With Great Fanfare

An envoy from Konoha Village would arrive bearing rewards for the Battle of Yamashiro in the Land of Grass, along with part of the supplies needed by the Northwest Border Defense Force. This news had been relayed by the Uchiha Clan through Ninja Cats.

As for the village's intelligence network, perhaps out of caution to prevent the Uchiha from learning Konoha's intelligence structure, Uchiha Tokimitsu had never obtained any useful information from it. Even the intelligence about the Iwagakure Ninja Army moving south had been proactively reported by Ninja Cats after they acquired it, then corroborated by Grass Ninja intelligence. The Anbu's activities in the Land of Grass and the Land of Earth had likewise never been communicated to Uchiha Kamon and Uchiha Tokimitsu, the commander and deputy commander. Based on this alone, anyone with eyes could see just how deep the rift between the Uchiha Clan and the village ran.

Thus, Uchiha Tokimitsu did not care about the incoming envoy. In his heart, he regarded him as nothing more than a tool for delivering messages. If the rewards suited him, he would accept them. If not, he would first withhold the supplies, then reject the edict.

Naturally, Uchiha Tokimitsu had discussed this plan with Uchiha Kamon and the other jonin, and they had reached a unanimous position. After all, they were all jonin. Moreover, the Uchiha Clan had always had a tradition of holding Clan Meetings whenever anything happened—or even when nothing did. Since Uchiha Tokimitsu was leading troops away from home, establishing a "jonin deliberative system" was perfectly reasonable.

Since he regarded the village's envoy as a mere tool, there was naturally no need to show much enthusiasm. He would not bother with superficial formalities such as traveling dozens of miles from camp to welcome the envoy. Though the village's message said the envoy would arrive in the afternoon, the camp carried on as usual without making any extra preparations.

Although Nara Kohei, as staff officer, offered a tactful suggestion, Uchiha Kamon paid it no mind. He could only let the matter go uneasily.

Thus, when Torifu Akimichi, serving as Envoy of Pacification, led his party to the Garrison Camp in the Land of Grass, the first greeting he received was a patrolling ninja's shuriken.

"Who goes there? How dare you trespass into Konoha's restricted zone!"

From the treetops, the Uchiha Jonin leading the patrol coldly watched the Konoha Anbu and Torifu Akimichi, who was surrounded by the group. His Three-Tomoe Sharingan slowly turned as fierce killing intent swept over them without restraint.

The Uchiha ninja of the patrol squad were equally alert, each using his left thumb to loosen his longsword from its sheath. The other civilian ninja wore equally indifferent expressions.

"Outrageous!" An Anbu stepped forward, about to rebuke him.

Torifu Akimichi waved a hand, stopping the Anbu.

"We are envoys dispatched by Lord Hokage. Here are the edict and our proof of identity."

Torifu Akimichi took out the documents and tossed them to the Patrol Team. Only after they were examined was the party allowed through.

"Lord Torifu, these Uchiha have gone too far..." one Anbu said indignantly.

"No need to dwell on it..." Torifu Akimichi cut him off.

Ninja had keen ears and sharp eyes, and the Uchiha's attitude was already terrible enough. If they overheard them, who knew what needless trouble they might stir up.

The walk from the patrol zone to the camp took roughly ten minutes. Along the way, the Patrol Team simply led the way in silence and did not interact with the envoy's party. The Anbu group simmered with frustration, but there was nothing they could do.

There was even less of a welcoming ceremony at the garrison camp gate. Only staff officer Nara Kohei waited there with several clerks.

"Lord Torifu!"

"Kohei, you've been doing well lately." Torifu Akimichi greeted Nara Kohei with a smile.

Torifu Akimichi was a highly respected elder among the Ino-Shika-Cho Three Clans, as well as a disciple of the Second Hokage. His status among the three clans was especially lofty, so as a junior, Nara Kohei did not dare show even the slightest disrespect.

"The Border Defense Force is commanded by the Uchiha's Kamon and Tokimitsu, correct? They have done quite well too." As a contemporary of Kagami Uchiha, Torifu Akimichi did not shy away from mentioning the Uchiha. "The Battle of Yamashiro in the Northern Border of the Land of Grass was the greatest victory achieved since the conflict began."

"I would not dare claim credit. It was all due to the merits of Commander Uchiha Kamon and Commander Tokimitsu," Nara Kohei said respectfully.

"I heard that Deputy Commander Uchiha Tokimitsu is not yet ten years old this year. Is that so?" Torifu Akimichi asked pointedly.

"Yes. Deputy Commander Lord Tokimitsu is an unprecedented genius of the Uchiha Clan. Whether in strength or strategy, he is exceptional..." Nara Kohei answered cautiously. Torifu Akimichi's lofty position meant he need not care about gossip, but Nara Kohei, a nominal strategist in a camp controlled by the Uchiha, still had to consider the opinions of the Uchiha ninja.

"Mm..." Torifu Akimichi understood Nara Kohei's implication and did not continue discussing the Uchiha. He merely expressed approval of the camp's arrangements.

Within the Main Command Tent, Uchiha Kamon, Uchiha Tokimitsu, and the various detachment leaders were already waiting. When Torifu Akimichi's party entered, they stepped forward under Uchiha Kamon's lead and offered their greetings.

Besides the usual stale official platitudes, the Hokage's Edict contained rewards for the Battle of Yamashiro in the Land of Grass. As camp commander, Uchiha Kamon received a Third-Class Merit Record Book, which he could use to apply to the village for Ninjutsu Data, Rare Materials, and other items. The participating ninja also received rewards ranging from ninjutsu to money according to their Enemy Kill Merit.

