The Land of Hot Water.
At this moment, a large number of Kumo ninja had been stationed here, preparing for battle.
"Brother~ When are we, yo, gonna attack Konoha?!"
Killer Bee, wearing sunglasses, spoke in his usual rhythmic tone to A beside him.
"It's almost time. Dad sent word that Iwa has retreated, and he's organizing the troops to move toward our position."
"Once they arrive, we launch the attack."
A's fists clenched, his expression filled with battle-ready determination.
"Yo! I can't wait anymore! I wanna chop someone up!"
Hearing Killer Bee's enthusiasm, A gave a firm nod. His thoughts drifted to the Konoha ninja he had encountered before.
Space–Time Ninjutsu?
Hmph! Even if it was Space–Time Ninjutsu, he wasn't afraid of its speed.
This time, on Konoha's battlefield, he would kill him.
…
The Hokage Building.
A meeting was in progress.
As usual, four familiar figures were present: Hiruzen, Koharu, Danzō, and Homura.
"Iwa has temporarily retreated. There are over 10,000 Iwa ninja stationed near the border of the Land of Grass. Jiraiya is under immense pressure and requires reinforcements. The situation in the Land of Hot Water is also concerning."
"Once Iwa withdraws, Kumo will use the Land of Hot Water as its main base to launch an attack against us."
Hiruzen's expression was grim. Reports from all sides made it clear—Konoha was surrounded.
"Under these circumstances, I propose redeploying Hamaki Mimura from the Land of Rivers to assist Jiraiya," Homura suggested. "We need to maintain a strong defense against Iwa."
He nodded and was about to continue when a sudden knock on the door interrupted the discussion.
"Enter."
An ANBU operative rushed in, leaning close to whisper something in Hiruzen's ear.
His face darkened instantly.
"Hiruzen, what's wrong?" Koharu asked, sensing the shift in atmosphere.
Leaning heavily back in his chair, his eyes filled with both anger and concern.
"Hiruzen, speak! Stop being so cryptic!"
Danzō, unable to tolerate the silence, snapped impatiently.
Hiruzen took a deep breath before delivering the news.
"There's been an incident at the Land of Rivers' battlefield. Sunagakure has deployed a Tailed Beast."
"The frontlines have been completely devastated. Orochimaru led a desperate resistance and managed to hold the position, but he was injured, and we suffered over a thousand casualties."
The room fell into a stunned silence.
Even Danzō was momentarily shaken.
Tailed Beasts were the ultimate weapons of war. No one expected Sunagakure to take such a drastic step.
"Damn it, the Third Kazekage's whereabouts are still unknown. Has Chiyo lost her mind?"
"No, she's being forced into this," Koharu analyzed. "With the Third Kazekage missing, Sunagakure is plagued by internal strife. If they don't continue their offensive, it'll only worsen."
"She's trying to use war to silence the voices of dissent."
The Third Kazekage's disappearance was no secret—every major village had received word of it.
Hiruzen leaned back, silent, while Danzō seized the moment to push his argument once more.
"Hiruzen! This is the price you pay for refusing to use the Nine-Tails!"
"Iwa and Kumo have always relied on Jinchūriki, and now even Suna has unleashed a Tailed Beast!"
"How much longer will you hesitate? Will you wait until the enemy is at our gates before using the Nine-Tails?"
Danzō's words cut sharply, his voice pressing down on Hiruzen.
"Enough, Danzō!" Hiruzen slammed his hand on the table. "You know what the Nine-Tails is like!"
"If we send the Jinchūriki to war and the Nine-Tails loses control, we will be the ones to suffer!"
His outburst silenced Danzō for a moment.
Glaring at Hiruzen, Danzō clenched his jaw but said nothing more.
"So, do you have a plan?"
"Under attack from the front and back, and now a Tailed Beast..."
Hiruzen sat back down, his tone low.
"Deploy the remaining elite forces in the village to the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water."
"Hamaki Mimura will be reassigned from the Land of Rivers to the Land of Grass."
"Jiraiya will provide support to Orochimaru."
"Also, tell Sakumo to be ready to move to the Land of Grass battlefield at any time."
"That's it."
Although Sunagakure had unleashed a Tailed Beast, they only had one—Shukaku. With Orochimaru and Jiraiya together, they should be able to handle it.
Still, the pressure was immense. The other defensive lines were barely holding...
Hiruzen let out a sigh as he finished laying out his orders.
"How is Tsunade?"
"If she were to join the frontlines, our burden would be much lighter," Koharu pointed out.
Hiruzen hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"I'm not sure, but lately, she's been going back and forth between the hospital. It seems she's finally beginning to accept performing surgeries again."
"As for her hemophobia... she still has it, but it's easing."
The three advisors exchanged glances, momentarily taken aback.
After all, Tsunade—being the granddaughter of the First Hokage and Hiruzen's own student—had the freedom to do as she pleased. No one dared question her choices.
But now she was willingly returning to her medical work? That was unexpected.
"Who has she been in contact with lately?"
"If someone can cure her phobia, we'd be saving a vital asset for Konoha," Homura noted, his eyes gleaming with interest.
"Kazuyama..."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Again? How was this guy's name coming up everywhere?
Danzō, in particular, gritted his teeth.
This brat should be in Root!
No—he's Orochimaru's disciple, isn't he?
Hmm... if I can recruit Orochimaru instead…
If Orochimaru personally agreed to join Root, then that bastard Hiruzen would have to approve…
A slow, unsettling smile spread across Danzō's face, making the others frown.
"Danzō, what the hell are you smiling at? This is no time to be grinning!"
"I'll tell you what! If we lose on the frontlines, you're going to the battlefield!"
Hiruzen was already frustrated, and now this fool was laughing?
He wasn't taking the situation seriously at all!
"Huh? What's wrong with me laughing? Am I not allowed to?"
"You idiot! This is a war council! Is this really the time to laugh?"
"None of your damn business! Even if you're the Hokage, you can't tell me not to laugh! You've overstepped, Hiruzen!"
"I can, and I am the Hokage! So what?"
Danzō was practically fuming, while Hiruzen, having vented some of his own frustration, felt noticeably better.
"Send Tsunade to lead the unit, with Kazuyama accompanying her to command in the Land of Hot Water!"
"If Kazuyama really can cure Tsunade's fear of blood, he'll be a hero!"
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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