Outside Konoha.
Several Large Unit deployed and occupied key positions according to plan.
The elderly, women, and children from the Four Clans have already left with the arranged escorts!
In the Hokage's office, Mitokado Homura, the man mentioned in the conversation, then ordered the people around him, "Immediately take your men to the designated location. If you encounter neutral forces, remember to release them according to the plan!"
"If you encounter anyone from the Senju side, don't hesitate to kill them all on the spot!"
"Yes, sir!" The seven or eight Large Unit who were about to enter the village to fight bowed in unison.
"Remember not to chase them too far, and absolutely do not enter the enemy's defensive range."
Looking at the group about to leave, I couldn't help but give them one last word of advice.
Ignoring their repeated bows, Mitokado Homura, fully armed and wearing glasses, led his personal guards toward the Hokage Building in the village!
He brought all the people who had completed the first phase of training with him when he returned to the base.
A full 25 Large Unit —that's all the combat-ready manpower that the Four Clans have secretly accumulated.
Unfortunately, time was too tight; if only we could have stayed at the originally agreed-upon time.
So by early next year, this clandestine Large Unit could have expanded to at least 36 members!
"They're here!"
Footsteps were followed by the sound of Gate of Opening. Seeing the Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and smiled, saying, "Was the journey smooth? How did the arrangements go?"
He smiled and nodded at his two old friends whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
As Mitokado Homura stepped forward and sat down next to the seat that Utatane Koharu had given up, he said to his old friend who had sat down again opposite him, "Safety is all arranged!"
"Ten are outside, two are leading the elderly and weak from the Four Clans to the camp, and eight have already gone to their respective camps as you instructed!"
After giving them a general overview, he took the tea set Koharu offered and asked, "How's the situation at sea?"
"The battle has already begun." Upon hearing the opposing team's arrangements, Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a sigh, "Now all we can do is wait, wait for news to come back!"
"Did they do as they asked in the Land of Clouds?" Having understood the current situation, Mitokado Homura habitually pushed up his Glasses and asked.
"The withdrawal has been carried out as required. Apart from two Large Unit left to monitor the situation, the other eight Large Unit are already on their way back to reinforce!"
Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could Utatane Koharu, who was in charge of this matter, informed her friend who had just returned and was missing information!
When the Hokage's forces assembled and marched into Konoha.
The neutral races and the Uchiha received this information at almost the same time!
"Bang!"
Slamming his hand heavily on the table, Uchiha Setsuna, wearing an iron half-mask, said angrily, "What else is there to say?"
"His Sarutobi dares to send people to wait outside the gates of my Uchiha Clan Compound. What are we talking about here if we don't wipe out these bastards first?"
"If we want to hold a meeting, we'll have to kill all the dogs outside first!"
He was very happy to see the war between Senju and Sarutobi.
However, after seeing the intelligence report about Sarutobi's forces and the surveillance outside the gate...
He had only one thought in his mind: to break down the door first, and then worry about everything else.
Because in his view, such behavior was intolerable; today, they dared to openly monitor the Uchiha.
Does that mean we'll dare to attack the Uchiha tomorrow?
Their willingness to support Sarutobi was in exchange for Sarutobi's position, the Uchiha's neutrality, some resources, and their ultimate fate.
Support is support, and cooperation is cooperation.
What kind of cooperation involves sending people to openly monitor you?
What is Sarutobi trying to do with this?
Inside the Uchiha council chamber, everyone was examining the intelligence reports.
Look at the numbers from Sarutobi's side, and look at Sarutobi response.
They were still wondering whether their team should be eliminated, and if so, when.
After all, our side and Sarutobi are nominal allies!
But the sudden reprimand and its contents left these Uchiha high-ranking members somewhat bewildered!
They were very curious about how Uchiha Setsuna's brain was structured.
Both sides are on the same side, although the Uchiha have not decided to completely tie them down or get on board directly.
