That day, Jiogan was busy with his usual work in the kitchen when he heard the servants who had come to collect food chattering among themselves.
"Have you heard? The Second Shinobi World War has broken out!"
"I heard! Many shinobi from our Terumi Clan have already been transferred into the expeditionary forces!"
"I heard the leader of the Land of Rain declared war first! Isn't the Land of Rain a small country? Do they actually have the strength to challenge the great shinobi villages?"
"Who knows? I went out this morning to purchase supplies in the village. Maybe because so many shinobi have been deployed to war, but the atmosphere in the village isn't nearly as oppressive now!"
Listening to their discussion, Jiogan learned that Hanzo of the Salamander had officially declared war. Since he had anticipated all of this, his expression did not change in the slightest.
Turning back to Konoha, with the war now officially underway, Konoha had suspended all ordinary missions. Nearly every shinobi had been incorporated into combat units, and Konoha now faced the predicament of fighting on four fronts!
On the Western Front, they faced Sunagakure, commanded by Hatake Sakumo! On the Northern Front, they faced Iwagakure, Amegakure, and part of Sunagakure, commanded by Shimura Danzō. In addition, the three disciples of Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi were also stationed on the Northern Front! On the Eastern Front, they faced Kirigakure, commanded by the current head of the Uchiha Clan! On the Northeastern Front, they faced Kumogakure, commanded by Torifu Akimichi!
Because their early preparations had been fairly thorough, Konoha, as the strongest shinobi village, showed no sign of falling behind even while fighting one against four!
Several of Jiogan's friends had also gone to war. Inuzuka Yoru was fighting on the Northeastern Front! Kurama