War Machine Set in Motion, Tsunade's Hemophobia

Hokage Office Building.

Meeting room.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the front of the stage, with a huge map of the Shinobi World behind him.

Below them, the current Committee Member of the Miyo Committee were listening intently to the Hokage's plans.

"Kusagakure borders the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth directly, but the northern part of the corridor between the Land of Frost and the Land of Iron is under the control of the Land of Lightning, and there are spies from Sunagakure along this corridor between the Land of Rain and the Land of Birds."

"Therefore, to prevent the Great Hidden Village from directly interfering, we must first implement a coercive expulsion."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the map. "Around the three directions bordering the Land of Grass, we need to have renowned ninjas lead the teams, apply enough pressure, and force these non- Kusagakure ninjas to retreat from the Land of Grass and be driven to the border."

"Upon reaching the border, due to the current situation in the Shinobi World, renowned ninjas from other Hidden Village will be stationed there to meet their spies and engage in negotiations or questioning with us."

"It's highly unlikely they'll open fire directly, but if they do, we'll retaliate! The overall strategic objective, however, is to buy time for the troops clearing out Kusagakure."

"In other words, we need to take down Kusagakure before the spies from other Hidden Village retreat to the border!"

"First establish a fait accompli, then seize the initiative --"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "According to intelligence, Kusagakure is divided into two factions, and they are already locked in a fierce struggle."

"The higher-ups in the Militant Faction all wear animal masks and are ready to kill anyone they see."

"The remaining Kusa-nin can be ordered to surrender first, but any resistance should still be killed."

"First, eliminate the resistance forces at the higher levels and dismantle their organization. The Small Hidden Village, embroiled in internal strife, has a weak organizational structure and will struggle to mount a strong counterattack once it loses its leader."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was not loud, and his voice was relatively calm, but it was full of killing intent.

The three "kill" characters strung together seemed to sever the Kusagakure in one fell swoop!

"Our objective in this military operation is twofold: first, to rescue the Konoha Ninja and their descendants who have been kidnapped by Kusagakure. We cannot bear to see our own people suffer in a foreign land."

"Secondly, regarding the protection and development of industries, we need military prestige to make the Nobles of the Land of Fire trust the village more, thus eliminating the covetousness of other Hidden Village and maintaining a relatively peaceful period of development."

Time is on our side.

"Therefore, after taking over Kusagakure, the remaining actions are equally crucial."

The Konoha Committee Member nodded in agreement, showing strong support for Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision.

In a village where the Will of Fire shines brightly today, or even in the former Konoha, rescuing comrades kidnapped by hyenas is a universally applicable principle of law and justice.

Jiraiya, who harbored some anti-war sentiments, was quite excited at this moment and couldn't wait to go in!

Anti-war sentiment is about hoping for peace, not about not fighting back when others attack us.

Our own people have been captured and used as slaves and human batteries, nothing else matters!

"First, after rescuing the ninjas captured by Kusagakure based on intelligence, they were categorized on the spot and quickly and orderly arranged according to their respective Hidden Village."

"During this time, the Uchiha, Kurama Clan, and Yamanaka Clan ninjas used Genjutsu to subconsciously hypnotize the victims."

"It's important to note that once you've achieved the victory of eliminating a high-ranking member of the Kusagakure Militant Faction, you must quickly extract the information from their minds and locate the Box of Ultimate Bliss."

"Danzo, you take a group of Anbu and escort the Box of Ultimate Bliss back to Konoha. Be quick and discreet."

"If any ancient texts are found, the Uchiha Clan ninjas should make copies and then transcribe them upon returning home. As for the valuables, they can be divided among the other affected Hidden Village; there's no need to get into trouble over such a small amount of money."

The greatest strategic significance of attacking Kusagakure was to validate Senju Tobirama's identity and to rescue the ninjas of Konoha.

Now that there's an additional Box of Ultimate Bliss, if all three things are accomplished, then Konoha will have struck gold.

Further plundering of property and books would give other Hidden Village ammunition to use against us, putting us at a disadvantage diplomatically and hindering the promotion of Konoha Products and values.

Most importantly, the returns won't be very significant.

Konoha needs time and reputation now, Kusagakure could squeeze every last drop out of it.

"Once the situation in Kusagakure is resolved, notify the three groups of our ninjas who have reached the border to come to Kusagakure to collect their people and negotiate on-site for Kusagakure's compensation to the victims and any follow-up matters."

