After being interrogated by the mountain tribe, all the secrets of the spies from various countries that were unearthed were extracted from their minds.
Due to the farcical incident involving Hatake Kaede and Danzo, the entire Hidden Leaf Village was plunged into a multi-day self-investigation.This investigation was a massive undertaking, affecting every aspect of the village.
However, just when people thought this self-inspection would continue indefinitely, it suddenly came to an end.This outcome was somewhat unexpected, but it did bring this turmoil to a close.
However, it is worth mentioning that although this self-inspection was triggered by a false alarm, it also turned out to be a lucky accident, bringing many previously hidden problems to the surface.
One of the fatal problems was that the Hidden Cloud Village had actually gained control of certain nodes of the Leaf Village's barrier.
It is understood that the previous kidnapping of Kushina was not accidental, but rather the result of collusion between the Hidden Cloud Village and outsiders.
Using these nodes, they successfully bypassed Konoha Village's defenses and entered the village smoothly.
Fortunately, this intelligence was already outdated.
After Kushina was kidnapped, the barrier team, under the Hokage's orders, quickly took action and quietly updated the nodes of this part of the Konoha barrier.
While this measure cannot completely make up for the previous losses, it at least makes the barrier around Konoha Village more secure and less easily breached than before.
While this intelligence shocked the higher-ups, thankfully the village ninjas handled the situation promptly and appropriately, successfully preventing potentially greater losses.The higher-ups could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
However, their good fortune was short-lived.Before the higher-ups could even catch their breath, they were stunned by another bombshell.With the arrival of the envoy from the Land of Iron in Konoha, the news spread like wildfire throughout the village.
This bombshell news was like a boulder thrown into water, creating ripples and plunging the recently calmed Konoha Village back into tension and unease.
The hearts of the higher-ups were once again in their throats upon hearing this news.Even the usually mild-mannered Third Hokage, who rarely lost his temper, unusually lost his temper at this moment.
Several loud "bangs" were heard as the Third Hokage slammed his fist on the table, causing the entire Hokage's office to tremble slightly.
"Damn Danzo!What on earth did he do?" the Third Hokage roared furiously."I clearly ordered him to be stationed at the border, to keep a close eye on the movements of the Land of Rain, and to promptly transmit the intelligence he gathered back to the village.But what has he done?"
The Third Hokage's anger did not seem to subside after those roars.He continued to angrily rebuke, "Hanzo of the Salamander has already led the ninjas of Amegakure into the Land of Iron.Such important information, and he hasn't sent back a single message!And yet, he still had time to sneak back to the village!"
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged a glance, their faces showing a mixture of helplessness and anger.They inwardly groaned: "That pig Danzo is utterly useless and only causes trouble!"
Koharu Utatane lowered her voice and said to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, with a serious expression, "Hiruzen, now is not the time to be angry.Hanzo of the Salamander, leading the army of ninja from the Land of Rain, has invaded the Land of Iron.This is a big problem, and we must come up with a solution quickly!"
Mitokado Homura chimed in, "Yes, Hiruzen.Danzo's matter is important, but now is clearly not the time to deal with it."
"We should convene a meeting of Jonin immediately, so that we can all sit down and discuss how to deal with this sudden crisis."
The moment he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the entire office instantly became heavy, as if you could hear everyone's heartbeat quickening.The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, frowned deeply and remained silent for a moment, clearly deep in thought.
After a while, Hiruzen finally made up his mind and said in a deep voice, "Alright, we'll do as you say.Immediately notify the other elders to convene a Jonin meeting!"
At a command, the ANBU ninjas sprang into action, their movements swift and agile, like ghosts in the night, silently traversing the streets and alleys of Konoha.Following them, aside from the Jonin who were out on missions, the Jonin remaining in the village rushed to the Hokage Building.
At this tense moment, the Third Hokage chose to go alone to the Senju family ancestral home to meet with Mito Uzumaki.
Upon seeing Mito Uzumaki, the Third Hokage bowed respectfully and greeted her, "Lady Mito!"
Mito Uzumaki smiled and nodded, gesturing for the Third Hokage to sit down and talk.
After the Third Hokage took his seat, he gave Mito Uzumaki a detailed report on the Land of Iron's plea for help.
Mito Uzumaki listened quietly, her expression remaining calm, only occasionally furrowing her brow slightly, as if she were pondering something.
After the Third Hokage finished speaking, she remained silent for a moment, then sighed softly: "Alas!No matter when or where, the struggle will never cease."
"But monkey, you need to be careful.The old woman has a feeling that Hanzo the Salamander might ignite a war throughout the entire ninja world."
The Third Hokage nodded in deep agreement, knowing that what Mito Uzumaki said was true.
The Third Hokage was well aware of Hanzo's strength and influence.If he were to actually decide to start a war, the consequences would be unimaginable.
But he showed no sign of backing down.Instead, he straightened his back and said to Mito Uzumaki, "Yes, Mito-sama, although I am very reluctant, I still have to say, 'War is coming!' However, we in Konoha do not want war, but."They are not afraid of war.
Mito Uzumaki looked at the Third Hokage before her, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes.
The Third Hokage has shed his youthful naiveté and become mature, composed, decisive, and resolute.He not only possesses outstanding leadership skills but also calmness and courage in the face of crises.
Mito Uzumaki believed that under his leadership, Konoha Village would definitely be able to overcome this difficulty.
Mito Uzumaki paused briefly, seemingly contemplating something important.Then, she slowly stood up, walked through the living room, and headed straight for her study.
After entering the study, Mito Uzumaki gently closed the door, shutting out the noise from the outside world.
After a while, Mito Uzumaki reopened the study door and came out with a letter in her hand.
Mito Uzumaki walked up to the Third Hokage, smiled, and handed him the letter, saying, "Monkey, take this letter with you these next few days and go to the Daimyo's residence as my representative.This letter should be of some help to you."
The Third Hokage was overjoyed; he had never expected such an unexpected gain from visiting the Senju ancestral home.
He quickly took the letter and carefully put it away, as if it were an invaluable treasure.
With Mito Uzumaki's letter, the Third Hokage could finally legitimately ask the Daimyo for money.
He thought to himself, "The daimyo of the Land of Fire shouldn't have too many complaints, right?Probably!"
Leaving the Senju family ancestral home, the Third Hokage was filled with satisfaction.Filled with joy and anticipation, he quickened his pace, hurrying back to the Hokage Building's conference room.
The Third Hokage strode confidently into the conference room, his presence instantly silencing the previously noisy room.With his seat, the Jonin meeting officially began.
The atmosphere in the meeting room was heavy as the Jonin engaged in a heated discussion about the current situation.After careful consideration and intense debate, they reached an important decision: to dispatch troops to the border.
This decision has two purposes.
First, by demonstrating their strength, they posed a threat to Amegakure, forcing Hanzo of the Salamander to withdraw his troops from the Land of Iron.
Secondly, stationing ninjas on the border can effectively prevent possible sneak attacks and offensives from Amegakure and protect the safety of the Land of Fire.
After the Jonin meeting, the Hokage's office quickly issued a mobilization order, summoning all units to be stationed at the border.
Although this action did not involve direct military conflict, it was undoubtedly an invisible threat and precaution, and could also be seen as a silent declaration of war.
The order, delivered from the Hokage's office, sent shockwaves through the entire village.
The conscription of ninjas to be stationed at the border is clearly the start of war!In an instant, the entire village was shrouded in an atmosphere of war.
While honing his swordsmanship and practicing the Yin Seal at home, Hatake Kaede also received this news.He immediately understood that the Second Shinobi World War was about to begin.
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