But they were allies in name only, and Sarutobi's side had been informed in advance of their actions.
Although everyone knew it had a certain surveillance element, they had already informed us in advance using a legitimate excuse and made their stance clear.
How could our side possibly Sarutobi then?
You have to understand that Sarutobi and our side are currently cooperating!
Indeed, the relationship is not deep; it's merely an exchange of interests between the two parties.
But what kind of logic is there in using such an excuse to kill someone at such a critical moment?
If they were to actually do that, would the Uchiha side with the Senju or with Sarutobi?
While many high-ranking Uchiha were somewhat bewildered, the current Uchiha clan head Uchiha Motohisa, smiled disdainfully to himself.
The people below couldn't understand Uchiha Setsuna's thoughts, but he knew them very well.
This thing is a classic example of wanting all the benefits but refusing to do anything else.
And he was filled with the so-called pride of the Uchiha!
This is why this thing would utter such shocking remarks.
Unfortunately, too many Uchiha people nowadays possess this inexplicable pride.
However, Uchiha Setsuna's usual behavior was very much in line with this inexplicable pride.
This is why such a thing has become too powerful to control and occupies a high position!
well--
With a deep sigh about the current situation within the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Motohisa ignored the madman's thoughts.
He put down the intelligence report in his hand and looked at the crowd, saying, "Although we currently lack information about what exactly happened between the two sides..."
"But whatever happens on both sides, the first thing they cannot do is start a war within the village."
Secondly, the current time is not the best time for both sides to start a war.
"Our first task is to determine the reasons behind both sides' actions, and then we'll figure out a way to help Sarutobi!"
Uchiha Hikaku nodded, agreeing with the clan leader's point of view.
Although the current intelligence does not record the reason.
But he could guess that there was a high probability that something had happened to the Wood Release faction!
The clan leader and most of the high-ranking members of the Uchiha present probably shared this guess.
Because the intelligence indicated that the Senju were the passive party.
However, the passive party did not take any action after gathering its forces; it simply chose to remain within its territory and not appear.
Judging from Sarutobi's arrangement, these guys are the ones in control!
But Sarutobi's stance was clearly more for dealing with the Senju's attack?
These anomalies in the two shots are something that most of these people who have experienced war can understand.
At this moment, the Senju clans issued the highest alert, yet they did not take immediate action.
Most discerning people can guess what's going on here!
They wanted Sarutobi to win, but only a Pyrrhic victory.
Or rather, both sides suffered severe injuries, to the point that they couldn't stand up!
Given the current timing of the battle, it appears that Sarutobi's side has a significant number of troops.
With just these people, they probably wouldn't even be able to break into the Senju clan's territory.
Even with the core strength of the Four Clans, Sarutobi's chances of winning will decrease again once the Senju returns from the outside world!
And if the speculation comes true, then the agreement reached at the beginning will be followed.
They need to step in and help Sarutobi, and quell Senju's anger!
They can't do nothing right now; even if they're wrong, they have to take some action based on this guess!
This way, the Uchiha won't be caught off guard, and they'll have more time to react!
After thinking about it, I realized that this person's stance leans towards the hawks.
But unlike the brainless Uchiha Setsuna, the old man spoke up, "Regardless of whether the speculation is true or not, we need to help the Sarutobi and make this potential war impossible!"
"Chieftain, we can contact the neutral tribes again. They certainly don't want to see the two sides go to war immediately."
"After all, the external threats are there, and starting a war now would be too disadvantageous for neutral parties!"
"These guys definitely don't want the two sides to go to war now, and then other countries to benefit from it, until their manpower is fully expanded!"
As soon as the elderly man, who leaned towards the hawks, spoke, the hawks all nodded silently in agreement.
And they were all in agreement, especially the clan leader, who was already biased towards being a dove.
Uchiha Motohisa immediately approved the suggestion!
