Outside the Hokage Office, Konoha
Tianyi had just stepped out of the Hokage Office when a sharp whistling sound descended from above.
An ANBU ninja dropped to one knee, his voice urgent.
"Report! Urgent news from the border!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared at the doorway in an instant, with Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura close behind him.
"Speak!"
The ANBU ninja raised his head.
"The Hidden Sand Elite Puppetmaster Corps broke through the border defenses yesterday!
The entire Land of Rivers has fallen under Hidden Sand Village's control! Our border garrison clashed with them and suffered heavy losses!
We've been routed! Reinforcements are urgently needed!"
At those words, everyone present changed expression.
The Land of Rivers falling under enemy control meant Hidden Sand Village's forces were already aimed directly at the heartland of the Land of Fire.
Once that defensive line completely collapsed, Konoha would be left wide open.
Tsunade strode out from the crowd and turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Old man, I'll take people over first."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply. "It'll take time to assemble the main force. How many people do you need?"
"Thirty elite ninja will be enough to hold them off." Tsunade was already heading outside.
"Once the main force is assembled, follow as quickly as possible. I'll stabilize the situation first."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "Be careful. Hidden Sand Village's puppetmaster corps won't be easy to deal with."
Without looking back, Tsunade waved for Tianyi to follow.
Tianyi quickly caught up while signaling to Minato Namikaze in the distance.
Tsunade glanced at him but said nothing.
Thirty minutes later, thirty elite ninja had assembled.
There were no wasted words and no rallying speeches. Everyone silently followed Tsunade into the dense forest leading toward the border.
Two days later, Land of Rivers border, Leaf Frontline Camp