In the meeting room of Hokage Tower.
After scanning the room with his eyes, Fugaku Uchiha slowly but firmly declared toward the five Konoha leaders seated at the front of the table, "Fugaku Uchiha volunteers for battle!"
His voice wasn't particularly loud, yet everyone present could hear his determination and confidence.
"Huh?"
"This—!"
"He actually dares to!"
"..."
All attending leaders wore expressions of shock.
Kitsuchi Onoki—the son most valued by Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage!
Han—the Jinchuriki of the Five-Tails and Steam Release Ninja!
Both were Kage-level experts. When they had just heard about these two invading, even after their initial outrage, the dominant emotions in their hearts were worry and fear.
Yet in the face of such formidable enemies, none expected Fugaku to dare volunteer himself so courageously. His audacity and self-assurance commanded admiration.
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other two had already mastered facial control, a slight expression of unease still slipped through unintentionally.
Fugaku wasn't volunteering to be just another grunt on the front line.
Unless Hiruzen himself took the field, who else could possibly order Fugaku to sit this one out?
Currently, Fugaku was only lacking prestige and achievements to ascend to Hokage. Aozora knew this well, as did Hiruzen and others naturally.
Therefore, they absolutely would not allow Fugaku to go to the frontline to earn merits.
Fugaku waited patiently for the Third's reply. Meanwhile, Sarutobi and the others searched for ways to refuse him, and the room fell silent.
It was Aozora who broke the silence.
He questioned, "Didn't we agree that time was short? Right now, the Land of Fire itself faces a threat from Iwagakure. Facing such a powerful enemy, our Police Chief has volunteered for battle—why are you hesitating so long? Are the Uchiha not even allowed to protect Konoha?"
Outside the window, Shisui—who secretly guarded Hiruzen—slightly trembled, narrowing his eyes beneath his mask upon hearing this.
Seeing the puzzled expressions on everyone's faces, Hiruzen realized he must give Fugaku an immediate response.
"Oh, Fugaku!" The Hokage's gaze turned especially gentle. "It's not that I don't trust you—I trust you completely, in fact. Moreover, right now Konoha needs you. With you guarding the Police Force, the villagers feel safe and reassured!"
Even Fugaku, known for his strong composure, was momentarily stunned by Hiruzen's shameless flattery, left speechless.
But if Hiruzen was good at praising people, Aozora was equally adept.
Aozora stood up, shook his head slightly, and said, "Hokage-sama is mistaken!"
Mitokado Homura coldly interjected, "Aozora of the Uchiha Clan, mind your manners. Don't speak recklessly!"
Naturally, Aozora wasn't speaking without thinking. He looked tenderly at the Third and continued, "The villagers feel safe—not because of our Chief, nor solely because of the Uchiha clan—but because Hokage-sama resides within the village! As long as Hokage-sama remains in the Hokage Tower, Konoha will stand firm!"
Upon hearing Aozora's words, Hiruzen froze momentarily, finding himself similarly unable to respond.
Aozora's words were both praise and a trap.
If Hiruzen accepted the compliment, then naturally there would be no need for Fugaku to stay and protect the village—and no excuse to keep him.
The crowd nearly broke their backs from laughing at Aozora's shameless flattery. Even the densest ninja could now feel that something was off in the meeting room's atmosphere.
Since when had the Uchiha and Hokage factions grown so close?
If that wasn't true, then one of them—Aozora or Hiruzen Sarutobi—must be lying. Or worse—both of them were lying.
Torifu's gaze flickered between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Aozora, his lips involuntarily curling into a slight smile.
Now this is interesting. Turns out living long enough lets you see everything under the sun!
Fugaku quickly regained his composure and chimed in, "With Hokage-sama, the respected Elders, and elite clan members safeguarding the village, my presence here makes little difference. Compared to that, the Front Line desperately needs me."
After Fugaku finished speaking, many ninjas in the meeting room nodded slightly.
After all, Konoha already had strong barriers, elite clan members, plus the Hokage and Elders. Adding Fugaku didn't make much of a difference.
Just as Hiruzen was forcing a smile to accept Fugaku's offer, another figure suddenly stood up, drawing everyone's attention.
Glancing over, Aozora saw a rugged, square-jawed man with thick sideburns standing up.
"This Fugaku questions my capability," he declared angrily, his expression uncannily close to how the Third looked in his youth.
Recognizing Nobusuke Sarutobi immediately by his resemblance, the audience curiously shifted their eyes toward Fugaku, eager to enjoy this developing drama.
Frowning at Nobusuke Sarutobi, Fugaku coldly replied, "Must it always be this difficult for me to contribute to Konoha?"
As he spoke, his pupils turned red, [Three Tomoe] slowly rotating inside the crimson irises, while a terrifying aura resembling a supreme beast radiated from his body.
Aozora's eyes lit up instantly. He immediately calmed himself to experience Fugaku's "Murderous Gaze," having lost to this very technique before.
