The people entertaining themselves on the large ship fell silent because of Taketori Seiun's earlier shout.
The middle-aged man in blue robes instructed a dozen or so Ninja in the crowd to quickly draw their swords.
They jumped off from both sides of the large ship, and with the help of Chakra, they quickly caught up with Hashijō's departing figure!
Because the sun was already overhead, the group of five three-person squads of Ninja...
After traveling a distance on the surface of the sea, they gradually dived into the water.
They imbued themselves with the corresponding Ninjutsu, such as underwater breathing, and with the boost of Chakra, they entered the sea and rapidly approached the land.
This camp, facing the Mizukage sea, is the Headquarters of Aburame Gyokusei, located due South.
According to yesterday's plan, the main force of their camp had already dispersed and stealthily moved to the South Command Center.
They then stealthily made their way to the outskirts of Konoha with their allies there.
However, there were people monitoring them from the other side, so Aburame Gyokusei only arranged for the main force to leave. As for the remaining ordinary Large Unit, his plan was for them to withdraw back to the South Command Center in batches around 5 a. m. this morning!
Before leaving, these people used Shadow Clone Technique to replace the visible sentries.
Chakra was about to run out, these Shadow Clone used their last Chakra to transform into various substitutes that did not require Chakra to maintain, as planned.
Taketori Seiun the ship for half an hour and noticed something was wrong, saw these kinds of fake puppets that couldn't be more fake!
The Sensory Technique entered the camp before the scouts arrived.
When the middle-aged man in blue robes named Hashijō used his Sensory Technique to scan the camp and clearly see the situation inside...
With a grim face, he stood up openly and commanded the guards behind him, "Send a message back as quickly as possible to inform Genji that this camp is empty."
"Those damned Mole have all escaped!"
The task was to keep an eye on the people on the other side; based on our previous understanding, they shouldn't be leaving.
This is why, apart from a few individuals on duty, the rest of them were so relaxed!
But they've clearly been tricked. Now, no matter where those people have gone, they're in big trouble!
However, he couldn't understand why the other side had broken their agreement; the Mizukage harbored ill will towards the Senju, a fact known to all.
And now that they're being tricked by this group of people who don't get along with the Mizukage, why did this damned Mole leave?
"Yes, sir!" the nearest guard replied.
Three of the fifteen people immediately left and ran back the way they came.
The same scene also occurred at the place guarded by the Fifth Elder of the Senju.
It's just that the commanders monitoring the battle here Mitokado Kin and the Cloud Shinobi commander, Yasaka Yū, discovered it earlier.
Those Shadow Clone only maintained the appearance of an intact camp for less than half an hour before they were discovered by the sentry post of these two men!
When the three commanders at these two locations looked at the empty camp, devoid of any resources...
The orders to send messages and to pursue were issued almost simultaneously on both battlefields!
Once the battle within Konoha began, countless pieces of information were rapidly transmitted throughout the Land of Fire via Summoning Technique and Ninjutsu.
They demanded reinforcements, they demanded regrouping, or they demanded a faster advance for a desperate battle!
As time passed, all the Ninja units in the Land of Fire began their respective operations.
In the northern part of the Land of Fire, Noi Castle.
The city where the Sarutobi Four Clans's highest Headquarters was located was the first place to receive the message.
People who were still half-awake in the early morning were immediately assembled at the sound of sirens blaring throughout the city!
Inside a lavishly decorated mansion in the city.
Looking at the latest orders from the ape clan in his hand, the supreme commander here Sarutobi Meikyoku, couldn't help but frown.
When the intelligence arrived earlier, he had already ordered all troops to prepare for battle and provide support to the village as quickly as possible.
But the messenger ninja beast had only been gone for less than ten minutes.
The latest order, according to the clan leader, is that they do not need to go to Konoha, but instead should gather at Nagatama Castle?
Inside the meeting room, the leaders of the other three clans took turns receiving and examining the letters from Sarutobi Meikyoku.
After reading through everything, the three clan leaders frowned in unison, waiting for the head of the clan to speak first.
Their thoughts and opinions are important, but the one in the chief seat is even more important!
In the eyes of the three of them, neither following the letter nor sticking to their previous ideas was wrong!
