After Tobirama left, Hibari didn't dwell on things much. His first thought was of Tsunade, but she was currently at the Academy, and Hiyoko was there too. Plus, Hiruzen was teaching there, so there shouldn't be any issues.
Hibari was also well aware that while Konohagakure's evacuation system wasn't fully established yet, and everyone seemed a bit chaotic, requiring leading shinobi to coordinate, it was far from the well-ordered evacuation procedures that would be executed later when Orochimaru caused trouble and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was trapped.
However, this time wasn't a large-scale assault; there was only Madara as the aggressor. So, as long as Hashirama held him off, the village would remain safe.
Despite this, Hibari couldn't simply tell everyone not to panic just because of these reasons. After all, he had no concrete proof. Given the current situation, the entire village would inevitably enter a state of alert, preparing for the possibility of war or large-scale enemy attacks.
He quickly returned to his room, Hibari decisively changed out of his daily clothes. He took down his black layered lamellar armor, put it on, and then strapped on his sword. He also slung the large scroll over his back, securing it at his waist.
At the same time, he picked up the Konoha shinobi headband Tobirama had given him. After examining it, he tied it to his left arm.
Then, Hibari didn't delay. He slung his ninja tools pouch over his shoulder and turned to leave without hesitation.
Just as he reached the entrance of the Senju clan's main residence, he heard a voice call out to him.
"Hibari, where are you going, you kid? Shouldn't you be heading to the shelters with the rest of the clan members?" A female shinobi, also prepared for battle, said to Hibari.
Hibari turned around, a smile playing on his lips, and said, "Toka-basan, evacuating is for ordinary citizens. As for me..."
At this point, Hibari tapped the Konoha headband on his left arm and smiled, "As for me, I'm a shinobi of Konoha, and a shinobi of the Senju clan. At a time like this, Hashirama-jiisan is confronting the enemy, and Tobirama-jiisan is organizing various matters in the village. How could I, like an ordinary citizen, use my youth as an excuse to flee in cowardice?"
Toka glanced at the Konoha headband on Hibari's arm, then listened to Hibari's words. Although she desperately wanted Hibari to evacuate, she couldn't find any reason to stop him.
Because, just as Hibari said, in normal times, he could act like a child, throwing tantrums and rolling around with adults. But in moments like this, he was a Konoha shinobi. Even if he was still young, that headband proved everything!
"Hmph, if that's the case... follow me. We're going to assemble first!" Toka finally snorted softly and said.
Then, without waiting for Hibari to say anything more, she stomped her foot and swiftly departed from the area with a Body Flicker Technique.
Hibari smiled at the sight. His speed wasn't slow either. The next second, he too vanished from the entrance of the Senju clan's main residence.
Meanwhile, in the various shinobi clan compounds, numerous figures were flitting across the buildings of Konohagakure. Their destination was the same: the courtyard of the Hokage Residence, to receive orders there.
At this moment, Tobirama was also in that courtyard, arranging many matters and waiting for the shinobi from various clans to arrive.
As time passed, although some shinobi had already arrived and were awaiting orders, many more were still en route.
Watching this, Tobirama couldn't help but frown, muttering softly, "The efficiency is still too slow. The emergency mechanism is practically nonexistent. Each family is evacuating on their own, mixed together in a chaotic mess... order has completely broken down. The speed of shinobi assembly is also too slow."
Thinking of this, a hint of solemnity flashed in his eyes, and he couldn't help but think, "After this incident passes, we must establish a proper emergency evacuation mechanism, and also..."
Tobirama looked up at the increasing number of shinobi and softly murmured, "We need to begin forming a special secret unit directly affiliated with the Hokage, lest we find ourselves with no one available in times like these!"
Indeed, as soon as the problem within Konohagakure was exposed, Tobirama quickly began to consider countermeasures. Putting aside the emergency evacuation mechanism for a moment, this special secret unit directly under the Hokage was the blueprint of what would later become the Anbu.
With a soft 'whoosh,' Toka's figure appeared beside Tobirama. The next second, Hibari's figure also stood there. Neither of them spoke.
Tobirama glanced at Toka, then at Hibari. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but he didn't say anything further.
Seeing that most of the people had arrived, Tobirama quickly said, "Everyone, listen up! According to your respective divisions, investigate the area around the village for any hidden enemies. At the same time, maintain vigilance, restore order in the village as quickly as possible, guide the citizens to the shelters, and finally, swiftly check the internal situation of the village to see if any enemies have infiltrated! If there are, apprehend them immediately or kill them!"
