As the Five Kage declared a Level One combat alert, a strange tension began to spread across the entire Shinobi World.
Ordinarily, a large-scale war capable of engulfing the entire world would be preceded by unmistakable warning signs. Political tensions would continue to escalate for months, and every nation would prepare for the inevitable conflict.
This time, however, everything happened so suddenly that it caught almost everyone off guard.
Even so, the battle-hardened shinobi who had survived the Third Great Ninja War quickly adjusted to the situation. As for the younger generation, many of whom had never experienced a real battlefield, they were filled with excitement and anticipation.
Under such circumstances, Konoha's morale reached an unprecedented height.
The reason was simple.
There was a fundamental difference between going to war and going to a war everyone believed they could win.
The former meant uncertainty and death.
The latter promised honor, glory, and achievements worthy of being remembered.
Every shinobi believed victory was inevitable.
After all, this was an alliance of the Five Great Nations declaring war on Amegakure.
A small nation struggling against even one Great Nation had no chance of resisting all five united together.
Even if the Akatsuki had already gathered seven Tailed Beasts, what of it?
Since the end of the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha had endured one crisis after another. They had fought against multiple great villages, repelled Pain's invasion, and overcome countless impossible situations. Thanks to Konoha's deliberate publicity, Hayashi had already been elevated to the status of a new God of Shinobi in the eyes of many.
With a Hokage like him leading the alliance, how could they possibly lose?
...
Although the Shinobi Allied Forces were being formed, none of the Five Great Villages committed their full military strength.
There was simply no need.
Without Kabuto's Edo Tensei army, the Akatsuki's overall military power was significantly weaker than it had been in the original timeline.
After extensive discussion, each village agreed to contribute six thousand shinobi.
Together with the samurai of the Land of Iron, the Allied Forces numbered just over thirty thousand.
As for food, ninja tools, medical supplies, equipment, and every other wartime necessity, each village would bear its share of the expenses according to the agreement, regardless of differences in national wealth.
Once preparations were complete, the Five Great Villages led their assembled forces toward the designated gathering point within the Land of Fire.
The headquarters was established on a vast plain deep inside the country's borders.
Unlike most of the lush forests that covered the Land of Fire, this region was unusually open and flat, making it an ideal location for assembling a massive army.
At that moment, inside the Shinobi Allied Forces Headquarters.
"The logistics, supplies, and ninja tools have all been prepared. Our scout teams are continuously monitoring Amegakure and the Akatsuki's movements. Once the unit assignments are finalized, we can depart immediately."
Hayashi spoke calmly from his seat at the massive circular conference table.
The one present, however, was merely a Wood Release clone.
To avoid unnecessary complications, Orochimaru had even disguised his eyes, ensuring the Rinnegan remained concealed.
Rasa frowned thoughtfully.
"This is the first alliance between the Five Great Ninja Villages. Our villages have accumulated countless grudges over the years. Even the slightest personal resentment could affect cooperation on the battlefield."
"That is indeed unavoidable."
Ōnoki nodded solemnly.
"No one has ever commanded an alliance of all Five Great Villages before. There are bound to be unforeseen problems. If we're careless, internal conflict could erupt before we even face the enemy."
"Hmph."
Ai crossed his arms and snorted.
"Our Hidden Cloud has no interest in petty grudges. Once the enemy is identified, our only objective is to eliminate them. Setting aside past conflicts for the sake of victory is nothing difficult."
The room immediately fell silent.
His words sounded admirable.
Coming from Ai, however, they felt strangely out of place.
Perhaps Pain's previous assault had truly changed his outlook.
The Fifth Mizukage, Hozuki Senjin, cleared his throat before speaking.
"Kirigakure understands the importance of this alliance. We will not allow personal grievances to interfere with the mission."
Among all the villages, Kirigakure arguably had the greatest desire to destroy the Akatsuki.
Their investigations had revealed that both the manipulation of previous Mizukage and the Bloody Mist era had been orchestrated by Akatsuki members.
That hatred ran deep.
With Ai and Hozuki Senjin having already expressed their positions, the remaining Kage followed suit, and the matter was temporarily laid to rest.
Whether the shinobi of each village could truly put aside generations of hostility remained to be seen.
With that issue addressed, the meeting shifted to the next topic.
Hayashi folded his hands together, resting his elbows on the table.
"The Allied Forces will consist of the Surprise Attack Unit, the Logistics and Medical Division, the Intelligence Division, the Sensor Division, and the main Battle Divisions."
"The Battle Divisions will be separated into four groups: the Short Range Battle Unit, the Mid to Short Range Battle Unit, the Mid to Long Range Battle Unit, and the Special Battle Unit."
"If anyone has objections, now is the time to raise them."
The organizational structure was entirely conventional.
The Medical, Intelligence, and Sensor Divisions would provide logistical support.
The Surprise Attack Unit and Special Battle Unit would handle specialized missions requiring mobility and flexibility.
Meanwhile, the three Battle Units would serve as the primary combat force, supported by both the logistics and special operations divisions.
Every Great Village had participated in multiple Shinobi World Wars before.
Hayashi's proposal contained nothing revolutionary.
Naturally, none of the Kage objected.
The real challenge lay elsewhere.
Selecting the commanders.
Each division required someone with exceptional expertise and unquestionable leadership ability.
As Chief Advisor, Shikaku stepped forward at the appropriate moment and placed several stacks of confidential documents onto the table.
These files contained detailed personnel records.
Information like this was among every village's most closely guarded secrets.
During times of peace, intelligence regarding enemy shinobi was often worth more than gold.
After accepting the files from Shikaku, Hayashi divided them into four equal sets and gently pushed them across the table with precise chakra control.
"These are Konoha's recommended candidates."
The other villages had come equally prepared.
Soon, each Kage placed their own confidential personnel files onto the table for everyone to examine.
One after another, they began carefully reviewing the documents.
The purpose was simple.
Regardless of village affiliation or personal feelings, the commanders had to be chosen solely based on their abilities.
"The Medical Division doesn't require much discussion."
Ōnoki finished reading first.
"Is there anyone more qualified than Tsunade Hime?"
"Agreed."
Rasa nodded immediately.
"I have no objections."
Ai answered without hesitation.
The unanimous approval demonstrated the immense respect Tsunade commanded throughout the Shinobi World.
The candidates recommended by every village were all exceptional individuals with remarkable reputations.
Selecting commanders from among them required unanimous agreement.
Tsunade's appointment was settled so quickly because her qualifications were beyond dispute.
"Konoha truly has an abundance of talent..."
Ōnoki silently sighed as the others continued reviewing the remaining documents.
Although he read quickly, he had not skimmed over anything.
Konoha's list alone contained numerous outstanding shinobi worthy of attention.
Minato.
Nawaki.
Shikaku.
Each possessed extraordinary ability.
But the most important figure remained Hayashi.
As long as the Fourth Hokage remained in Konoha, the village would continue to stand at the pinnacle of the Five Great Nations.
"I still need to remain cautious," Ōnoki thought quietly.
The other Kage wore similarly thoughtful expressions, each harboring their own calculations.
What none of them realized was that Hayashi cared very little about their concerns.
Because once this war ended, every shinobi listed in these personnel files would ultimately become part of his own unified force.
To Hayashi, the Fourth Great Ninja War was less a decisive conflict and more a large-scale rehearsal for the future alliance he intended to build.