The Third Hokage clearly realized Meikyō's current Ninjutsu level during this process. Considering that Meikyō's current strength was stronger than most of the Jonin in the village, it would not make sense for him to still be a Special Jonin. So, he took out a document and signed it, promoting Meikyō to Jonin.
He believed he had already won over the heart of this Uchiha brat, so naturally he wouldn't deliberately suppress Meikyō's ninja rank.
"Congratulations, Meikyō, on becoming Jonin fourteen. That's exactly when I became Jonin too, though I wasn't nearly as strong as you at fourteen."
Minato Namikaze Kushina beside Kushina, holding her hand, and sincerely congratulated Meikyō.
"A fourteen-year-old Jonin, just like Tsunade and you. If I remember correctly, the youngest Jonin in all the years since the village was established has always been fourteen years old."
Hiruzen Sarutobi comfortably against the tree trunk, basking in the sun.
"Tch, old man, if Meikyō hadn't spent so much time on Ninjutsu and swordsmanship a year ago, and also had to learn Medical Ninjutsu with me, he might have accomplished much more than just tying the record."
Tsunade a small sip of her drink and said lazily.
Things were almost over here, and she was thinking of going to the casino, but unfortunately she didn't have much money on her.
Fortunately, his apprentice was there. Meikyō must have a lot of money on him after doing so many missions.
However, as a teacher, she felt embarrassed to directly ask her apprentice for money, especially since the Third Hokage and Kushina were still there watching.
I'll find an excuse to take Meikyō away later to test his Medical Ninjutsu skills, and subtly hint that I'm currently short on funds...
Just as Tsunade was happily imagining how she would dominate the casino after getting the money, an Anbu rushed over from a distance and handed the Third Hokage a document.
The Third Hokage's expression gradually became extremely solemn, his brows furrowed.
"Old man, what happened to make you look like this?"
Tsunade and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Why!"
The Third Hokage sighed deeply and handed the documents to Tsunade.
"There's nothing to hide. Dan just brought back intelligence that the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure has gone missing. Chiyo and Rasa, who succeeded him as the Fourth Kazekage, believe that Konoha is responsible. They are already mobilizing troops and collecting supplies, and it will probably be long before they declare war on Konoha."
The Third Hokage, feeling frustrated, lit his pipe and took a puff.
"After barely maintaining peace for more than two years, war is about to break out again."
Tsunade frowned as she looked at the document in her hand.
"Anbu, notify the higher-ups to prepare for a meeting. Tsunade, go and invite Orochimaru and Dan to join us. You will be in charge of commanding this battlefield."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took the Hokage hat and Hokage Robe from the Anbu beside him, tidied them up a bit, and strode towards the Hokage Building.
"Is war... about to begin again?"
Minato Namikaze gazed at the distant horizon and murmured to himself.
"Where there are people, there will be conflict; where there is conflict, war is only a matter of time."
Meikyō stretched and stood up from the ground.
"Let's go, Minato, we need to get ready. There's probably Jonin meeting coming up soon."
This was the first time Meikyō had attended a Jonin meeting.
Because that was the day he became Jonin.
As the saying goes, small matters are discussed in large meetings, and big matters are discussed in small meetings. For a major event like the outbreak of war, the Third Hokage would first hold a small meeting with the three high-ranking officials of Konoha, as well as Orochimaru, Tsunade and Kato Dan, who were the three candidates for commander, before the Jonin Tournament would be held.
Apart from a small number of Jonin missions elsewhere, most of Konoha's nearly two hundred Jonin were present.
Jonin rank below the Hokage and a few other high-ranking ninjas with considerable influence in Konoha's ecosystem, and above most Konoha Genin. They play a crucial role in Konoha's political system, bridging the gap between the upper and lower ranks.
The Hokage and higher-ups can't do everything themselves; they have to delegate it Jonin trusted Jonin. So, if you want to become Hokage, you have to win the trust of most of the Jonin in the village's Jonin. Otherwise, you will never be able to control Konoha in the future. This is one of the most important powers held by Konoha 'Jonin.
