Everyone in Konoha could feel the storm of war gathering above the village.
Ninja from clans both large and small had left the village in organized groups. Their intent to wage war was unmistakable.
Some said Konoha wanted to break free of its entanglement with Kumogakure and invade the Land of Lightning.
Others said Konoha was about to attack Sunagakure, deliver a fatal blow, and make its enemy never dare covet the Land of Fire's fertile territory again.
Still others argued that Iwagakure had been gravely weakened after surrounding and killing the Third Raikage, and that Konoha intended to invade the Land of Earth and renegotiate a more profitable treaty.
Tsunade's return to Konoha seemed to fill everyone with confidence.
They firmly believed that this legendary Sannin, Lord Hashirama's granddaughter, would lead Konoha out of its slump and into an age of glory with an unprecedented victory.
"Remember, this war must be swift. We have to avoid getting dragged into a full-scale conflict among the Five Great Shinobi Villages."
In the Hokage Office, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was making the final arrangements.
"Our goal is to destroy Kumogakure's main forces and forward defenses along the border with minimal casualties, shatter their confidence in battle, and force the Raikage to end the stalemate and sign an equal peace treaty."
The Third Hokage exhaled a cloud of smoke, his expression grave as he looked at Tsunade.
"The purpose of this war is to put an end to three years of border skirmishes and secure lasting peace on Konoha's eastern front."
Tsunade nodded slowly, her expression unreadable. "Understood."
Kazuhiko and Shizune stood behind her.
To ensure Tsunade could keep fighting, Kazuhiko would accompany her as her doctor and make sure her Hemophobia didn't return.
For Konoha, this was a battle it had to