The Jonin Conference

Konoha

Hokage Building

In the Jonin Conference Room, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Koharu Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura, the Sannin, sat on the stage.

A large group of ninjas sat below the arena. The ninjas in the arena were all Konoha Jonin, Konoha Jonin, who were either high-ranking figures in Konoha or particularly powerful ninjas.

According to what Uchiha Nara knew, there are currently fewer than two hundred Jonin Konoha, and each Jonin is an important figure in Konoha.

In Konoha, most of the people who handle missions commissioned by employers are Chunin and Special Jonin. Chunin are the backbone of Konoha. It's not that Konoha 'Chunin are not strong enough, but rather that Konoha has a limited number of Jonin positions.

Orochimaru, the Jonin Class Leader, organized Jonin meeting. Due to the somewhat chaotic situation in the Shinobi World, several high-ranking officials in Konoha were on edge, and this year marked the third Jonin meeting, which was originally held once a year.

"Everyone, the Land of Wind in the west still has troops stationed on the border and repeatedly provokes us. The Land of Lightning, after the Eight-Tails' rampage six months ago, is much more stable now."

Rumors Kumogakure Eight-Tails Jinchuriki of Kumogakure has been given a new vessel, and the new Jinchuriki is very stable.

The ninjas of the Land of Earth have taken control of the Land of Grass, deploying numerous ninja units and supplies within Land of Grass borders.

More and more ninjas from the Land of Water in the east have come ashore and entered the Land of Fire, necessitating the dispatch of ninja troops to guard the east and expel these uninvited Kirigakure Ninja.

The unusual activities and unrest of these major powers could very well trigger Shinobi World War due to friction."

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, quickly outlined the current predicament of Konoha during the meeting.

Even the Hokage needs many Jonin to assist him and offer advice.

"The Ino-Shika-Cho, "Yamanaka Inoichi said in a deep voice during the meeting.

"Lord Hokage, the Analysis Division has learned from the information gathered by the Kirigakure Ninja that the Third Mizukage of the Kirigakure in the Land of Water was assassinated, and now the young Fourth Mizukage has taken the throne."

The Fourth Mizukage halted many of the Bloody Mist Policy and forcefully mediated and punished infighting ninjas and ninja groups within Kirigakure. Kirigakure Ninja frequently infiltrated the borders of the Land of Fire, likely for intelligence gathering and with ill intentions.

There's a possibility that this could be a way to shift the blame for the internal strife within the Hidden Mist while simultaneously focusing all efforts on external threats.

The Konoha Intelligence Division is a mysterious department; its leader and organizational structure are unknown.

Yamanaka Inoichi the captain of the Corpse Analysis Division, responsible for processing and analyzing ninja corpses to gather intelligence.

He is one of the key personnel of the Intelligence Division, and there are also rumors that Yamanaka Inoichi is the head of Konoha Intelligence Division.

"Hmm, very good analysis. It seems we need to strengthen the defenses in the east and send more ninja troops to garrison the east."

The Third Hokage nodded, agreeing with Yamanaka Inoichi's words. Even on such an important occasion as the Jonin Class, Sarutobi Hiruzen still had a pipe in his mouth, puffing out smoke.

After Sarutobi Hiruzen speaking about sending additional ninja units to garrison the east, his eyes scanned the many Jonin present.

The Shinobi World is in turmoil. Naraku attends every Jonin Class meeting, but most of the time he just listens and doesn't speak.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had not paid much attention to Naraku in the past, and his instructions were usually routine, such as strengthening police and defense duties at the Security Department.

However, this time he felt that Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze was fixed on him, so he looked up and saw that the Third Hokage was indeed staring intently at him.

"Naraku, there's been some unusual activity in the Land of Water to the east. Do you have any good suggestions or ideas?"

When Sarutobi Hiruzen saw Naraku looking over, he nodded slightly and asked in a deep voice.

In the past, Sarutobi Hiruzen had always Uchiha Nara, but this time he called on Naraku by name and asked for his opinion on the defense of the eastern region.

Naraku understood Sarutobi Hiruzen's meaning almost instantly, but Naraku didn't want to go into battle so soon.

"The Kirigakure of the Land of Water has been embroiled in internal strife for years, exhausting its national strength. It's merely a minor ailment; why should the Lord Hokage worry about it?"

Naraku replied calmly, making a disdainful remark about the Land of Water, without mentioning the crucial issue of recruiting Naraku troops for defense.

