Meanwhile, Xuandou did not head straight to the Hokage's Office after leaving.
He turned down several streets, went straight to the Konoha Military Police Force, and knocked on Elder Zongyan's door.
"Come in."
Zongyan's slightly weary voice came from inside.
Xuandou pushed the door open and entered.
"Elder, I've returned from my mission."
Zongyan looked up, his brow creasing out of habit.
"Why have you come to me instead of reporting to the Hokage first after completing your mission?"
Xuandou sighed inwardly.
A perspective long confined to Konoha and the Konoha Military Police Force, combined with the Uchiha Clan's ingrained pride and political naïveté, had limited Elder Zongyan's outlook.
His political instincts were clearly far too dull to recognize the approaching war and the opportunity the Uchiha might seize.
Xuandou wasted no more time and reported directly.
"I was ordered to investigate unusual activity at the border. I've now confirmed that the intelligence is accurate. Sunagakure plans to launch a full-scale offensive against Konoha in two months!"
"What?!"
Elder Zongyan immediately looked shocked and incredulous.
"How dare Sunagakure?"
"Then... how are we supposed to respond?"
His loss of composure revealed his inner panic.
His astonishment was understandable.
Early in the Third Shinobi World War, Sunagakure had used the Kazekage's disappearance as a pretext to attack. Konoha had only secured a ceasefire after bitter fighting.
Now, with Konoha fighting on multiple fronts and its main forces scattered, it was at a weak point. Yet Sunagakure was taking this opportunity to start another war!
A flicker of disappointment crossed Xuandou's eyes as he watched the Elder's reaction.
He asked gravely:
"Elder, what do you think the Hokage will decide once I report this to him?"
Zongyan was taken aback by the question and answered instinctively:
"Naturally, he'll make emergency preparations and mobilize shinobi to repel the invasion."
"Exactly. The Hokage will prepare for war as quickly as possible."
"But where will the shinobi for this war come from? How many can we spare from the fronts facing Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure? In the end, won't they have to draw manpower from the shinobi clans still stationed in the village, especially the ranks of our Uchiha-run police force?"
Zongyan's expression instantly darkened at those words.
Xuandou continued:
"Our Uchiha have already made great sacrifices on the other battlefields, but have those sacrifices earned us any credit?"
"No! The Uchiha's sacrifices haven't earned us any credit at all!"
"The Hokage hasn't remembered the Uchiha's sacrifices, and Danzo only wants to use us as cannon fodder!"
Xuandou's voice carried deep pain, along with suppressed anger.
"The Uchiha, who once shook the Shinobi World, have now been reduced to tools for Konoha High Command to order around as they please."
Xuandou's words made Zongyan's pupils contract sharply.
Xuandou's words had struck right at the heart of his concerns.
The discontent within the clan, the grieving families of the fallen, their increasingly awkward position in the village...
But what could the Uchiha do?
Seeing Zongyan's expression, Xuandou knew the time was right and continued:
"We need a victory, a glorious victory great enough to shake the entire Shinobi World and make everyone see the Uchiha anew!"
"The coming Battle of Kikyo Pass is the perfect stage, and an opportunity for the Uchiha."
"If you're willing to trust me, please place the clan's remaining available elite forces under my coordination."
"I will lead them to carve a bloody path for the Uchiha in the coming war, reclaim the respect we've lost, and win the glory we deserve!"
His voice was resolute:
"I will make the Uchiha great again!"
Zongyan stared at the young man before him.
Xuandou stood tall, his gaze sharp. For a moment, the confidence and boldness in his bearing almost made Somen see the shadow of their legendary forebear, Madara Uchiha.
Indeed, ever since this boy had awakened his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, he had seemed like a completely different person. His insight, courage, and strength all far exceeded those of his peers.
Zongyan fell silent.
Only after a long while did he give a firm nod.
"Very well! I... will trust you this once! I'll use my authority to support your mobilization of the clan's forces as fully as I can. The Uchiha's future will ride on this battle of yours!"
It's done!
Xuandou felt reassured.
"I won't let you down!"
With Elder Zongyan's promise secured, Xuandou wasted no time and immediately headed for the Hokage Building.
Inside the Hokage's Office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, accepted the mission report Xuandou handed him and quickly read through it.
After a while, he set down the report and said gravely:
"Convene a meeting of the senior leadership and Jōnin immediately!"
Soon, the meeting room was full once again.
"Xuandou, explain the situation in detail."
Hiruzen gave the order.
Xuandou stepped forward in response.
He gave a detailed account of his border investigation, his encounter with Sunagakure's elite squad, the intelligence he had obtained, the battle, and his return.
