Seemingly rendered speechless by Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, the two Konoha advisors lowered their heads and remained silent.
"If the two of them can't go, what about me?"
Standing to the side, Shimura Danzō showed no emotion, seemingly just asking Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Even if I can't go, you can't let Team Leader Hirakawa Shin'un provide support, can you?"
"That's right, he's Orochimaru's student, your grand-student, and is known to many Konoha Ninja, but he's far too young."
"You can't expect a thirteen-year-old to take on the important responsibility of commanding a team."
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Shimura Danzō and replied:
"Whether it's important or not is hard to say..."
"It's definitely important, after all, it involves the mobilization of thousands of ninjas, and we need to lead the team to the battlefield in the shortest possible time to support Shikahito and ensure that the Sand Ninja front doesn't collapse."
"But it's not actually that important. Shin'un's only responsibility is to lead the ninja army to Nara Shikahito. After that, command of these thousand ninjas will be handed over to Shikahito."
Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Shimura Danzō's expression remained unchanged, only his eyes grew more somber.
"I still think it's inappropriate to let a child Hirakawa Shin'un lead the ninja army. It would be better to find a more senior Jonin from Konoha to lead the team."
"Alright, this matter has been settled."
"Aside from age, Hirakawa Shin'un is perfectly suited to lead the team in every way. I really don't know what you guys are arguing about here."
After saying that, Hiruzen Sarutobi a puff of his pipe and looked at Shimura Danzō.
" Danzo, since you're so interested in going to the battlefield, how about I give you another task?"
Shimura Danzō aback, then said:
"What?"
"I need you to do something else."
"You're aware of the recent situation in the Land of Rain. For Konoha, the biggest problem right now isn't that so-called ' Demigod,' but rather the united Sand Ninja and Stone Ninja."
"With two major ninja villages joining forces, even with our deep foundation, Konoha cannot sustain this for long."
"Therefore, I want you to personally lead the Root elites to infiltrate the Land of Rain and find a way to sow discord between the Sand Ninja and the Stone Ninja Village."
After saying that, Hiruzen Sarutobi another puff of his pipe.
"Hmm~"
Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Shimura Danzō pondered for a moment, narrowed his eyes, and raised his head to say:
"Sowing discord between the Sand Ninja and the Stone Ninja?"
"Sure, but wouldn't it be better to leave this kind of thing to the Anbu?"
With his eyes closed, Hiruzen Sarutobi said:
" Danzo, the Anbu cannot complete this mission."
"I transferred most of the Anbu Ninja to White Fang's command; they should have already arrived at the Stone Ninja battlefield by now."
"Only a dozen or so members of the Anbu remain in Konoha."
"They each have important positions and cannot leave the village."
"Perfect timing. Your Root hasn't achieved anything in this war yet, so this mission is entrusted to you."
After a brief silence, Shimura Danzō.
"Leading the team to the Land of Rain is no problem, of course, but..."
"Just what?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his eyes, stared at Shimura Danzō Shimura Danzō, and interrupted him.
"How?"
"The war has reached a critical juncture. Is the Root still planning to hide its manpower and refuse to contribute?"
As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, his usual gentle expression vanished, and a terrifying aura erupted, enveloping the entire Hokage's office.
Despite the terrifying aura Shimura Danzō managed to maintain his composure, while the two advisors, who had been out of training for a long time, broke out in a cold sweat and began to breathe rapidly.
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi exuding a terrifying aura, Shimura Danzō knew he couldn't refuse this time.
After a brief silence, he spoke:
"Of course not, after all, you are the Hokage, of course I will obey your orders."
"I'll go back and organize the Root members; we'll set off tonight."
After saying that, Shimura Danzō turned and left the Hokage's office.
Seeing Danzo's statement, Chakra Hiruzen Sarutobi withdrew his chakra and stopped releasing it.
"In that case, we'll both head back."
Hiruzen Sarutobi withdrew his imposing aura, and the two advisors, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, also left.
"Squeak~"
With the door closing, only Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in the Hokage's office.
Just as he was about to raise his pipe and take a puff, he discovered that the pipe had been cracked by the Chakra he had just released.
Recalling Konoha's dire situation on the battlefield in the Land of Rain, coupled with his three troublesome old teammates, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
"Sigh~"
After receiving the mission assignment from the Hokage, Shin'un and Tsunade walked out of the Hokage Building together.
Walking down the streets of Konoha, each of them was lost in their own thoughts.
Shin'un was studying the mission manual in his hand when he realized that he was only responsible for bringing a thousand Konoha Ninja to the Land of Rain and handing them over to Nara Shikahito. He did not have actual command authority. He was still complaining in his heart that Hiruzen Sarutobi had not explained the mission clearly.
Tsunade, on the other hand, was frowning, seemingly lost in thought.
After walking for a while, Tsunade looked at Shin'un and suddenly spoke.
" Shin'un, could you let Nawaki come with you to the Sand Ninja front lines in the Land of Rain?"
Upon hearing Tsunade's words, Shin'un put away the mission sheet in his hand and looked up.
" Nawaki?"
"Haven't you always been against sending him to the battlefield?"
Shin'un was somewhat puzzled, as Tsunade had previously been adamant about not letting Nawaki step onto the battlefield.
Why is it that this time they're taking the initiative to send Nawaki to the battlefield tomorrow?
"Of course I don't want him to go to the battlefield, not in the past, and not now."
Tsunade frowned and said:
" Nawaki's personality is too careless and reckless; I really don't feel comfortable letting him go to the battlefield like this."
But he was, after all, a Konoha Ninja.
"So, I'm thinking of letting him do some low-level missions in Konoha for a while longer to temper his temper."
"Once the situation on the battlefield in the Land of Rain eases up a bit, find him a good teacher before sending him back to the battlefield."
Hearing this, Shin'un stared straight ahead, his expression unchanged, but inwardly he was cursing.
It seems that having a good family background is indeed very important.
Three years ago, I left Konoha and went to the battlefield right after graduating from the Ninja Academy, and stayed in the Land of Rain for three years.
As for Nawaki, he has been able to stay in Konoha until now simply because of Tsunade's concern.
Shin'un sighed, while Tsunade continued speaking.
"But that's not possible now. By the day after tomorrow at the latest, I'll be leading a team to support Orochimaru and his group."
"If I leave, no one in Konoha can keep an eye on Nawaki. I'm afraid he'll do what he did before, going straight to the battlefield without telling me."
"Perfect timing. You're leading a team to the Sand Ninja battlefield tomorrow, so why not entrust him to you? Rather than letting him sneak off to the battlefield on his own, I'll arrange a suitable place for him."
Shin'un found it strange after hearing it clearly.
"In that case... why not let him come with you to help the teacher?"
"Wouldn't you feel more at ease knowing he's here in person?"
Shaking her head, Tsunade said:
"No, the Ibuse's wide-range poison gas attack is an exaggeration."
"Although an antidote exists, it's only a semi-finished product and doesn't have any real detoxifying effect. As long as the Rain Ninja can stall for time, they can wear down a large number of Konoha Ninja."
"Compared to that, the Sand Ninja front is more conventional, which makes me feel more at ease."