The orderly Iwagakure Ninja army advanced at high speed.
Under Sarutobi Hiruzen's orders, Konoha's border garrison had withdrawn back to the village in advance. Thus, with no ambush to fear, the Iwagakure army entered deep into the Land of Fire almost completely unimpeded.
In just over a day,
Shōji led more than five thousand Iwagakure Ninja to the outskirts of Konohagakure.
Within the village,
Hashirama Senju and the others, having already received the most accurate intelligence, led the army they had prepared in advance out of the village. They arrived first at a position still a safe distance away from Konohagakure to meet the enemy.
This was to prevent their village from suffering unnecessary collateral damage. Moreover, the Konoha Ninja army deployed this time consisted almost entirely of adults. The First Hokage did not permit a single underage ninja to take the field, including Naruto, who was not yet six years old.
In Konoha F4's original plan, they intended to forcibly make Naruto use the Nine-Tails' power against the incoming Iwagakure army, even if it cost him his life.
However, with Hashirama and Tobirama "revived" and once again holding power over Konohagakure, such a choice naturally would not be allowed. Victory was victory, defeat was defeat.
Hashirama and Tobirama would never have innocent children carry out suicidal attacks. Besides, it was utterly pointless. Who knew who the forcibly summoned Nine-Tails would attack first!
There was a high chance it would target Konoha's own ninja!
Wouldn't that just be lifting a rock only to smash their own feet!?
The same went for the Kiri Ninja. The Kiri Ninja Terumi Mei had brought this time were all the village's elite backbone.
There was no point bringing along the weaker ones.
They might as well remain in the village.
As for Konoha's forces