"We'll need a lot of people," Sasuke said. "And we only have three days."
"Then three days it is," Naruto said. "We have no choice."
He turned, his gaze resolute.
"Summon everyone immediately."
"I'll assign the missions myself."
Half an hour later.
In the plaza outside the Hokage's Office.
All of Konoha's Jonin and Anbu had gathered.
Naruto stood on a raised platform, looking down at them.
"Everyone," he began, "I have an urgent mission to assign."
"Otsutsuki Momoshiki has planted more than a dozen God Tree saplings in the Land of Fire."
"These saplings will absorb Life Energy."
"If we don't destroy them in time, the entire Land of Fire will become a wasteland."
The ninjas below all looked alarmed.
"I need you to split into more than a dozen teams."
"Search the entire Land of Fire for the God Tree saplings."
"Destroy them as soon as you find them."
"We have only three days."
"Three days from now is my inauguration ceremony."
"Momoshiki may well make his move then."
"So we have to eliminate every threat before that happens."
Naruto paused.
"I know this will be difficult."
"The Land of Fire is vast. Searching the whole country in three days is almost impossible."
"But we have to do it."
"Because we're ninjas of Konoha."
"We are inheritors of the Will of Fire."
"Protecting the village and the country is our duty."
The ninjas below were silent for a few seconds.
Then Kakashi was the first to step forward.
"I'll lead a team to search the north."
"I'll take the east," Shikamaru said.
"I'll take the south," Sakura said.
"I'll take the west," Ino said.
More and more people stepped forward.
No one backed down.
Watching them, Naruto felt a warmth well up inside him.
"Thank you, everyone," he