After speaking, he looked at Sasuke, Harano, Shikajin, Kira, and others. After giving them a subtle signal, he ordered everyone to execute their commands.
Of course, Hibari and the others didn't move. Toka was already Tobirama's direct guard, so naturally, wherever Tobirama went, she went. Hibari had only recently become a shinobi and hadn't been assigned to any specific 'unit,' so he naturally couldn't follow them just to join the excitement.
Sasuke and the others had received the hint beforehand, so they, of course, didn't move either. After those shinobi had all dispersed to their tasks, Tobirama glanced around. Seeing that only his trusted people remained, he then spoke, "This attack is unusual. It's that guy Madara Uchiha's doing..."
"Madara Uchiha? Not the Nine-Tails Fox?" Kira was surprised at first, then quickly asked.
"My Shadow Clone has confirmed the truth of this matter. Hokage is currently fighting Madara. The Nine-Tails Fox must be under Sharingan control!" Tobirama said in a deep voice.
Hearing these words, the mood of the others also grew heavy.
Madara Uchiha was an existence on par with Hashirama Senju, known as a legendary shinobi. He could very likely take on a hundred or even ten thousand opponents. It was only because Hokage-sama was his equal that he could hold him off right now; otherwise, it would be a huge problem.
At the same time, since this matter involved Madara, it was very possible...
Several of them couldn't help but think of the worst-case scenario: there was an insider in the village. As for who this insider might be?
Madara was still the head of the Uchiha clan at this moment. If there really was an insider, could it be someone from the Senju clan? Without a doubt, the first to be suspected would be the Uchiha clan!
Looking at the expressions of the others, Tobirama knew they understood the gravity of the situation. Therefore, he quickly said, "We don't know the full situation yet, so we can't act rashly. I've specifically asked you to stay behind to prevent things from escalating in a worse direction. Sasuke, you take them on patrol, and keep a close eye on the Uchiha district."
Although Tobirama didn't explicitly mention the Uchiha clan in his words, his long time friend Sasuke understood his meaning perfectly.
What did he mean by 'keep a close eye on'? Keep a close eye on whom? Wasn't it to keep a close eye on the Uchiha clan, lest they cause any trouble and catch them off guard!
Therefore, Sasuke quickly nodded and said, "Don't worry, Tobirama. If anyone dares to cause trouble, I won't go easy on them."
Tobirama also nodded in agreement. Then the others understood as well. Led by Sasuke, they quickly left to maintain order in the village.
After everyone had left, Tobirama said, "Hibari, although you're a registered shinobi, you've never been assigned to a team. This time, just patrol the village. If you find anything, report it immediately. Be sharp, and... stay safe."
Hibari nodded, saying, "Don't worry, Ojiisan, I'll be careful."
After that, Tobirama turned to Toka beside him and said, "Hokage-sama ordered me to remain in the village..."
"The village must come first. Hokage-sama's order is correct. Given the current situation in the village, it indeed needs you, Tobirama, to hold down the fort. You can't both be out there, can you?" Toka quickly replied.
"Precisely because of that, I feel even more helpless and ashamed. After this incident, we must come up with a countermeasure. We can't let Hokage-sama... my brother, face everything alone every time, can we?" Tobirama said, his voice heavy.
Toka thought for a moment, then asked, "Do we need to organize some experts to go and support Hokage-sama?"
Tobirama's expression showed a hint of temptation upon hearing this, but he still shook his head. The situation was indeed complex right now. The Uchiha clan had many powerful individuals. If they were truly involved in this attack, then once the village's experts went to support Hashirama, who would suppress them?
Moreover, the battle between Hashirama and Madara was not something just anyone could interfere with. Only people of his or Sasuke's level could even attempt to respond, and even then, they would likely only be playing a minor role.
Therefore, Tobirama ultimately said, "We must trust Hokage-sama. For now, the village's safety is paramount!"
After speaking, Tobirama glanced at Hibari, said no more, and turned to walk into the Hokage Residence. Toka followed him inside.
Hibari pondered for a moment and was about to leave when, at that moment, Hiruzen finally arrived, appearing at the courtyard entrance.
He looked at the situation inside, saw that only Hibari was there, and quickly asked, "Hibari, what's the situation now? What did Tobirama-sensei arrange?"
Hibari looked at Hiruzen, then his eyes flickered, and he said, "Come with me... I'll explain it to you on the way."
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