared."
Kazuki didn't disclose the personnel deployment details at the meeting. At the same time, he didn't want clans secretly communicating with each other.
At least not on this matter. After everything was over, they could discuss whatever they wanted.
Hearing this, clan representatives who were close and regularly in contact immediately sensed the gravity of the situation.
"Elder Homura, logistics and supplies—I'm counting on you to coordinate with Shikaku on that front."
"Rest assured, sir. Logistics and supplies won't be an issue."
Homura stood up and pledged.
"Good. I trust your abilities."
Despite not liking the "Council of Four," Kazuki had to admit they were competent in managing things like that.
As long as they didn't cause trouble, they could handle their assigned duties perfectly.
Occasionally, they might even offer a pleasant surprise.
"As for civilian ninja mobilization..."
Kazuki's gaze swept across the room, lingering for a few seconds on the Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage paused, his eyes showing a flicker of anticipation. He genuinely didn't want to continue his retirement.
But Kazuki didn't trust him.
"Never mind."
After a moment's hesitation, Kazuki shook his head.
"Civilian ninja mobilization will be coordinated between Nara Shikaku and Sarutobi Hiruzen."
Was he being reinstated?
Some were surprised.
But they quickly realized—no, he wasn't.
Kazuki was simply making the most of available resources.
Within Konoha, the one who understood the civilian ninja best was the Third.
So Kazuki was temporarily conscripting him. As for reinstatement...
Not a chance.
Once this task was done, he could go cool his heels somewhere.