In contrast, the Jonin Conference in this situation is basically just a formality. It's about seeing if the Jonin have any suitable suggestions worth adopting, or if they have any major objections, before assigning and arranging their respective tasks.
Therefore, after being evaluated by a group of high-ranking officials and approved by a group of Jonin, Dan Katō was appointed as the commander of the western front, with Dan Katō Tsunade his deputy.
In fact, Danzo initially wanted to support Orochimaru to take command and gain military merit, which would make it easier for Orochimaru to compete for the position of Hokage later, but Orochimaru refused outright.
His experiments had reached a very important stage, and Orochimaru, whose mind was filled with thoughts of Eternity life, did not want these things to disturb his process of developing forbidden techniques.
In this command position, Dan Katō was inherently more competitive than Orochimaru.
It's not that Dan Katō is stronger or better at command than Orochimaru; it's just that he's more suitable.
On one hand, during the later stages of the Second Shinobi World War, it was Kato Dan Katō who took over the position of White Fang and led Konoha to defeat Suna, making him more familiar with the people of Sunagakure. On the other hand, it was also because of Tsunade's medical and detoxification abilities that she was able to play a greater role when facing the poison makers of Sunagakure.
The couple were indeed the best choice to deal with Sunagakure. Hiruzen Sarutobi also hoped to send two top-tier fighters at once to end the war with Suna as soon as possible.
Because at this time, other major ninja villages are very likely to take advantage of the situation and further expand the war, forming a new Third Shinobi World War that will sweep across the Ninja World.
"Master Dan, Teacher Tsunade, there is something I want to tell you."
After the Jonin meeting ended, Meikyō approached Tsunade and Kato Dan.
"Is it about that previous mission?"
Tsunade crossed her arms, revealing a deep cleavage, and had an "I knew it" look on her face.
"Um."
Meikyō nodded slightly.
He can see many things, and others can naturally see them too.
"I already mentioned this to the old man when I went to the meeting. He said that he only realized Danzo intended to harm you after you left, so he sent Minato to find Jiraiya for support."
"What are the indications for those Third Hokage?"
"What the old man means is that we are currently at war and Danzo's Root needs to contribute. He will settle accounts with Danzo after the war ends, but I estimate that this matter will simply be dropped by then."
Tsunade shrugged helplessly.
"That old man just likes to Danzo safe. But Danzo is someone that no one can really Danzo except for the old man who is the Hokage. If we want to deal with him, we have to take action ourselves."
Hearing Tsunade's words, Meikyō was actually quite pleased.
Judging from Tsunade's expression, she intends to stand on my side and fight Danzo together.
"They attacked our most prized disciple for no reason. We absolutely have to retaliate and let Danzo know that we are not to be trifled with!"
Dan Katō also felt very displeased with Danzo.
He's a contender for Hokage, and Dan Katō Danzo to target my most prized disciple. If he doesn't retaliate, what will his followers think of him?
Both morally and logically, he had to retaliate.
"Just watch how Duan and I handle this matter. In terms of background, no one in the village is more powerful than me. In terms of intelligence capabilities, no one in the village can compare to Duan. As for you, it's too early for you to get involved in the darkness of the village. At least for now, Duan and I can completely protect you. What you should do most is to strengthen your own power and stand at the same level as Duan and me."
Tsunade smiled and patted Meikyō's shoulder.
Now that Dan Katō is the leader of the Jonin Commander and Tsunade is the head of the Konoha Medical Department, coupled with the power Dan Katō has gathered and the connections and influence of the Senju Clan, if things really escalate, Hiruzen Sarutobi will have to make a statement in response no matter what.
The current Tsunade is not like the one in the original timeline who suffered from hemophobia and became self-destructive.
As Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciple, she knew very well that Hiruzen Sarutobi would definitely seek stability, and if she wanted to appease them and achieve stability within the village, Hiruzen Sarutobi would certainly agree to their request.