Upon hearing Naraku's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment.

Uchiha Nara and Uchiha Fugaku, who used to be the most eager to fight, are now hesitant and reluctant when it's their turn to step up.

Orochimaru, the Jonin Class Leader, was currently in Konoha awaiting conscription. After hearing the conversation, he stood up and offered his opinion:

"Teacher, in my opinion, the most urgent task now is to get the students of the Ninja Academy to graduate early, assign them to groups, and let them familiarize themselves with ninja affairs as soon as possible."

And teamwork, which can come in handy if a major battle really breaks out."

Jonin Class, Orochimaru still addressed the Hokage as "teacher." Orochimaru was usually elusive, rarely seen by Naraku, who wondered what Orochimaru was busy with.

Naraku suspected that Orochimaru was behind the Eight-Tails' rampage in Kumogakure six months ago.

The legendary Sannin, except for Tsunade previously served on a mission against the Land of Wind at the Western Stronghold, have since disappeared without a trace.

The whereabouts of the Konoha Sannin are shrouded in mystery, and no one knows their whereabouts.

"Hmm, that makes sense. It's approved. Let's implement it that way."

Enemy ninja forces are located on both the east and west sides of Konoha, and small groups of troops from the Land of Earth in the northwest are constantly invading. The only relatively stable area is the Land of Lightning in the northeast.

Overall, the situation remains tense.

The Land of Wind is a vast desert, Land of Fire, from top to bottom, has no interest in the territory of the Land of Wind; no one wants to go to the desert.

Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to have a decisive battle with the Land of Wind, annihilating Land of Wind forces and forcing them to stay in the desert.

However, the ninja forces of the Western Land of Wind were extremely cunning, constantly engaging in small-scale skirmishes but not large-scale battles, which gave Sarutobi Hiruzen a major headache.

"Clan Chief Naraku, Hiashi Chief Hiashi, in view of the situation in the Land of Water, as exemplary members of the major clans of Konoha, each of you shall conscript two hundred ninja to guard the eastern coast."

Sarutobi Hiruzen decided not to waste any more words with the Uchiha and Uchiha Hi clans and instead use his power to intimidate them, instead ordering the two clans to send small groups of ninja units.

Konoha was to select some ninjas to form a 1,000-ninja force to garrison the East Coast, which would neither harm the strength of the two sides nor provoke them to disobey orders.

Furthermore, the combined strength of both families can be utilized for Konoha's benefit.

If the situation changes, we can continue to conscript ninjas from both sides, cutting them down bit by bit with a dull knife.

If they were to transfer three to five hundred people at once, neither of them would easily agree.

However, given the current dangerous situation in Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen a hundred or two hundred men, he could keep both families in check.

Jonin Sarutobi Hiruzen from both families, but he held back and didn't say anything.

"Yes, sir."

Hyuga Hiashi, Hiashi Hyuga agreed.

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Naraku, whose eyes were darting around, his pipe dangling from his lips, his gaze calm and dignified.

The Uchiha ninja clan can be roughly divided into three tiers. The first tier consists of young people who have awakened the Kekkei Genkai Sharingan) and those who have not awakened the Sharingan but have exceptional talent. This tier is the foundation of the Uchiha and they are generally unlikely to appear on the battlefield.

The second type is a team of ordinary clan members who haven't awakened their Sharingan, have average aptitude, and form teams with each other; they are purely Uchiha in nature.

The third type is like Obito, who failed the clan's internal assessment and was directly sent to the Konoha Academy. After graduation, he formed a three-person team with his classmates and was put to use by Konoha.

Sarutobi's intention was to recruit members of the Uchiha's second-tier ninja clan. Naraku considered for a moment, choosing not to disobey in the context of Jonin Class meeting, and loudly replied:

"I will obey the Hokage's orders."

"Yes, gather a thousand ninja troops, drive out the treacherous Hidden Mist, and then guard the east to deter Hidden Mist."

Orochimaru, draft the order for the early graduation of the Ninja Academy students. Issue and implement it after the meeting; train the Genin as quickly as possible.

"Be familiar with ninja affairs, in case of emergency."

Having experienced both First Shinobi World War and Second Shinobi World War, Sarutobi Hiruzen astutely predicted the impending war and made preparations in advance.

"Good teacher."

Orochimaru licked his lips and replied calmly.

Naraku's eyes were dark, and he pondered deeply.

"The Third Shinobi World War might be the perfect opportunity to end the Group of Four's reign..."