"Senior Kaizumi, no one is asking the Yugakure ninja to stand against the Kumogakure ninja. Your mission is only to harass them. I also believe Kumogakure will soon send troops to intercept the Sunagakure army. When that happens, you'll face much less pressure."
Inoichi Yamanaka spoke without expression.
At those words, the anger in Kaizumi's heart flared.
His breathing grew ragged, veins bulging on his forehead. Struggling to hold back his fury, he looked at Jiraiya and pleaded, "Lord Jiraiya, Yugakure—"
Kurama Murakumo cut Kaizumi off. "As long as the younger generation survives, Yugakure will survive. There's no need to worry about the future. Besides, Yugakure is Konoha's most loyal partner. Konoha won't stand by and do nothing."
Jiraiya lowered his eyes, unable to look at Kaizumi.
War always demanded sacrifices.
Even if he was willing to send Konoha Ninja in Yugakure's place, the strategists wouldn't agree.
He could inspire Konoha Ninja with the Will of Fire, but Kaizumi was from Yugakure. The Will of Fire didn't apply to him.
At a time like this, anything he said would sound hypocritical.
So he simply kept quiet.
Seeing this, Kaizumi seemed to deflate like a punctured ball.
When the Konoha Ninja had headed north, Yugakure had moved all the village's elderly, children, and women into the Land of Fire.
They had done the same during the previous Shinobi World Wars.
As a vassal of the Land of Fire, Yugakure had to send its people away whenever war broke out.
This ensured Yugakure's survival, and also served as a pledge of loyalty to Konoha.
With hostages in Konoha's hands, Yugakure couldn't defect at the last moment and side with Kumogakure.
Thinking of his two-year-old grandson, Kaizumi let out a quiet sigh.
He had no other choice. He could only obey.
That was