Third Shinobi World War Begins

Year 43 of Konoha.

In less than two months, the turmoil and conflicts in the shinobi world had intensified further, and the relationships between the major ninja villages had gone from strained to broken.

At the beginning of March, the Sand, Cloud, and Stone ninja formally formed a military alliance and declared war on Konoha.

The following day, the Mist ninja also declared war on Konoha.

At that moment, Konoha's upper echelon was analyzing the intelligence that had just arrived at the Hokage Building.

"Other than the Land of Water, the shinobi of every country have already been mobilized to the borders?"

Sensing that something was wrong, Hiruzen Sarutobi furrowed his brow. "Are you certain the intelligence is accurate?"

"Yes. The number of shinobi each country has sent to the borders has already far exceeded our border forces, though no direct clashes have occurred yet.

The border divisions report that without reinforcements, they will be unable to hold out."

Homura Mitokado, who was in charge of intelligence, spoke.

"What about the Mist ninja?"

"The Third Mizukage is still in Mist Village and has not made any clear move to mobilize large numbers of shinobi to the border. However, small contingents of the Kaguya Clan have already reached the front lines, putting considerable pressure on us."

Danzo added.

Koharu Utatane, who had been flipping through the documents, frowned and said disdainfully, "In this situation, Sand Village actually dares to get involved?"

With the alliance between the Sand, Cloud, and Stone ninja, the fact that the Third Kazekage had disappeared was now common knowledge.

"Don't underestimate them. They are still one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, just like us. We should think about how to mobilize shinobi to the front on a large scale."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a heavy drag from his pipe, his heart filled with irritation.

"Once we mobilize shinobi to the front on a large scale, not only will the village's income plummet, but the military expenses and ninja tools required will be enormous. We'll only be able to barely sustain ourselves."

Koharu Utatane also felt somewhat helpless. Konoha's economy relied too heavily on missions.

"Borrow money from the Uchiha! There aren't many in the entire Land of Fire as wealthy as they are. We can borrow some for the war. What do you think?"

"According to information gathered by Root, the Cloud ninja borrowed military loans from the Golden Consortium."

Danzo's tone remained calm and chilling.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep puff from his pipe, troubled by the ill-timed suggestion.

"Let's put the matter of loans aside for now!"

"Homura, make a trip to the capital and discuss military and political matters with the daimyo. Keep him steady."

Ignoring Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze to Homura Mitokado.

After seeing Homura nod, he turned to Koharu Utatane.

"Koharu, handle the communications and deployment. Organize an elite shinobi force of at least ten thousand that can depart immediately."

"Also, recall the jonin currently carrying out missions outside the village, and temporarily scale back the village's missions. Those returning from missions are to immediately form wartime squads and remain on standby for support."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice rang with authority, fully displaying the might of the Third Hokage.

"Should we transfer part of the organized police force to the war? After all... now that four major countries have declared war on us, aren't we keeping too many forces behind by leaving the Uchiha in the village...?"

At the mention of elites, Koharu Utatane immediately thought of the Uchiha. They were all in the village, making them easy to mobilize.

"The Uchiha Clan is powerful and well-organized. They can be deployed to the front. The important question is where we send them!"

Homura Mitokado hit the nail on the head.

"Hmph! The Uchiha cannot be allowed onto the battlefield! What if the Uchiha wipe out a ninja village in a single battle? How will we restrain them then? Are we supposed to let them command another shinobi force?"

"Have you all forgotten our teacher's teachings? The Uchiha now have a second Madara Uchiha!"

Hearing Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, Shimura Danzō immediately rebuked them, venting his dissatisfaction.

"The Uchiha are ultimately Konoha's Uchiha. We cannot hold such deep prejudice against them."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned in displeasure and spoke in their defense.

"Besides, didn't they do nothing during the Second Shinobi World War?"

"Heh, that wasn't what you said when they nearly crushed a village with their clan alone!"

Shimura Danzō launched into an impassioned tirade, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi speechless.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could only cast him a helpless glance, inwardly speechless. If they had had the manpower during the Second Shinobi World War, would he have deployed the Uchiha?

Besides, if not for the large number of Uchiha experts supporting the battlefield back then, giving Konoha a brief respite to restore the combat strength of many shinobi, the Second Shinobi World War would not have ended so easily.

The disparity in their numbers was even greater now!

The four enemy ninja villages combined had at least sixty thousand shinobi, while they only had twenty thousand!

"Enough. Stop arguing." Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke to stop them. "...The Uchiha have always been partners of the village. We should still place our trust in them."

After hesitating for a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi adjusted his line of thought and said:

"Let's do this. The Uchiha's primary duty will remain protecting the ninja village. For now, deploy the Uchiha Clan's elite jonin to reinforce the Land of Water front."

"With them there, even if the Land of Water front is ambushed, they can buy us enough time to react."

"Then we can use the smallest cost to gain the manpower we need most right now for the other fronts, while also minimizing our losses. What do you think?"

Use the possible future deaths of the Uchiha's most elite shinobi to secure more manpower for the other fronts now?

"Then, Uchiha Makoto..."

"Deploy him as well. I'll use him to deter the entire Land of Water!"

Hearing this, the three advisors exchanged glances and nodded, accepting Hiruzen Sarutobi's plan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and continued laying out the strategy.

"Danzo, you will serve as chief strategist for the overall fronts against the Lands of Lightning and Earth. Their large-scale strategic arrangements cannot do without you."

"Also, we cannot let our guard down against the Grass Ninja Village. We must establish covert lines at the border between the Land of Grass and the other major countries, and remain vigilant at all times!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not trust the Land of Grass, which had swayed from side to side for decades, and made an additional arrangement.

"That's good. If the Land of Grass betrays us at a critical moment, it will inevitably affect the course of the border war."

The three advisors all nodded in agreement.

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression relaxed somewhat. "Finally, there's the Sand ninja. I plan to have Tsunade and Jiraiya deal with Chiyo and the others. With Tsunade there, Chiyo's poison will be far less effective on the battlefield."

"They will lead a group of Hyūga Clan elites to defeat the Sand ninja, whose high-end strength is lacking, before swiftly returning to reinforce the fronts against the other countries. This will alleviate our manpower shortage."

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to Danzo. "The Stone ninja have always had an enormous number of troops. Orochimaru's Many Snakes Formation summoned through his summoning technique is best suited to dealing with them. I'll leave him to you. Don't disappoint me!"

Feeling Hiruzen Sarutobi's solemnity, Danzo nodded heavily.

Seeing Danzo nod, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a slight nod of his own and continued, "Beyond that, we must make other preparations to deal with any possible developments. Does anyone have anything to add?"

The three advisors thought for a moment, then shook their heads one after another.

"Then it's settled!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi made the final decision.

"It's time to convene the jonin council!"