Of course, he left out Kurenai Yuhi's aphrodisiac poisoning and their night of ecstasy.
As he spoke, the atmosphere in the meeting room grew increasingly grim.
Sunagakure would attack Konoha in two months.
For Konoha, which had yet to catch its breath from fighting on multiple fronts, this news only made an already dire situation worse.
"You're all aware of the situation now."
Hiruzen exhaled a thick cloud of smoke and spoke slowly.
"Let's hear your thoughts. What should we do?"
Utatane Koharu was the first to speak.
"We absolutely must not rush into war!"
"Years of war have strained the village's finances and inflicted heavy casualties on our shinobi. New recruits can't replenish our losses fast enough, and we have little strength left to commit to a new front! Our most urgent need is to rest and recover."
Mitokado Homura immediately agreed.
"Well said. I agree completely!"
"Why not send envoys to the Land of Wind immediately? We should formally inform Sunagakure that we have uncovered their plot, order them to cease all provocations, and reopen peace talks to seek a political resolution."
Listening to the two advisers, Hiruzen tapped his fingers lightly against the table. A thoughtful look appeared on his face, and he seemed quite inclined to agree.
Maintaining peace at the lowest possible cost was consistent with his usual approach to governing.
"Absurd!"
A cold shout rang out.
Shimura Danzō rose with the support of his cane. His single eye swept sharply over Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura before settling on Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen, you're far too weak! This is blatant aggression! An affront to the Land of Fire's dignity!"
"If we show weakness and sue for peace, Sunagakure and the other shinobi villages watching us hungrily will only think Konoha is an easy target. We'll invite even more covetous eyes and attacks!"
Shikaku Nara rubbed his brow and analyzed the situation calmly.
"Lord Danzo, the Land of Fire's daimyo is dissatisfied with the results of recent years' fighting and is already considering funding cuts."
"Opening a new front would sharply increase military spending, supply needs, and logistical pressure. In the village's current state, sustaining a prolonged war on multiple fronts would be extremely difficult."
Utatane Koharu gave a cold snort and added sarcastically:
"Hmph. That's easy for you to say, Danzo, but where will the shinobi needed for a new front come from?"
Danzo dismissed their objections.
"As for funding, we can always find enough if we economize. As for shinobi..."
"We'll simply have to ask the shinobi clans to endure a little more hardship."
"Danzo! You!"
At those words, the shinobi clan heads present all glared at Danzo.
"Do you even hear yourself?"
"What do you mean, ask the shinobi clans to endure a little more hardship?"
Hiruzen watched them argue, his brow tightly furrowed.
He did not state his position immediately. His gaze moved across their faces before finally settling on Uchiha Somen, who sat expressionless in a corner with his eyes closed.
"What do the Uchiha think?"
Hiruzen's sudden question instantly silenced the meeting room.
Every gaze turned toward the Uchiha seats.
Indeed, if they were talking about forces in the village that could quickly muster considerable fighting strength, then aside from the Anbu and certain special units, there was the Konoha Military Police Force, which had a relatively independent structure and was permanently stationed in the village.
It had several hundred elite Uchiha.
Elder Zongyan slowly opened his eyes, but neither rose nor looked at Hiruzen. Instead, he tilted his head slightly and spoke calmly to Xuandou beside him.
"Xuandou, you will speak for the Uchiha."
With that, he closed his eyes again, as though he had nothing to do with the matter, leaving every decision to this young clansman.
The senior officials present reacted with varying looks, their thoughts stirred.
Zongyan's action was undoubtedly a public declaration that Xuandou could now speak for the Uchiha.
But on closer consideration, it was quite reasonable.
After all, Xuandou's political judgment had already been proven.
As time passed, both Iwagakure and Kumogakure had begun showing vague signs of wanting a ceasefire.
Even Sunagakure's current invasion plans bore out his original assessment.
Under everyone's complicated gazes, Xuandou slowly stood.
Just then, a system notification suddenly sounded in his mind.
[Ding! Host has triggered a Main Quest.] [Main Quest issued: Become Commander-in-Chief of the Sunagakure Front!] [Quest description: Lead a major battle that will determine Konoha's fate and establish an undisputed leadership position during it.] [Quest reward: Lottery draw ×1.]
Become commander-in-chief?
Exactly what I wanted!
Xuandou immediately spoke.
"Strike once to ward off a hundred blows!"
"The Uchiha's position is this: if Sunagakure wants to fight, we'll give them a fight!"
"We'll keep fighting until they learn what pain is!"