United in One Army

The integration and reorganization of the transferred ninja troops and the original Border Defense Force was crucial to the combat effectiveness of the entire ninja army.

The reorganization itself was not particularly difficult. After Kunugi Mokume, the original Commander of the Northwest Border Defense Force, readily completed the handover and stepped down, both Uchiha Kamon and Kunugi Mokume breathed sighs of relief.

Though Uchiha Kamon was a veteran jonin, this was still his first time independently commanding an army—Uchiha clan members had traditionally been unable to secure authority outside the Konoha Military Police Force. As for Kunugi Mokume, he was finally able to set down the burden of the northwest border and head to the Land of Waterfalls border to keep his good friend Hatake Sakumo company.

Both sides were satisfied with the outcome, so naturally everything proceeded smoothly and everyone was happy.

Uchiha Kamon carried out the ninja army's integration, because he was the proper commander. In outsiders' eyes, Uchiha Tokimitsu was merely an eight-year-old boy holding the laughable rank of Special Jonin. In terms of strength, the Border Defense Force personnel might have acknowledged him—after all, the Uchiha Clan was known as the Number one clan in the Ninja World, a title it thoroughly deserved in this era when the Senju had withdrawn from public life. But if he were put in charge of reorganizing the Border Defense Force, people would start saying, "A beardless boy can't get things done."

Uchiha Kamon did not introduce any innovations. He simply followed the usual methods and reorganized the Border Defense Force's units. The reinforcements were scattered and incorporated into the various Border Army detachments like grains of sand mixed in, while some personnel from the Clan Ninja Army under Uchiha Tokimitsu were assigned as captains of the lower-level companies.

The Northwest Border Defense Force had originally numbered around a thousand ninja. However, two hundred had been dispatched a month earlier to the Land of Rivers to support the Western Border Defense Force commanded by Jonin Shirakumo Hayama, and another two hundred or so were being rotated out. That left barely six hundred original Border Army personnel. Adding the 486 ninja brought in as reinforcements this time, their total force was only a little over a thousand, still more than a hundred short of full strength.

"Honestly, that Monkey Sarutobi is clearly the sort who abuses public office for personal gain, yet he makes it sound so righteous..."

After the count, Uchiha Kamon found that the Border Defense Force was still understrength even after incorporating the reinforcements, and he could not stop grumbling.

Some of the company captains under him were newly promoted Uchiha Jonin, so they were long accustomed to such bizarre complaints and paid them no mind. The captains who retained their old positions had always been unloved and unwanted in the village—otherwise, they would not have been sent to the Border Army to guard forests. They could only lower their heads and pretend not to hear their current superior.

After the reorganization, Uchiha Kamon commanded ten detachments, each with roughly one hundred ninja. There were six Combat Detachments, two Reserve Detachments, one Logistics Detachment, and one Strategic Support Detachment—the so-called Strategic Support Detachment was the Clan Ninja Army led by Uchiha Tokimitsu.

After regrouping the Border Army, Uchiha Kamon began sending various ninja units out on patrol every day. He entrusted camp defense and ninja training to Uchiha Tokimitsu, handed all routine camp affairs to him as well, and personally led the detachments out each day to patrol and clear the area.

Uchiha Tokimitsu was quite satisfied with the arrangement. Managing more than a thousand people was not difficult for him; he only needed to focus on major matters and leave the minor ones alone. As long as he retained control over key decisions such as merit records, personnel promotions, and logistical supplies, he could delegate all miscellaneous affairs to Nara Kohei and the detachment leaders. After all, in this world where power lay in the hands of individuals, strength was what mattered. Schemes and tricks were useless before overwhelming power. As long as the Uchiha Ninja Army remained in his hands, no one could cause any real trouble.

Just as Uchiha Tokimitsu sat firmly in the main camp while Uchiha Kamon swept through the surrounding regions, the war near the Land of Rain direction took another turn.

The forces that had originally entered the Border City of the Land of Grass included the Border Defense Force commanded by Jonin Mimura Kawaki, as well as one thousand Allied Forces commanded by the Third Hokage's three disciples. The two thousand ninja troops led by Danzo arrived afterward as well, making it the strongest force among Konoha's various Frontier Armies.

Amegakure had sent out all three thousand of its ninja troops. Though they were not complete rabble before Konoha's Land of Rain Expeditionary Force, they could still Exchange blows by relying on their geographical advantage. However, in terms of high-level combat power, Konoha's jonin were all held back by Hanzō of the Salamander alone, and the battle fell into a stalemate.

The Land of Rain Expeditionary Force could not break through and end the war, which naturally reflected poorly on the Hokage Faction. Not only were there the Three Disciples of the Hokage, but also Danzo, Mimura Kawaki, and other veteran jonin. With so many members of the Hokage's Direct Lineage and so many powerful figures, they could have traded blows with even other great nations. Yet they were now restrained by the leader of a mere Amegakure and unable to achieve total victory in a single battle. That could practically be called incompetence.

