Konoha.
Here, Hiruzen was troubled about how to deal with these shinobi clans.
Not sending anyone wouldn't work.
But sending too many people wouldn't work either.
Especially when they were being this proactive.
As the old saying goes, unsolicited kindness usually hides ulterior motives.
Talking about contributing to Konoha and sacrificing for Konoha…
The last ones who shouted those words were the Senju clan, whose entire main force died in the First Shinobi War.
But could these clans really be compared to the Senju?
Not just Konoha—could the entire shinobi world even produce another clan like the Senju?
And then there was the Uchiha.
As long as I, Hiruzen, remain Hokage for even a single day, the Uchiha will never set foot on the battlefield.
Just as Hiruzen was thinking about this—
"Hokage-sama, urgent report from the front lines! Extremely urgent!"
Minato rushed in holding a scroll.
His body was covered in blood and dirt, clearly having just come down from the battlefield.
"What happened?"
Orochimaru and the others had only departed a single day ago. How could things already look like this?
Hiruzen naturally didn't expect someone in Minato's condition to bring good news.
He opened the scroll and read it.
His expression immediately stiffened.
"Everyone, return and prepare. Combat assignments will soon be issued to each clan."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The clan heads of the various shinobi families withdrew one after another.
"Minato, you should also go get some rest."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Once everyone left, the only people remaining were Konoha's four senior leaders.
Hiruzen said, "Take a look."
After the three finished reading—
"Orochimaru, that useless fool. It's only the first day leading troops into battle and he's already caused such massive losses. Hiruzen, you really trained a fine disciple."
Shimura Danzō was the first to attack.
"Danzō, don't say that," Homura said, trying to ease the tension. "No one expected the tiny Land of Rain to actually have a Kage-level powerhouse. And the intelligence had serious errors. Hanzo possesses a salamander and can unleash large-scale poison gas attacks. The intelligence department bears responsibility for this. We underestimated these smaller nations."
Koharu spoke from the perspective of the wider shinobi world.
"Hiruzen, now the entire shinobi world will think Konoha is declining. We must strike back. Otherwise the surrounding villages will be like hyenas—thinking Konoha is weak and ready to bite whenever they want."
"Alright, Koharu, I understand. This time we'll draw two thousand shinobi from the clans."
"With the thousand-plus shinobi still under Orochimaru, plus the elite jōnin under Tsunade who are nearly recovered, our military strength will be sufficient," Homura said.
"Hiruzen, the Uchiha cannot participate in this battle," Danzō added.
"Danzō, not this time. The number of Uchiha can be limited, but they absolutely cannot be absent."
"Hiruzen, you will regret this."
"Danzō. I am the Hokage."
Danzō slammed the door and left.
"Homura, there's a shortage of supplies on the Rain Country front. We need to requisition another batch."
"Understood, Hiruzen."
"Wait. Homura, afterward go to the Cloud Village and say that Konoha invites them to jointly attack the Stone Village and divide up the Land of Earth."
"Wh— I understand, Hiruzen."
Homura turned and left.
"Koharu, you currently oversee the intelligence department. Pay close attention to the Stone Village. Ōnoki's desire to destroy Konoha has never died. And the Sand Village as well. They didn't participate in the First Shinobi War, but there's no guarantee they won't join this one."
"Understood, Hiruzen."
After dealing with these matters—
"Send the order: 300 Uchiha, 300 Hyūga, 300 Aburame, 300 Inuzuka, 500 from the Ino–Shika–Chō clans, and 300 from the remaining clans. Tomorrow they will depart immediately for the Land of Rain and follow Orochimaru's command."
Swish, swish, swish.
A group of ANBU vanished to deliver the orders.
...
Akimichi BBQ Restaurant.
Minato was telling his friends about his experience on the battlefield.
When he spoke about the senior who had taken great care of him but died from poison gas, the pain overwhelmed him and tears began falling.
Beside him, Kushina had no idea how to comfort him.
"Little Sun, don't cry… don't cry. Your wounds are still so serious…"
Aburame Shikuro walked in from outside.
"Shiken, the Aburame clan will send 300 shinobi. We march to the Land of Rain tomorrow."
"Alright. Shibi, let's go. Minato, see you tomorrow."
Aburame Shiken left with Aburame Shibi.
Inuzuka Ryoha also stood up, taking Inuzuka Rinko with him.
"Minato, see you tomorrow."
They turned and left.
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio also departed.
Before leaving, they all said together:
"Minato, see you tomorrow."
Hyūga Hiyasu said, "Hiashi, come with us tomorrow."
Hyūga Hiashi hesitated. "But Father…"
Hyūga Hiyasu replied, "I'll handle my uncle."
"Alright, I'll go."
Hyūga Hizashi smiled. "Great. I finally get to fight side by side with my big brother again."
Before leaving, the three of them also went to Minato and said:
"Minato, see you tomorrow."
Uchiha Kamito, his entire body wrapped in bandages, also stood up and left.
"Minato, see you tomorrow."
Finally, the tall Senju Hideki spoke.
"Cousin, let's go. If we delay any longer, Minato's treatment will be delayed. Then tomorrow we won't get to see him."
"Huh? What are you guys talking about?"
"Kushina, you go back with Hideki first. I need to go to the ninja hospital."
"I'll go with you."
"Then Hideki—"
"Tomorrow morning I expect to see Kushina. What you two do tonight is none of my business."
"You idiot cousin! What are you saying?!"
Kushina and Minato's faces both turned bright red.
They looked unbelievably cute.
"Minato, see you tomorrow."
...
The next day, 6 a.m.
Two thousand and one shinobi had assembled.
2001?
"Uchiha clan: 300 shinobi assembled."
The one reporting was Uchiha Kamito, still covered in bandages. Strangely, most of the Uchiha behind him were also wrapped in bandages.
Was this some new Uchiha tradition?
"Hyūga clan: 300 shinobi assembled."
Leading them was Hyūga Hiyasu, with his father behind him—the former branch family leader, Hyūga Wataru.
Last night, Hyūga Hiyasu had found his father.
"Let's fight. The loser hands over the clan leader position and tomorrow's command authority."
Today, Hyūga Wataru seemed to have faint bruising around his eyes.
"Inuzuka clan: 300 shinobi assembled."
Inuzuka Ryoha reported loudly.
"Ino–Shika–Chō clans: 500 shinobi assembled."
The leaders this time weren't Nara Shikaku and the other two, though they stood as deputies to the main commanders. Clearly, their positions had already gained recognition within their clans.
"Senju clan: one shinobi assembled."
The Senju clan.
Senju Hideki stood there alone.
Over two meters tall—though alone, he carried the presence of an entire army.
"We are willing to obey Senju Hideki-sama's command."
The scattered shinobi from the remaining clans also stepped forward one after another, gathering behind Senju Hideki.
"Three hundred shinobi under the Senju banner assembled."
After Hiruzen finished delivering a long speech about the Will of Fire—
"Depart."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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