"Madman, madman! That Raikage is nothing but an arrogant lunatic."
In the Stone Village office, the Tsuchikage finished reading the intelligence report, slapped the desk, and shouted.
"If that bastard Raikage dares to declare war on the Stone Ninja, we can't just sit back and do nothing. Send a force to resist the Cloud Ninja. At the same time, we should set our sights on Konoha."
The elders were taken aback by Ōnoki's words. He wanted to attack on two fronts—to hold off the Cloud Ninja and take a bite out of Konoha. It was an incredibly bold plan.
"Isn't this decision too dangerous? A war against the Cloud Ninja alone will inevitably cost us dearly. If we take on Konoha as well, will we still have any chance of winning?"
"That's right. Konoha is full of talented people. The White Fang and the Sannin are renowned throughout the Ninja World, and none of them are easy opponents."
The elders of the council raised their concerns.
"War will inevitably bring casualties. Konoha is simply too strong and has too many talented people. The Cloud Ninja are playing a grand game. The Third Shinobi World War was prepared specifically for Konoha."
"What?"
The elders found the idea unbelievable.
"The Cloud Ninja are dragging us into the conflict so Konoha can't fight with all its strength. They'll have to send troops to guard against us. They know I won't pass up such a rare opportunity. I'll inevitably join the war to carve up Konoha. It's a scheme they don't even need to hide."
Ōnoki laid out the Cloud Ninja's plan with absolute confidence. The elders suddenly understood.
"I'll personally guard the rear. Kitsuchi will be appointed commander-in-chief of the offensive."
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama."
The Land of Lightning, the Land of Earth, the Land of Wind, and Konoha all began mobilizing their forces. Tensions across the Ninja World rose rapidly.
"Jiraiya, take a team of ninja to guard the border with the Land of Wind. Don't let a single Sand Ninja set foot in the Land of Fire."
"Yes."
Jiraiya accepted his teacher's orders with a serious expression and a firm voice. Hatake Sakumo would have been the best choice to command the defense of the border with the Land of Wind, but since he had left the ranks of the ninja, the role fell to Jiraiya instead.
"Orochimaru, you're responsible for leading a force to stop the Cloud Ninja's advance. You don't need to annihilate them; just keep the enemy outside our borders."
"Understood."
"I'll leave the border with the Land of Earth to you, Minato. That old man Ōnoki won't pass up this opportunity. He'll try to take advantage of Konoha."
"I'll guard the border, Hokage-sama."
"And then there's Kirigakure. Who should we send to deal with them?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked. Once a Ninja World War began, no village could stay out of it. Whether by choice or by force, they would all be drawn into the vortex of war.
"Leave it to the Uchiha and the Hyuga."
Danzo spoke up. The career-minded Danzo was willing to do anything to climb the ranks again while suppressing the Uchiha. Kirigakure's environment didn't suit the Uchiha's Fire Release, but he ignored that. In his eyes, the only good Uchiha was a dead Uchiha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought it over briefly, then agreed with his old friend's suggestion.
"Danzo, have Root handle the intelligence. Don't let our forces go blind on the battlefield."
"I understand."
"Good. I wish you all victory."
Following the Hokage's orders, Konoha's war machine bared its fangs. Teams of ninja marched in orderly lines, carrying supplies to the borders.
Karot and Kakashi received the news as well, though they weren't assigned to the same unit.
Minato Namikaze was Kakashi's teacher and was responsible for the border with the Land of Earth, so Kakashi was naturally assigned to his unit. Karot's unit, meanwhile, was assigned to one of the Sannin, Orochimaru.
"Kakashi, be careful out there on the battlefield."
Hatake Sakumo warned his son. On the battlefield, blades had no eyes. A person was as insignificant as a tiny splash of water, and you never knew when they might stop shining.
"This is the last gift I can give you."
Hatake Sakumo took out his sword, the trusted companion that had fought by his side through countless battles, and gave it to Kakashi, hoping it would protect him in the war.
"Father, this is too precious."
Kakashi tried to refuse, but Hatake Sakumo wouldn't give him the chance.
"You're the only one who inherited Hatake Family Swordsmanship. If you don't take this sword, it'll just gather dust. Take it."
Kakashi accepted it with both hands and solemnly fastened it to his back, thinking that he must not let his father's kindness go to waste.
"Karot, you... I don't really have anything to say to you."
Hatake Sakumo thought for a long while before managing to say that much. There wasn't much left to advise him on. Karot was already stronger than his father, so what was there to say?
"Huh?"
Karot was stunned.
"Father, you had so much to say to Kakashi, but that's all you've got for me? Don't you love me anymore?"
Karot looked like a jealous child.
In the end, Hatake Sakumo had to pay him a hefty sum of money before he could soothe him.
"Kakashi, the war has started. Be careful out there!"
Karot looked at Kakashi with a serious expression and warned him. Ever since he had come to live in this world, he had accepted his father and younger brother from the bottom of his heart. He couldn't bear to imagine what he might do if something happened to Kakashi.
"Big brother, you be careful too. I don't want to come back from the war and find that I've lost a brother."
"Heh."
Kakashi made Karot laugh.
"When the war's over, I'm definitely coming back to beat you up."
The brothers exchanged one last look, then each followed his own unit as they set off.
Konoha's mobilization couldn't be hidden from the villagers. Everyone knew that the Third Shinobi World War had begun. Countless parents, wives, and husbands prayed for their loved ones, hoping they would return safely.
"Karot, over here."
Sanada's booming voice immediately caught Karot's attention.
"You're really slow. You're like this every time."
Sanada complained.
"That's because the protagonist always shows up at the end. Besides, Lord Orochimaru hasn't even arrived yet. What are you in such a hurry for?"
"You—"
Seeing that his two students were about to start arguing, Matsushita hurried to stop them. So many ninja had gathered here, and Matsushita Hokuto didn't want to embarrass himself in front of everyone.
"This battle is very different from the ones we've fought before. We won't be operating in squads anymore. The squads will be broken up."
"Kazumi, you'll be with the medical unit."
"And you, Sanada, have been assigned to the reconnaissance unit. Be careful in everything you do. The reconnaissance unit is the first to clash with the enemy."
"As for you, Karot, there's nothing I need to warn you about. With your strength, as long as you don't cause trouble on the battlefield, you'll have no problem protecting yourself."
"Teacher, I'm the most well-behaved person there is. I never cause trouble."
Never cause trouble—as long as everyone involved in the incident was eliminated, what trouble could there be?
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