Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, agreeing with Shikaku Nara, but soon offered his own suggestion.
"To resist Kumogakure's invasion, the village previously sent its main forces to reinforce the northern front. Redeploying a large force will take time.
"My suggestion is to assemble another advance squad, just as Advisor Minamoto led an advance squad to reinforce the northern front against Kumogakure's invasion a few days ago.
"Now that the eastern front is in danger, we likewise need an elite squad to serve as the vanguard, stabilize the defensive line first, and buy time for the main forces to follow."
As Hiruzen Sarutobi said this,
everyone else in the conference room turned their gaze toward the seat just below the head seat.
Uchiha Minamoto was sitting there, perfectly at ease.
The presence of the Light of Konoha, their "unshakable pillar," was precisely why the atmosphere in the conference room was so relaxed.
Kirigakure was invading?
No problem.
The Light of Konoha would teach them a lesson they would never forget!
But to everyone's surprise, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not look toward Uchiha Minamoto.
His gaze slowly swept across all the jonin present before finally settling on a young man with silver hair, a Konoha forehead protector covering his left eye, and a black mask covering the lower half of his face.
"Kakashi Hatake."
The Third Hokage's summons rang out in the conference room.
Kakashi Hatake, who had been sitting silently in a corner, raised his head. His one exposed, lifeless eye looked toward Hiruzen Sarutobi without emotion.
"Present."
"Kakashi."
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, his tone calm yet carrying unquestionable authority.
"I appoint you commander of the East Line Defense Force. You will lead two elite Anbu squads to the eastern coast as quickly as possible, stabilize the front, and prevent Kirigakure's forces from advancing any