Hearing Jiraiya's decision, Sarutobi Richuan did not lose his temper. Jiraiya was right; the situation in the west was worse than the one here.
If Iwagakure and Kumogakure broke through the defensive line and pushed into Konoha, no matter which direction they attacked from, he, the Hokage, would take the blame for it, and there was no escaping it.
After suffering losses on the northern battlefield previously, Sarutobi Richuan could still pin the blame on Danzo. That was because the enemy had not yet pushed into the mainland of the Land of Fire. Once the enemy crossed the national border, he, the Hokage, would have to bear the full responsibility, and no one else could take his place.
"Richuan, how are we going to hold off Kirigakure?"
After Utatane Koharu finished cursing Xuan Zhe, Hatake Sakumo, and their group, her anger subsided a little, and she finally brought the topic back.
"...Hold the line at all costs."
Sarutobi Richuan pondered for a long time before making the final decision: "Order the entire army to camp and build fortifications by the seaside. If Kirigakure does not make a move, we will not launch any proactive attacks either."
It was clear that he intended to fight a war of attrition. He was stalling for time, waiting for Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze to finish their battles early over there so they could turn back to support him.
Yet the people over there were like clay bodhisattvas crossing a river themselves; how could they spare the time to care whether he lived or died?
As for the reinforcements from the north... with Xuan Zhe pressing down over there, let alone half a year, they would not march south to save anyone even if they dragged it out for ten years. Unless the heads of