Yet those involved knew their own difficulties, and the leaders of the Land of Rain Expeditionary Force had grievances they could not voice.

At its root, the problem was that the "Demigod," Hanzō of the Salamander, had ninjutsu that was simply too unfair. He was the perfect tool for harvesting fodder troops. Setting aside his Water Style Ninjutsu, perhaps second only to the Second Generation, and ignoring his incomparably formidable swordsmanship, the wide-ranging Poison Gas released by both him and his Summoning Beast, Ibuse, alone could erase their numerical advantage. Moreover, this Land of Rain Expeditionary Force was the direct ninja army composed of ninja clans friendly to the Hokage Faction and Civilian Ninja. If they launched a frontal assault without any way to suppress Hanzō of the Salamander, they would inevitably suffer Heavy Casualties. Once the various clans started making a fuss, even the Hokage's foundation would be shaken.

Therefore, the Land of Rain Expeditionary Force could only adopt small-unit infiltration and beheading operations, bleeding Amegakure dry while being bled in return. They were never able to organize a large-scale battle. The Amegakure ninja held the geographical advantage and were thoroughly at home fighting in the rain. Although their overall quality was somewhat poorer, they still traded blows with the Konoha ninja to their hearts' content.

By comparison, although the Northwest Border Defense Force had fewer ninja on paper, its combat strength had become overwhelmingly superior to the Land of Earth's border troops after being reinforced by the Uchiha Clan. Under Uchiha Kamon's command, the Northwestern Border Army wiped out all the various infiltrators who had entered the Land of Grass, achieving considerable results in beheading operations. Iwagakure, having suffered in silence, had planned several ambushes and counterattacks. But its strength was insufficient, and the ambushes failed, turning into positional battles against Uchiha Kamon instead. Then the Strategic Support companies personally led by Uchiha Tokimitsu outflanked and encircled them, annihilating them in one stroke. In the end, Iwagakure's border troops fled in disarray, leaving behind more than two hundred corpses.

Military achievements were the source of one's voice. This was the first time the Uchiha Clan had commanded a ninja army outside the village, and its accomplishments lived up to the reputation of the Number one clan in the Ninja World. Naturally, they were brimming with pride. Danzo, the commander in the Land of Rain direction, appeared especially incompetent by comparison. Enraged and humiliated, he forcibly ordered the Konoha Ninja Army to launch a large-scale offensive against the Land of Rain's defenses. Yet with the jonin still being held back, they only smashed their heads against a wall. The outcome of the frontal assault was essentially identical to the prewar projections of the Nara Strategist.

Two relatively small battles had produced utterly different results.

Although Konoha's propaganda claimed that "under the Hokage's strong support and effective guidance, the Konoha Ninja Army advanced with unstoppable momentum and frustrated the wolfish ambitions of the Land of Rain and the Land of Earth," results did not lie. One side swept through the region, while the other lost troops and officers. Any ninja clan with some foundation could learn the truth, and the great nations naturally would not remain ignorant of the details.

Thus, when the two battle reports were presented to the Hokage together, Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen was filled with worry.

"Sending the Uchiha into battle seems to have been a mistaken move..."

Naturally, such words could only be spoken behind closed doors in the Hokage's Office.

Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen continued puffing fiercely on his pipe, while Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu frowned deeply.

"Danzo is still better suited to intelligence work. This is also his first time commanding a ninja army..." Mitokado Homura offered a few words in Danzo's defense.

"The Uchiha are also commanding a ninja army for the first time." Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen was somewhat displeased.

"Should we recall Danzo and let him resume responsibility for intelligence?" Utatane Koharu suggested.

"Not appropriate." After considering it for a moment, Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and rejected the proposal.

If Danzo were recalled and replaced as commander after suffering a setback, it would confirm his defeat. Not only would Danzo lose face, but the Hokage Faction's prestige would suffer greatly as well.

"Then how about transferring Sakumo's ninja army over as reinforcements?" Utatane Koharu suggested again. "In the Land of Earth direction, the Uchiha have already cleared out the infiltrating Iwagakure ninja within the Land of Grass. The Northwest Border Defense Force is strong enough to withstand Iwagakure's probing attacks. That means Sakumo's Mobile Unit has no immediate use. It would be especially wasteful to leave such a fighting force idle at the Land of Waterfalls border. We might as well send it to the Land of Rain to support Danzo and the others."

"But that would leave a gap in the defenses on the Land of Lightning flank." Mitokado Homura shook his head again.

"Let us set troop transfers aside for now... How should these two battle reports be handled?"

Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen raised the two battle reports in his hand, one from the Land of Rain and one from the Land of Earth.

