Kirigakure Faces Enemies on Three Fronts

The Land of Fire, Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō stood before the three thousand-strong army, waiting for the situation to change.

Danzo said, "Hiruzen, isn't it too hasty to hand over command of the army to two young men?"

"Kakashi's stance is still uncertain, and Might Guy is even less suited to be a commander."

Danzo refers to the 1,500-strong army that Konoha used to attack Kirigakure.

The commanders of this army were none other than Kakashi and Might Guy.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Kakashi and Might Guy's strength has already been recognized by everyone in several battles."

"Especially Kakashi, in the last battle, he used his Mangekyō Sharingan to attack the Tsuchikage, which already shows that he is loyal to the village."

"Furthermore, Kakashi and his group are only responsible for high-end combat; the real command of the main army is handled by Yūmon Yan."

"Putting them in command is just to boost the morale of the troops. With Homura watching over them, what do you have to worry about?"

Danzo thought to himself, "I'm not worried about whether they can handle it; I just want to say that I don't want to partner with you; I want to go it alone."

"Every time I lead an army alone, it's when I'm expanding my Root. With you by my side, how could I possibly resort to underhanded tactics?"

Danzo wanted to lead the army out alone and then turn the army into Root.

Danzo also hoped that Tsunade and Hiruzen Sarutobi would go to war, leaving him and Shisui Uchiha in the village.

Because Shisui Uchiha had already confessed his Mangekyō Sharingan Dōjutsu to the higher-ups.

How could such Dōjutsu fall into the hands of an Uchiha? What if he were to turn against the High-ranking officials someday? Would the village then belong to the Shimura or the Uchiha clan?

This kind of Dōjutsu is only reasonable if it is in the hands of someone like me, a high-ranking official who does everything for the village.

Danzo indicated that he did not want to speak to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew his good partner was in a bad mood, so he didn't provoke him.

The two waited quietly for the situation to change.

Soon, an intelligence ninja arrived and said to the two, "Third Lord, Lord Danzō, intelligence has arrived from the border of the Land of Rivers: six clones of Nagato Akatsuki Organization entered the Land of Fire."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. His worst fears had come true. The current situation was not favorable for Konoha. With internal conflicts unresolved, Konoha had little desire to participate in external power struggles.

Konoha was dragged onto the war chariot by the Cloud ninja and Sunagakure this time.

If the Akatsuki Organization didn't intervene, and Hiruzen Sarutobi his army to tie down the forces of Iwagakure, that would be acceptable to Konoha.

There's still a chance of winning in a three-on-two situation.

However, if the Akatsuki Organization were to intervene and launch a diversionary operation against Konoha, the Iwa ninja and Mist ninja, who would then be free to deal with the situation, would be far beyond the capabilities of the Sunagakure and Cloud ninja.

Unfortunately, the initiative was not in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands; he could not ignore Nagato's six clones under any circumstances.

After the First Shinobi War in the Land of Rain, Hiruzen Sarutobi had to admit that Nagato's six clones were equivalent to two Kage Level.

He simply hoped that the Akatsuki Organization would continue to uphold their peaceful policy and refrain from launching a large-scale attack on the Land of Fire.

Once the Akatsuki Organization sends out its large army, it will be a full-scale war. With five Kage Level Akatsuki Organization will certainly not admit defeat easily.

If the war drags on, with internal and external troubles lurking, the future of Konoha becomes uncertain.

"Perhaps, perhaps attacking Akatsuki Organization was a mistake," Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi's will only wavered for a moment. He quickly regained his fighting spirit and said to Danzo, "Danzo, let's go to the border of the Land of Rivers."

Danzo's face was grim; the enemy he least wanted to face was Nagato.

The first time I fell from the peak of my life was because of Nagato.

Danzo well aware of Nagato's strength; fighting an opponent of that level was far too dangerous.

If it were Tsunade standing in front of him, Danzo would definitely refuse.

But there was no other way; Danzo could only reluctantly follow Hiruzen Sarutobi to fight.

"I just hope Nagato isn't serious and is only trying to stall us," Danzo hoped.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo did not bring their entire army of three thousand, because intelligence indicated that Six Paths of Pain Nagato not bring a large army.

Against a powerful figure like Nagato, Ninja Army isn't useless, but rather it's not cost-effective.

In the end, Hiruzen Sarutobi only took one thousand, leaving two thousand for Tsunade, who was stationed in the village.

On the rooftop of the Hokage Building, watching the thousand-strong army depart into the distance, Tsunade a complex mix of emotions.

Now she's the only non- Uchiha Kage Level in the village, and luckily Shisui is on her side.

Otherwise, if the Uchiha Clan were to launch a coup at this time, at least within Konoha, the higher-ups would not have enough power to stop them.

Of course, Tsunade wasn't the only one who could see this.

The Uchiha clan members could also see it, and they were all incredibly excited.

They went to Shisui Uchiha's house in groups as persuaders, hoping to convince Shisui Uchiha to return to the right path.

Many even suggested that if Shisui Uchiha them to a successful coup, they would nominate Shisui Uchiha as the Sixth Hokage.

What they didn't know was that just the day before, Shisui Uchiha had spoken to Tsunade Danzo, and others at Konoha High-ranking Officials Meeting about his Mangekyō Sharingan's special Dōjutsu: Kotoamatsukami.

