Chapter 4: Deploying the Sannin to Slay the Demigod
The next day.
Konoha was holding a mobilization assembly at the Hokage Building. Aside from ninja stationed at the borders, all personnel drafted for this operation were required to attend.
Kinoshita Hikaru arrived beneath the Hokage Building to meet up with the others. By now, the place was packed with people—over three thousand at a glance—all standing quietly, waiting for the Hokage to appear.
Most of them were civilian ninja.
In truth, Konoha had far more ninja than this. But with so many clans, a large number of shinobi were privately supported by their families and never officially registered—more like private forces.
Take the Uchiha, for example. Aside from a small number who attended the Ninja Academy, most entered the Military Police Force.
Then there were the ANBU and Root—none of these ninja appeared in Konoha's official roster.
Each clan maintained hidden forces, and whenever war broke out, it was usually the civilian ninja who died in the greatest numbers.
Kinoshita Hikaru frowned.
"No wonder children are always sent to the battlefield whenever the war reaches a stalemate."
He felt a surge of resentment.
On the surface, everyone spoke of acting for Konoha—but in reality?
Civilian ninja charged into battle, while clan ninja reaped the merits.
Just like in the Third Shinobi War— had even used the position of Hokage as bait to push the Uchiha into action.
And the Uchiha, for the sake of becoming Hokage, could fight an entire nation alone.
They weren't fighting to protect their comrades—
They were fighting for the title of Hokage.
"I'm not late, right?"
Hikaru shook his head, his expression serious.
Senju Nawaki didn't say much either. He understood this wasn't the time for jokes.
A war mobilization wasn't a celebration.
No one knew how many of them would return.
Why was there war at all?
Wouldn't it be better to just live peacefully?
Nawaki tried to think it through—but his mental capacity hit its limit. In the end, he could only follow orders.
Hikaru had no interest in indulging his naive junior.
The two were now disciples of the same teacher—both apprenticed to .
As his senior and teammate, Hikaru only needed to keep him alive.
If he was a bit foolish, so be it.
"He's here."
Hiruzen appeared, dressed in the Hokage's ceremonial robes, the hat casting a shadow over his face as he slowly stepped forward.
His sharp gaze swept across the crowd.
The usual gentleness was gone—replaced by iron resolve and killing intent.
"Wherever leaves dance, fire will burn. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout. When you wish to protect those you cherish… that is when a ninja's true strength emerges."
"Now, the Land of Rain, driven by ambition, has ignited war without provocation. They have declared war on Konoha, seeking to seize our wealth and harm our comrades. What should we do…?"
His words were deeply stirring.
In just a few sentences, Konoha was painted as the innocent victim—the one being invaded.
"Damn it!"
"Kill them! Turn that Salamander into a dead fish!"
"That's right! Anyone who dares target Konoha deserves to die!"
The crowd roared, morale surging.
In their eyes, Konoha was the strongest nation in the world. If they didn't attack others, that was already mercy—and yet the Land of Rain dared to declare war?
This was provocation.
A grave provocation.
And such humiliation could only be washed away with blood.
"Then we fight! Drive out the invaders! Crush their ambitions!"
Hiruzen pushed the atmosphere to its peak.
A mere Land of Rain daring to challenge Konoha—utterly laughable.
He would use reality to show that individual strength meant nothing before Konoha's military might.
You may be called a demigod—But you are no God of Shinobi.
"Hikaru, the Third Hokage is absolutely right! We have to defeat these invaders!"
Senju Nawaki clenched his fists, fired up, eager to charge into battle.
Hikaru glanced at him in surprise.
You? Charging into battle?
You—the one who died to an explosive tag right after graduating?
What kind of charge would that be—an instant peak followed by a rapid exit?
Peak performance upon entry?
He looked around.
Excitement. Anger. Determination.
But not a trace of fear. Everyone believed this would be a one-sided, overwhelming victory.
But Hikaru knew better.
The war against the Land of Rain would not be a crushing victory—it would become a quagmire.
Hanzo would prove that the title of "Demigod of the Shinobi World" was no empty boast.
Yet Hikaru couldn't say a word.
Not only could he not speak—he couldn't even show doubt.
Before it happened, who would believe that a small nation like the Land of Rain could fight three great powers simultaneously?
If he dared say it, he would instantly be labeled cowardly, afraid of death—condemned and nailed to the pillar of shame.
At that moment—Seeing the atmosphere reach its peak, Hiruzen raised his hand.
The noisy crowd fell silent instantly.
"Shimura Danzō!"
Boom—
With a puff of white smoke, appeared on the platform, clad in war armor. His chakra surged outward, his killing intent whipping up a violent wind.
"Orochimaru, Tsunade, Jiraiya."
Three more bursts of smoke, as they appeared.
Their chakra flared, their presence overwhelming. Yet faint traces of blood stained their bodies.
Despite maintaining composure, their exhaustion was impossible to hide.
Over the past few days, they had been traveling constantly between Konoha and the frontlines—building defenses, preventing enemy ambushes, barely eating or sleeping—only to return for this assembly.
They were exhausted.
If not for the fact that their teacher was using this opportunity to build their reputation, Tsunade would have pulled out all of his beard hairs.
The crowd was stunned by the aura of the four.
With these four powerhouses present, a mere Salamander was nothing to fear.
Hiruzen was very satisfied with his three disciples—Though he was somewhat dissatisfied with Jiraiya.
You're only in your twenties, yet already so indifferent to fame and gain?
Then why did you work so hard to become strong?
A ninja's strength was not achieved overnight—it was built through relentless training from childhood, day after day, year after year.
The sweat and suffering behind it could never be described in a few words.
Strength was for protecting those you cherished—
But reputation was also a weapon.
Just like —his name alone could make enemies tremble.
As Hokage, Hiruzen had both the duty and responsibility to elevate his disciples' names—so the world would recognize them.
When the three became renowned, everyone would know—
They were his students.
"This campaign in the Land of Rain will be commanded by Hokage Advisor Shimura Danzō. He will take full responsibility for the battlefield. Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya—you are tasked with eliminating Hanzo of the Salamander."
"Lord Orochimaru! Lady Tsunade! Lord Jiraiya!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Their gazes toward the three changed completely.
Had the Hokage already acknowledged them as capable of slaying a demigod?
This was incredible.
Danzō remained expressionless.
Hiruzen… you're too confident. You'll regret this.
If Hanzo's poison couldn't be countered, they wouldn't even be able to approach him.
Defeat him?
A fool's dream.
Danzō was waiting. Waiting for the moment they failed—
To drag Hiruzen down from his pedestal.
Then he would step in, turn the tide, and become a legend.
Ascend to the position of Hokage—
And ultimately unify the entire shinobi world.