Pre-War Conference

Hokage Building, war council chamber.

By the time Uchiha Makoto arrived, more than half of the jonin had already gathered, sitting on their respective tatami mats and whispering among themselves.

Three tatami mats lay directly before the jonin, reserved for Konoha's high-ranking officials.

The heads of the various clans, such as Uchiha Fugaku, sat in the first row. When Fugaku saw him, he waved him over and pointed to the empty spot behind him.

Clearly, Fugaku had saved that seat for him.

Uchiha Makoto walked over and took his seat. He swept his gaze across the surrounding jonin, most of whom were unfamiliar faces.

Only the current Ino–Shika–Chō generation, Kushina Uzumaki, Minato Namikaze, and a few other familiar yet youthful faces stood out.

At that moment, Konoha's higher-ups entered the meeting room, and the previously noisy atmosphere instantly fell silent.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat on the tatami mat in the center, with Shimura Danzō and Koharu Utatane seated to his left and right.

After confirming that all the important personnel had arrived, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke. "I have summoned everyone here because ninjas from various countries have recently massed troops along the border and declared war on Konoha..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up the intelligence report in his hand and read aloud. "According to reports from the front lines, under Chiyo's leadership, the Sand Ninja have assembled several thousand shinobi and are confronting our garrison at the border. The Rock Ninja and Cloud Ninja..."

After giving everyone a general overview and allowing enough time for thought, he continued, "Under these circumstances, another great ninja war is unavoidable! Gentlemen, we hate war, but we do not fear it! Our enemies have made their move. For Konoha, for our families, we absolutely cannot let them off lightly!"

"If they want war, then we will give them war!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's resounding speech successfully stirred the blood of everyone present. Even some veteran shinobi were moved by it.

Watching this display of high morale, Hiruzen Sarutobi was quite pleased with himself.

He raised one hand and pressed it down through the air, silencing the jonin's discussions before continuing.

"Following deliberation, all departments will enter wartime consolidation and swiftly assemble elite shinobi units numbering ten thousand. They will depart for the front lines immediately!"

"In addition, recall all ninja squads currently away on missions. Those who return are to immediately form wartime units and remain on standby for support at any time."

"Shikaku, coordinate the personnel transfers between all departments!"

Still somewhat green, Nara Shikaku nodded in acknowledgment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded back and continued making announcements.

"Next, I will announce the chief strategists for each front!"

"Shimura Danzō is hereby appointed chief strategist of the Rock Ninja and Cloud Ninja fronts, with full authority over all related matters!"

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone present turned to look at Shimura Danzō. Meeting their gazes, he gave a slight nod.

"Orochimaru, you will accompany Danzō's forces and follow Danzō's command and deployment!"

As Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, Orochimaru, who exuded a chilling aura, nodded in acceptance.

"Tsunade is hereby appointed chief strategist of the Sand Ninja front. Tsunade, you will deal with Chiyo. You must keep casualties to a minimum!"

Tsunade, afflicted with hemophobia, froze for a moment upon hearing this, but she immediately nodded in acceptance.

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his head toward the Hyuga Clan. "The Hyuga Clan will be commanded and deployed by Tsunade to counter the Sand Ninja's puppet masters. Hizashi, do not let us down."

Hizashi Hyūga nodded in acceptance.

Then Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze toward Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Makoto.

"Uchiha Fugaku is hereby appointed chief strategist of the Mist Ninja front."

The declaration immediately caused a stir among the seated jonin. Jiraiya, who had expected it to be his turn to receive an assignment, was left dumbfounded as well.

Ignoring the commotion below, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued.

"War is upon us, and the village's security is under threat. During the Second Great Ninja War, the Uchiha Clan won victory for Konoha by holding back more than half of the Mist Ninja forces. Now, the Mist Ninja are sweeping in once more."

"Within Konoha, the only ones with the ability and experience to deal with the Mist Ninja are your Uchiha Clan! The Mist Ninja front will be entrusted to you."

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi had even finished speaking, Uchiha Fugaku had already furrowed his brow. During the Second Great Ninja War, the Uchiha had suffered grievous losses just to hold back the Mist Ninja offensive!

They were no longer as strong as they had been in the past, yet they were still being asked to face the Mist Ninja?

A trace of displeasure flashed through Uchiha Fugaku's eyes, but when he thought of Uchiha Makoto, he nodded in acceptance.

"Fine. I will mobilize the Police Force to support the front lines..."

"No!"

A resolute voice rang out in the meeting room, and everyone turned toward Danzō.

Danzō opened his lone eye and looked at the Uchiha as he rejected the proposal. "No! The Police Force's duties should remain focused on affairs within the village. There is currently no large Mist Ninja army on that front. It will be enough for the Uchiha to send some jonin to provide support."

The atmosphere in the meeting room turned subtly tense, and everyone's gazes shifted back and forth between the Uchiha and Konoha's higher-ups.

Heh, who knew how many troops the Mist Ninja had truly deployed on that front?

Even if there really were not many, was that something he could just say aloud? Was he not afraid spies would leak it and get the Uchiha killed?

Uchiha Fugaku's expression immediately darkened to a frightening degree, low pressure radiating from his body as his virtuousness rapidly plummeted.

"Ahem!"

Uchiha Makoto's light cough pulled Uchiha Fugaku back to reality. Under everyone's watchful eyes, Makoto gestured to Fugaku, then toward the Hyuga Clan.

Following Uchiha Makoto's gaze, Uchiha Fugaku looked toward the Hyuga and recalled the Mist Ninja's deployments on the front line. He understood at once.

"When Konoha has need, the Uchiha naturally will not refuse. Unfortunately, since the end of the Second Great Ninja War, the number of Uchiha jonin has never recovered to its former strength. Facing the Mist Ninja, even merely holding the line may be beyond our ability despite our willingness!"

Hearing Uchiha Fugaku's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smile. "If the Uchiha Clan alone were asked to fight the Mist Ninja, it would indeed be somewhat demanding. How about this? Whatever you need, we will do our best to provide it."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded in satisfaction and replied, "The Mist Ninja excel at ninjutsu that limits vision, such as their Silent Killing Technique. During the Second Great Ninja War, this caused us enormous trouble and losses. Therefore, I hope to transfer several jonin squads from the Hyuga Clan to assist us!"

"A reasonable request. In that case, Hiashi!"

"Here, Lord Hokage!"

Hiashi Hyūga, the newly appointed head of the Hyuga Clan's branch family, promptly responded.

"Then I will trouble you to lead several branch-family jonin units to the Mist Ninja front alongside the Uchiha Clan and fight the Mist Ninja!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

Hiashi Hyūga nodded heavily in response.

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction.

"Then the Mist Ninja front is in your hands!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked around the room and met the shocked, speechless, and bewildered gazes of the seated jonin. "All right, those are the general arrangements."

"To ensure secrecy, the remaining secondary assignments will be distributed to you tonight by the Anbu. Please be sure to receive them!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi rose to his feet. "Gentlemen, this war concerns Konoha's very survival. I hope you will all give it your utmost!"