Deploy! Blades Pointed at Kumogakure

Life did not show mercy simply because of certain misfortunes, nor could anyone stop the tremendous changes of the era.

Inside the largest conference room of the Hokage Building.

Konoha's three great elders, the heads of every clan, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and the Elite Jonin of the Jonin Corps sat within the conference room. Dozens of Konoha's strongest people had gathered here. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this room contained the strongest force in the entire Shinobi World at present.

Yet no one spoke. They were all waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi, seated at the head of the table, to speak.

"Everyone, take a look at the scrolls in your hands first..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked grave. With a frown, he said nothing more and merely gestured for everyone present to examine the scrolls before them.

Hearing this, no one spoke. They opened the scrolls and studied them carefully.

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly and swept his gaze over the crowd. When he saw Minato Namikaze, a faint, almost imperceptible gleam flickered in his eyes.

The three elders—Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu—sat quietly. They had long since learned the contents of the scrolls. Their expressions revealed neither joy nor anger, and no one knew what they were thinking.

"This..."

There was not much information on the scrolls. Once everyone had finished reading, their expressions varied. Most furrowed their brows, their grave looks plain to see.

Thin wisps of smoke rose from Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe, shrouding the room in a hazy mist. A hint of concern seemed to linger in his eyes as he swept his gaze across the conference room and slowly spoke.

"Everyone has seen it. According to intelligence reports, the Third Kazekage has mysteriously vanished and is suspected to be dead. The Land of Wind is leaderless. Kumogakure and the Stone Shinobi have joined forces, dispatching troops simultaneously into the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind..."

As he spoke, he took a deep pull from his pipe.

"What are your thoughts?"

"Perhaps this is an opportunity for us?"

One of the Jonin from the pro-war faction began voicing his opinion, but it was merely meant to open the discussion. The heads of the major clans remained silent with furrowed brows, as though deep in thought.

"Indeed. Kumogakure has traveled a great distance and deployed troops against two major nations at once. They will inevitably struggle to sustain themselves. Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage of the Land of Earth, is a cunning man. He certainly will not work wholeheartedly with Kumogakure, and their alliance will fall apart when tested.

"Sunagakure is currently weak and desperately needs outside support. We can ally with the Sand Shinobi, adopt a strategic defense against the Stone Shinobi, and concentrate our forces on eliminating Kumogakure's vanguard first."

Though Minato Namikaze was not exactly a hawk, he would not simply watch another nation invade Konoha.

His voice was not loud, yet everyone's attention turned toward him. This powerful yet mild-tempered Jonin had already been regarded by the major clans as the mouthpiece Hiruzen had put forward.

As the Third Hokage's grand-disciple, Jiraiya's student, and a legitimate member of the Hokage's direct lineage, no one could ignore his views—in a sense, his words carried the Third Hokage's stance.

As everyone fell silent, a Jonin in the corner suddenly spoke.

"After defeating Kumogakure, if the Land of Wind descends into chaos over the contest for the Kazekage position, we can attempt to ally with the Stone Shinobi instead. Through military pressure, we can force the Land of Wind to surrender most of its mission resources and strategic strongholds. We could even... intervene in the selection of the Fourth Kazekage..."

The Jonin who spoke in a muffled voice—Shinta Yura—briefly met Danzo's eyes. His sudden words surprised everyone, since he was normally inconspicuous. After exchanging subtle glances, they roughly understood that he was Elder Danzo's subordinate.

His words sounded absurd, yet they seemed highly feasible. At the very least, the idea of obtaining some resources was entirely viable.

"Wishful thinking! That old woman Chiyo holds immense prestige in Sunagakure. Trying to bypass Chiyo and interfere in the Kazekage election is simply unrealistic.

"Besides, I believe we need to strengthen our defenses along the border with the Land of Wind, in case the Sand Shinobi redirect their domestic conflicts toward Konoha."

"The Land of Wind is nothing but desert and wasteland. Kumogakure and the Stone Shinobi's assault on Sunagakure is probably not as simple as it appears. Their true target must be Konoha! Their attack on Sunagakure may even be nothing more than an act, intended to lure Konoha into taking the bait!"

Inuzuka Tsume's statement clearly did not win the agreement of most people. Compared to Konoha, the Sand Shinobi were far weaker. Deep down, most people believed that if the Sand Shinobi dared attack Konoha, they would only be humiliating themselves. Besides, Kumogakure and the Stone Shinobi would not choose such deadweight as an ally.

Yamanaka Inoichi shook his head slightly. Inuzuka Tsume was still too impulsive. He regretted being so loose-lipped after leaving Shikaku's house yesterday.

Seeing that no one agreed with her, Inuzuka Tsume appeared somewhat indignant.

Shikaku Nara looked at Inuzuka Tsume with a trace of surprise, as though he had thought of something. He then glanced lightly at Yamanaka Inoichi, who seemed somewhat unwilling to meet his eyes.

"Cough, cough..."

As if he had been choked by his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed softly. The conference room gradually fell quiet, and everyone looked toward the Third Hokage.

