War Deployment (Two-in-One)

The next day.

Early in the morning, Jiuming arrived at the Ninja Academy accompanied by Kushina as usual. After the high-intensity training from the day before, Jiuming felt his entire body still filled with the soreness and swelling that followed such strenuous exercise. The bruises on his arms had faded quite a bit, but they still throbbed with a dull pain.

Sarutobi Kotaro was exactly as he had claimed; his control over his strength was not very refined. During their sparring, Jiuming had suffered greatly due to the disparity in power and sustained some minor injuries.

"Hiss, to think I can still feel pain even with my recovery ability—these bruises have lasted far too long."

"I suppose one can expect nothing less from the son of the Third Hokage; his taijutsu skills are truly outstanding. Based on his current strength, he could easily pass the Chunin Exams."

The requirements for a Chunin in Konoha at this time were vastly different from those in the era of Naruto Uzumaki. In the future, Konoha's requirements for Chunin leaned more toward intelligence; with Jonin rarely being deployed, Chunin served as squad leaders, so the assessment focused on a ninja's comprehensive capabilities.

However, the requirements for a Chunin in this era were simple and brutal. To ensure that ninjas sent to the battlefield had the highest chance of survival and to guarantee the combat effectiveness of frontline troops, the requirement for a Chunin could be summed up in two words: "raw strength."

This discrepancy existed primarily due to differing combat needs. In times of war, battles between ninjas were often large-scale group engagements involving dozens or even hundreds of people, and only one or two individuals were needed to command such forces.

In times of peace, however, ninjas were mostly occupied with completing client missions. Most C-rank missions could be completed by a squad led by a Chunin, and some B-rank missions could even be easily handled by a four-man squad led by a Chunin.

Sarutobi Kotaro and Minato Namikaze, who were on the same squad as Kushina, actually already possessed the strength of Chunin. Yet, when they were with Kushina, the missions they executed were mostly C-rank tasks like walking dogs or chasing cats.

Jiuming's theory was that the two of them had been planted by the Third Hokage to protect Kushina. Within Konoha, having Minato and Kotaro acting as bodyguards was more than sufficient.

"Sister, I'm going in. You should head back."

After parting ways with Kushina at the school gate, Jiuming walked into the academy.

At the very same moment Jiuming entered the school, the Third Hokage received the latest intelligence from the front lines in his office.

"Bang!" The Third Hokage slammed his fist onto the desk. Even someone as composed as he was could not control his emotions upon receiving the latest news.

"Bastards, they actually dared to make a move!"

"Sakumo, notify all elite Jonin and the Council of Elders! We are holding a meeting!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was grave. Clutching the scroll tightly, he spoke in a low voice before rising from his desk and heading toward the conference room.

Hatake Sakumo moved with incredible speed. Before long, the conference room in the Hokage Building was filled with people.

The high-level conference room in Konoha was quite large, containing only a single rectangular table and thirty chairs matching the number of high-ranking officials.

However, because the content of this meeting was of extreme importance, in addition to the clan heads and the select few elite Jonin qualified to sit at the table, many key Jonin and Chunin being groomed by Konoha were also arranged to sit in other parts of the room to observe.

At one end of the long table, four chairs were placed evenly. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the chair to the left of the center. To his left sat the only female member of the Council of Elders, Utatane Koharu. To his right sat Shimura Danzō, and at the far right sat Mitokado Homura, also of the Council of Elders.

Seated below them on both sides were the heads of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans. At this time, these were not the Hyuga Hiashi or Uchiha Fugaku that everyone was familiar with; instead, two steady, imposing middle-aged men occupied those seats.

Following the two great clans of Konoha were the other ninja clans. Families like the Ino-Shika-Cho trio held relatively high status in the village, and their seats were positioned closer to the Third Hokage and his inner circle.

As for the Third Hokage's three disciples—Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade—there were no seats reserved for them at the conference table. Like most other ninjas, they sat on chairs placed along the walls of the room.

Perhaps because of the Third Hokage's grim expression, the entire room was filled with a stifling atmosphere.

"Hey, Orochimaru, do you know what happened this time?"

