War Against the Land of Wind

"Root's forces can also be deployed where they are needed most, to deal Hidden Sand a fatal blow."

"War is, after all, the most direct way to solve every problem!"

Danzo's words made Hiruzen Sarutobi furrow his brow.

He understood the implications behind Danzo and Koharu's words. Although the ninja world had enjoyed ten years of peace after the Second Shinobi World War, ten years of hatred had accumulated as well.

Leaf Village's greatest enemy was certainly not the pauper Sand Village. If the Land of Wind had possessed anything worth taking, Konoha would have counterattacked long ago.

Their true opponents were the ninja world's foremost bandits, the Hidden Cloud Village, and the ambitious Hidden Stone Village.

If not for the conflict between the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Stone Villages themselves, a genuine joint assault on Konoha by those two villages would have been Konoha's greatest crisis.

Both the First and Second Shinobi World Wars had proven that.

As for Hidden Sand, they were nothing more than paupers. Hiruzen regarded them as easy prey.

Kirigakure had shut itself off from the world, and with the Third Mizukage's Bloody Mist policy, the conflict between bloodline-limit ninjas and civilian ninjas, a sluggish economy... it had a whole heap of problems. It would collapse sooner or later and was not worth worrying about.

What, there was still Amegakure? Sorry, aside from Hanzo, he had never even heard of it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly rose to his feet, bracing both hands against the desk piled high with intelligence reports.

He picked up his pipe again but did not light it, merely gripping it tightly as if drawing strength from it.

His gaze swept over the three advisors before finally becoming incomparably resolute.

"Homura's intelligence analysis is accurate. Hidden Sand's invasion is already inevitable. Koharu's concerns are equally crucial. Logistics, medical support, and diplomatic defense are all indispensable."

He paused, then turned a sharp gaze on Danzo.

"Danzo, Root's forces... will remain in place for now as a strategic reserve. Hidden Sand has already bared its fangs, but we must have a fist ready to strike back. We must let the entire ninja world see Konoha's weight!"

The atmosphere in the Hokage's office grew heavy to the extreme, for the gears of war had already begun to turn.

"We will convene a Jonin Assembly shortly. Prepare to declare war on the Land of Wind!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke in a deep voice at last. Not a trace of wishful thinking remained in his eyes, only the resolve and burden befitting a Ninja Hero.

Although the Land of Wind had not issued a declaration of war because it was currently at odds with the Sand Village, the enemy had already come to their doorstep. How could Konoha, the foremost ninja village, possibly swallow such humiliation?

For minor matters, hold a big meeting; for major matters, hold a small one. For something as important as going to war, rather than debate this and that, it was better to make the decision directly.

After speaking, he picked up his pipe, slowly lit it, and took a deep drag. Amid the curling smoke, it was as though he temporarily pressed down all the pressure weighing on him.

The small meeting in the Hokage's office had ended in the morning, and by the afternoon, the grand conference room in the Hokage Building was hosting an assembly of all Jonin.

Not long after the Jonin and the heads of the various ninja clans had taken their seats,

the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, rose slowly in his ceremonial robe, set his pipe on the table, and swept a resolute gaze across every Jonin and clan head present.

Leaf Village's elites had gathered in one place. The atmosphere was tense and solemn, and everyone could feel the shadow of war hanging over their heads.

"Everyone, you have all read the intelligence reports."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was low and powerful.

"Hidden Sand's actions have made it clear that war is now unavoidable. They attacked without declaring war, launching a surprise assault on our border and inflicting severe losses."

"Today, we have convened this Jonin Assembly to determine our response."

He paused, allowing the news to settle in the air for a moment.

Then he continued.

"After careful deliberation, we have decided that the Land of Fire will declare war on the Land of Wind. War has arrived, and we cannot sit still and wait for death."

"Now, I announce the war mobilization order. All ninja units will enter the highest state of combat readiness."

His voice suddenly rose, filled with the imposing bearing of a Ninja Hero.

"Orders!"

"Effective immediately, the Hidden Leaf Village will enter the highest state of combat readiness!"

"Orochimaru will serve as the commander-in-chief of the western front, with Jonin such as Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and Inoichi Yamanaka of Ino–Shika–Cho accompanying him as aides!"

"Mobilize the village's elite Jonin, Special Jonin, Chunin, and some experienced Genin. Assemble five thousand ninjas immediately to form the first wave of vanguard forces!"

"Objective: the western border of the Land of Rivers!"

"Mission: At all costs, halt Hidden Sand's invasion, pin the enemy firmly outside the border, and buy time for subsequent deployments!"

"The logistics, medical, and intelligence departments will operate at full capacity to ensure uninterrupted supplies and information for the front lines!"

"At the same time, closely monitor the movements of the other three great nations. Raise the defense level of the Land of Earth on the northwestern front and the Land of Lightning on the northeastern peninsula to the highest level."

"Order the Uchiha... Hyuga Clan to lead their clan ninjas and join the two thousand border troops in the east to monitor the Land of Water along the eastern coastline!"

"Homura, in addition to the five thousand vanguard troops, the village must prepare to organize another five thousand ninja troops. If appropriate... the standards for the Genin examination may be lowered."

"Koharu, send another letter to the daimyo's residence and request an allocation of one hundred million ryo in war funds."

The two nodded.

"Hiruzen, I understand. Everything is for Konoha!"

Only Koharu was secretly worried. They had already requested two hundred million in funding from the daimyo during the first half of the year, and it was not yet time for the second half's allocation. Asking for another hundred million on short notice would not be easy.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was like a war drum, setting Konoha's first step in the face of gathering clouds of war.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze passed over everyone present before finally settling on a figure seated in the corner.

That was his disciple, one of Konoha's Three Ninja, a Kage-level ninja—Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru."

He spoke softly.

"You will lead the vanguard and move out first. Stabilize the battle line and open the way for the main force that will follow."

Orochimaru knew that once the old man had called his name, there was no avoiding it. He could only nod and say,

"I understand. I will make the necessary preparations."

"At the same time, I will send ANBU to summon Jiraiya and Tsunade back. Tell Jiraiya to head straight to Amegakure to guard against Iwagakure, and have Tsunade join you at the western border as soon as possible."

Although he knew that Tsunade already suffered from hemophobia, Hidden Sand excelled at using poison. Without Tsunade, their losses would certainly be severe.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly. After arranging matters for his three disciples in his heart,

he turned to everyone and said, "War has arrived. We cannot retreat."

"Everyone has their own responsibility. I hope all of you will give it everything you have. We have only one goal: to protect the Land of Fire and protect Leaf Village."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

Regardless of what the attendees thought of the Third Hokage, no one would oppose him at a time like this when it came to a national war.

The enemy had mobilized the strength of their entire village to attack them. What else was there to say?

They were not Ninja Heroes. They could not tolerate this in the slightest. There was no room for morality in a national war—just look at what that certain victorious bird had done.

"Meeting adjourned. Prepare for war."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke at last, his voice echoing through the conference room.

As the meeting ended, Konoha's ninjas began to move.

They knew the horn of war had sounded, and they would fight to protect their homeland.