Just then, a ninja came sprinting frantically toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was clearing the drainage system. "Lord Sarutobi, Lord Danzo, the Cloud ninja have launched their attack!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi rose and hurried back to the office with Shimura Danzō. "What's the situation on the battlefield?"
The Konoha ninja said, "According to our Byakugan observations, a force of over a thousand Cloud ninja has engaged our people at Xiaogou Ridge. We're barely holding on. Please send reinforcements immediately."
"Report!" Another ninja rushed in. "We've discovered ten four-man squads bypassing the main force and heading for our rear. We've successfully intercepted and killed four squads, and we're still pursuing the rest."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "What are our losses?"
"One hundred and forty-two dead at Xiaogou Ridge. No casualties among the squad interception forces."
"Mm, understood." Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up. "Relay my orders: proceed according to the original plan, then send Hyuga Yeyang's squad, Uchiha Hanyue's squad, and Might Duy's squad to intercept and kill the remaining Cloud squads."
"Yes!" The ninja hurried out to relay Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders.
"Then have Hatake Sakumo, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya lead five hundred ninja to reinforce Xiaogou Ridge," Hiruzen Sarutobi added.
"Yes..." Another ninja left to relay the orders.
Soon, Tsunade ran in and shouted, "Teacher, why haven't you assigned me a mission? Are you looking down on me?"
Seeing Tsunade, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "How could I? I've saved an extremely difficult mission for you."
"Oh..." Tsunade's interest was piqued. "What mission?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe and said unhurriedly, "Our medical unit in the rear. Those ten Cloud squads are targeting our medical ninja back there. Your assignment is them. I'll assign fifty people to help you."
"I hear you've also studied medical ninjutsu. Help treat the wounded when the time comes."
"Yes!"