Is the Entire Uchiha Clan Joining the War?

The next day

Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura arrived at the village entrance early. The meeting the previous day had already settled the matter.

Shimura Danzō would lead the troops. Each clan had to send at least thirty Jonin, fifty Chunin, and one hundred Genin—in other words, at least 180 people from every clan.

Including all the large and small clans, Konoha's army would have to number around six thousand shinobi.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood there calmly, waiting, while Shimura Danzō looked somewhat worried.

"Hiruzen, do you think we can muster all six thousand this time?" Shimura Danzō's eyes were hard to read. He didn't believe the clans would send their own reserves to the battlefield.

"We can," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied slowly. "There may not be that many Jonin, but we've never been short of Chunin and Genin. Even if we are, there are plenty of civilian shinobi to make up the numbers."

Shimura Danzō nodded. "These great clans all cherish their strength and preserve their reserves. It's not realistic to expect them to contribute Jonin." He sighed. Sarutobi and the Shimura Clan had been close allies since the Warring States Period.

The two of them were elders and clan leaders in their own families, so they understood the shinobi clans' thinking perfectly. But unlike those other leaders, Shimura Danzō and Sarutobi Hiruzen were also leaders of the village.

They had to consider the village and the war. If you thought about it, the great clans had never completely set aside their differences. What clan didn't have a grudge against another?

Senju Hashirama's idea of building a village, forgetting past grudges, and letting people live together in peace had been far too idealistic.

Of course, while Senju Hashirama was alive and powerful enough to overwhelm everyone, his word was the will of the Ninja World.

But not long after he died, the First Shinobi World War broke out. Although he had believed in peace, the shinobi of the Ninja World believed in strength.

"Monkey, look! A clan seems to be coming from over there!" Utatane Koharu patted Sarutobi Hiruzen on the shoulder. He came back to himself and looked into the distance.

A group of Hyuga shinobi in plain clothes, their long hair falling over their shoulders, approached at a measured pace. At their head was Hyuga Akagi, who walked toward the village entrance with a warm smile.

"The Hyuga Clan has brought all thirty Jonin, fifty Chunin, and one hundred Genin. We're ready for Lord Hokage's inspection." His voice was full of confidence, and a hint of pride showed on his face.

The Hyuga Clan truly lived up to its reputation as a great clan, on par with the Senju and the Uchiha. They had sent out all these shinobi without batting an eye—though they were all from the branch family.

Even so, they were a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and smiled at Hyuga Akagi. "The Hyuga Clan truly is a great clan. You've gathered so many shinobi in just one day."

"There's no need for an inspection. I trust the Hyuga Clan, and I trust you, Clan Leader Akagi!" Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled.

Hyuga Akagi nodded. "Yes!" Then he stepped aside and stood with his hands behind his back.

One after another, the other clan leaders arrived with their shinobi. What could be said? Sarutobi Hiruzen had been right. Most of them came up short on Jonin and made up the numbers with Genin. Each clan complained that it lacked strength and didn't have enough people.

Everyone knew what was going on. Sarutobi Hiruzen still smiled and nodded, reassuring them. "It's all right. I know you've all done your best."

Shimura Danzō's expression didn't change, but he was seething inside. Every one of them was holding back.

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned as he looked at the assembled shinobi. Where was the Uchiha Clan?

The moment the thought crossed his mind, the ground began to tremble. More than a thousand Uchiha shinobi marched toward the village entrance in perfect formation.

The clan leaders grew tense. When they saw the size of the Uchiha force, their expressions changed. Had the Uchiha sent their entire clan?

Sarutobi Hiruzen froze, then was overcome with joy. Even Shimura Danzō's eyes widened. Along with his delight came disbelief. Had the Uchiha gone mad?

"Lord Hokage!" Uchiha Kō waved. None of the other Uchiha elders or the clan leader had come today. They had sent Uchiha Kō to lead the force.

"Kō, you're here. What's all this?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was delighted at first, then frowned and gestured toward the Uchiha shinobi.

Uchiha Kō realized he should make a formal declaration. He stepped back, bowed, and said, "Uchiha Kō brings two hundred Uchiha Jonin, three hundred Chunin, and five hundred Genin. We commit the strength of our entire clan to defend the village and protect our homeland! We will fight the Sand Dog!"

Uchiha Kō's voice rang out, clear and powerful. The surrounding clans were stunned. Was this really the Uchiha they knew? They had committed their entire clan to fighting for the village!

Sarutobi Hiruzen sensed Uchiha Kō's sincerity. He surveyed the Uchiha shinobi, then looked at Uchiha Kō. "Thank you, Uchiha Clan, for your wholehearted support!"

He was about to bow, but Uchiha Kō wouldn't dare let him. He hurried forward, but Sarutobi Hiruzen waved him off and bowed to the Uchiha shinobi instead.

"You are Konoha's Uchiha. You were in the past, and you will be in the future. The whole village and I have seen what you've given. As Hokage, I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, thank you for your sacrifice!" Sarutobi Hiruzen bowed to the Uchiha.

The Uchiha were deeply moved. They dropped to one knee. "We are only doing what we've always wished to do—for the village and its people!"

Even Shimura Danzō was fired up. He began to see the Uchiha Clan differently, while the Hyuga clan leader, who had been so proud earlier, now looked somewhat awkward.

Whatever the Uchiha had been like before, this time they had committed their entire clan to fighting for the village. No other clan could match their resolve.

After this battle, whatever the outcome, the Uchiha Clan would become Konoha's model clan.

Nara Rokumei's eyes lit up at the sight. He admired Uchiha Kō and the Uchiha Clan, because even he wouldn't have dared make such a huge commitment.

Tsunade wasn't there, or she would have been just as excited. Because of the medical-ninja proposal, she had been assigned to manage the village's medical shinobi. This time, as the war's medical director, she wouldn't take part in the fighting on the front lines.

The Senju troops stood to one side, watching Uchiha Kō and the Uchiha Clan with mixed feelings. It was true: a different leader could give an entire clan a different spirit.

The Uchiha now struck them as united and responsible.

The Third Hokage watched with satisfaction and patted Uchiha Kō on the shoulder. He smiled, then gave Shimura Danzō a meaningful look. Shimura Danzō understood.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was telling him to discuss things with Uchiha Kō. He was here to help him this time.

Shimura Danzō knew that, of course. He looked at Uchiha Kō and forced what he thought was a sunny smile. Uchiha Kō returned it with a smile of his own.