Victory in war is achieved by ordinary ninja with average skills, who lay down their lives alongside the most common kunai and explosive tags.
Yet equally, without sufficiently powerful jonin holding the line, no matter how numerous the regular genin are, they become useless. Even if small-scale battles accumulate advantages, without a decisive blow from stronger ninja, these gains cannot transform into definitive, final victories.
That's what makes the Great Ninja World War so different.
Whether it's continuous attritional combat at the squad level or direct confrontations between elite warriors, for ninja, these are terrifying battlefields—gruesome killing grounds.
Therefore, whether it's the farcical power plays within the Jonin Unit or the strategic maneuvering inside the Hokage Office, those initiating such schemes aim to allocate resources effectively under Konoha's existing limitations, attempting to gather greater strength for deployment on the battlefield. The goal is to destroy enemy hidden villages' capacity for war as quickly as possible.
After all, this latest Ninja World War has left deep psychological scars among Konoha's civilian ninja—who strongly support the Hokage lineage!
Whether it's unified Iwagakure, ferocious Kumo, or previously underestimated Rain ninja—all have displayed distinctive strengths in the bloody battleground of the Land of Rain. Although Konoha ninja continue their string of successes under command from skilled jonin, dwindling manpower remains an unavoidable reality.
And after endless bloodshed, even among Konoha ninja—especially civilian ninja—a widespread anti-war sentiment has emerged. The enemy simply isn't anything like the one portrayed in village propaganda!
They had initially believed victory would be easily attained, yet now realize it demands flesh and blood as its price—an unbearable burden for most civilian ninja who were unprepared emotionally when the war began, especially when they themselves must bear that cost with their own blood and lives!
Precisely because the Hokage Tower became aware of these emotional issues prevalent among civilian ninja—who made up the bulk of Konoha's forces—they urgently convened a Jonin Meeting and contacted various ninja clans, hoping to increase troop numbers. Unexpectedly though, resistance and sabotage came precisely at this critical moment—from the ninja clans themselves!
"How tedious."
As the Jonin Meeting devolved into endless arguments and finger-pointing, Hyuga Soushu shook his head and got up to leave.
"Soushu?"
Kato Hayan, who had been talking nonstop just moments ago, expressed slight surprise.
He was just about to share some juicy intel about the ninja clans with this newly promoted jonin—one he got along with surprisingly well!
"Not interesting. I'm heading out first."
Hyuga Soushu gave him a slight nod before walking toward the exit. After briefly consulting a staff member about the jonin archives, he pushed open the door and left directly.
As for whatever impressions might be formed among attending jonin because of this, he couldn't care less.
After all, it's wartime—by war's end, who knows whose faces will still be inside this conference room?
"Clan Head?"
Having taken only a few steps away from the Jonin Unit meeting hall, Hyuga Soushu encountered several clan leaders dressed in luxurious clothing. The central figure surrounded by them was none other than the actual Clan Head of the Hyuga Clan!
For the Hyuga Clan, who had always maintained a low profile, such an opportunity to be widely acclaimed was extremely rare. Therefore, the Hyuga Clan Leader appeared quite pleased with himself at this moment.
"Mr. Soushu."
The Hyuga Clan Leader kindly waved toward Soushu Hyuga, signaling him to come over and introduced him to the assembled ninja clan leaders on both sides: "This is the Hyuga Clan's newly promoted Jonin, Soushu Hyuga. I hope everyone here can offer him guidance in the future."
"The Hyuga Clan indeed deserves its reputation as the top noble family of Konoha. Jonin Soushu is truly a person of talent!"
"At such a young age he has already become a village Jonin; the Hyuga Clan really does have abundant blessings and produces outstanding talents one after another!"
"It's genuinely enviable."
The clan leaders, who had long been seeking favor with the Hyuga Clan, naturally seized this chance. They showered the young Jonin with flattery without hesitation.
Even someone as thick-skinned as Soushu Hyuga couldn't help blushing slightly.
"How did the Jonin Unit meeting go?"
The Hyuga Clan Leader asked, feigning concern.
Instantly, all the ninja clan leaders tuned in attentively.
"It was chaos from start to finish — no agreement reached."
Soushu Hyuga simply shook his head, briefly describing the meeting scene.
He didn't believe for a second that his own clan leader and these other clan heads were truly unaware of how the Jonin meeting had gone!
After all, there were no fewer than ten Hyuga Jonins inside the meeting venue alone. How could they possibly still act so naïvely ignorant?
Therefore, the only plausible explanation was that they were all just putting on an act!
As for whom they were performing for—Soushu Hyuga glanced at the Hokage Tower nearby, which looked like an overturned red construction bucket worn by site supervisors.
"These are times of peril and survival — let us stand united and work hand in hand!"
"Absolutely! Absolutely!"
The assembled clan leaders immediately nodded dramatically while expressing their lamentations.
But their expressions and smiles clearly revealed the concealed mirth.
Their words and facial expressions especially made them appear even more ridiculous.
If not for having to somewhat consider the Hokage Tower's perspective at this moment, they would probably be celebrating openly.
"Young man, if you have something else to attend to, go ahead. After all, you younger generation probably aren't interested in hanging around us old men."
A satisfied Hyuga Clan Leader casually waved his hand and continued to the ninja clan leaders, "If you gentlemen have time, why not come visit the Hyuga District for some tea?"
"Wonderful! Wonderful!"
"I've long heard about the excellence of the Hyuga's tea ceremonies. Today finally fulfills my wish."
"We'll join! We'll join!"
The responses from the various clan leaders naturally were also very enthusiastic.
Thus, chatting merrily among themselves, the group completely disregarded the Hokage Tower's presence and collectively headed toward the Hyuga District.
"Despicable worms!"
Walking away by himself, Soushu Hyuga overheard the utterly unconcealed remarks from those clan leaders. He muttered bitterly under his breath, shook his head, and prepared to make his way toward the Uchiha Compound.
Judging by the time, if he went now to look for Mahiru, he'd still have some time to spend with her before dinner, and it would perfectly allow him to avoid the Policing Department's rush hour commute—a clever play on timing indeed.
But whether it was a matter of fortune or not, ever since returning to the village, Hyuga Soushu's plans and schemes had consistently encountered minor setbacks.
For example, just as he was about to head toward the Uchiha Compound, an Anbu agent appeared before him.
And judging from the pattern on the mask, this was the same dog-masked Anbu he had encountered earlier that morning in Konoha's Commercial District.
"What is it? Get straight to the point!"
Hyuga Soushu let out a sigh. "I'll hear it tomorrow—unless it's important!"
"Sorry for the interruption, Jonin Soushu."
The dog-masked Anbu spoke politely. "The Hokage has summoned you. Please proceed to the Hokage Tower."