Land of Fire, Land of Earth encampment.
Bang—
Ishikawa slammed his fist onto the table, making the objects atop it bounce around like soybeans scattered across the ground. It was enough to show just how furious the First Tsuchikage was!
"Damn Tobirama Senju! He actually dared to desecrate the souls of the dead—and the ones he's controlling are our comrades!"
Everyone attending the meeting below wore traces of anger on their faces. Impure World Reincarnation had completely shattered the most basic moral boundaries of the Shinobi World.
Just as the living did not wish to die, the dead wished even more to rest in peace. Forcibly summoning the souls of the deceased was torment enough for them, let alone forcing them to turn their blades against their former comrades.
"Old man, I request permission to head to the third battlefield."
Though small in stature, Ōnoki was the first to step forward. Volunteering himself, he said, "I'll definitely free our comrades and teach Konoha a harsh lesson!"
"That's right! I'm going too!"
"Count me in!"
"Me too!"
"Nonsense!"
Mu, seated beside Ishikawa, rebuked them sternly. "You want to go, he wants to go—then what about the battlefield here? Are we just supposed to ignore it?"
"Th-this..."
Everyone below lowered their heads and fell silent. That was indeed the reality of the situation. Ever since Kumogakure's shinobi had joined Konoha, the pressure on them had suddenly multiplied severalfold. Their previously unstoppable offensive had been forced to slow, even entering a stalemate.
If they sent personnel to the third battlefield in the Land of Wind at a time like this, the pressure on the second battlefield, where their main force was stationed, would become even greater. They might very well hand back all the advantages they had gained.
But if they chose