While other attendees merely felt vague uneasiness, Nobusuke Sarutobi, standing directly under the pressure, experienced instantaneous cardiac arrest, paralyzed head to toe.
Though brief, sweat already beaded on Nobusuke Sarutobi's forehead.
"Hold it, Fugaku!" Hiruzen shouted urgently.
Fugaku concealed his Three Tomoe, replying indifferently, "I'm just eliminating Nobusuke Sarutobi's doubts."
He then fixed his gaze on Nobusuke Sarutobi and asked, "Now, do you believe I can resist Kitsuchi and Han?"
Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, Nobusuke Sarutobi stubbornly retorted, "You merely used Sharingan's Dojutsu! If I don't look into your eyes…"
"Enough!" Hiruzen interrupted him.
His eyes flashing dangerously, the Hokage said, "I trust in your strength, Fugaku. However, considering your prolonged absence from the battlefield, perhaps I should let Shikaku—"
"Hokage-sama, I shall wholeheartedly assist Fugaku!" Shikaku interjected suddenly.
Shikaku immediately grasped the Third's intention upon hearing his words—it would simply be appointing him as commander to contain Fugaku.
Had there been no other suitable candidate, perhaps he'd reluctantly accept responsibility for Konoha's sake.
But since Fugaku volunteered willingly, he naturally saw no reason to intervene.
Being the frontline commander is way too risky and more trouble than it's worth.
You'd inevitably become a thorn in Iwa's side, drawing the full attention of their top experts on the battlefield. Without formidable strength, your severed head would soon roll off your neck.
Hiruzen had nothing to say in response to Shikaku's words. After a moment of silence, he announced, "In that case, Fugaku, I'll leave the western border defense to you!"
As he spoke those words, Sarutobi felt his heart bleeding. He knew he'd just let a wild beast loose.
Fugaku nodded upon hearing this, then pledged, "I will devote my utmost effort to drive Iwagakure out of the Land of Fire!"
Then Sarutobi appointed Shikaku and announced the first batch of ninja assigned to reinforce the western front.
After finishing the announcement, Sarutobi cast his gaze over everyone present and declared, "If there's nothing more important, go back and prepare!"
Everyone was about to rise when Fugaku spoke again, "Hold on!"
Upon hearing this, Koharu Utatane frowned and unkindly asked, "Commander Fugaku, may I ask what else you need?"
Fugaku stood up and loudly stated, "Besides those already on the list, I request Hokage-sama's approval to temporarily assign Hiashi Hyuga, Shibi Aburame, Shisui Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, Tsume Inuzuka, and other Elite Jonin!"
At hearing these names, everyone was stunned beyond words.
Fugaku practically rounded up every Elite Jonin remaining in the village, leaving only those holding crucial positions untouched.
Homura Mitokado displayed a mocking expression and sneered, "Didn't Commander Fugaku seem full of confidence just now? Why do you now require so many elite Jonin? Even if you put together such a team and let some mediocre person lead it, wouldn't they still be able to withstand Iwa's attack?"
Fugaku asked in surprise, "Is merely holding the line sufficient?"
"What did you say?"
Not only the Third Hokage but everyone present looked puzzled.
Sarutobi asked as well, "Fugaku, what exactly do you mean?"
Fugaku solemnly scanned everyone present before sternly declaring, "Iwa has invaded our country and slaughtered our people. Is that all you're thinking—just defense?"
For a moment, the meeting room fell into brief silence, with everyone showing astonished looks in their eyes.
Defense only? Konoha's already at its weakest, under attack from both Kumo and Iwa. Just surviving defense is a miracle as it is!
Are you actually thinking about counterattacking?
Fugaku sighed heavily, then gazed disappointedly at all the higher-ups present.
"I don't know what you're all thinking, but the Uchiha have always believed in an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth! Since Iwa dares to extend its claws into our Land of Fire, we must chop off those claws and make them feel the same pain!"
Fugaku's tone was icy cold, clearly revealing his killing intent.
Some war-loving ninjas began voicing their support noisily.
"That's right! Why should we just defend?"
"Make them experience the same suffering!"
"When has Konoha ever backed down from another ninja village?"
"
Though Konoha had remained the strongest ninja village in the Ninja World for many years, it constantly faced invasions from other villages. Even after winning these battles, it gained no territorial advantage.
After the Nine-Tails' Invasion, Konoha's confidence completely vanished. In the face of attacks from rival villages, it could only adopt a defensive stance, hoping opponents would back off.
Everyone's gazes shifted between Fugaku and The Third, realizing how different Fugaku was compared to Hiruzen!
He clearly embodied an authoritative and charismatic leader!
Many ninja began looking at Fugaku with approval, admiration, and even reverence.
Fugaku noticed these looks and felt pleased inside. He cast an appreciative glance toward Aozora below.
Aozora had earlier analyzed with him that this wasn't just about securing the commander's position—it was also about leading strategic decisions for the war.