After thinking for a moment, he said to the crowd, "Elders of the Teranaka, Elder Sugito, I entrust the matter of contacting the various clans to you."
"Tell them that we should first figure out the specific reasons and whether it was successful."
"They should also be willing to cooperate on this intelligence!"
"Once we confirm the intelligence, then both they and we can make decisions based on it!"
This information was gathered by the Intelligence Department regarding the current situation of various parties within the village.
He did notice the unusual movement in both directions, and it was highly likely that there was a problem with his Wood Release.
However, without definite information, it is impossible to make an accurate decision on some matters.
At this point, the Uchiha used this excuse to come to the door.
When the subsequent intelligence comes out, the clan leaders will immediately know the Uchiha's attitude.
And here's the Uchiha's response at this moment!
And that would naturally lead to a gathering held by the Uchiha!
"Yes, Chieftain!" As the chieftain's assistants, the two immediately accepted the task.
After giving instructions to the two, Uchiha Motohisa turned his gaze to the hawks and said, "Elder Hikaku, although the Intelligence Department is currently doing its best to gather information, we still need to trouble you to make a trip to the Hokage Building."
"Let's see if we can get more detailed information from the parties involved, and whether the subsequent actions were successful or not!"
"You can directly tell Sarutobi our purpose in contacting various tribes; I believe they will understand what we mean!"
"Yes, clan leader!" Uchiha Hikaku, who was nearly seventy years old, bowed slightly and accepted the task.
Within three closely adjacent clan territories.
At this moment, the three races have formed a joint force to guard their territory.
Meanwhile, in the middle is the patriarch's manor belonging to the Nara Clan.
The three middle-aged men, dressed in combat uniforms, sat down together again and started drinking.
"Where exactly did you think Sarutobi intercept the Wood Release?" the middle-aged man with short, light yellow hair asked the two men after taking a sip of sake.
"Crunch~ Crunch~ Crunch!" The middle-aged man, dressed in a red Combat Uniform and of enormous size, ignored him and silently popped peanuts into his mouth as a snack with his drinks!
He couldn't guess the answer to this kind of question, and he was too lazy to waste his brainpower thinking about it.
So eating became his most important thing at that moment!
Placing the empty wine glass on the table and refilling it with the wine pot, a middle-aged man with a pineapple-shaped haircut said, "In the middle of the sea, besides this place, where on the mainland Sarutobi dare to make a move?"
Hearing his friend's words, the middle-aged man with light yellow short hair thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.
Currently, almost all of the Senju Clan's Wood Release missions are in the South, and if Sarutobi and his group dare to make a move in the South continent...
Then reinforcements will arrive instantly, and no matter how many people are sent, annihilation will be the only outcome!
While Sarutobi's combat strength will be affected at sea, if the people who go are strong enough, then the chances of death from Wood Release are high!
"Are we making a choice?" the enormous, middle-aged man in red asked, stuffing something into his mouth.
Offering help in times of need is not their style.
It's like adding flowers to brocade, but the benefits are far too small.
Being stuck in the middle is their first choice!
This kind of gameplay is difficult for other Shinobi Clan.
However, for the Ino-Shika-Cho, who possess the Nara Clan as their brains...
This is not a difficult thing to judge!
Just like the decision to join Konoha, it was the decision of the previous Nara Clan Head!
This decision was made later than that of the Uchiha, but earlier than that of the Hyūga and other races.
This also brought huge benefits to all three races!
Upon hearing the question from the Akimichi Clan Head on the left, the Yamanaka Clan Head, who had originally intended to continue discussing the survival rate of Wood Release, immediately shut his mouth.
This issue concerns the survival and future interests of the three races, and he is very curious and concerned about it!
Nodding and then shaking his head, the Nara Clan Head sighed deeply and said, "It's a difficult decision. If Wood Release dies, then it will be easier for us to decide."
"But now... I think there's a high chance I won't die from Wood Release!"
