What are your thoughts on Sakumo's request for additional personnel?"
In the meeting room of the Hokage Building, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, brought up Sakumo's request for reinforcements.
"Isn't his strength enough to deal with the hidden enemies within the Land of Fire?"
Homura Mitokado, a councilor, frowned, clearly displeased with Sakumo's request for more personnel.
"The opponents are two elite jonin from the Sand Village's puppet corps, and there are three other jonin in their team, one of whom can use large-scale Earth Style jutsu."
"But there's no direct evidence to prove that they are ninjas from the Stone Village," Koharu said.
Hiruzen tapped the pipe in his hand and said, "I don't think Onoki would do nothing at a time like this. We can't definitively conclude this matter just because there's no mission anomaly from the Stone Village."
"If you put it that way, the Cloud Village and the Mist Village are also highly suspicious," Homura Mitokado, another councilor, glanced at Hiruzen.
"That's why when the Third Kazekage set out, I stayed in the village to prevent other villages from getting involved and making the battlefield even more chaotic."
"So what do you plan to do? We don't trust the Uchiha Police Force, and Danzo is currently leading the Root on a secret mission and isn't in the village. Leaving two squads of Anbu to guard the village is already extremely risky for us."
Homura's eyes showed a questioning look.
"Homura is right. Even in past crises, three Anbu squads would always remain. Now, only two Anbu squads are left, which is already a gamble," Koharu also didn't trust the Uchiha much.
"The Uchiha are also a part of Konoha. We shouldn't be prejudiced against them. They are Kagami's clansmen," Hiruzen exhaled another smoke ring, his expression solemn.
Entrusting the security work to the Uchiha clan was an arrangement made by his deceased teacher, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
There were many reasons for this; on one hand, it was out of apprehension, and on the other, it was to restrict the Uchiha's power to the police force.
Because only the Uchiha clan had the ability to handle the police force's work.
The Uchiha Police Force's work was commendable. Although there were indeed some irrational individuals who liked to stir up trouble, there were also some Uchiha ninjas who genuinely wanted to maintain Konoha's internal security.
Hiruzen felt that he couldn't condemn everyone with one brushstroke.
Moreover, his teacher also wanted to fully integrate the Uchiha clan into Konoha, rather than ostracize them.
Unfortunately, the First Great Ninja War broke out at that time, and his teacher sacrificed himself on the battlefield, leaving the Uchiha matter unresolved.
For all these years, everyone could only endure.
The relationship had indeed eased somewhat under his efforts as Hokage, but there hadn't been much substantive progress.
"Kagami is Kagami, and the Uchiha are the Uchiha. They are different levels of existence. Among the Uchiha, there are not a few Uchiha ninjas who inherited Madara Uchiha's radical ideas. People of this clan all have potential dangers."
Ultimately, the councilors didn't trust the Uchiha, or rather, they didn't trust the Uchiha ninjas who possessed the Cursed Power and awakened the Sharingan.
"Then let's compromise. We'll assign two more Anbu squads. Only by eliminating the rats within the Land of Fire can Sakumo proceed to the battlefield and counterattack the Sand Village."
"But…"
"If the Uchiha show any abnormalities, I will personally intervene to resolve the chaos. That should put your minds at ease, right?"
A powerful, unassailable aura erupted from Hiruzen, making even Homura and Koharu feel an unprecedented pressure.
This also implicitly told Homura and Koharu that with him as Hokage, no matter what the Uchiha did, they would obediently stay within their territory, doing the work of the police force, and there would never be any problems.
This inherent confidence was deeply etched on Hiruzen's face.
"Since you've said so, Hiruzen, then so be it."
"We must not be careless about the Uchiha. They are an inherently evil clan and must always be guarded against."
In the end, Homura and Koharu still reminded Hiruzen before temporarily dropping the issue concerning the Uchiha.
"Besides that, the supplies sent to the front lines from the village are insufficient. Koharu and I need to go to the Daimyo's residence to discuss with the Daimyo and gather supplies there."