Perhaps because the Second Shinobi World War had ended only a few years ago, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained deeply wary of war. Although he did not believe the Sand Shinobi were likely to attack Konoha, he nodded at Inuzuka Tsume, though he clearly did not support her proposal.

"Greater vigilance is necessary. However, regarding Sunagakure, our priority at this time is to gather more intelligence. While investigating, we should observe the situation for now. Kumogakure and the Stone Shinobi are our primary targets..."

"Since it has been raised, Jonin Inuzuka Tsume will lead three sensory squads. While gathering intelligence, she will also strengthen our defenses against the Land of Wind. ANBU will dispatch additional personnel to handle the intelligence work as well."

"Yes!"

Perhaps the Inuzuka Clan had spent too much time with beasts, but they were always hot-tempered. Though they were a fairly sizeable shinobi clan in Konoha, they had no especially outstanding figures. The clan as a whole was merely second-rate in Konoha.

"What Minato said earlier was right..."

"First, we must deal with Kumogakure's attack. This is urgent. We should concentrate our forces and end the battle quickly."

"The Stone Shinobi have always been cunning. Even if we concentrate our strength, we likely cannot bring the battlefield in the Land of Earth to a complete end anytime soon. Adopting a defensive counterattack strategy is appropriate..."

The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe, then suddenly fell silent. As though testing the waters—or as though he had made up his mind—he abruptly slapped the table, drawing everyone's attention.

Within his not particularly tall body, there seemed to awaken a vast, ferocious beast, lending him an air of forcefulness and unquestionable authority.

"Jiraiya, Minato, Fugaku Uchiha, receive your orders! Jiraiya is appointed supreme commander of the Kumogakure battlefield. Minato and Fugaku Uchiha will serve as deputy commanders. Mobilize five thousand shinobi and drive back Kumogakure as soon as possible!"

The instant he heard the Third Hokage's voice, Fugaku's eyes, which had been closed in repose, flew open. He looked at the Third Hokage with mild surprise, then seemed to realize something and turned his gaze toward Minato Namikaze. A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips as he exchanged a glance with the likewise smiling Minato.

"The Uchiha Clan will give its all!"

"Minato Namikaze accepts the order!"

"Don't worry..."

Jiraiya disliked this atmosphere and had no desire to speak, but his face carried a trace of gravity when faced with war. He nodded solemnly.

As he looked at his prized student, Minato Namikaze, his eyes were filled with warmth. This disciple, whom he regarded as perhaps the child of destiny who would change the world, was nearly perfect. He had also handled his relationship with the Uchiha Clan exceptionally well. This time, he would surely shine brilliantly in the war.

Thinking of something, Jiraiya turned to look at his close friend Orochimaru, raised his brows at him, and flashed a broad, toothy grin—only to receive an eye-roll in return.

Jiraiya's face stiffened, and he pursed his lips slightly.

"Orochimaru, Hyuga Hiashi, receive your orders! Orochimaru is appointed supreme commander of the Stone Shinobi battlefield. Hyuga Hiashi will serve as deputy commander. Mobilize three thousand shinobi to eliminate small Stone Shinobi units, but avoid large-scale engagements. It will be enough to keep the Stone Shinobi outside the borders of the Land of Fire!"

"Yes..."

"Hyuga Hiashi accepts the order..."

Hyuga Hiashi found it somewhat strange, but he gave nothing away. With a refined and composed bearing, he slowly sat back down.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed as well. Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had not, as Danzo had said, kept him from the battlefield, he had not placed him in the most critical position either.

Though he and Jiraiya appeared to both be battlefield commanders, everyone present understood that compared to the Stone Shinobi battlefield, the Kumogakure battlefield would be more brutal—and would offer greater military merit as well.

Orochimaru gave Hiruzen a deep look, then smiled as though he did not care in the slightest.

"That will be all for now. Go and make your preparations..."

"Yes!"

No one spoke as they silently left the conference room.

Most had remained silent from beginning to end. For these "attendees," who spent all year listening with their ears, keeping their mouths shut, and obeying every resolution of every meeting, they naturally had no say in such major affairs.

Only after the conference room was left with Hiruzen and the three elders did Mitokado Homura slowly speak.

"Hiruzen, have you decided?"

"Jiraiya may be better suited to inherit the Will of Fire..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said nothing further. Today's orders had already subtly revealed his intentions to Konoha's clans. He believed that no one qualified to sit here could fail to understand.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura nodded in agreement. Compared to the somewhat gloomy Orochimaru, they also thought more highly of Jiraiya.

"But that will depend on how the coming war unfolds..."

Human plans could not overcome fate. In Konoha, a place where shinobi gathered, military merit would always speak for itself. If Jiraiya suffered repeated defeats, Hiruzen could only turn to Orochimaru.

After all, he had already given him an opportunity.

They were both his disciples, but he had no choice but to consider more than that...

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

Danzo snorted coldly. With no interest in staying any longer, he turned and vanished from the conference room.

The two elders glanced at Danzo but said nothing. They knew Danzo supported Orochimaru, so his anger was only natural.

It was just that after so many years, they had already grown accustomed to Danzo's anger.