The Second Shinobi World War had erupted!
Although only Sunagakure and Konoha had entered the fray so far, every shinobi village had already come to a realization: this war was only the beginning. The other villages could not possibly remain uninvolved. Before long, the entire Shinobi World would be engulfed in flames of war!
Konoha, conference room.
The entire conference room was filled with Konoha's most powerful figures.
Konoha Village had anticipated the war months ago, so naturally, it had long since made its preparations.
Every outpost along Konoha's borders had already entered wartime mode. Almost at the same time Sunagakure invaded the Land of Rain, Konoha's troops had finished assembling at the border.
"So, what we lack now is powerful fighters?" Sarutobi Toru asked from his seat behind Danzo.
"That's right." The Third Hokage did not look particularly grim, clearly confident about this battle. "Mitokado Homura is commanding the front line this time. His strength is still somewhat inferior to Sunagakure's."
Somewhat inferior? Mitokado Homura was merely an Elite Jonin. Kosa, Ebizo, and Chiyo on the other side could all crush him with ease.
"This time, I have decided to send Sakumo, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya over as reinforcements. We must hurt the Sand Shinobi badly enough to make them fear us in this battle!"
Sunagakure had deployed almost all its forces this time. Aside from the necessary troops left behind to guard Sunagakure itself, nearly its entire army had been mobilized. The other shinobi villages were also restless now; they simply had their own reasons for not acting yet.
Thus, the Third Hokage's strategy was clear: rather than merely injuring all ten fingers, it was better to cut off one entirely. Before the other shinobi villages entered the conflict, he intended to cripple Sunagakure first!
Of course, another