War Begins

"All right, stop!"

A voice suddenly rang out, interrupting the discussion. Everyone fell silent and turned to look at the speaker.

It was the head of the Uchiha Police Force—Uchiha Fugaku.

Fugaku's gaze was sharp as he swept his eyes over the gathered clansmen and said in a deep voice:

"War is cruel, but it is also unavoidable. As the protectors of Konoha, we of the Uchiha Clan have the responsibility and duty to fight for the village."

"We must seek opportunities in this war to strengthen our clan."

"Minister Fugaku is right. We must show the Uchiha Clan's strength in this war and let those who look down on us see that we are not so easily bullied."

An Uchiha clansman with three tomoe in his eyes said excitedly.

"But Clan Head, we must also consider the safety of our people. We cannot let them die meaningless deaths."

An older clansman offered a reminder.

Fugaku nodded and said:

"I understand that naturally. I will propose to Lord Hokage that the Uchiha Elite Squad be sent to the front lines to earn merit."

"The Police Force will also heighten its vigilance to prevent the village from being attacked. I will discuss it with the Third Hokage and strive to secure greater protection for our people."

"Clan Head, when do we depart?"

A young clansman asked eagerly.

Before Uchiha Fugaku could speak, Uchiha Setsuna, the Great Elder, cut in directly:

"Do not rush. That Third Hokage monkey has yet to issue the final order. We should make our preparations and remain ready at all times."

"Go back and prepare yourselves properly. Improve your strength, and do not bring shame upon the Uchiha Clan."

"As for the members of the elite squad, we will discuss it with Fugaku before announcing them."

"Fugaku, have the Police Force get moving as well. Search the village thoroughly for spies."

"My God, Setsuna-sama!"

The others nodded as well, indicating their understanding.

Looking at his clansmen, Fugaku secretly made up his mind. He would protect the Uchiha Clan during the war, while also seizing this chance to raise the clan's standing in Konoha to greater heights.

Throughout the entire meeting, Uchiha Lan, who had remained an unnoticed extra, did not say a single word. In any case, it was not his place to make decisions.

Over the following period, the villagers of the Leaf Village began to feel a trace of unease.

The prices of food, ironware, and other goods began to rise, while demand for shuriken and explosive tags surged.

Konoha's patrol forces made rounds until dawn every day, and ANBU ninja could occasionally be seen darting through the streets and across the rooftops.

Many ninja from active combat units were also continuously being recalled.

Furthermore, D-rank missions such as finding cats and dogs became fewer and fewer in the mission hall, while combat missions like exterminating bandits and gathering military intelligence became increasingly common.

The villagers of the Leaf Village were not fools. Many of them had family members who were ninja, and they soon sensed what was coming.

All these signs pointed to one thing—war was coming!

As the clouds of war gathered over the Leaf Village, the villagers' moods grew increasingly heavy.

The bustle and liveliness of the streets were gradually replaced by tension and unease.

Children's laughter became scarce, replaced by adults' hushed conversations and worried gazes.

In the village's central square, an old man sat on a bench, staring dazedly into the distance.

His grandson sat beside him and asked quietly:

"Grandpa, why is everyone so nervous?" The old man sighed, gently stroked his grandson's head, and said:

"Child, war is coming. You may not understand yet, but war takes many lives and tears many families apart."

"Our Leaf Village has already endured far too many wars. Everyone fears falling into that kind of pain once again."

Not everyone was Uchiha Itachi, contemplating war and life at the age of six.

The old man's grandson was only three. His childish face creased into a frown, and a trace of confusion appeared in his eyes.

"War is that scary? Why does it happen? Why does it make people lose their lives?"

The old man fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly:

"War is a struggle between nations, fought over resources, land, and power. Ninja charge at the forefront, fighting to protect their village and families."

"But war is cruel. It takes the lives of many people, including those brave ninja."

Along the way, he saw many ninja hurrying about, seemingly preparing for the coming war.

Many Leaf Village residents also felt uneasy, but more than that, they worried for the village.

Please provide the text you would like me to translate and revise.

While the Leaf Village was gathering its forces and preparing for war, there was a Konoha border outpost stationed within the Land of Rivers, between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.

That was right. Leaf ninja from the Land of Fire were stationed within the Land of Rivers, guarding against Hidden Sand ninja who were likewise stationed there.

It might seem absurd to others, but in the world of ninja, it was perfectly normal.

Although the Land of Rivers was not small, it had no ninja village power. Or rather, Konoha and Hidden Sand did not allow this country's daimyo to support a ninja village.

After all, the Land of Rivers lay between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, while also being located south of the Land of Rain.

Under the shadow of the great nations, the Land of Rivers had little room for independent development. Its fate was often shaped by the policies and strategies of those major powers.

Forget a ninja village. If the daimyo of the Land of Rivers dared to gather more than a hundred wandering ninja,

the next day, he would find those wandering ninja jointly exterminated by Konoha, Hidden Sand, and Amegakure.

And the daimyo would even have to thank them for helping his country eliminate those "unstable elements."

Konoha: Little brother, be sensible. Do you not understand why the Land of Rivers is allowed to exist?

Hidden Sand: If not for the Land of Fire and Konoha, we would have annexed you long ago. And you still dare raise ninja? You are not even allowed to have that thought!

Hanzō of Amegakure: Damn it, being surrounded by Konoha to the east, Hidden Sand to the west, and Iwagakure to the north is already irritating enough.

And you want to establish a ninja village? You want me surrounded on all four sides? No need for further words—take a General Yu's Flying Kick first!

Inside the outpost.

The calm before the war did not soothe anyone. Instead, it left those stationed there even more tense.

At this moment, even the slightest disturbance could instantly put everyone on the highest alert.

As a result, the atmosphere was incomparably oppressive, and the stationed ninja came and went in a constant rush...

But what they did not know was that in a forest not far away, ninja from the Sunagakure Ninja Village were moving silently like ghosts in the desert.

Maki, an elite jonin of Hidden Sand, stood at the very front of the group. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's as he surveyed the Konoha border outpost ahead.

Behind him stood a group of well-trained Hidden Sand ninja. They wore trench coats, carried ninja tools at their waists, and had serious expressions on their paint-marked faces.

Every one of them understood the importance of this mission.