"With this principle of justice in place, they will find it difficult to make a fuss."

"Nobody wants to be condemned after someone saves their family—" Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled coldly. "Besides, they did get a little something out of it; a smart person would shut up."

"They are in the wrong on this point, or rather, the village that makes its own people suffer is in the wrong."

The various Konoha Committee Member nodded in deep agreement.

They could imagine the scene—

The imprisoned Iwagakure Ninja were rescued by Konoha and are waiting for their village to take them back.

As a result, their own Hidden Village turned around and criticized Konoha, even though Konoha hadn't extensively plundered Kusagakure or negotiated compensation for Kusagakure's resources.

So, what is this trying to express?

So, if they encounter misfortune or make a mistake, does that mean their own Hidden Village no longer considers them human?

I should at least try to express my gratitude, even if it means holding my nose.

"Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Sakumo."

"Each of you will lead a team of elite troops, divided into three groups, to be responsible for driving out the spies from the remaining Hidden Village and handling subsequent negotiations."

"Danzo, Hizashi, Fugaku, and Minato, you will lead the elite of the Anbu, Patrol Force, and Military Police Force to carry out a decapitation strike on Kusagakure. You must resolve the battle and restore order to the scene within one hour."

"The relevant information is all on your desks."

"If you have any questions, please raise them immediately after reading this; they can all be resolved through coordination."

The Konoha Committee Member nodded in agreement.

This task seems rather difficult; to dismantle a Hidden Village, even Small Hidden Village, within an hour.

Because it wasn't Konoha's entire armed force that was mobilized.

Jiraiya and the other two are the core members of Konoha today, and they will not be directly involved in this operation.

But upon closer inspection, no one raised any objections.

Because a united Konoha truly possesses a comprehensiveness that other Hidden Village lack.

According to Danzo's intelligence summary, the internal structure and personnel list of Kusagakure and Hozuki Castle were as transparent as if they were written down, except that the architectural blueprints were written on them.

With Hizashi Hyuga the team and Byakugan Branch Family's comprehensive scanning capabilities, they would not encounter any ambushes.

Minato Namikaze Minato's Flying Thunder God, used for flanking and breaking through, is completely unreasonable.

Once inside Kusagakure, Fugaku's elite Uchiha squad with Three-Tomoe armor could deliver a devastating blow to the Kusagakure's ninjas.

There's a saying that's been circulating among Jonin for a long time—

"If you don't have strength approaching that of a Kage, don't try to fight a three-tomoe Uchiha one-on-one."

"Teacher, I have a suggestion!" Tsunade raised her hand and said loudly, "Let me switch places with Sakumo! I'll lead the team, and he can go to Kusagakure!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.

He knew Tsunade was in trouble.

After experiencing the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade developed a severe case of Hemophobia. Whenever she saw blood, she would become weak in her limbs, lose consciousness, and lose her fighting ability.

Doing research is certainly no problem.

However, if you're leading a team, it's possible you might get into a firefight with scouts.

Such Tsunade is incapable of shouldering such a heavy responsibility.

Seemingly sensing Hiruzen Sarutobi's confusion, Tsunade immediately bit her finger hard, staring directly at the blood.

She didn't tremble or faint; she only frowned slightly but remained conscious.

"Teacher, this isn't war; this is to rescue our comrades."

"Ever since you said you wanted to name the Medical Scroll after the Nawaki, I've dreamt of him."

"Nawaki said he hoped I, his older sister, would be strong and inherit his will to become Hokage, and that Hokage cannot be afraid of blood, whether it is one's own or that of an enemy."

Even those who are on our side are no exception --

"So, teacher, I'm back!" Tsunade said, clenching her fist tightly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was surprised.

No, I dreamt about Teacher Tobirama, that was just a random thought.

But judging from Tsunade's resolute demeanor, what she said didn't seem like a lie.

Tsunade did dream of Nawaki, but it's highly likely that it wasn't actually Nawaki appearing in her dream.

Rather, it is a form of internalization of obsession.

After witnessing Konoha's rapid development and its treatment of ninjas as living, breathing individuals, and its strong support for her medical care, Tsunade actually felt better.

The villages that were previously fragmented are now gradually integrating into a unified whole.

Whether it's Team Hiruzen, Hiruko, Hyuga, or Uchiha—

Even her unreliable uncle- Danzo was doing his utmost for the village.