Therefore, the decision-making power was tacitly passed back to the person in charge by the three of them.
After all, the orders given at this moment are of great importance!
If things go wrong, the people below will hate the three of them to death.
This villain, Hiruzen Sarutobi's order, it's best if the Sarutobi Clan bears the consequences!
The Third Hokage wanted to break through the encirclement and then lead the assembled troops to fight back.
The underlying meaning is that they abandoned the ordinary Four Clans and the elderly and weak who currently reside in Konoha.
This is a gamble to see if the Senju will actually harm ordinary people.
If they kill, then the Ninja of the Four Clans will fight even harder in the battles to come.
If we don't kill them, then the breakout tactic will suffer no losses!
This is the most cost-effective option for Four Clans at present!
Because they were unaware of the situation of the Senju and the village at that moment.
Sending troops in might just be a piecemeal attack tactic.
You could choose Hiruzen Sarutobi's plan, but if you kill Senju, you'd better be prepared to be hated by the Four Clans of Ninja!
One sacrifice was made by Ninja, and the other by ordinary clansmen and the elderly and weak.
However, since none of the four of them Kekkei Genkai Clan, making such a choice easier!
Just be prepared to be hated by the clansmen in the village who have many relatives right now.
The silence of the three caused Sarutobi Meikyoku, the Second Elder and the highest commander in the north, to curse inwardly.
But while the three of them remained calm, his identity made it impossible for him to keep quiet!
After clearing his throat, Sarutobi Meikyoku gave a deep order, "Retrieve the first order if possible, but now immediately issue the second order."
"Your Highness, I'm entrusting the Logistics to you. Get all the war supplies from Noi and other areas to Utatane Ayamiya Nagatama Castle as soon as possible!"
"Yes, I'll arrange it right away!" Leaning slightly forward, Utatane Ayamiya whose name had been called.
"The combat-ready forces within the city will be divided into two groups. You two will each lead one group to Nagatama Castle as soon as possible to establish a defensive line and Headquarters."
"I will head to Nagatama Castle with the Headquarters after the nearby troops have assembled!"
Sarutobi Meikyoku looked at Mitokado and Shimura on his left and said.
"Yes!" The two people who had been assigned the task did not raise any objections and responded decisively.
The ninja beasts, flying in different directions, once again took to the skies from Noi Castle.
They carried the revised priority designation and conveyed the plan that Hiruzen Sarutobi had previously told his wife to the troops stationed in various locations.
The border of the Land of Rain.
After Orochimaru left, Jiraiya took over as the second commander.
Early in the morning, as usual, he thought that today would pass by uneventfully as usual.
But Jiraiya's thoughts were quickly interrupted by a report from his subordinate.
Looking at the information brought by the Chunin, he was filled with disbelief, wearing only his Combat Uniform!
War broke out so quietly?
There was no prelude whatsoever, and in the last few days, even the usual tense atmosphere was absent!
However unbelievable it may seem, after reviewing the intelligence in his hand, Jiraiya had no choice but to accept the fact that the war had come many years earlier than expected.
The Senju launched a surprise attack on their teacher, who was thousands of miles away at the time.
All I could do was silently pray that my teacher and friends could hold on until reinforcements arrived from the Northern Command Center!
As one of the teams furthest from Konoha, all he can do now is gather his men and rush back as quickly as possible.
They're unlikely to be involved in rescue operations, since most teams are closer to the area than the ones he has.
But rescue efforts were too late, and in the ensuing battle, their own troops would most likely be the main force.
After analyzing the current situation, Jiraiya methodically ordered his subordinates to begin preparations and ensure that all personnel were well-supplied with supplies before leaving.
It was far enough that there was clearly no hope of rescue, so he didn't need to urge his men to set off as quickly as the other teams!
After assigning tasks to his several Large Unit, Jiraiya returned to his residence and began packing his belongings.
Combat Uniform; you need to bring several sets for easy changing later.
Armor, one set to wear and one spare is enough!
For a Ninja like him who relies on Ninjutsu, a large number of Shuriken, Kunai, and Senbon would be the best choice.
The Ninja in this camp, just like Jiraiya, were methodically tidying up their belongings according to their own circumstances.
But then, a second letter received by the intelligence agents shattered that atmosphere.