Jiraiya looked at the oppressive atmosphere in the room and asked Orochimaru in a low voice. Originally, the three of them had been dispatched by Hiruzen Sarutobi to the Genmyoji frontline command post, but that temporary headquarters had not operated for long and was disbanded shortly after the Third Hokage returned to Konoha.

The three of them had returned to the village together, but since then, they had each been occupied with their own missions. This meeting was the first time they had gathered in a long while.

"Where do you keep your head all day? How could you not know such a major event occurred on the front lines?"

"Some time ago, the Land of Earth dispatched a large army to conquer the Land of Grass, and at the same time, a large force entered the territory of the Land of Rain."

"Remember when ninjas attacked our Konoha academy assessment team? The teacher suspects they were from the Land of Earth."

"The high-level meeting called today must be related to the movements of the Land of Earth."

Unlike Jiraiya, who spent his days focused on his own interests, Orochimaru was well-informed about the current state of the ninja world, and his reasoning was remarkably clear. At this time, Orochimaru was only in his twenties, his face full of youthful vitality. His pale, almost sickly skin paired with his handsome features gave him an eerie, otherworldly air.

Although Orochimaru looked sickly and strange, those close to him at the time knew him to be a trusted comrade. Jiraiya, asking him questions now, could never have imagined that his best friend and partner would one day become a traitor who murdered his own master.

"I see, the Land of Earth?"

"I heard Jiuming mention it while eating at home. Wasn't the attacking team already driven out of the country? Kumogakure of the Land of Lightning was already putting immense pressure on us; if the Land of Earth starts making moves now, we might find ourselves fighting on two fronts."

Tsunade pondered for a moment after hearing Orochimaru's words and spoke softly. Upon hearing his two companions, Jiraiya's expression turned grave. He had been training at Mount Myoboku during this period and was indeed not well-versed in the current events of the ninja world, but Jiraiya was no fool. He clearly understood how devastating such a situation would be for Konoha if what Tsunade and Orochimaru said was true.

There were no weaklings among the ninjas present. Although Jiraiya and the others had kept their voices low, everyone in the room heard them. Other familiar ninjas began to whisper among themselves, and soon the room was filled with the sound of murmurs.

The Third Hokage, sitting at the head of the table, did not immediately stop them. He scanned the room, and after a long while, he gave a light cough.

"Ahem!"

Following the Third Hokage's cough, the noisy conference room fell abruptly silent.

"I have an important matter to announce."

"I received news this morning that the ninjas the Land of Earth previously stationed in the Land of Grass are now showing signs of advancing toward the border of the Land of Fire."

"Their vanguard has already clashed with our border defense forces. Although there have been wins and losses on both sides, this is before their main force has even arrived."

"Furthermore, I have received word that the troops the Land of Earth sent into the Land of Rain have also achieved significant results."

No sooner had the Third Hokage finished speaking than Shimura Danzō immediately chimed in:

"The various movements of the Land of Earth clearly demonstrate their ambition. Whether it is the invasion of the Land of Grass or the Land of Rain, they have only one ultimate goal: our Land of Fire!"

"I have also identified the individuals who attacked our academy entrance assessment team some time ago. The leader was the chief disciple of the Tsuchikage Ōnoki, the one being groomed as the next Tsuchikage—Houtu."

Danzō's words were like a bomb dropped into water, stirring up waves. The previously quiet room erupted into chaos as the ninjas began to whisper to one another.

However, the heads of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, seated toward the front, remained silent, their eyes slightly closed as if deep in thought.

"I have called this meeting to hear everyone's opinions. Regarding the various maneuvers of the Land of Earth, should we in Konoha strike back, or should we dispatch envoys to negotiate peace?"

As his words fell, the entire conference room plunged into a dead silence.

Seeing that no one spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi cast his gaze toward the head of the Hyuga clan. Finding no intention of a response there, he looked to the other side at Nara Lukin, head of the Nara clan. If the Hyuga and Uchiha were Konoha's greatest martial clans, then the Nara were its greatest clan of intellect.

Since the founding of Konoha, generations of the Nara clan had served as strategists on the battlefield and within the upper echelons of decision-making. Even as the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi had to value the opinion of Nara Lukin.