If they followed the Hokage Faction's strategy, the western front might become another drawn-out conflict like the northern front.
Even if they eventually succeeded in defense, they likely wouldn't gain much credit but instead find themselves blamed by the families of the fallen under public pressure.
At the same time, he needed to actively show his distinct side—proud, dominant, and authoritative...
To earn prestige and achieve success, he must display a decisiveness and commanding presence unlike Hiruzen and the rest.
Aozora believed that Konoha needed hawks—precisely why else would someone like Danzō, with his terrible reputation and methods, still have so many followers?
Danzō's defection left the village's hawk faction without leadership. If Fugaku was willing to step up as their leader, he would quickly gain recognition from many ninja.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned as he saw Fugaku stoke the warlike sentiments of many present.
Of course it would be an Uchiha—always thinking only about battle, never understanding the bigger picture!
He took a puff of smoke and said slowly, "Fugaku, I equally share your grief over our fallen ninja. But right now we're still facing Kumo's attack from the north. These ninja need to remain here to defend Konoha, carry out missions, and serve as mobile forces. Those listed are already the maximum personnel we can currently spare.
Right now, we can do nothing but focus on defense."
The list Hiruzen gave Fugaku basically didn't change much except for removing Shisui and Nobusuke, showing no intention of sabotaging Fugaku.
After all, he was afraid that if Fugaku couldn't withstand Iwagakure's attack, it would allow them to advance unchecked deep into Konoha.
Hiruzen's words, measured and cautious, earned nods from many present. With Konoha's current strength, facing invasion from two major hidden villages, adopting a defensive posture was indeed the wisest choice.
Fugaku shook his head and said, "I'm not suggesting keeping them for long-term deployment! My idea is to reorganize the jonin within the village, bypass the main force, and launch a direct long-range raid to strike Iwagakure's invading forces before they even realize what's happening, repaying their aggression against us! If all goes according to plan, we'll be back within ten days."
"A long-range raid?"
"A direct assault?"
Everyone exchanged surprised glances at first, then began quietly contemplating the plan's feasibility.
Choza, unwilling to bother thinking, directly asked the two companions beside him, "Inoichi, Shikaku, what do you think about Fugaku's plan?"
Shikaku replied concisely: "Brilliant strategy!"
Inoichi gave it some thought before answering, "It'd definitely hit Iwagakure hard."
Choza sighed after hearing this, "The Uchiha clan is indeed formidable! Hokage-sama prefers defensive strategies, but Fugaku is immediately pushing for an aggressive counterattack!"
Shikaku and Inoichi both nodded in agreement. Fugaku was indeed completely different from Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Other ninja present also reached the same conclusion, and many voiced their support.
If they could inflict heavy damage on Iwagakure, then mobilizing these elite Jonin was entirely justifiable.
Koharu Utatane frowned upon hearing this, "Fugaku, have you considered the consequences? Right now, Iwagakure's invasion is merely a probing attempt. If we wipe out their unit, it might provoke Onoki into launching a large-scale invasion and triggering the Fourth Great Ninja War!"
Although everyone felt somewhat frustrated hearing her words, many of them found what she said somewhat reasonable at first glance.
At that moment, a burst of wild laughter interrupted their thoughts.
"Hahahahaa~ Ahaha~"
Everyone turned to see Uchiha Aozora laughing while pounding the table.
Homura Mitokado snapped, "Commander Fugaku, keep your Police Force in check next time! In the future, high-level meetings shouldn't allow such ill-mannered individuals into the meeting room!"
Fugaku calmly replied, "Uchiha Aozora possesses remarkable insight and strength; he must have his reasons for laughing."
Koharu coldly questioned, "Uchiha Aozora, what's so funny?"
Aozora stopped laughing, stood up and said, "I wish Elder Koharu were actually an elder from Iwagakure!"
Koharu furrowed her brows, "What do you mean?"
Aozora continued, "If Iwagakure feared our retaliation just like Konoha does, would they dare invade us in the first place? Perhaps precisely because they know peaceful individuals like Elder Koharu exist in our village, they dare act so brazenly!"
No sooner had Aozora finished speaking than a wave of uproar swept through the room.
Koharu glared at Aozora hatefully.
Every word Aozora spoke was clean and polite — yet it carried the unmistakable sting of accusing her of being a Kumo spy!
After insulting Koharu, Aozora explained, "The Third Great Ninja War ended not that long ago, and Iwagakure still hasn't fully recovered from it. Let alone everything else, over a hundred of their Jonin were wiped out by the Fourth. How quickly do you really think they could recover?
Therefore, Iwagakure won't risk a full-scale invasion unless they're no longer afraid of Kumo, Suna, or Kirigakure."
After Aozora's analysis, many nodded in agreement.
Hiruzen Sarutobi realized the decision was no longer his to make. Helplessly, he said to Fugaku, "Fine then. Except for those necessary defensive ninjas, the rest shall follow your command! I hope to hear good news from you soon."
Fugaku stood and replied, "Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
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