The teacher chose to break out, and the troops no longer went to rescue the enemy, but instead stationed themselves in Nagatama Castle.
This change led to a shift in Jiraiya's orders.
Their team needed to speed up and get to Nagatama Castle as soon as possible to prepare for battle.
Furthermore, due to the order to assemble, everyone in this camp must move quickly and get to the assembly point!
"The first Middle Unit will stay and leave with the Logistics personnel."
"Abandon the unnecessary supplies and just take what's needed for combat and healing!"
"Personnel from Large Unit 149, please collect your supplies and assemble within three minutes."
"..."
Because of the second order brought by the ninja beast, this camp located on the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain instantly became busy.
Ignoring the noise from the managers outside and the subordinates below, Jiraiya with his five Large Unit, stood in front of the map that occupied one wall of the conference room and began to discuss the marching route.
"The fastest way is a straight line, but from here to Nagatama, the route will pass through many cities and noble territories."
Pointing his finger across the map, a Large Unit offered his opinion. "My suggestion is to detour slightly around a few key territories. Passing through these areas without prior planning will be extremely troublesome!"
"What's the big deal about trouble at a time like this?" Another Sarutobi Clan Large Unit pointed to the three places his teammates called troublesome and said, "Just pass through their territory. If anyone objects, eliminate them immediately!"
"Faced with our war against the Senju, even the Daimyō must keep their mouths shut now."
"If you put it that way..."
Inside, the group quickly explained their ideas, needing to determine the marching route and order before they could prepare.
The deepest part of a massive underground base.
"Clang!"
After pushing open the last iron gate and receiving the information, they arranged for the base troops to be deployed.
Fully armed, Mitokado Homura walked straight through the heavily guarded checkpoints and entered the base's largest laboratory.
Looking at his old friend's disciple, dressed in a white coat, with a pale, bloodless face, he saw him staring at him with murderous intent.
Mitokado Homura paused involuntarily due to the imposing aura of the person opposite him, and only then did he notice that the person was holding a pair of tweezers.
And the steel tweezers held a piece of human skin that had clearly just been peeled off!
Looking at the severed skin and the experimental subject lying on the bed beside it, he finally understood why this person was so angry!
Once you see who is bothering you, put down the tools you're using.
Orochimaru withdrew his killing intent and said somewhat helplessly to the person who was smiling awkwardly, "Lord Yan, is there something you need?"
The experiment was sabotaged at a crucial moment, despite all the effort invested.
This made him completely lose control of his murderous intent!
But the person in front of him was no ordinary nobody. Putting aside his relationship with the teacher, he himself now had to rely on this person to solve his experiments.
Since I was interrupted, I couldn't openly express my anger!
A cool, clear voice rang out, and upon hearing it, Mitokado Homura knew that this person had regained consciousness.
His expression turned serious, and he took a few steps forward, standing before Orochimaru. He said in a deep voice, " Orochimaru, something has happened in the village. Your research must come to an end."
"Oh?"
Hearing that his research could not continue, but the mention of trouble in the village, Orochimaru had no choice but to suppress his discomfort.
As he tore the white sheet from the corpse's chest to cover the test subject, he asked with some doubt, "Lord Yan, what happened in the village?"
Total war has begun!
This unexpected and far-fetched answer caused Orochimaru to pause involuntarily, his hand holding the white cloth faltering.
Meeting Orochimaru's disbelieving and bewildered eyes, Mitokado Homura nodded and continued, "This morning at six o'clock, the Senju launched a surprise attack on your teacher, Senju their allies attacked the strongholds of our Four Clans!"
"Based on the intelligence we have, the Senju have mobilized a large number of troops this time, indicating they are preparing for a full-scale war!"
The battle had been going on for some time, and he had already received the plans and appointments from Hiruzen Sarutobi.
As the next leader, he had received intelligence from other strongholds!
Now, wherever the Senju troops from the southwest and southeast have returned, all the strongholds near Konoha in the north have disappeared without a trace.
Currently, there is no intelligence, which confirms the situation in these places!
Based on the distribution of these outposts and some intelligence gathered...
The Intelligence Department had already given a rough answer regarding the number of personnel the Senju had mobilized this time: it signified the start of a full-scale war!