"Kumogakure has sent out their new generation of the 'A–B Combo'. Who shall we send to face them?"
The speaker was a jōnin with paint markings on his face.
The "A–B Combo" was a traditional duo of Kumogakure — two shinobi raised together from childhood, developing a deep bond and perfect coordination, addressing each other as brothers.
This current generation's A–B Combo was extremely powerful, their strength already revealed during the war against Iwagakure.
Both were taijutsu specialists. In particular, "A" possessed unparalleled speed—his greatest weapon. One of Iwa's veteran Earth Release masters had died at his hands when he unleashed the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
"B," on the other hand, was known as the perfect jinchūriki, freely wielding the full power of the Eight-Tails.
Therefore, whoever Konoha sent to face them would have to be extremely fast, as well as overwhelmingly strong—preferably someone capable of restraining a tailed beast to some degree. Only then could they stand a chance.
Hiruzen had already consulted with the Elders before convening the jōnin assembly.
So he announced his choice directly.
"Minato, can I entrust you with leading the battle against Kumo?"
Minato, of course, did not refuse. With a bright smile, he answered:
"Yes, Lord Third."
Naturally, Minato alone wasn't enough. Hiruzen then recruited additional clan elites to assist him.
After discussion, the decision was finalized:
Minato would serve as overall commander, supported by Dōtō Akimichi, Shibi Aburame, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Gaku Inuzuka, leading 3,000 Konoha shinobi to face Kumogakure on the battlefield.
Only then did Mitsuki learn the name of the painted-faced man from earlier — Gaku.
It had to be said, Hiruzen's arrangement was more than reasonable.
Minato's Flying Thunder God gave him speed that could rival A.
Dōtō, the strongest jōnin of his clan's current generation, could unleash Multi-Size Jutsu, and with Inoichi's mind techniques, they might just be able to restrict the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki.
In truth, Hiruzen had wanted to send both Mitsuki and Jiraiya to the Kumo front.
But Jiraiya had already told him in advance he intended to assist Orochimaru at the Iwa front, assuring Hiruzen to place his trust in Minato.
Hiruzen couldn't dissuade him — and truth be told, having Jiraiya there to keep an eye on that cunning old fox Ōnoki wasn't a bad choice either.
As for Mitsuki, Hiruzen had other plans for this trump card.
With that matter settled, the council moved on to the second major issue: sending reinforcements to the Kirigakure front.
Hiruzen first sought the opinions of Fugaku and Hiashi, since their clans formed the backbone of Konoha's resistance against Kiri.
"Fugaku, how is the situation on the Kiri front?"
Fugaku calmly replied,
"The situation remains under control. The Uchiha clan can continue to hold Kiri at bay."
Hiashi nearly rolled his eyes.
Seriously, brother? Do you have any idea how badly our clans are getting beaten down out there?
Maybe the Uchiha haven't lost enough men yet, but my Hyūga clan has already had Byakugan eyes stolen—how exactly is this 'under control'?
"Heh."
At that moment, Danzō, who had been silent by Hiruzen's side, let out a cold chuckle.
Fugaku frowned slightly, but didn't dare speak up.
The atmosphere in the room grew tense. Most of those present thought Fugaku's claim was blatant posturing.
They didn't know every detail of the Mist front, but it wasn't hard to tell who was winning and who wasn't.
At this point, the Land of Fire's coastline was practically Kirigakure's playground.
Before, it had only been the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist infiltrating. Now, squads of Mist shinobi were freely raiding the Fire Country in groups.
No one knew this better than Hiruzen himself. The Daimyō of the Land of Fire had been furious about it recently.
To break the awkwardness, Hiashi stepped forward:
"Lord Hokage, the Hyūga have fought bravely on the Kiri front, but Kiri's numbers are simply too overwhelming. We even lost Byakugan to them… I apologize deeply to everyone in Konoha for letting you down."
His words were sincere, and he even bowed to the assembly.
The other attendees expressed their understanding. Indeed, the Hyūga had sacrificed heavily for the village.
Hiruzen, looking guilty, replied:
"Hiashi, this is not your fault. As Hokage, I bear responsibility as well."
"No, Lord Hokage, it is I who failed to lead my clan properly."
Meanwhile, Fugaku's lips twitched. He thought Hiashi was being ridiculously theatrical.
You couldn't even protect your kekkei genkai, and you dare admit that in public? Shameful. And to think the Hyūga were supposed to be equals to the Uchiha — what a disgrace.
Mitsuki decided it was time to speak.
"Lord Third, Konoha jōnin Shimizu Mitsuki requests to join the Kiri front."
The moment his words fell, Hiashi's eyes lit up.
Excellent! A true powerhouse!
"The Konoha Gale, Shimizu Mitsuki." His name had spread across the shinobi world.
Fresh out of the academy, he had already dealt Suna heavy blows, rising swiftly in power. He singlehandedly killed Pakura of the Scorch Release, one of Suna's great heroes.
Then, against two opponents at once, he defeated Rasa, wielder of Magnet Release, and the One-Tails' jinchūriki.
And after felling multiple strong enemies in succession, his rampage forced Sunagakure into surrender.
This kind of monster was exactly what the Kiri front needed.
Hiashi immediately spoke:
"If Mitsuki joins the frontlines against Kirigakure, it would be of immeasurable help."
He turned to Hiruzen with eyes full of expectation.
Their clan could no longer hold on. They had already resorted to sending out even main family shinobi.
Hiruzen, hearing Mitsuki's request, agreed on the spot.
"Very well, I approve."
In fact, he had already intended to send Mitsuki there—just recently, he'd learned Mitsuki had mastered the Flying Thunder God.
With his massive chakra reserves, Mitsuki could use it to patrol the entire Fire Country coastline, striking down Mist shinobi as they slipped ashore.
Finally, after another round of discussion, Hiruzen declared:
"Then it is decided. Mitsuki will lead 1,000 Konoha shinobi to reinforce the Kiri front. Furthermore, as Hokage, I appoint Mitsuki as High Adviser of the Kiri Front."
If he was sending out his trump card, Hiruzen wouldn't have him subordinated to others. Thus, Mitsuki was granted authority directly.
Hiruzen's decree was followed by unanimous responses:
"Agreed."
"Agreed."…