It was now the second year of the Second Shinobi World War. Konoha Ninja Village's war effort had gone smoothly all along, and even occasional setbacks had failed to disrupt the favorable overall situation. This time, however, Konoha Ninja Village had suffered a rare defeat. No one involved could view this battle with optimism.
At the wartime General Staff headquarters, all the senior ninja, including Kazemori Masaki and the other village leaders, sat in the conference room, listening to a Jonin from the Intelligence Department read a report. It mainly detailed the series of battles and losses that followed the Kirigakure forces' landing in the south.
Although Torifu Akimichi had reached the southern battlefield in time to check the Kirigakure forces' advance, they clearly had not been intimidated. Instead, they began consolidating the territory they had occupied. With the Third Division yet to arrive in full, Torifu Akimichi had no way to counterattack.
Once the Konoha Third Ninja Division arrived, Torifu Akimichi immediately organized a counteroffensive. However, the Kirigakure Ninja Village's earlier rapid assault had scattered the local Konoha Ninja Forces. By the time they regrouped, the Kirigakure forces had established a strong defensive line. Rather than advance farther, they held that line firmly, refusing to yield it.
After the Konoha Third Ninja Division's offensive stalled, the Kirigakure forces began supporting their strongholds on the Eastern Front, directly threatening the First Ninja Division's rear. Meanwhile, the Kirigakure forces on the Eastern Front launched a fierce assault of their own, forcing the First Ninja Division to take it seriously. With a threat now looming behind them, the First Ninja Division immediately found itself in a dangerous position.
Through an emergency communications channel, Hiruzen Sarutobi informed the village of the situation and offered his recommendation. He believed that remaining locked in a