As the battle's actual commander, Uchiha Tokimitsu was promoted from Special Jonin to jonin. He officially became the youngest member of the Konoha Jonin Squad, as well as the youngest jonin among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

As one of the Ninja Clan Faction's representatives among the Second Hokage's disciples, Torifu Akimichi had always been easygoing and maintained relatively harmonious relations with the various ninja clans. After reading the edict, he began chatting with everyone, and the atmosphere in the tent became very cordial.

At the same time, Torifu Akimichi gave Uchiha Tokimitsu's establishment of a Logistics Detachment for On-site Concentrated Supply and Rescue his full approval, considering it a reliable and effective measure. Taking the opportunity, he praised Uchiha Tokimitsu at length once more.

"A hero emerges from youth indeed!" Torifu Akimichi exclaimed. "The Uchiha Clan truly is the Number one clan in the Ninja World. Tokimitsu-kun possesses such talent at such a young age. It shames us all."

"You praise me too highly, Lord Torifu. You are a highly respected and meritorious elder of the village. As juniors, we ought to learn from you," Uchiha Tokimitsu said. Since things had been put this way, he naturally did not put on airs and lowered his posture accordingly.

"Konoha's status as number one in the Ninja World requires young people like you to shoulder great responsibilities. New Branches and Leaves must grow in the future to support Konoha, this Great Tree," Torifu Akimichi continued cheerfully.

"You are too modest, Lord Torifu. You are the pillar of the shinobi village..."

As they spoke, Torifu Akimichi secretly observed the expressions of the jonin in the tent. Seeing that, despite such lavish praise for Uchiha Tokimitsu, all the jonin looked as though it were only natural and showed no hint of dissatisfaction, he understood that Uchiha Tokimitsu had already truly taken command of and won over the jonin corps of this force.

The younger generation is formidable.

Torifu Akimichi sighed inwardly.

As one of the Second Hokage's Six Disciples and the spokesman for the Ino-Shika-Cho Three Clans, he held no important post in the village. There were many reasons behind this, one being the Hokage Faction's suppression of the Ninja Clan Faction's influence. Now, seeing an eight-year-old child promoted to jonin and appointed Commander of a region, he could not help feeling Complex feelings.

"Our Ino-Shika-Cho Three Clans also have some Young talents. Though they are not as Young and promising as Commander Tokimitsu, they possess some ability. If possible, I hope they may come train under the Northwest Border Defense Force. What do you think, Commander Tokimitsu?"

The moment Torifu Akimichi said this, everyone present was startled.

One had to know that the Ino-Shika-Cho Three Clans had All Along been Staunch Supporters of the Hokage Faction. Yet now they were willing to send clan members into a force led by the Uchiha Clan. It was impossible not to Think too much about it.

Even Nara Kohei, the Family's discarded child with considerable Self-Awareness, found it hard to believe. He Opened mouth several times, yet Hesitated to speak.

The accompanying Anbu could not help but Glanced sideways, though they were in no position to say anything.

"The famed Ino-Shika-Cho combination is Renowned throughout the Ninja World. If talented members of the three clans join us, it will undoubtedly be a blessing for Headquarters!" Uchiha Tokimitsu naturally had no reason to refuse.

The Northwest Border Defense Force was now firmly controlled by a large number of Uchiha ninja. No matter whom the village sent, they would not be able to stir up any Wind and Waves. This was Uchiha Tokimitsu's Source of confidence.

The conversation ended hastily. Once the rewards and supplies had been distributed and the Handover completed, Torifu Akimichi did not linger and immediately Led the team away.

Uchiha Tokimitsu made no show of urging them to stay. After seeing them off, he began drafting a new battle plan.

Iwagakure had not continued southward, so the war naturally could not escalate.

But Uchiha Tokimitsu had no intention of remaining idle. In his eyes, war with Iwagakure would erupt sooner or later. Rather than Wait for the enemy to attack, it would be better to launch a Proactive Attack and weaken the enemy ninja army as much as possible.

The next day, Uchiha Tokimitsu sent a letter to Susuki, leader of Kusagakure, demanding that he Dispatch at least five hundred Grass Ninja to cooperate with the five detachments sent out by the Northwest Border Defense Force in a joint sweep across the Land of Grass.

At the same time, he wrote to the Daimyo of the Land of Grass. He first expressed concern over the Land of Grass's current crisis and predicament, then shifted his tone to state that Konoha's Border Defense Force had All Along supported the Land of Grass and would naturally not allow Underground forces to cause disorder. He demanded that the Daimyo support the crackdown on illegal forces within the Land of Grass, thereby placing double pressure on the Grass Ninja.

Faced with Uchiha Tokimitsu's demands, the Daimyo of the Land of Grass naturally accepted them all. He also issued an Imperial decree to Kusagakure, ordering it to mobilize its ninja army to cooperate with the Konoha Ninja Army's operation.

Under the joint pressure of Uchiha Tokimitsu and the Daimyo of the Land of Grass, Susuki, leader of Kusagakure, had no choice but to recruit six hundred Grass Ninja in accordance with the edict and Handed Over command of them to Uchiha Tokimitsu.

This time, the fence-sitting Grass Ninja were about to be Forced into a faction.

After the recruited Grass Ninja underwent three days of Intensive training at Konoha's Garrison Camp, a Formed Ninja Army of Over a thousand set out in a mighty sweep from south to north. Along the way, every remaining Underground force in the Land of Grass suffered devastating blows and was Uprooted.

The joint ninja army's Military might pointed directly at the Northern Border of the Land of Grass, with the Iwagakure Border Ninja Army as its target!