Konoha's Fate Hangs on This Battle!

Two hours later, the teams gathered from across the region joined Kakashi's Flower Squad and stood in neat ranks in the courtyard.

Everyone wore a solemn expression. They had some idea of what had happened and stared straight ahead at the two leaders on the steps.

Ninja ranks and administrative positions were two entirely different systems.

By ninja rank, a Jonin outranked a Chunin, so Hyuuga Kagetora outranked Uchiha Mai.

But administratively, the captain of the Fifth Squad and the head of an intelligence district held equal rank. In special circumstances, the latter had to cooperate with the former, putting him half a step below.

That meant Uchiha Mai, a Chunin, was now in command, while Hyuuga Kagetora, a Jonin and the district head, was his deputy.

"Is this everyone?"

Uchiha Mai glanced over the force before him and frowned.

Including the Flower Squad he had brought, there were only twenty-four people in six teams—two teams fewer than expected.

Hyuuga Kagetora clenched his fists. "It's worse than we thought.

"Two teams stationed fairly close by haven't arrived. Both of their outposts are near the border.

"They must have run into Kumogakure forces on their way here.

"From that, we can infer the enemy is advancing straight south. They'll probably reach us in three hours."

Three hours?

Including the two hours that had already passed, they only needed to hold the enemy up for one more hour at most.

"Understood. I'll explain our plan for this mission, and then we'll move out."

Uchiha Mai nodded and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "A few hours ago, Kumogakure sent a force to launch a surprise attack on the border.

"Without warning, without the slightest hesitation, they appeared out of nowhere.

"We don't know why they started this war, but that's reality.