They will at least agree to some of the demands and choose to settle things peacefully.
That afternoon, Konoha began to quickly mobilize ninja forces and draw up its reserve war supplies, in accordance with the arrangements made at the previous Jonin meeting.
The day before the army was to set off, Hiruzen Sarutobi issued an order.
Shimura Danzō was removed from his position as leader of Root, and Orochimaru, the current second-in-command of Root, took over.
Orochimaru, who originally planned to stay quietly underground and continue his experimental research, was forced to leave the laboratory and arrange work for Root due to Hiruzen Sarutobi's order.
"Report, Lord Dan, Lady Tsunade, the entire Medical Corps is ready!"
"The entire Intelligence Division is here!"
"The reconnaissance team is all in place!"
One Jonin or Special Jonin after another reported to Tsunade and Kato Dan.
This is the training ground closest to the Konoha Gate, and also one of the largest training grounds in Konoha. It is usually here that ninja forces are assembled if a war breaks out.
"Lord Duan, the Logistics Department have all arrived, and all the supplies have exceeded the required amount by twenty percent."
When Shirakumo Tokinobu Tokinori was the last to report the Logistics Department's work to Dan Katō, the 3,500 Konoha Ninja were going on this expedition had already gathered in the training ground.
"Dan, Tsunade, this time, the safety of the village is in your hands."
Wearing the Hokage Robe, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke earnestly to Tsunade and Kato Dan in front of him.
"Third Hokage-sama, rest assured, even if it costs me my life, I will do everything in my power to protect the village!"
Dan Katō replied with unwavering determination in his eyes.
"Old man, don't you trust us to handle things?"
Tsunade smiled nonchalantly and looked at Dan Katō.
Dan Katō nodded slightly to Tsunade, then turned around and looked at the large crowd behind him.
"I will do everything in my power to win victory for the village, and then lead everyone back to Konoha alive after the war ends! Let's go!"
The army set off, forming orderly ranks, and walked out of Konoha's gates under the watchful eyes of the villagers who came to see them off along the street.
"Unexpectedly, only two years later, the war has started again."
Amidst the bustling crowds on the street, Uchiha Yu watched the massive procession depart in the distance and couldn't help but sigh.
"War..."
Beside Uchiha Yu, Shisui held his father Uchiha Tatsu's hand, staring blankly into the distance, seemingly lost in thought.
"Every war is accompanied by the sacrifice of countless people, like your grandfather, Shisui, and your cousin Meikyō. They all risked their lives to protect the village. They are the true heroes."
Uchiha Tatsu's gaze also seemed somewhat lost in thought.
As an Uchiha, he had fantasized about becoming a ninja when he was young, defeating enemies in war, and becoming a hero like his father Kagami Uchiha. However, his congenital lung disease completely thwarted all his fantasies.
"Shisui, you must remember that the Uchiha Clan was born for battle. The Uchiha's reputation was forged on the battlefield with the blood and bones of enemies. If you do not want to disgrace the clan's name, you must train yourself to become even stronger! In a few months, the Ninja Academy will start. I hope that you can become the top student in your class, just like Meikyō. This is my first requirement for you!"
Uchiha Yu's voice sounded somewhat stern.
Shisui nodded blankly, watching the distant team gradually disappear on the horizon.
The Land of Rivers.
This is a small country located to the west of the Land of Fire. Like the River Country, it serves as a buffer zone between the two major powers Land of Fire Land of Wind.
Since there were no ninja villages, their territory was practically undefended for the powerful Sunagakure.
"The River Country has already fallen completely in such a short time..."
Tsunade looked at the map and fell into deep thought.
"The most urgent task is to first establish a solid defensive line in the undulating terrain of the Land of Rivers, control the key roads in various places, and curb the invasion momentum of Suna. Then, we can organize a counterattack based on the situation on the battlefield and push them back."
Dan Katō drew a winding line on the map with his finger.
"If we concentrate our forces in these locations, we can effectively take advantage of the terrain and counter the Suna."