Homura and Koharu exchanged glances, and Homura spoke.
"Supplies are insufficient again?"
Hiruzen paused his smoking.
"Yes, medical supplies are the most lacking. Food pills and ninja tools are still sufficient."
"Go quickly and return quickly."
Any ninja leaving the village required the Hokage's written permission. Even councilors needed the Hokage's written permission to leave the village; otherwise, it would be considered a violation of rules, and in severe cases, could be deemed as a rogue ninja.
Homura and Koharu obtained the written permission to leave the village from Hiruzen and then exited the meeting room.
◎
At an outpost in the northern part of Konoha, about twenty Konoha ninjas were on guard, serving as a temporary supply station for Sakumo's team.
Fortunately, this outpost had a simple infirmary.
Shiraishi carried the severely injured Konoha ninja he had found at another outpost and entered the infirmary of the new outpost to rest.
Although he still appeared unconscious, he was out of danger, a blessing in disguise.
Ruri and Ayane were negotiating with the Konoha ninjas at the outpost for supplies. Food, water, and medical supplies were of utmost importance.
Before long, Shiraishi and the others were ready.
Sakumo put away the scroll in his hand and said, "I have good news. The Hokage-sama has agreed to send reinforcements, who are reconnaissance experts. However, we cannot relax here either. Since we're resupplied, let's set off directly."
"Yes!"
Shiraishi and the other two responded and followed Sakumo into action again.
They were currently in the south-central region of the Land of Fire, and their next route was to head east towards the Land of Fire.
That area bordered the neighboring Land of Hot Water, a country famous for its hot springs.
If it weren't wartime, they could enjoy themselves there, but for now, the mission was paramount.
They patrolled for two consecutive days without detecting any abnormalities, not even a shadow of a Sand ninja.
However, considering this was the heartland of the Land of Fire, Sand ninjas shouldn't be foolish enough to cause destruction here. Of course, with a cautious mindset, the diligent Sakumo wouldn't overlook any area.
On the third day, when their backpack supplies ran out, they went to a nearby Konoha outpost for new supplies.
"To be so young and yet undertaking such dangerous missions with Sakumo-sensei, you truly are remarkable."
The captain at this outpost was a somewhat well-known Konoha jonin, a mature man in his thirties. Seeing the incredibly young faces of Shiraishi and the other two, he expressed this sentiment.
"Actually, our help is very small. Many times, we need Sakumo-sensei to take care of us."
Shiraishi maintained a humble attitude.
"I know Sakumo-sensei's personality. If you didn't have his approval, he would absolutely not go against his principles and bring you on such dangerous missions. In other words, your strength has earned his recognition. He is a man who cherishes his comrades like that."
The Konoha jonin seemed to recall something as he spoke.
"Senior, do you know Sakumo-sensei?"
"We used to go on missions together. Back then, he appeared cold, but he was actually a very gentle person, and easily shy. To enemies, he was the cold-blooded White Fang of Konoha, but to his own people, he was a comrade worth entrusting your back to."
"So Sakumo-sensei used to be like that? I can't tell."
Perhaps he had grown a lot over the years, which was why they couldn't see Sakumo's easily shy side.
Shiraishi and the other two could only guess this.
"Tenchiku, what strange things are you instilling in my students now?"
Sakumo walked over at this moment.
"Just sharing some ninja insights as a senior," Tenchiku-sensei said.
"By the way, this guy is a pervert."
Sakumo suddenly dropped that remark.
Ruri and Ayane instantly looked at Tenchiku-sensei with alert and stepped back.
"Hey!"
Tenchiku-sensei's face turned crimson.
"—Especially towards men."
Shiraishi saw Tenchiku-sensei, who was closest to him, and his smile froze.
Ruri and Ayane immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Then it was fine.
Just then, from another dense patch of grass at the outpost, a Konoha ninja covered in blood suddenly ran out. After only a few steps, he collapsed from his severe injuries.
"Be careful, there are… enemies…"