A Decade of Accumulated Hatred

"History is history. The present is the present."

Shikaku calmly reminded them:

"Hidden Sand's operation this time was surely well prepared. They were very likely trying to use multiple attacks to divide and pin down our forces."

"Then their main force would wait for an opportunity to break through... It was their usual trick. Simple, but often highly effective."

(Ebizo, who had made the plan: You made me sound like a clown. Should I just leave?)

Just then, Inoichi Yamanaka opened his eyes, his expression grave.

"Shikaku, north of the western sector, around thirty li from the attacked outpost, I've detected several sizable clusters of chakra moving rapidly!"

"They're headed... straight for several of our key forward positions! One group's chakra... has an intensely sharp Wind nature. It's very likely being led by an Elite Jonin!"

A sharp glint flashed through Shikaku Nara's eyes. He abruptly rose to his feet.

"Messenger!"

"Present!"

"Orders: All forward positions in the western sector are to immediately enact the Bastion Protocol contingency plan! Use the fortifications, hold your ground until reinforcements arrive, and do not attack without authorization! Focus on delaying them, wearing them down, and determining the enemy's strength!"

"Also, immediately send the intelligence back to the village and request reinforcements!"

"Yes!"

A series of orders was issued like flowing water, as clear and precise as ever.

That was precisely why the Third Hokage had placed Shikaku Nara on the western front as commander.

Rather than having him merely participate in high-level decision-making as the head of Konoha's Jonin Council, as usual.

Of course, whether that had anything to do with the Konoha Four being accustomed to monopolizing power and unwilling to share it...

Who would dare say? Who would dare ask?

Inside the command center, the responses of communications ninja, the fluttering wings of ninja hawks taking flight, and the sounds of markers rapidly shifting across the map intertwined as a grim, murderous atmosphere spread.

Konoha, so scenic that it inspired envy, had ultimately drawn the dark clouds of war.

Intelligence from the western border seemed to grow wings, turning into sheet after sheet of flying paper that landed on the Hokage's desk. Hidden Sand's restless fangs had finally begun to show.

"So it has come at last."

Perhaps to maintain the solemn atmosphere, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was not holding his pipe in his mouth. He stared gravely at the intelligence before him.

Unable to stop himself, he cursed inwardly.

"What the hell does your Kazekage's disappearance have to do with me? Why are you dumping every damn pot on my head? If you're going to throw it at anyone, throw it at the First Pot Kage, Danzo!"

"Why does everyone say I did it? I'm the renowned Shinobi Hero, the most patient man there is, all right? How could I possibly start a war on my own initiative?"

"Hi, it seems Hidden Sand is determined to go to war. Reports of attacks have come from both the western front and the northern border, and our forces are somewhat stretched."

Mitokado Homura held the intelligence report as he spoke, carefully reviewing it.

Besides him, Utatane Koharu and Danzo were also present.

The Third Hokage's complaints did nothing to ease the heaviness in the room.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the frustration in his heart, and swept a sharp gaze across the three elder advisors before him—Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzō.

"Although the Third Kazekage's disappearance... has nothing to do with us,"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice carried a trace of uncertainty as he glanced at Danzo.

He continued:

"Hidden Sand's blade is already at our throats. Homura, Koharu, Danzo, speak. How should we respond?"

As the one among the leadership most skilled at thinking, Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses. His grip tightened around the intelligence scroll in his hand.

"The situation is worse than expected, Hiruzen. On the western front in the Land of Rivers, Hidden Sand's vanguard has repeatedly clashed with our border patrols. The scale is small, but the probing intent is obvious."

"There have also been reports from the northern front in the Land of Rain that small units of Hidden Sand elites have infiltrated the area, tying down part of our northern border forces."

"Hidden Sand's operation this time is highly coordinated. They clearly planned it long ago. They have seized on the excuse of the 'Kazekage's disappearance,' inciting the mood within their village. Their intent to wage war is now beyond reversal."

He paused, his voice laden with concern.

"We need not worry about the Land of Rain. After the Second Shinobi War ended, we still maintained more than five thousand border troops there."

"According to Root intelligence, Hidden Sand has serious financial problems. They can deploy at most eight thousand men this time. The Land of Rain cannot possibly be their direction of advance."

"Only on the western border in the Land of Rivers do we have a permanent defensive force of just over two thousand. If Hidden Sand has concentrated its main force there, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold them."

"We must immediately send reinforcements!"

Utatane Koharu, who oversaw logistics and finances, frowned deeply. Her voice carried a trace of exhaustion and worry for the future.

"Reinforcements are inevitable. Hidden Sand's puppet techniques and poison are extremely powerful in mountainous terrain like the Land of Rivers. Once they gain a foothold there, they can enter the Land of Fire at any time. We would be in a very passive position."

"But, Hiruzen, we must also consider Konoha's financial and logistical situation."

"Five thousand ninja... that is more than half of the mobile forces the village can currently sustain. Any more, and our finances will begin to suffer."

"Moreover, we must guard against other ninja villages taking advantage of the situation, especially Hidden Cloud and Iwagakure. Their movements also require close attention. This war will not be easy."

The strongest Pot Kage, Shimura Danzō, who had remained silent all along, finally spoke. His voice was low and cold, like a venomous snake gliding through grass.

"Hmph. Hidden Sand is merely bluffing. The Third Kazekage's disappearance was suspicious to begin with. Their internal situation is unstable, and they urgently need an outlet to redirect their conflicts. Konoha is the target they chose."

Danzo's single eye glimmered with a sinister light.

"Weakness and concession will only fuel their arrogance! Five thousand ninja? Not enough!"

"We must strike them like thunder, utterly crush their vanguard, and destroy their confidence! Let Hidden Sand know the terrible price of provoking Konoha!"

"Only then can we suppress the ambitions of the other ninja villages!"

He leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying unquestionable forcefulness and a hint of deeply buried ambition.

"Hiruzen, hesitation will only make Konoha bleed more! Order the troops to assemble immediately! We must not only stop them—we must push them back!"

"As for insufficient troops... we can transfer men from the northwestern border with the Land of Earth and the northeastern border with the Land of Lightning. We can form another army of at least ten thousand ninja."

After receiving news that Hidden Sand might start a war, eight thousand ninja had already gathered along the Land of Lightning border, including the Land of Fields and the Land of Hot Water. Another eight thousand had gathered along the Land of Earth border, including the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass.

Aside from the original garrison troops, most of these forces had temporarily set aside their missions and assembled nearby upon receiving the Hokage's orders.

Since most ninja were out carrying out missions, it was better for them to prepare defenses at the border first rather than return to Konoha before heading back out to defend the frontier. Otherwise, they would only rush to deploy troops after the enemy had already broken through.

All that could be said was that Konoha was heartbreakingly practiced at this. Before anyone had even come knocking, they had already prepared themselves to be surrounded and beaten.