The next morning, in the Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen sat behind his desk, his expression grim.
Mitokado Homura had gone to mobilize troops from the Chinoike Clan, while Utatane Koharu had called in sick.
To gather another contingent of shinobi for the front, he had already notified the shinobi clans.
Yet not a single clan head had arrived.
"Lord Hokage, everyone has been notified..."
An Anbu knelt on the floor, his voice growing quieter.
"But..."
"But what?"
"The Nara Clan Head said he was too busy with clan affairs to get away."
"The Yamanaka Clan Head said... said something had gone wrong with his mind technique lately, and he needed to recuperate."
"The Akimichi Clan Head said he was losing weight and couldn't do strenuous exercise."
"The Hyūga Clan Head said the Branch Family needed to be put in order, and he had no troops available for now."
"The Inuzuka Clan Head said the ninja dogs were in heat and couldn't go into battle."
"The Aburame Clan Head said the kikaichū were breeding..."
"Enough!"
Hiruzen slammed his hand on the desk, making the teacup jump.
The Anbu lowered his head, not daring to say another word.
Hiruzen knew they were making excuses, but there was nothing he could do about them.
The major shinobi clans had completely lost faith in him. Apart from losing his temper, there was nothing he could do.
"Pass down the order. Assemble one thousand shinobi from the Sarutobi Clan to accompany me to the Iwagakure Battlefield in the northwest."
The Anbu hesitated.
"Lord Hokage, the Sarutobi Clan's shinobi... haven't seen combat in years, and they've grown somewhat lax in their training..."
"I know."
Hiruzen stood and draped his Hokage Robe over his shoulders.
"But I have no other choice."
At Konoha's Training Ground.
One thousand