High-Level Meeting

In the Hokage's conference room, the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, the leaders of all Konoha clans, the two advisors, Hokage Assistant Danzo, and the Anbu Captain were gathered.

"Everyone, Jiraiya previously brought back news that the Sand Shinobi's Third Kazekage has gone missing on the border of the Land of Fire. The Sand Shinobi Village is currently restless and intends to use this incident as an excuse to invade our Konoha."

The Third Hokage's expression was grave. He knew that once the Sand Shinobi made a move, Konoha would not just be facing the Sand Shinobi, but potentially the entire ninja world, just like before. Thinking of this, the Third Hokage couldn't help but recall the previous two Great Ninja Wars.

Konoha Village is located in the Land of Fire, and the Land of Fire's position serves as a vital thoroughfare connecting north and south. The Land of Fire also boasts the best ecological environment among the Five Great Nations, making it highly suitable for crop growth. Its unique geographical location, superior living environment, and the powerful Konoha ninja village make the Land of Fire the most prosperous nation among the Five Great Nations.

A nation's prosperity and strength will always attract the envy of surrounding nations, not to mention the Land of Fire's abundant natural resources.

Originally, there were figures like Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha who could deter the ninja world. However, after the battle at the Valley of the End, Madara Uchiha "died," and not long after, Hashirama Senju also passed away. Without the deterrence of absolute power, the First Great Ninja War erupted in a struggle for these resources.

During the First Great Ninja War, Konoha had Tobirama Senju as its commander. The foundations of the Senju and Uchiha clans were still strong. Although Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha were gone, Konoha still managed to overpower the other four great ninja villages with its own strength. However, it also suffered heavy losses. The Five Great Nations signed a [Truce Treaty] and focused on recovery and recuperation.

After signing the [Truce Treaty], the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, who died during a coup in Kumogakure during the First Great Ninja War, passed the position of Third Hokage to him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen gradually took control of Konoha and managed it meticulously for 20 years. 20 years of peace allowed Konoha to prosper once again.

When the Second Great Ninja War broke out, Konoha had him at his peak, his three disciples, White Fang, and Dan Katō. These excellent successors ensured that Konoha ultimately emerged victorious in the Second Great Ninja War.

"Hokage-sama, Hokage-sama! Hiruzen!" Mitokado Homura's voice interrupted the Third Hokage's thoughts.

"Heh heh, apologies, apologies. I was lost in thought recalling some matters. Let's continue the meeting! We were just discussing the Sand Shinobi's restlessness. Regarding the Sand Shinobi issue, what are everyone's thoughts?" The Third Hokage regained his senses and addressed the others.

"Teacher Sarutobi! The Sand Shinobi are particularly noteworthy for their peculiar Puppet Technique and various poisons, especially their poisons!" Jiraiya stated.

"Jiraiya is right. During the previous Great Ninja Wars, we had Tsunade, but many ninja still died from the Sand Shinobi's poisons. Now that Tsunade is not in the village, the Sand Shinobi's poisons will likely be a major problem for us," Utatane Koharu said.

"It's not just that. Konoha's medical ninja have always been led by Tsunade. With her gone, the allocation of Konoha's medical ninja is also an issue," Mitokado Homura added.

The words of the high-ranking officials cast a silence over the conference room; these were all problems that needed to be resolved. Nara Shikaku was about to suggest appointing Yamanaka Tohru to Tsunade's position.

"Teacher Sarutobi, I believe Yamanaka Tohru can take over Tsunade's position," Orochimaru's voice broke the silence in the conference room.

"Oh? Orochimaru, tell me your reasons." Orochimaru's words made the Third Hokage's eyes light up. Yamanaka Tohru was indeed a good choice.

"Teacher Sarutobi, firstly, Yamanaka Tohru is the closest to Tsunade within Konoha in terms of Medical Ninjutsu. Secondly, he is a member of the Yamanaka Clan, and the Yamanaka Clan has always been loyal to Konoha. The only issue is whether his qualifications are sufficient to command respect."

