Sarutobi Hiruzen looked out at Konoha outside the window.
He carefully adjusted his clothing.
After this battle,
Konoha would no longer be the domain of the ninja clans.
Tobirama-sensei probably never imagined that someone like me could become a qualified Hokage.
"Konoha belongs to everyone. No single person, family, or clan may stand above Konoha." — Senju Tobirama.
"Danzo, the Nara clan head has already agreed. The Ino–Shika–Cho alliance will actively support preparations for war at the meeting. Root is ready—we can move at any time."
Shimura Danzo walked in as he spoke.
"Ah, thank you for your hard work, Danzo. These past days, I've really relied on you. If it were only me… I truly wouldn't know what to do."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed deeply, speaking with a hint of emotion.
"Hiruzen, you are the leaves under the sunlight, while I am the roots buried deep in the earth."
After saying that,
Shimura Danzo turned and left.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled in satisfaction.
With such a good friend helping me, how could Konoha not prosper?
...
In the conference room, the clan heads arrived one after another.
At the four seats in front:
Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen,
Hokage advisors: Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.
Following them were: the Uchiha clan head, the Hyūga clan head, the Nara clan head, the Yamanaka clan head, the Akimichi clan head, the Inuzuka clan head, the Aburame clan head, the Kurama clan head, the Gekkō clan head, the Yūhi clan head, the Mitarashi clan head...
More than twenty clan leaders of large and small ninja clans in total.
However, those with real influence and strength were still the first seven clan heads.
In front of the Uchiha clan head was one empty seat.
That seat belonged to the Senju clan.
Because the Senju clan had not selected a new clan head for a long time, and Tsunade was unwilling to serve as an acting leader, the position of Senju clan head had remained vacant.
For voting matters, the Hokage temporarily represented them.
As for abolishing the Senju clan head position?
Outrageous. Who would dare say such a thing in Konoha—a village founded by the Senju?
Oh, the Uchiha?
Then it doesn't matter.
Whatever the Uchiha say, we'll just oppose it.
Uchiha: ...
The Third Hokage began the topic of the meeting.
"How should we best respond to the sudden outbreak of the Second Shinobi World War?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen first spoke about Konoha's history, then elaborated on the Will of Fire as he understood it, then moved on to discussing the enemies Konoha might face in this coming war.
Finally—
"This is truly a critical moment of life and death. Does anyone have any suggestions?"
At last, the important part.
The Nara clan head stopped yawning.
Hokage-sama, couldn't you speak a little faster? The person who wrote that speech for you should really be fired.
But is it possible that the Hokage wrote the speech himself?
How could that be? When has a leader ever written his own speech?
Sarutobi Hiruzen: Ahem… I'm just that serious of a person.
Just as the Nara clan head was about to speak—
Bang!
The Inuzuka clan head suddenly slammed the conference table.
"Konoha has sheltered the Inuzuka clan and brought us peace—like a mother to us. Now that our mother has fallen into danger, the Inuzuka clan will naturally be the first to step forward. Hokage-sama, if we are to go to the battlefield now, the paws of the Inuzuka clan's ninja dogs will be the very first to set foot there!"
Looking at the spirited Inuzuka clan head,
Sarutobi Hiruzen excitedly glanced at Shimura Danzo.
Good grief—there was actually a surprise like this? When did you secure the Inuzuka clan? Beautifully done, Danzo.
Shimura Danzo looked at the staring Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Hiruzen… are you showing off that you have other backup plans? Hmph. The only one who can lead Konoha to ultimate strength is me.
Nara clan head: This is bad—someone stole my job.
The Inuzuka clan head secretly pinched his thigh hard.
So embarrassing… this is way too cringe. Hurry up and respond already! Don't leave me standing here alone!
Other clan heads: Are you crazy? Who wants to compete with your dogs over who steps onto the battlefield first?
"Konoha is a great tree that nurtures the insects of the Aburame… ahem… The Aburame clan is ready to step onto the battlefield at any time."
The Aburame clan head ultimately didn't read the entire speech Aburame Shiken had prepared.
To be honest, he admired the Inuzuka clan head a little.
How did he manage to finish reading something that cringe?
As for whether the Inuzuka clan head came up with it himself—
The Aburame clan head thought: Don't be ridiculous. There's no way he's that clever. And the style is identical… it's hard to believe Shiken and the others didn't plan this together. If that's the case, then there should be more than just the two of them.
The Aburame clan head carefully scanned the room, searching for his comrades.
Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen was delighted.
Another surprise.
The Nara clan head thought to himself: So there's more than one person stealing my spotlight… I'd better hurry.
He was just about to speak—
"The Uchiha clan is ready to depart at any time."
"The Hyūga clan has already assembled."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: Danzo managed to do this too?
Shimura Danzo: That weak Hiruzen must have promised these clans something again. Sarutobi, you're too soft.
The Nara clan head spoke quickly.
"The Nara clan is ready to go through fire and water for Konoha."
The Yamanaka clan head said,
"The Yamanaka clan stands ready."
The Akimichi clan head said,
"Same here."
The Nara clan head let out a long breath.
That was close—way too close.
Aren't the three of our clans supposed to be the Hokage's most loyal supporters? Why does it feel like we almost got left behind?
"Good, good, good! With everyone here, how could Konoha fail to achieve victory?"
"Now let's discuss how many ninja each clan should send."
Sarutobi Hiruzen knew this was the real focus.
All the cheering and declarations earlier were empty words.
Only the numbers truly mattered.
The Nara clan head sighed in relief.
Now I should finally get to set the example first.
"Inuzuka clan: 456 ninja and 1,123 ninja dogs, ready to deploy at any time."
"Aburame clan: 367 ninja, ready to deploy."
"Uchiha clan: 962 ninja, ready to deploy."
"Hyūga clan: 1,230 branch family ninja, ready to deploy."
Cold sweat immediately broke out across the Nara clan head's forehead.
He quickly withdrew the number he had prepared—300 clan ninja.
What the hell is going on?
The war hasn't even reached Konoha yet—why are you all acting like you're emptying your entire reserves?!
But there was no time to think.
He had to follow immediately.
If he didn't keep up now, it would look like a problem with his attitude.
"The Nara clan—entire clan mobilized."
"The Yamanaka clan—entire clan mobilized."
"Me too—ahem—the Akimichi clan, entire clan mobilized."
The remaining smaller clans were all going crazy as well.
What is happening?!
Is Konoha about to be destroyed or something? Why is everyone suddenly going all out?!
"The Kurama clan—entire clan mobilized."
"The Gekkō clan—entire clan mobilized."
"The Yūhi clan—entire clan mobilized."
"The Mitarashi clan—entire clan mobilized."
...
Meanwhile, the leadership headed by Sarutobi Hiruzen all wore completely bewildered expressions.
Is it the end of the world?
What are you all doing?
We prepared for the scenario where none of you would send people.
But we didn't prepare for the scenario where you'd send this many people.
This question is way beyond the syllabus.