This atmosphere touched Tsunade and finally made her understand what she truly wanted.

She was indeed afraid of losing her loved ones.

But what I fear even more is meaningless and unsecured sacrifice.

Let their deaths be like weeds, blown away by the cruel winds of the Shinobi World, leaving no trace.

A chilling coldness that cannot be shaken even by the slightest change in the status quo.

But now these problems are being improved in an orderly and effective manner.

The so-called Hemophobia was thus almost completely cured.

The Konoha Committee Member applauded Tsunade enthusiastically to celebrate the return of the Princess of Konoha.

Interestingly, two of them sounded rather odd.

It's fine if you come back, but the key question is what you mean by saying you want to inherit Hokage's will to become Nawaki.

There's no need for that!

These two people are naturally Danzo and Orochimaru.

Orochimaru was happy that Tsunade had recovered, but at the same time he felt that things were a bit tricky.

He understood Tsunade; he knew how stubborn this woman could be when she was determined. He wouldn't simply hand over the Hokage position just because he was her childhood friend.

If we say we're going to fight, then we really mean it!

"However, if Tsunade is determined to compete, so be it—given her personality, she can't handle those complicated matters, and it won't affect my research; on the contrary, it will only make her more focused."

"It's just healthy competition—" Orochimaru comforted himself.

However, he also harbored a slight regret about his own life motto.

Change isn't always a good thing.

Occasionally, it can be a mix of joy and sorrow.

Danzo, on the other hand, thought more directly; the pressure on him suddenly increased significantly.

Tsunade's status in Konoha is extremely extraordinary.

Take, for example, her directly addressing Hiruzen Sarutobi as "sensei" during such a formal meeting.

Danzo could find fault with Orochimaru in this way, but he couldn't find fault with Tsunade.

Because this princess was indeed the one whom the First Hokage held and spun around from the moment she was born, Senju Hashirama adored her from a very young age.

Although she is arrogant, she is kind at heart.

His Medical Ninjutsu has saved countless lives of Konoha Ninja, and he is extremely popular in the village.

If they try to exploit this situation, Danzo will only Danzo himself.

Although Danzo's reputation has improved somewhat with Hiruzen Sarutobi's help --

But if he were to ever use his old method of labeling Tsunade again, he would instantly face a backlash.

It is considered to have magic immunity.

Danzo in thought for a moment before calming himself down.

The only thing we can do now is to work hard and earn the Hokage position step by step through sheer strength.

After all, he believed Hiruzen was fair.

Even though Tsunade is the granddaughter of the First and Second Hokage, Hiruzen's apprentice, and the princess of the Land of Fire—

Danzo also trusted Hiruzen Sarutobi and believed he wouldn't entrust his affairs to the wrong person.

At that moment, Jiraiya suddenly raised his hand and shouted, "Sensei, I want to be Hokage too!"

He didn't mean anything by it; it's just that Tsunade and Orochimaru are openly competing.

He was the only one left in Team Hiruzen, which made him seem rather out of place.

But Jiraiya's words elicited inexplicable good-natured laughter from the crowd, who all thought he was joking.

Jiraiya's face instantly turned bright red.

No, all I did was act a little unserious sometimes. Did I complain about Hokage being pointless before?

Why would everyone laugh at me like that?!

"Alright, stop bringing up the Hokage thing all the time. Everyone knows what's really going on—"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and gestured for Jiraiya to sit down. He nodded to Tsunade and said, "Then, this part is yours, Tsunade Sakumo, do you have any questions about this?"

Hatake Sakumo stood up and replied, "No, but I need to report something to you—"

"If I act together with Minato, we can shorten the time to take down Kusagakure by fifteen minutes."

Sakumo had sparred with Minato before and knew just how unreasonable Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique was.

Caught off guard, almost all ninjas will suffer this "First-Strike Kill".

And as long as Namikaze Minato teleports him and the Uchiha elites inside—

To counter the Kusagakure, which lacks heavily armored defensive units, one should utilize the Third Raikage, Jinchuriki, and wide-area-of-effect Ninjutsu.

That's almost like mowing grass.

Their combined styles are perfectly suited for dealing with ordinary ninjas, and their synergy is truly remarkable.

"Good!"

"Then, let's get started!" Hiruzen Sarutobi his hand.

Konoha's War Machine has started up again after several years!