Shisui Uchiha stated that at a crucial moment, he would use his strongest Genjutsu on Fugaku Uchiha Fugaku make him side with the higher-ups.

Waves of clansmen came to persuade Shisui Uchiha, but Shisui Uchiha Uchiha, who had inherited the Will of Fire, patiently advised his clansmen not to act impulsively.

The tribesmen arrived full of expectations, only to leave disappointed; their excitement turned to anger.

These Uchiha gathered together and angrily denounced Shisui Uchiha as a traitor and an ingrate.

If they weren't afraid of the Mangekyō Sharingan, they would have swarmed in and gouged out Shisui Uchiha's eyes long ago.

The first place where the battle broke out was the Land of Water.

Although this war has only just broken out, the Five Great Nations have actually been preparing for it for more than a month.

Kirigakure was no exception; all preparations related to the war had been completed, personnel had been assembled, and supplies had been stockpiled.

Now, seven thousand Mist Ninja Army stand at the village entrance, facing the village.

Kisame stood on a high platform at the village entrance, facing all the Mist ninja, and said, "Everyone, Kirigakure has reached a critical moment of life and death."

"Ever since the Third Hokage's death, our Kirigakure has been constantly targeted by Konoha and Cloud ninja."

"First, the Fourth Generation was controlled by the Uchiha Clan, and later, the Cloud ninja launched a sneak attack under the pretext of participating in the Joint Chunin Exams."

"We paid such a high price to get to this point. We just want to develop quietly, but they still won't let us go."

"This time, besides Konoha and Cloud ninja, even Sunagakure has joined in. Everyone thinks we're easy prey and wants to destroy our Kirigakure."

Tell me, do you agree?

All the Mist ninja below roared in unison, "We refuse!"

"Alright, follow me, and we'll drive them out of our country."

"Please Mizukage."

"Please Mizukage."

"Please Mizukage."

The Mist Ninja Army rang out in unison.

Kisame surveyed the scene and said, "I order the entire army to be divided into three divisions. Mei Terumi, you will command the second division, leading 2,500 troops to confront the Sunagakure."

"Hozuki Mangetsu, you will serve as the commander of the Third Division, leading Two Thousand Army to confront Konoha."

"I personally took command of the first force, leading 2,500 troops to confront the Cloud ninja."

Soon, the Mist ninja were divided into groups, Mei Terumi and Hozuki Mangetsu immediately led their troops out.

Kisame then went down to the stage and said to the Iwa ninja who had come to help, "Your name is Matsutani Shinya, right? Please have your Iwa ninja split into two groups, one to assist the second unit, and the other to assist the third unit."

Matsutani Shinya nodded and said, "No problem. Before I came, Teacher Yichen asked me to cooperate with you as much as possible."

After finishing his sentence Matsutani Shinya said to Uchiyama Takuhiro, Wada Akio, and Suda Himezuki, who had been temporarily transferred from the Anbu, "You take five Anbu Squad to the Second Division, and I will take the remaining five squads to the Third Division."

The three of them then led their men and quickly chased after Hozuki Mangetsu's group.

Matsutani Shinya bowed to Kisame, then led his men quickly toward Mei Terumi.

This time, Yichen did not send Kage-level experts to Kirigakure to assist in the battle because Konoha Yichen focus their attacks.

However, since Kirigakure was their weakest point, Yichen still sent reinforcements, sending Matsutani Shinya, a disciple skilled in Senjutsu, with a group of elites to provide support.

Yichen well aware of the situation in Kirigakure. Kisame, Mei Terumi, and Hozuki Mangetsu had grown up, and in terms of high-end combat power, they were no less than those of Sunagakure Kumogakure.

However, the Kirigakure suffered heavy losses of its elite troops; the battle against the Mizukage alone resulted in the loss of most of its elite Kirigakure.

Therefore, as an ally, although Yichen dared not send Kage Level troops, he could still provide support to some elite forces.

Kisame said to Genji, who had come to see him off, "Master Genji, I entrust the village to you."

Genji looked at the Mizukage, who wasn't one he had chosen, but nodded in satisfaction and said, "Go, Godai, go and fight without worry."

"Remember, when you're giving orders, you're the Mizukage; you need to consider the bigger picture. But during battle, you're just an ordinary ninja; don't get distracted."

Kisame replied, "Thank you for your guidance, Genji."

After saying that, Kisame led the First Division away from Kirigakure.

The Mist ninja desperately wanted to keep the enemy out of the country, but unfortunately, they lacked the strength.

Therefore, this time the Mist ninja still sent three armies— Konoha, Cloud ninja, and Sunagakure— into the Land of Water to fight not far from the Kirigakure.

The third unit was the first to encounter the enemy.

Hozuki Mangetsu led his army against Kakashi.

Seeing Kakashi in the opposing team with one eye covered, Hozuki Mangetsu sighed and said, "So it's Kakashi Hatake. I should have switched with Mei Terumi."

Kakashi is a ninja skilled in Lightning Release, and Lightning Release ninjas are the most effective counter to the Hozuki Clan.

Fortunately, Kakashi isn't a specialist in Lightning Release; he's well-rounded in multiple attributes. He's proficient in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu Genjutsu, and swordsmanship, and even excels in tactics—a true all-rounder.

Oh, no, the hexagon is missing one side, Chakra and shorter duration.

The lockdown is over, time to go back to work. I already promised to write this chapter, so I'm still making it up to you all.