Konoha, Hokage Office.
A group of ninja in combat gear wore solemn expressions, their eyes fixed on Yuhi Shinku as he spoke.
"I oppose sending those children below Chunin rank into battle."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, placed his Hokage hat on the desk and gently tapped his pipe with his right hand, white smoke rising from it.
"Does anyone else have any objections?"
After waiting a long while and seeing no opposition, Sarutobi slowly rose from his chair and said coldly, "Then Yuhi's proposal is approved!"
Several months earlier, ten thousand Iwagakure ninja had surrounded Kumogakure's Third, trapping him until he died.
From then on, the war between Kumogakure and Iwagakure had officially reached fever pitch.
The sprawling battle lines encompassed nearly half the Shinobi World.
Several days earlier, Konoha ninja stationed in the Land of Grass had discovered that many Iwa ninja who had suddenly appeared there were secretly advancing toward the Land of Fire's borders.
"Now, it isn't just the Land of Grass. Even the Land of Rain has become a major battlefield."
Sarutobi barked out the words and immediately began assigning squads.
As a Special Jōnin, Liumu stood at the back of the group, quietly considering everything that was about to happen.
A year earlier, Obito and the others from his graduating class had successfully passed their Chunin exams.
Under Jonin Yuhi Shinku's proposal, they just met the rank requirement for this Third Shinobi World War.
But...
"Liumu, as the Jonin leading the supply line, you will be responsible for supplying resources to our forces in the Land of Rain."
"No!"
As soon as the Third Hokage gave his order, Liumu actually refused him outright in front of all the Konoha Jonin present.
At this, Sarutobi's expression chilled slightly.
A rare chill spread across his aged