Frontline Formation

The Nara Clan Head was the first to regain his composure. He took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "With the Kazekage missing, Sunagakure must be in total chaos. It is highly likely they will choose to shift their internal conflicts outward."

"And having just gone through the transition of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, our Hidden Leaf Village, which appears to be in a 'weakened state,' is very likely to become their primary target."

Hyuga Sosuke nodded and added, "Furthermore, once the war begins, Iwagakure, which shares a border with us, will never sit idly by; they will certainly take advantage of the situation to loot a burning house."

"The Hidden Leaf will face an extremely unfavorable situation of fighting on at least two, if not three, fronts."

Shimura Danzō let out a cold snort, shattering the heavy atmosphere. His single eye swept over the group, his tone grim and assertive:

"The war has already begun! The Hidden Leaf cannot afford to wait passively! We must take the most decisive measures immediately!"

"The Root organization will mobilize at once to eliminate all potential threats and secure the necessary intelligence!"

His so-called actions often meant preemptive assassinations and sabotage.

"Danzō! Calm down!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately spoke up to stop him, his tone stern. "Acting rashly now will only give others a pretext and draw even more enemies toward the Hidden Leaf!"

"The top priority is to immediately strengthen our perimeter defenses, stabilize the interior, and maintain strict surveillance on the movements of all parties!"

"Surveillance? Hiruzen, it will be too late by the time the enemy's kunai is at our throats!" Danzō retorted sharply, the two clashing once again due to their conflicting philosophies.

Representatives of other clans also voiced their concerns one after another, and the conference room was filled with sounds of anxiety and debate.

Some advocated for immediately sending heavy reinforcements to the borders potentially bordering Sunagakure and Iwagakure, some worried about the long defensive lines and consumption of supplies, and some proposed the possibility of forming an alliance with one side or another...

"Enough!" The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, paused, his tone becoming firmer and more powerful, displaying the resolve of a village leader: "The Hidden Leaf Village shall enter a state of Level One combat readiness, effective immediately!"

Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi began to issue orders in an orderly fashion, his thinking clear and comprehensive:

"First, border defense forces are to be raised to the highest level immediately!"

"Second, initiate wartime supply controls, prioritizing the front lines and strategic reserves!"

"Third, issue an emergency mobilization order; all ninja are to prepare for conscription!"

"Fourth, establish a wartime command headquarters, with myself serving as the commander-in-chief, and the two advisors along with the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans responsible for logistics, intelligence, and strategic support."

"Finally," Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze toward Shimura Danzō, his tone grave, "The Root organization must increase its intelligence gathering efforts, focusing on monitoring the movements of Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Cloud Village, but without permission, you are not to take any unauthorized offensive actions that might escalate the conflict!"

"That is all!" Hiruzen Sarutobi finally made the decision. "Proceed as discussed! The safety of the Hidden Leaf is entrusted to you all!"

After the emergency high-level meeting concluded, the massive war machine that was the Hidden Leaf began to roar into motion.

Orders were issued one after another, ninja hurried about, and supplies were orderly allocated and packed; the air was permeated with a tension that felt like a storm about to break.

Uchiha Ling did not immediately return to the Military Police Force to arrange specific affairs; he keenly sensed a gaze following him, lingering and elusive.

He deliberately slowed his pace and turned into a quiet path leading to the woods behind the training grounds.

Sure enough, not long after, a golden figure caught up—it was Tsunade.

The training ground was empty at this hour, and the glow of the setting sun filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled spots of light on the ground.

Only the rustling of leaves in the wind remained, forming a sharp contrast with the faint, distant clamor coming from the village.

"Ling." Tsunade's voice lacked some of the heroic spirit it had in the conference room, carrying instead a hint of complex emotion.

Uchiha Ling turned around and looked at his teacher.

Tsunade was still wearing her signature tea-green haori, and the Yin Seal on her forehead looked exceptionally delicate, but her eyes were not as haughty and confident as usual; instead, they held a trace of undisguised struggle and gloom.

"Teacher Tsunade." Uchiha Ling bowed slightly, his tone respectful, but his gaze met hers frankly, without evasion.

Tsunade walked up to him, standing very close—close enough for Uchiha Ling to smell the faint, unique scent of herbs mixed with a hint of sake on her.

Tsunade opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but the words died on her lips, eventually turning into a barely audible sigh.

"You don't intend to participate in this war, do you?" Uchiha Ling asked softly, not as a question, but as a statement.

He understood Tsunade's past and knew the trauma that the brutal war had inflicted upon her, especially her insurmountable hemophobia.

Tsunade's body stiffened imperceptibly. She turned her head away, looking toward the woods that appeared somewhat desolate in the sunset, her voice carrying a deliberately suppressed calm that nonetheless leaked a trace of undetectable trembling:

"Ah... yes. A piece of trash like me, who can't even stand the sight of blood, would only be a burden on the battlefield."

Tsunade's tone was filled with self-mockery, but Uchiha Ling could hear the pain and helplessness hidden deep beneath it.

Once one of the legendary "Sannin" who shook the ninja world, a medical saint with peerless Strength of a Hundred, she was now unable to step onto the battlefield to protect the village due to a psychological barrier; such a disparity was enough to tear a person's pride apart.

"Teacher, you are not trash." Uchiha Ling's voice was firm. He took a step forward, closing the already narrow distance between them.

This gesture was somewhat bold, even crossing the boundaries of master and student.

Tsunade subconsciously wanted to retreat, but her feet seemed nailed to the ground, and she did not move.

Uchiha Ling gazed into Tsunade's golden eyes, which were filled with complex emotions, and said earnestly: "Your value goes far beyond killing on the battlefield."

"The medical ninjutsu system you developed and the medical ninja you trained have saved the lives of thousands of Hidden Leaf ninja. This achievement is something no one can erase."

Uchiha Ling's words were like a warm current, cautiously touching the most fragile and untouchable corner of Tsunade's heart.

Tsunade looked at this disciple, who was much younger than her. In his black eyes, there was no pity, no sympathy, only sincere understanding and a kind of trust she found difficult to fathom.

"You brat! You've certainly learned how to say nice things."

Tsunade managed a strained smile, wanting to use her usual boldness to cover up the turmoil in her heart, but it was not very effective.

Her eyes were slightly reddened.

Just then, Uchiha Ling made an even bolder move.

Uchiha Ling reached out and gently took hold of Lady Tsunade's wrist.

Her wrist was not as slender as that of an ordinary woman; the touch was firm and strong, bearing the marks of years of training in taijutsu and medical ninjutsu, yet her skin was exceptionally smooth.

Lady Tsunade shuddered, as if struck by an electric current. She jerked to pull her hand back, but Uchiha Ling held it firmly, his grip possessing just the right amount of strength—enough that it neither hurt her nor allowed her to easily break free.

"You... how presumptuous!" Lady Tsunade's willow-leaf brows arched, and a flush of red rose to her face, whether from shame or anger, she could not tell.

She was Lady Tsunade of the Sannin; when had she ever been so abruptly grabbed by the wrist by a young man, let alone her own student?

However, Uchiha Ling did not let go, his gaze remaining steady, even carrying a sense of unquestionable concern.

"Teacher, your hand is shaking," Uchiha Ling said in a low voice, his thumb unconsciously and extremely gently stroking the skin on the inside of her wrist.

That was where her pulse beat.