After confirming the strategic deployment, the movements of the Five Great Shinobi Villages' forces became even more frequent and concentrated.
Meanwhile, two special squads were assembled.
Although Akatsuki had made it clear that they intended to vie for supremacy over the Ninja World, many within the Five Great Shinobi Villages still believed that Akatsuki had some other scheme behind starting this war.
Thus, to ensure the safety of the Jinchuriki and Tailed Beasts, the Five Great Shinobi Villages hastily formed two squads. One was led by Kakashi and tasked with protecting Naruto, the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. The other was led by Deidara of Iwagakure and Darui of Kumogakure, tasked with protecting Fū, the Seven-Tails' Jinchuriki.
Kakashi had originally been Naruto's Jonin instructor, so it was only natural for him to lead the team protecting Naruto. As for Deidara and Darui, who were assigned to protect Fū, they had been strongly recommended by the Third Tsuchikage and Fourth Raikage.
Clearly, they were deeply concerned about the imminent Ninja World war. Thus, they had assigned this seemingly dangerous but actually front-line-avoiding mission to their respective successors, lest Akatsuki wipe them all out at once and leave no one to carry on.
The Third Hokage had similar thoughts as well.
Under normal circumstances, if Hyuga Kagami, the Fifth Hokage, was absent, Kakashi—the Hokage's designated acting successor—should have taken over the position, rather than the Third Hokage, who had stepped down long ago.
To protect Kakashi, the Hokage Faction's chosen Sixth Hokage, the Third Hokage resolutely took up the burden of being Hokage once more.
In a remote forest within Konoha.
Team Kakashi and Team Guy had secretly gathered. These nine people were Kakashi's temporary squad.
After sweeping his gaze over the fully armed, spirited group, Kakashi nodded in satisfaction and said, "From now on,