The next day
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura arrived at the village entrance early. The previous day's meeting had already decided the plan.
Shimura Danzō would lead the troops. Each clan had to send at least thirty Jonin, fifty Chunin, and one hundred Genin—in other words, every clan had to contribute at least 180 people.
Including all the large and small clans, Konoha's force would have to number around six thousand ninja.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood there calmly, waiting, while Shimura Danzō looked rather worried.
"Hiruzen, do you think we can gather all six thousand this time?" Shimura Danzō's eyes were clouded with uncertainty. He didn't believe the clans would send their own reserves to the battlefield.
"We can," Sarutobi Hiruzen said slowly. "There may not be that many Jonin, but there's no shortage of Chunin and Genin. Even if we're short, plenty of civilian ninja can fill the ranks."
Shimura Danzō nodded. "These great clans all cherish their strength and keep it in reserve. It's not realistic to expect them to contribute Jonin." He sighed. The Sarutobi and Shimura clans 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 clans' thinking perfectly. The difference between them and those other leaders, though, was that Shimura Danzō and Sarutobi Hiruzen were also village leaders.
They had to think of the village and the war. If you thought about it carefully, there was no such thing as completely resolving the animosity between the great clans. Which clan didn't have a grudge against another?
Senju Hashirama's idea of building a village where people could forget their old grudges and live together in peace was far too idealistic.
Of course, while Senju Hashirama was alive and could overwhelm everyone on his own, his words were the will of the Shinobi World.
But not long after he died, the First Shinobi World War broke out. Though he believed in peace, the ninja of the Shinobi World believed in strength.
"Monkey, look! It seems a clan is coming from over there!" Utatane Koharu patted Sarutobi Hiruzen on the shoulder. He came to his senses and looked into the distance.
The Hyuga ninja were approaching slowly, dressed in plain clothes, their long hair falling over their shoulders. At their head was Hyuga Akagi, smiling warmly as he walked toward the village entrance.
"The Hyuga Clan has sent all thirty Jonin, fifty Chunin, and one hundred Genin. We await your inspection, Lord Hokage." 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 Uchiha. They'd sent out all those ninja without batting an eye—though they were all branch-family members.
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 lives up to its reputation as a great clan. You've gathered so many ninja in just one day."
"There's no need for an inspection. I trust the Hyuga Clan, and I trust Clan Head 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 ninja. What could Sarutobi Hiruzen say? He'd been right. Most of them had too few Jonin and had made up the numbers with Genin. They all complained that their clans were too weak and short on manpower.
Everyone knew what was really going on. Sarutobi Hiruzen simply nodded with a smile and reassured them, "It's all right. I know you've done your best."
Shimura Danzō's expression didn't change, but he was seething inside. They were all holding back.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked over the ninja present and frowned. Where was the Uchiha Clan?
Just as the thought crossed his mind, the ground began to tremble. More than a thousand Uchiha ninja marched toward the village entrance in perfect formation.
The clan leaders tensed. When they saw how many Uchiha there were, their expressions changed. Had the Uchiha sent their entire clan?
Sarutobi Hiruzen froze for a moment, 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 Xiao waved. None of the Uchiha Clan's other elders or leaders had come today; they'd sent Uchiha Xiao to lead the group.
"Xiao, you're here. What's all this?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was pleased at first, then frowned and gestured toward the Uchiha ninja.
Uchiha Xiao realized he should be more formal, so he stepped back and bowed. "Uchiha Xiao brings two hundred Uchiha Jonin, three hundred Chunin, and five hundred Genin. We offer the strength of our entire clan to protect the village and our homeland! We will fight the Sand Dogs!"
Uchiha Xiao's voice rang out powerfully, carrying far. The surrounding clans were all stunned. Was this really the Uchiha they knew? They were committing their entire clan to fighting for the village!
Sarutobi Hiruzen sensed Uchiha Xiao's sincerity. He surveyed the Uchiha ninja, then looked at Uchiha Xiao. "Thank you for the Uchiha Clan's wholehearted support!"
He was about to bow, but Uchiha Xiao couldn't allow that and hurried forward. Sarutobi Hiruzen waved him off and bowed to the Uchiha ninja instead.
"You are Uchiha of Konoha. You were before, and you will be in the future. I and all the villagers have seen your sacrifices. As Hokage, I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, thank you for your contributions!" Sarutobi Hiruzen bowed to the Uchiha clan members.
The Uchiha were deeply moved. They dropped to one knee. "Serving the village and its people is exactly what we wish to do!"
Even Shimura Danzō was fired up. He, too, began to see the Uchiha Clan differently. Meanwhile, the Hyuga clan leader, who had been so proud earlier, now looked a little awkward.
Regardless of what the Uchiha had been like before, this time they were committing their entire clan to fight for the village. No other clan could match their resolve.
After this battle, whatever the outcome, the Uchiha Clan would become a model clan in Konoha.
Nara Rokumei's eyes lit up at the sight. He admired Uchiha Xiao and the Uchiha Clan, because even he wouldn't dare make such a bold decision.
Tsunade wasn't there, or she would have been deeply moved as well. Because of her proposal concerning medical ninja, she'd been assigned to manage the village's medical ninja. This time, as the war's chief medical officer, she wouldn't take part in the front-line fighting.
The Senju forces stood to one side, watching Uchiha Xiao and the Uchiha Clan with mixed feelings. Sure enough, 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 Xiao on the shoulder. He smiled, then gave Shimura Danzō a look. Shimura Danzō understood.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was telling him to consult Uchiha Xiao about important matters. Xiao was here to help him this time.
Shimura Danzō knew this, of course. He looked at Uchiha Xiao and forced what he thought was a sunny smile. Uchiha Xiao returned it just as warmly.