Seated in his chair, Nara Lukin saw the silence in the room and felt the Third Hokage's gaze fixed upon him; he knew he would have to be the first to speak.

Sighing softly, Nara Lukin said slowly, "Since no one else is speaking, I shall share my thoughts."

Nara Lukin was a man in his forties, his appearance eighty percent similar to the middle-aged Shikaku, and he wore the Nara clan's signature pineapple-style hair.

Seeing Nara Lukin speak, everyone turned their attention toward him.

"According to the intelligence we currently possess, the Land of Earth has not made any grand declarations of total war against Konoha. Their current actions are more in the nature of probing."

"If the opponent's probes are always allowed to easily gain the upper hand, then this so-called probing is very likely to escalate into war—total war!"

"Fortunately, we have the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass acting as strategic buffers between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth. My suggestion is to dispatch troops to intercept the Land of Earth's forces within the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass, fighting a proxy war that both sides understand implicitly."

Nara Lukin was not considered a hawk in Konoha; on the contrary, he was a dove who loved peace and favored negotiation. However, this did not mean he would swallow his pride in the face of provocation from the Land of Earth. This was the ninja world—a cruel place. With his wisdom, he naturally understood the purpose of the Land of Earth's probes, which was why he advocated for battle: to provide a deterrent.

Nara Lukin's statement could be considered a proposal of statecraft, yet there were still those who held opposing views.

The second after Nara Lukin finished speaking, a white-haired ninja stood up from his seat. Although the man had a full head of white hair, he was only in his forties.

"Hokage-sama, I disagree with Nara Lukin's opinion."

The Third Hokage followed the sound to see Kato Taka standing up in objection from the back of the conference table. Kato Taka was the head of the Kato clan and the father of Dan Katō; the Spirit Transformation Technique passed down through their family gave them formidable assassination capabilities. Thus, although the Kato clan was not large, their distinct characteristics allowed them to rank among the top families in Konoha.

Consequently, Kato Taka had earned the right to sit at the conference table.

"Oh? Taka, do share your opinion."

Since this was a general meeting, the Third's goal was to gather collective wisdom. Seeing someone hold a view contrary to Nara Lukin's, he was curious and wanted to hear Kato Taka's thoughts.

"Hokage-sama, I do not believe it is a wise choice to provoke the Land of Earth at this time. Compared to the Land of Earth, the enemy to our northeast is far more worthy of our attention."

"The Land of Lightning is different from the Land of Earth; their Raikage is far more aggressive. Furthermore, the Land of Lightning has already dispatched a large force into the Land of Moon. According to the intelligence I have received, our northeastern border has already been harassed by them."

"I believe that for the Land of Earth, we can first send envoys to communicate and stall for time, while our main force moves rapidly to the northeastern border. Repelling the harassment from the Land of Lightning is the best course of action."

"If we fight on two fronts, it will be disadvantageous for Konoha."

After Kato Taka finished speaking, he sat down on his own. The Third Hokage nodded slightly to indicate he had heard.

Following Kato Taka's speech, the heads of various clans began to express their own opinions. Some supported Nara Lukin, some supported Kato Taka, while others simply expressed their clan's willingness to serve Konoha to the best of their ability, and some clans hoped to secure positions within the combat units.

For a time, the conference room was filled with various agendas, giving the Third Hokage a headache.

The meeting lasted from early morning until noon. After much discussion, nothing concrete had been decided, and Hiruzen Sarutobi and the members of the Council were growing impatient.

"Very well, everyone go back and rest for now. We will conclude the morning's discussion here."

"I will consult with the Council members later, and we will implement a policy when we meet this afternoon."

The sun was already high in the sky when the Third Hokage, finally unable to endure the endless debate, stood up to make the announcement.

"Understood!"

The attendees, still feeling there was more to say, began to slowly exit the room upon the Third Hokage's instruction. Before long, the room was empty, leaving only the Third Hokage, two members of the Council, and Shimura Danzō.

"Sigh, we spent so long and still reached no conclusion. It really is..." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly, letting his guard down in front of his old friends.

"Hiruzen, your approach is the problem. Strategic issues should never be brought to a high-level meeting for discussion."

