Konoha's gates opened once more. This time, its troops still made an imposing sight, but a closer look revealed that their quality was not what it had been before.
Many had just returned from the northwestern front. Through gaps in their clothing, the traces of bandages were faintly visible. There were also many fresh-faced young people who looked like they had only recently become Genin.
If not for Orochimaru leading them, this force would have had no chance against the Iwa Ninja troops.
Of course, even with Orochimaru, they still wouldn't be able to defeat the Iwa Ninja troops. But they could buy time for negotiations with the Sand Ninja and for reinforcements to be mobilized from elsewhere.
As for how to stall them... they could only pay with their lives.
With the fortress where Jiraiya's unit had been stationed breached, the land between the Iwa Ninja troops and Konoha was practically open. There were only a few outposts, whose symbolic importance far outweighed their practical value.
"Teacher, we're setting out."
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched his former favorite student. His appearance had barely changed, but Hiruzen found him harder and harder to read.
Of course, he could still discern a few things in the other man's eyes. For example... greed, ambition, and a certain indifference.
Greed and ambition weren't the problem. The village needed to change, and those traits might even be strengths.
But that indifference to human life was lethal.
He didn't care about anyone's life, whether inside the village or beyond it.
If the village weren't desperately short on manpower, he would never have let Orochimaru lead the troops again.
Watching Orochimaru's figure disappear over the horizon, Hiruzen turned around and said calmly to Danzo:
"Danzo, I'm counting on you to handle the negotiations."
Danzo nodded. He had made