Uchiha Yao watched Deidara, who wore a smug expression and had already thrown an arm around Iwa's shoulders as he enthusiastically discussed Explosion Art, but said nothing.
He turned to Tsunade.
"Tsunade, I'll leave the main force to you."
"I'll return to the village first to handle the postwar matters."
Tsunade nodded.
The destruction of Sunagakure was an event significant enough to shake the entire Shinobi World. Countless troubles would follow, requiring Uchiha Yao, the Hokage, to personally oversee their resolution.
"Don't worry."
Uchiha Yao then glanced at Deidara.
"Deidara, follow Tsunade's orders."
"Yes, big brother!"
Deidara immediately stood at attention and replied loudly.
Buzz—!
Space warped slightly, and Uchiha Yao vanished from the spot in an instant.
Heavenly Might.
Afterward.
Watching the place where Uchiha Yao had disappeared, Tsunade drew a deep breath and gave the order.
"Entire army, continue advancing!"
"Destination: Konoha!"
Two days later.
At the border where the Land of Lightning met the Land of Fire.
The atmosphere within a massive frontline outpost was oppressive to the extreme.
Outside the outpost, a sea of people had gathered.
More than ten thousand Kumogakure shinobi had assembled here, radiating a murderous aura.
At a single command, these Hidden Cloud Village shinobi would surge into the Land of Fire and begin their invasion!
Inside the command tent.
"Uchiha Fugaku!"
The Fourth Raikage A let out a furious roar!
"I'll personally twist off his head and avenge our fallen brothers!"
Inside the tent, nearly all the Kumogakure higher-ups who could come had arrived.
Kumogakure's two greatest combat assets, its two Jinchuriki—Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Killer B and Two-Tails Jinchuriki Yugito—were both present!
Darui and the other elite Kumogakure jonin had also all arrived.
This time, A had not only mobilized more than eighty percent of the village's strength, but had also