The Battle Was Imminent, Eh?

"Sarutobi, have you truly grown senile?"

Facing Shimura Danzo's interrogation, Sarutobi Hiruzen furrowed his brows. A flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes, yet he maintained a refined posture on the surface. "Danzo, mind your words. Calm yourself first."

Danzo let out a cold snort and stepped forward. "Calm? The village faces numerous crises, yet you remain soft-hearted as always."

"The Uchiha clan is restless, yet you still cling to a policy of appeasement. If that isn't senility, what is? You even released that insubordinate wretch Setsuna, a man the teacher himself had locked away in the... in the Konoha prison!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression remained firm, his tone hardening as he replied, "The Uchiha are also a part of Konoha. Rashly resorting to force will only plunge the village into chaos. Furthermore, I trust that the Uchiha's Great Elder, Tianxian, and his son, Fugaku, will lead their clansmen well."

"Finally, as you said, the most urgent matter is to discuss how to defend against the incursions of the major nations."

Danzo laughed in fury. "Hmph, your blind trust in them will eventually lead Konoha to ruin. As for defending against the major nations, what brilliant strategy do you have?"

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was about to speak, an Anbu ninja hurried in and knelt on one knee. "Report, Lord Hokage. We have just received word that the Third Kazekage has dispatched Ebizo to lead an elite squad into the Land of Rain. They are currently heading toward the border of the Land of Fire, their intentions unclear."

Danzo's gaze turned icy. "See? This is the consequence of your indecisiveness. You make other villages believe Konoha is easy to bully."

Ignoring Danzo's sarcasm, Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly considered his countermeasures. "Immediately mobilize a detachment of ninja to the border for defense, and send scouts to ascertain the exact situation of the Sunagakure squad."

Danzo crossed his arms. "Is that all? Can that stop an attack from Sunagakure? I believe we should take the initiative and teach them a lesson, so other villages won't dare to look down on us."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's brows were tightly knit as he weighed the pros and cons of an offensive. A fierce debate regarding the future direction of Konoha seemed to have only just begun.

"Third, I believe Danzo's words have merit. If we don't show them our strength and allow Sunagakure—the weakest of the major nations—to act arrogantly before us, the other major nations will also think Konoha is weak and submissive. They will eventually bare their fangs and extend their claws toward us!"

Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses and spoke earnestly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Mitokado Homura and spoke slowly, "While taking the initiative can demonstrate Konoha's might, it could also trigger a full-scale war. With Konoha currently unstable, it is not the time to lightly start a conflict."

Utatane Koharu added from the side, "Third, the Sunagakure squad is coming on aggressively. If we only defend, I fear it will only embolden them."

Just as the group was arguing, the Anbu brought more news. "Lord Hokage, the Sunagakure squad has reached the border of the Land of Fire. They claim they are responding to the declaration of war by the Amegakure leader, Salamander Hanzo."

Danzo let out a cold snort. "Hmph, who can guarantee they aren't harboring ulterior motives? This might just be a conspiracy."

Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment. "Regardless, send people to gather intelligence and understand their true intentions. At the same time, recall all ninja currently on missions. Konoha is to enter a state of Level One combat readiness."

With that, he arranged for several experienced Jonin to go and negotiate with the Sunagakure squad. Shimura Danzo grew increasingly dissatisfied with Sarutobi Hiruzen, yet he said calmly, "Sarutobi, my Root has suffered heavy losses gathering intelligence on Amegakure and is in urgent need of personnel. Hand over those two brats, Qi Luna and Namikaze Minato; I will train them into capable ninja. Also, hand over Yakushi Nonou; I will mold her into the finest intelligence operative!"

"Impossible. Qi Luna is the best candidate for the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. I cannot hand him over to you!" Sarutobi Hiruzen rejected Danzo's demand without a second thought. His resolute and firm attitude was so infuriating that Danzo nearly ground his molars to dust.

"Then give me the other two brats and Uzumaki Kushina!"

"Danzo, although the male Qi Luna is the best Jinchuriki candidate, the principle remains that one should not put all their eggs in one basket. To be safe, Uzumaki Kushina cannot be touched under any circumstances." At this, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu stepped forward to advise him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze was firm as he refused once more, "Danzo, Kushina is also a candidate for Jinchuriki training, and Minato and Nonou are important bonds for Qi Luna and Kushina within the village. I will not give you any of them, so put that thought out of your mind!"

Danzo trembled with rage. "Sarutobi, you are deliberately making things difficult for me! Root risks life and limb for the village, yet I can't even recruit a few talents to replenish our fresh blood?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned. "Danzo, we both know the methods Root employs. Don't think I don't know what you're planning. I don't object to Root replenishing its ranks, but I will not agree to you touching them!"

Veins bulged on Danzo's left hand, and he crushed his cane in his grip. "Sarutobi, you will regret this!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was also burning with anger and retorted, "Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

Just as the two were at an impasse, the Jonin sent to negotiate with the Sunagakure squad returned with news: the moment the Konoha and Sunagakure ninja made contact, a battle broke out. It proved that their claim of entering the Land of Rain to suppress Salamander Hanzo was merely a pretext; their true goal remained the abundant resources and fertile land of the Land of Fire!

Meanwhile, Qi Luna and his two companions were recuperating, waiting for the right moment, when a ninja hawk appeared without warning above them, circling and crying as if delivering a signal.

In the dim forest, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the moments before a torrential downpour. Qi Luna, Hayama, and Nonou were whispering about whether to abandon the mission and return to Konoha immediately.

Suddenly, a tall, upright figure appeared abruptly before them—it was Hatake Sakumo, who had left earlier.

He wore dark-patterned combat gear, his long silver hair dancing in the wind, and his cold, stern face held no extra expression.

"The plan has changed."

His voice was low and powerful, striking the hearts of the three like a heavy hammer. "Complete the mission immediately, then return to Konoha at once."

Hayama's eyes turned sharp instantly. He gripped the long sword tied to his waist and nodded without the slightest hesitation.

Though a flicker of worry crossed Nonou's eyes, she clenched her fists firmly; she knew there was no room for retreat now.

Qi Luna, however, scratched his head helplessly.

Doesn't that mean the plan I formulated before was all for nothing? The success rate of infiltrating at this time isn't high...

But seeing the determined expressions of his companions, he had no choice but to accept his fate.

"Yes, Teacher!" the three responded in unison, their voices echoing through the silent forest.

Hatake Sakumo nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the three with a mix of trust and hidden concern. "This mission is arduous; you must be careful."

With that, he turned and vanished into the woods.

Qi Luna took a deep breath and began to reorganize the action plan.

"The individual tasks remain the same, but the timeline has been moved up and the difficulty will increase. Therefore, if there are any emergencies, send me a signal immediately—we will switch from assassination to an all-out assault!"

Nonou carefully checked her medical ninja tools, while Hayama loosened his limbs, ready to spring into action at any moment.

The three looked at each other, nodded, and then each dashed rapidly toward their respective mission targets, their figures soon disappearing into the mysterious forest.