Upon hearing this, the Yamanaka Clan Head, with his short, light yellow hair, raised an eyebrow and said, "If we fight at sea, Wood Release won't provide much support!"
" Sarutobi's side isn't stupid either; if they're going to make a move, they definitely won't give Wood Release any room to survive!"
His friend brought up something he'd wanted to ask before, but he wanted to know why his friend thought that way.
Because he genuinely didn't believe Wood Release would survive, nor did he think Sarutobi's side was a fool.
Even sending someone to intercept and kill them wasn't planned with absolute certainty!
Upon hearing this, the Nara Clan Head shook his head and said, "Do you think the Senju are fools?"
"Since Wood Release awakened in 26 years ago, they haven't even dared to send guards, letting Wood Release lead the team on missions outside."
Do you think the Senju wouldn't have any means to retaliate?
Upon hearing this, the Yamanaka Clan Head's eyebrows immediately stopped twitching.
He frowned, thought for a moment, and asked, "So, you mean Sarutobi's side is going to lose this time?"
Although we don't know what the Senju ' countermeasures will be.
But since my friend on the other end said yes, there's a high probability that it is.
If we calculate it that way, wouldn't Sarutobi's side have fallen into a trap?
Wouldn't it be easier to make a decision then?
Choose a location between Snow and Brocade!
Wood Release techniques are now at the Jonin.
Having survived a previous ambush, it's time for our side to step down!
Hearing his friend's question, the Nara Clan Head smiled and held out his palm to calculate for the two of them, " Hiruzen Sarutobi and Utatane Koharu are in the village, Mitokado Homura just returned. Judging from the current situation, it must have been Shimura Danzō went there."
"Even if Shimura Danzō alone, and his entire crew consisted of Jonin, do you think Hiruzen Sarutobi would only send such a force to intercept him?"
"Therefore, I'm certain that Sarutobi's side is colluding with outsiders, but I don't know how deep that collusion goes, which is why I'm hesitant to make a decision!"
"If it's just about colluding to ambush someone using Wood Release techniques, that's easy. But what if it's about colluding to annihilate the Senju?"
"So, should we unite to resist the foreign enemy, or...!"
Before he could finish speaking, the other two understood the Nara Clan Head's predicament.
Logically, as members of Konoha, if the Hokage were to collude with outsiders, they should be on the Senju side.
But since they were born into the Shinobi Clan, how could they put the village before the Clan?
At this point, it's no longer simply a matter of providing timely help or adding to someone's existing success.
The Nara Clan Head was right to be cautious!
"Thump, thump, thump!" The sound of shoes stepping on the wooden floor rang out.
A fully armed Shinobi Clan rushed in, bowed to the three, and said, "Clan Chief, Akimichi Clan Head, Yamanaka Clan Head, Elder Uchiha Teranaka of the Uchiha Clan has come to pay a visit. He has already presented his Calling Card and is waiting outside the Clan!"
After exchanging greetings, he handed a calling Calling Card to his clan leader.
He picked up his small wine cup and drank it all in one gulp. The Nara Clan Head said helplessly, "Please, to the reception room!"
"Yes, Chief!" Upon receiving the reply, he retrieved the items that the Chief had not yet taken.
The Nara clansman who came to deliver the message then left the place!
The Front Line Command Center to the due South.
After receiving several intelligence reports and orders from the South Command Center.
The outpost immediately became lively!
"Send orders to Mixed 30, Mixed 31, and Mixed 32, instructing them to enter a state of combat readiness, hold the coastline, and not allow any Ninja to cross the border!"
"Order Mixed Units 33 and 34 to enter combat readiness and spread out to form a grid defense Front Line. No one who might slip through must be let go!"
"Yes, sir," an intelligence officer responded and quickly began to write.
Seeing his subordinates' actions, the South commander Aburame Gyokusei, turned his gaze to the other two and said, "Mixed 35, you two go to the southwest 5369 sea area to deploy defenses."
