The next day.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado arrived early at the village entrance. The decision had been made in yesterday's meeting.
Danzō Shimura would lead the troops. Each clan was required to contribute no fewer than thirty jonin, fifty chunin, and one hundred genin. In other words, each clan had to provide at least one hundred eighty shinobi.
Including all the major and minor clans, Konoha's army would consist of at least six thousand shinobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood calmly waiting, while Danzō Shimura looked somewhat worried.
"Hiruzen, do you think we can really gather six thousand shinobi this time?" Danzō Shimura's eyes were dark and unreadable. He didn't trust the clans to send their true strength to the battlefield.
"We will." Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly. "There might not be enough jonin, but there's never a shortage of chunin and genin. Even if there is, many civilian shinobi can fill the gaps."
Danzō Shimura nodded. "These major clans all cherish their feathers and preserve their strength. Expecting them to contribute jonin is unrealistic." After saying this, he sighed. The Sarutobi and Shimura clans had been close allies since the Warring States period.
Both of them were elders/leaders of their own clans, so they understood the mindset of the shinobi clans well. However, unlike the other high-ranking officials, Danzō Shimura and Hiruzen Sarutobi were also the village's leaders.
They had to consider the village and the war. Thinking carefully, there was never true reconciliation between the major clans. Which clans didn't have grudges against each other?
Hashirama Senju's idea of building a village, forgetting past hatred, and allowing people to coexist peacefully was too idealistic.
Of course, when Hashirama Senju was alive, when one person could suppress everything, his words became the will of the ninja world.
But not long after his death, the First Shinobi World War broke out. Though he believed in peace, the shinobi of the world believed in strength.
"Monkey, look over there. It seems a clan has arrived!" Koharu Utatane patted Hiruzen Sarutobi's shoulder. Hiruzen Sarutobi snapped out of his thoughts and looked into the distance.
The Hyūga shinobi, dressed in plain clothes with long hair, slowly approached. Leading them was Hyūga Sekijō, who walked toward the village entrance with a warm smile.
"Thirty Hyūga jonin, fifty chunin, and one hundred genin have all arrived. Hokage-sama, please inspect them." His voice was full of confidence, his face showing a trace of pride.
The Hyūga clan truly lived up to its reputation as one of the great clans alongside the Senju and Uchiha. They provided these shinobi without hesitation, though they were all from the branch family.
Even so, this was a formidable force on the battlefield.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and smiled at Hyūga Sekijō. "The Hyūga clan truly lives up to its reputation as a great clan. To gather so many shinobi in just one day."
"No inspection is needed. I trust the Hyūga clan, and I trust Clan Head Sekijō!" Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.
Hyūga Sekijō nodded. "Understood!" He then stood to the side with his hands behind his back.
Soon after, the leaders of the other clans arrived with their shinobi. As expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi's prediction was correct. Most clans couldn't provide enough jonin, so they made up for it with genin. They all complained about their lack of strength and numbers.
Everyone understood the real reason. Despite this, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued to smile and nodded reassuringly. "It's fine. I know everyone has done their best."
Danzō Shimura's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, he was furious. Every clan was hiding their true strength.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned as he surveyed the gathered shinobi. Where was the Uchiha clan?
The moment this thought crossed his mind, the ground began to tremble slightly. Over a thousand Uchiha shinobi marched in perfect formation toward the village entrance.
The clan leaders tensed. When they saw the number of Uchiha shinobi, their expressions changed. Had the Uchiha clan sent their entire force?
Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned at first, then overjoyed. Even Danzō Shimura couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise and disbelief. Were the Uchiha insane?
"Hokage-sama!" Uchiha Ryun raised his hand in greeting. Today, none of the other Uchiha elders or the clan head had come. Only Uchiha Ryun led the troops.
"Ryun, you're here. What is this?" Hiruzen Sarutobi was first delighted, then frowned as he pointed at the Uchiha shinobi.
Uchiha Ryun realized he should be formal now, so he took two steps back and bowed. "Uchiha Ryun brings two hundred Uchiha jonin, three hundred chunin, and five hundred genin. The entire clan has mobilized to protect the village and defend the nation. We will resist the Sand Dogs!"
Uchiha Ryun's voice was loud and penetrating. The surrounding clans were shocked. Was this really the Uchiha they knew? They were committing their entire clan's strength to fight for the village!
Hiruzen Sarutobi sensed Uchiha Ryun's sincerity. He scanned the Uchiha shinobi, then looked back at Uchiha Ryun. "Thank you for the Uchiha clan's full support!"
With that, he prepared to bow. Uchiha Ryun didn't dare accept this and quickly stepped forward, but Hiruzen Sarutobi waved him off and bowed to the Uchiha shinobi.
"You are Konoha's Uchiha. You were in the past, and you will be in the future. Your contributions are seen by me and all the villagers. As Hokage, I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, thank you for your sacrifice!" Hiruzen Sarutobi bowed deeply to the Uchiha.
The Uchiha clansmen were visibly moved. They knelt on one knee. "For the village, for the people, it is our honor!"
Even Danzō Shimura felt his blood boil. His opinion of the Uchiha clan began to change. Meanwhile, Hyūga Sekijō, who had been so proud earlier, now looked awkward.
Regardless of the Uchiha's past actions, this time they were committing their entire clan to fight for the village. This level of determination was unmatched by any other clan.
After this war, no matter the outcome, the Uchiha clan would become Konoha's model clan.
Nara Luming eyes lit up when he saw this. He admired Uchiha Ryun and the Uchiha clan. Even he wouldn't dare make such a bold decision.
Tsunade wasn't present, or she would have been deeply moved. Due to the medical-nin proposal, she had been assigned to manage the village's medical-nin and would serve as the head of the medical corps during the war, not participating in direct combat.
The Senju troops stood to the side, watching Uchiha Ryun and the Uchiha clan with mixed feelings. The difference in leadership truly changed a clan's spirit.
The current Uchiha gave them a sense of unity and responsibility.
The Third Hokage looked satisfied and patted Uchiha Ryun's shoulder. He smiled faintly, then gave Danzō Shimura a meaningful glance. Danzō Shimura understood.
This was Hiruzen Sarutobi telling him to consult Uchiha Ryun more during this mission. He was here to help.
Danzō Shimura naturally knew this. He looked at Uchiha Ryun and forced what he thought was a friendly smile. Uchiha Ryun smiled back in return.
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