"You should have made the decision directly. You must remember, you are the Hokage! Everyone should listen to you. What is the meaning of this hesitation?"

In private, Shimura Danzō did not give the Third Hokage any face, criticizing him directly.

"Danzō, it is not that simple. If one move is wrong, the foundation laid by our predecessors could be destroyed in an instant!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi had his reservations. In his heart, he did not want to go to war with either the Land of Lightning or the Land of Earth. Once war began, it would inevitably be accompanied by heavy casualties. As Hokage, he did not want to see every household in the village draped in mourning.

"Stop being so naive, Hiruzen."

"Whether it is the Land of Earth or the Land of Lightning, their ambitions are already clear to all."

"War is already unavoidable. The only question now is whether we fight the Land of Lightning first, the Land of Earth first, or both at once."

"Make a decision soon! The situation on the front lines will not wait."

After Danzō finished speaking, he leaned on his cane and left the room. After he departed, Mitokado Homura also advised, "Danzō is right. Discussion will yield nothing. You must make the decision yourself. My suggestion is to follow Lukin's advice: dispatch troops to give the Land of Earth a warning first, then focus on dealing with the Land of Lightning."

"Very well, I understand." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, took out his pipe, and fell into thought. Seeing that Hiruzen was indeed considering the matter, Mitokado Homura said no more and left the room with Utatane Koharu.

When everyone had left, the Third walked to the window and looked at the stone faces of the previous Hokage, finally reaching a decision in his heart.

"Now, let the appointments begin."

"Order: Shimura Danzō is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Northeastern Front, with Hyuga Rihui as strategist, to lead troops to the border of the Land of Moon to intercept the ninjas sent by the Land of Lightning."

"Order: Mitokado Homura is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Northwestern Front, with Nara Lukin as strategist, to lead troops to the Land of Rain to intercept the ninjas of the Land of Earth."

"Order: Utatane Koharu is appointed Deputy Commander of the Northwestern Front, to lead troops into the Land of Grass to intercept the enemy."

"The Uchiha clan shall guard Konoha, take command of the Barrier Team, and organize reserve forces to provide support to the front lines at any time. Furthermore, starting today, a state of martial law is to be implemented."

"I will remain in Konoha to oversee the coordination of front-line supplies. I will issue the specific personnel assignments and detailed duties for each unit tomorrow. For now, everyone, return and make your preparations."

"The captains, the strategists, and the Uchiha clan head are to remain."

In the afternoon, shortly after the meeting began, the Third Hokage announced his decisions. The clan heads, who had been unable to reach a consensus earlier, did not utter a single word; they acknowledged the order and left the conference room to return and prepare.

What is the path for a ninja to climb the ranks? War is undoubtedly the best method. For some, large-scale warfare is nothing more than an opportunity to ascend.

After the irrelevant personnel had departed, Hiruzen Sarutobi began discussing the specific implementation plans with the captains and the members of the Uchiha clan.

What was happening at the Hokage Building at this moment was of no consequence to Uzumaki Kuming; there would be no role for a ninja academy student like him on the eve of war.

At this time, Kuming was sitting in a classroom at the ninja academy with a bunch of other brats, listening to the instructor lecture on the History of Konoha. After adjusting throughout last night and this morning, the fatigue from yesterday's taijutsu training had completely faded. In high spirits, Kuming began to multitask, feigning attention to the lecture while accelerating the infusion of chakra into his Yin Seal.

"As expected, my chakra contains certain lightning-natured substances. The speed at which I am filling the Yin Seal this time is incredibly fast; I might not even need two years to fill it completely."

"Moreover, while refining chakra, this lightning-natured substance is indeed strengthening my physique."

"Although it is still very weak at the moment, if it accumulates over time, I fear it will have quite impressive effects."

This period of concentrated chakra refinement had given Kuming another layer of understanding regarding himself. He did not know what kind of effects this unique chakra of his would have when applied to ninjutsu.

However, one thing he was certain of: as long as he followed his current training habits, by the time he finished accumulating energy in the Yin Seal, his physical fitness and taijutsu level would undoubtedly reach several tiers higher.