"Mixed 36, you guys go and deploy in the southwest 5370 sea area."
"The same order remains: kill everyone except our own Ninja!"
"Yes, sir!" The two middle-aged men stood up and bowed.
They are the current Large Unit of these two Large Unit.
Because the team was newly formed, they are currently training in the city in preparation for taking over other teams' defense zones.
And with this event, they became a vital force in the Headquarters!
Having arranged her troops and already donned her armor, Aburame Gyokusei walked outside and said, " Third Large Unit and Medical Treatment Middle Unit, assemble immediately and bring supplies to sea area 4369 with me."
"Tell the Medical Treatment Team to bring enough Medical Treatment supplies!"
"Yes, sir!" the three Company Commander of the Third Large Unit replied.
A few minutes later.
From this Command Center, Large Unit of people kept leaving the city.
Aburame Gyokusei also led the main Large Unit towards the target sea area!
The area he chose was not the battlefield where Wood Release and the others were currently fighting.
Instead, their battlefield should be located further east than theirs!
Because calculations showed that by the time he arrived, the battle would most likely already be over.
Therefore, his greatest contribution was not to provide support.
Rather, it's about rescue and interception!
From the orders and intelligence given by his Clan, he realized that the battlefield did not actually need support.
That's why he changed his goal at the last minute!
When those on the open battlefield begin to move.
In a base hidden deep underground, the Third Elder, who had disappeared for several years, also received intelligence from the Clan!
The Clan Alliance has now increased its manpower and revealed its secrets.
They mostly come from known bases or bases that have been discovered.
Those parts that remain hidden in the Anbu have always been managed by the Third Elder himself!
When the Clan's intelligence reached this place, the Third Elder knew what he had to do!
"How is the training of the first batch of personnel going? Is it ready to begin Large Unit operations?"
Looking at the subordinates who had been summoned before him, the Third Elder, who had already changed into armor, showed them the intelligence and then asked a question.
Upon hearing this, a middle-aged Senju, after reviewing the records in his hand and understanding the leader's meaning, said, " The Large Unit mode training is complete, but we are currently lacking a Company Commander- level officer, which is causing the team's combat strength to be low!"
"But as long as the Clan is assigned the relevant positions and there is a commander, the Large Unit can immediately unleash its full potential."
Those from both open and exposed bases were the first to be integrated into the team.
The person in charge, aside from the one chosen for Uka Senju, has been keeping it a closely guarded secret!
But if war were to break out, then these people should prepare to go to the battlefield!
Upon hearing his subordinate's report, the Third Elder frowned and pondered for a moment before saying, "Based on the base's situation, the first batch will consist of 2,000 well-trained individuals."
"These teams will be taken directly to the vicinity of Konoha; the First Elder is currently in the South there."
"Once the personnel arrive at the location, hand over the goods to him first, and then transmit the information back to the village where the clan chief will make the final decision on distribution!"
"Remember, personnel must be drawn from the shallower bases first, while those in the deeper bases continue their covert training."
"You must keep a close watch on the base to prevent the deeper layers from being exposed!"
"Yes, sir!" the people sitting on both sides of the table answered in unison.
They understand the reasoning behind this very well.
Most of them were high-ranking members of the previous Clan Leader's Line.
Although he has now stepped down and is hiding underground, he has not lost his past insights!
Intelligence and orders— the Clan's meaning is clear.
The purpose of this group of people was not to achieve victory, but to serve as a reserve force to break the camel's back.
Therefore, extracting from a shallow base would not be a problem even if it exposed the base.
If we were to extract from a deep base, it would expose us, which would truly be a bad deal!
Because the deeper levels are almost all large areas with more than 10,000 people, and it is in these areas that the true reserve force of the Senju is hidden!
"Sir, this might make things a bit chaotic. So, what about the arrangements for the team leaders?" After sitting down, a middle-aged Senju asked with some difficulty.