The Third Hokage nodded repeatedly as he listened to Orochimaru's words. After his explanation, the Third Hokage felt that Yamanaka Tohru was quite suitable for this position.

"What does everyone think?" the Third Hokage asked for everyone's opinion.

"The Uchiha Clan agrees!"

"The Hyuga Clan agrees!"

"The Sarutobi Clan agrees!"

"The Nara Clan agrees!"

"The Akimichi Clan agrees!"

"The Yamanaka Clan agrees!"

Except for the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, the leaders of the other clans had no interest in the position of head medical ninja.

Currently, there are few outstanding medical ninja among Konoha's major clans. Moreover, Yamanaka Tohru is now hailed as a medical ninja comparable to Tsunade. The Hokage's nod just now indicated that the position of head of the medical team was practically secured for Yamanaka Tohru.

"Wait, I object!" Danzo's sudden objection caused the faces of the clan leaders to darken.

They had just agreed, and Danzo's immediate opposition felt like a slap in the face to them.

Danzo was also quite helpless. In his opinion, Yamanaka Tohru was just a 9-year-old child. While his Medical Ninjutsu was adequate, it was absolutely unacceptable to have a child serve as the captain of a team.

"Danzo, state your reasons for objection!" The Third Hokage's expression also soured. He had just nodded, and the clan leaders had understood the clear implication. Did his old comrade Danzo not understand?

"Hiruzen, as Orochimaru just said, Yamanaka Tohru's qualifications and strength are not enough to command respect!"

"Lord Danzo, I said earlier whether his qualifications were sufficient to command respect, not that they were insufficient," Orochimaru corrected.

"Enough, Danzo. Let's not bring up the issue of qualifications again. The fact that Yamanaka Tohru saved Hatake Sakumo and has been working at Konoha Hospital since he was 5 years old is sufficient!" The Third Hokage paused for a few seconds when mentioning saving Hatake Sakumo.

Danzo understood the Third Hokage's meaning. The Third Hokage had always remembered the matter concerning Hatake Sakumo! Under the Third Hokage's pressure, Danzo could only nod in agreement.

The leaders of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans exchanged glances. They hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.

First, there was Orochimaru's proposal, then the Third Hokage's tacit approval, followed by the agreement of all the major clans, and finally, even Danzo's objection was suppressed by the Third Hokage.

"Alright, since everyone agrees, Yamanaka Tohru will be the captain of the medical team. Next..."

"Wait a moment, Teacher Sarutobi. Yamanaka Tohru is still a Genin. You see..." Just as the Third Hokage was about to move on to the next topic, Jiraiya interrupted him.

Jiraiya's intention was simple: to secure benefits for his grand-disciple. Yamanaka Tohru had developed the Healing Talisman. Although it couldn't be publicly disclosed for certain reasons, they couldn't just offer no recognition at all.

The Third Hokage glared fiercely at Jiraiya. Of course, he knew Yamanaka Tohru was still a Genin. The Third Hokage had originally planned to promote Yamanaka Tohru to Chunin after the meeting, but he didn't expect Jiraiya to bring it up in public.

"Yamanaka Tohru has indeed made significant contributions to the village. Hiruzen, why not promote him to Chunin?" Utatane Koharu also knew the Third Hokage's intentions and decided to voice them.

This time, even Danzo had no reason to object. Yamanaka Tohru's contribution in developing the Healing Talisman was too great; he was more than qualified for a mere Chunin position.

As for the leaders of the major clans, although they were unaware that Yamanaka Tohru had developed the Healing Talisman, seeing that the village's high-ranking officials had tacitly agreed, they certainly wouldn't stand in opposition.

Afterward, the topics in the conference room revolved around specific deployments for the upcoming war. Following this meeting, Konoha made all the necessary preparations to face the Sand Shinobi.