The enemy force had gone from twenty or thirty thousand to over fifty thousand!
That was far too drastic a change.
Dodai said grimly, "The frontline Intelligence Department failed in its duties this time!"
"There was nothing they could do. The enemy anticipated this, after all, and cleared out the Mountain Graveyard in advance." Mei Terumi looked equally unhappy, but she still spoke up for the frontline intelligence personnel.
Ōnoki did not pursue their earlier mistake. Instead, he added, "The intelligence personnel did their best."
"The enemy was prepared, but so were we." Gaara was unexpectedly displeased about this. "I agree with Lord Raikage. The intelligence personnel failed in their duties this time."
The other Four Kage had all expressed their positions, but Shihōin Naraku said little on the matter.
After all, the war had only just begun. Even if they wanted to hold someone accountable, now was not the time.
They would have to see how things went from here.
So he said directly, "We can discuss whose fault it was later. Right now, we need to find a way to deal with the enemy!"
"An enemy force of fifty thousand will be difficult to handle because of its sheer numbers, even if almost all of them are relatively weak White Zetsu."
"Enough ants can bite an elephant to death!"
Tsunade looked at the map and considered it for a moment. "Then we need to arrange for other units to reinforce Kakashi's Third Division."
"After all, we can't let the enemy due north march straight in unopposed. If they break through our front, the Field Hospital and supplies at the Land of Fire Border will be in trouble."
"So..."
Shikaku Nara pointed to the marked positions on the map and stressed, "...that's why we assigned the Third Division, which