"All rewards and punishments should be handled according to regulations." Mitokado Homura carefully chose his words. "The Northwest Border Defense Force's material requirements can all be met. But regarding reinforcements... the village cannot spare any ninja troops for the moment. However, we can issue an Imperial decree to call for ninja willing to volunteer for battle."

"Volunteers?" The Third Hokage immediately perked up.

That phrasing was indeed interesting. Ninja armies had always been assembled through compulsory recruitment under the Hokage's Edict; no one had ever heard of voluntary enlistment. If they truly had the time, ninja would rather take missions and earn money than fight and die on a battlefield.

"Yes! Issue a recruitment mission for ninja willing to head to the Northwest Border Defense Force."

"That is a good idea. It will reduce the village's burden and also address the Uchiha's demands." Utatane Koharu understood her old friend's intention as well.

"...Very well. Handle it that way." Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen tossed the battle reports back onto the desk and rubbed his temples.

"Then what about the reinforcements Danzo requested?" Utatane Koharu asked again.

"Transfer the two hundred ninja from the Northwest Border Defense Force who were sent to the Western Border Defense Force in the Land of Rivers back to the Land of Fire." The Third Hokage found the matter especially troublesome and could only rob Peter to pay Paul. "Also, transfer two companies from the Anbu Training Department to Danzo."

"But that will leave the village's defensive strength insufficient!" Both Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura opposed drawing more personnel from the Anbu at this time.

"The village's defense... is the responsibility of the Konoha Military Police Force."

"Hiruzen!" Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were dissatisfied with the Third Hokage's perfunctory attitude. "Do you not understand what we mean? If we draw more troops from the Anbu, the forces remaining in the village will be unable to maintain balance with the Uchiha! Who knows whether those Uchiha will suddenly lose their minds and cause some disaster!"

"Not to mention that the Uchiha still have a mobilized ninja army in the village."

"Why not transfer the Uchiha to Danzo?"

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura spoke one after another, offering yet another proposal for redeployment.

"Still not appropriate." The Third Hokage considered it again before shaking his head. "Danzo and the Uchiha have never gotten along. Deploying them together would only invite trouble."

"Then transfer part of Jonin Mimura Kawaki's ninja army to replenish their manpower first." Mitokado Homura once again played the role of patcher.

"Stabilize the Land of Rain front first." Utatane Koharu nodded in agreement.

"Danzo's failed offensive... has also made the other great nations restless..." Mitokado Homura, reviewing other intelligence reports, was deeply anxious over the consequences of his old friend Danzo's failure.

"Ah..."

Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled another thick cloud of smoke.

"Lastly, how should Uchiha Kamon and Uchiha Tokimitsu of the Northwest Border Defense Force be rewarded?"

"Uchiha Tokimitsu can be promoted from Special Jonin to jonin. As for Uchiha Kamon... commend him. Ninjutsu or money, either will do." Utatane Koharu's old eyes shifted as she offered an idea.

Suppressing the Uchiha had been the Second Generation's consistent tradition, and Konoha F4 naturally followed it as well. Only the methods and means of suppression differed.

"What about the Uchiha Ninja Army in the village?" Utatane Koharu returned to the matter of the Uchiha again.

"Transfer them to the Northern Border Defense Force. The Land of Lightning has been watching us like a tiger All Along. Reinforce the Border Army first, then, depending on conditions in each region, it will be easier to pull Sakumo's Mobile Unit out to support other areas." Mitokado Homura picked up the thread and continued his recommendation. "Hiruzen, what do you think?"

"...All right." Seeing that his two old friends were determined to transfer the Uchiha Ninja Army out of the village, Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen could not say much more.

The Land of Lightning had first confronted the Land of Earth in the buffer zone of the smaller nations. Now, after Danzo's offensive in the Land of Rain had been frustrated, it had begun moving ninja troops south toward Konoha's border. The Northern Border Defense Force had already sent repeated requests for reinforcements.

"The Strategic Support Force concept Uchiha Tokimitsu came up with is also quite good." Mitokado Homura picked up the battle report on the desk and started reading. "Actually, Jonin Sakumo is the best fit for this strategic support role. It is far too wasteful to have him lead troops in permanent border defense."

"Then let him try forming such a force as well." The Third Hokage made the final decision. "Have Sakumo withdraw into the interior, select personnel, and form a new ninja army. Given Sakumo's strength, the Strategic Support Force he forms will surely be even better."

"Then what about the personnel stationed at the border?"

"The village will recruit another five hundred ninja!" The Third Hokage also felt increasingly stretched thin. The village's standing ninja had to meet mission demands, making it truly difficult to transfer and deploy ninja troops. "Jonin Kato Dan will lead them. His Spirit Transformation Technique is also suited to the Border Army's combat environment. As for the Border Army remaining behind, Kinome Kuno will command it."

"Yes!" ×2