The next morning.
Southwest, Siqi City!
This is a city near the coast, yet its land is exceptionally flat and fertile.
Therefore, even though this city did not have any large ports, it became the Headquarters for Senju Southwest of the Senju South Battlefield.
In the past, this area experienced both bumper harvests and floods.
Until the arrival of the Senju!
They used the magical substance Chakra to save this flat area near the sea from flooding.
Of course, the price to pay is 30% of the total output of the region's fields and the condition that the first choice for sale at the same price Senju.
However, even with such a large sum, it's still a huge profit for the people in the area.
Therefore, in this region, the Senju received support not only from nobles but also from a great deal of Commoners.
Like the children's collections of the past two years or so.
This region accounts for 30% of the total contribution to the Senju.
And almost all of these 30% of the children are from families and volunteered to participate!
This means that everyone in the region has already boarded Senju chariot.
As is perfectly natural, in Siqi City, there exists a training base that is openly known to everyone and has little to hide!
As is customary, I conducted a round of inspections in the morning.
Inuzuka Elder, the head of the Southwest region, once again came to his private office.
Looking at the summary of last month's events in his hand, he couldn't help but feel a little smug.
After all, of the three branches in the South, only their own side is in the best situation.
While this is largely related to the environment, can't we disregard all of that?
Haha, just thinking about the expression on Fifth Elder Senju Zhenghe after hearing the information last time.
And now it seems they can be three points stronger this year?
Now he's really looking forward to seeing Senju Zhenghe's expression during his report next year!
"Knock knock knock!"
A knock on the door interrupted Inuzuka Elder's joyful commotion inside.
"Go in!" he replied, closing the File on the table.
I looked up at the gate!
"Squeak!"
Pushing open the wooden door, a middle-aged man wearing sunglasses and a long gray trench coat walked straight into the room.
Looking at the person in charge behind the desk, whose smile had slowly faded and whose face had turned serious, the middle-aged man handed over the File and said in a deep voice, "A text message came from the Chuan-Huo Border Post. Yesterday afternoon, the escort team from the Land of Rivers Shinobi Village was brutally murdered. Last night, a strong battle disturbance erupted in the Yamanaka within the Land of Fire."
"Based on reconnaissance and contact at the Front Line, both incidents were carried out by the Wood Release Squad, who are currently resting in the Yamanaka from last night."
"Upon learning of this, the Front Line deployed personnel as requested by the Wood Release Guard Squad and sent a brief message to headquarters!"
After he finished speaking, the middle-aged man wearing round sunglasses stood quietly to the side.
Listening to his subordinates' reports and looking at the detailed File in his hands.
Inuzuka Elder frowned.
When he saw that the Aburame, who was in charge of intelligence, he knew it wouldn't be good news.
But I never expected it to be such bad news!
Wasn't this ancestor at the fifth brother's place during the meeting a few days ago?
They were even discussing how to coordinate a brutal Danzo on that little Danzo.
How come this ancestor has already come to our side before they even had a chance to make a move?
Looking at the last paragraph of the File, there was a sentence explaining why I came here.
"Training plan!"
From those four words alone, he realized that Wood Release hadn't come here by chance, but rather intended to stay permanently!
But while things may seem peaceful here now, it's not a good place at all!
The borders of the three kingdoms of Wind, River, and Fire are not yet entirely under the control of the Senju.
There are a lot of the Clan here, and some outlaws.
This... is... isn't this just asking for trouble?
If something happens to our ancestors, then no matter how well we do in other aspects, it will all be ruined!!!
"..."
He stared at the File in his hand, speechless for a moment.
After a long while, Inuzuka Elder, having thought things through, put down the File in his hand.
Looking at the intelligence chief opposite him, he solemnly instructed, "Notify all stations on the Southwest Front Line that from now on, they must thoroughly investigate their respective areas of responsibility, leaving no stone unturned, and be prepared to engage in combat at any time."
"Notify all Large Unit within the city that their rest periods are to immediately end all leave and rest within their respective camps or within the city."
"Inform the Fifth Large Unit to immediately end their rest period and proceed to the border to contact the Wood Release Guard Squad. Instruct the Fifth Large Unit to act according to the Wood Release Guard Squad's instructions until the Wood Release leaves the southwest."
"Remember to tell the Deputy Commander to adjust the duty schedule and have other Large Unit fill the vacancies left by the Fifth Large Unit!"
Because of the words "training plan".
He can only be on the defensive, letting everyone prepare for battle.
They also dispatched the Fifth Large Unit, composed of elites from the southwest, to be under the command of the Wood Release Guard Squad.
The plan cannot be ruined, nor can inaction be tolerated.
So these preparations are the limit!
Upon hearing the instructions from the person in charge, the middle-aged man and the Aburame had taken out their notebooks long before the person in charge even spoke began to write down everything.
Amidst the rustling sound, these few lines were written and handed over, and Inuzuka Elder stamped them with his personal seal.
He then picked up his things, turned around, and walked out of the office.
"Bang!"
The door closed softly.
Watching the intelligence chief disappear into the room, Inuzuka Elder finally put aside his airs and status, covered his head, and sighed!
Almost simultaneously.
Neutral Shinobi Clan such as the Ino-Shika-Cho and the Hyūga.
Upon receiving the intelligence, the Border Commander-in-Chief convened a meeting.
The heads of each Clan gathered at the Command Center on the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers.
After everyone had roughly browsed through the detailed information...
The Border Commander-in-Chief, dressed in a white Combat Uniform with no Forehead Protector revealing his smooth forehead, said in Hyūga Hiroto voice, "Everyone is aware of the situation. So, what are your thoughts?"
What kind of response should we give?
Although it was a question directed at the general public.
But his gaze was fixed only on the leading Ino-Shika-Cho on his left and right sides.
Knowing what the person in the main seat was thinking, the others remained silent and waited for the opinions of the other three families.
Nara Tomou, the head of the Nara Clan at the Front Line, serves as the strategist and spokesperson for the three clans.
Wearing his standard Combat Uniform and sporting his signature pineapple-shaped haircut, he pondered for a moment, then coughed lightly and said, "Until we receive a clear answer from the rear, shall we treat this as a normal incident?"
"As for the reaction, how about we treat it like a normal event?"
After speaking, he ignored the opinions of his two allies and turned his gaze to the person in the main seat.
His idea is very common: just pass the buck without getting your hands dirty!
He knew very well how much trouble Wood Release could cause him.
And they are also very clear about the consequences of any reaction!
So he should be in charge of the Front Line, not the Clan.