"Greetings, Mito-sama!"
Everyone else dropped to one knee, while Hiruzen also bent at the waist in a bow.
He was the Hokage; this was already the highest level of respect he could show.
Mito walked up with a gentle smile.
She first glanced at Hiruzen, then at the elders and the assembled troops.
Keeping a perfect sense of propriety, she said:
"Sandaime, don't be nervous. I'm just here to send a junior into the ranks.
This boy is called Kotarou. He's Tsunade's trusted aide."
Hiruzen lifted his head and looked at Kotarou, and something stirred in his heart.
Senju, and Uchiha?
What was going on here?
His eyes flickered, thoughts spinning.
He probed tentatively, "I wouldn't dare, Mito-sama. You can just call me Monkey.
If Mito-sama would be so kind, I'd like to ask you to give the order for our forces to march, to put a full stop on this departure."
He bowed his head as he spoke.
This was a clash of authority.
Right now, Hiruzen was the Hokage. She was the First Hokage's widow.
If Mito gave the marching order for the army, that would be a direct encroachment on the Hokage's authority.
Mito gave him a long, deep look.
The Hiruzen standing before her was no longer the "Monkey" of the past.
He now had schemes and calculations in his heart as well, though in Mito's eyes they were still rather immature.
Still, she had no intention of butting heads with him.
She smiled.
"Then I'll be cheeky and call you Monkey.
Monkey, you're the Hokage now. You should be the one to declare the start of the war. I have no right to interfere.
I just want to ask that, since this is Kotarou's first time on a battlefield, you temper him well."
A trace of something unreadable flashed through Hiruzen's eyes, but he responded quickly.
He raised his head to look at Kotarou and gave a nod.
"Don't worry, Mito-sama. One look and you can tell this child is material for great things. I'll see to it."
He stepped forward, patted Kotarou on the shoulder to show his regard, then waved his hand and called out:
"Tsunade!"
"Here!"
Tsunade jogged up to Hiruzen's side.
"Kotarou is your trusted aide. Take him back to your unit."
With that, Hiruzen bowed once more to Mito, then moved to stand at the very front of the formation.
"Everyone.
You are the heroes of Konoha.
This battle cannot be avoided.
Hanzo of the Land of Rain has issued a challenge to us. Can we really remain indifferent?"
Hiruzen's voice carried righteous indignation and a fierce anger toward the enemy.
The three thousand vanguard ninja were instantly ignited, shouting in unison:
"We cannot!"
"Then must we not hit the enemy so hard, hurt them and frighten them so thoroughly that our loved ones can live peaceful lives?"
Hiruzen roared again.
Kotarou had to admit, Hiruzen really was talented.
These lines hit the exact pressure points in everyone's hearts.
No wonder that after this war, he would be called the "Hero of the Shinobi."
"Yes!"
The entire army roared again.
"Troops, heed my command.
Move out. Target: the Land of Rain!"
Hiruzen swung his arm forward.
The ninja answered in a tide of voices:
"Move out! Target: the Land of Rain!"
Hiruzen watched the ninja filing out of the village and sank into thought.
He was now the Kage of the village.
The Elder Council had urged him not to personally take the field.
But this battle would decide whether his position as Hokage would truly be secure.
There was no way he would stay behind.
They had eventually worked out a compromise: he would accompany the main army to the Land of Rain, and only when Hanzo of the Salamander personally entered the fray would he himself take action.
In the end, Hiruzen had no choice but to agree.
He knew his "brothers" were doing it for his own good and couldn't bear to disappoint them.
Oh, right.
Mito-sama was still here.
Hiruzen turned, dropped to one knee, and bowed his head.
"Mito-sama, the army was present just now. Please forgive my discourtesy."
"It's nothing, Monkey. You did it for the village. You weren't in the wrong."
Mito smiled.
"Thank you for understanding, Mito-sama."
Hiruzen lowered his head.
His voice was even, revealing nothing.
But Mito could feel the quiet joy in his heart, like the taste of victory.
She gave him another look, then helped him back to his feet.
"Monkey, I have a favor to ask."
Hiruzen immediately said, "Mito-sama, just give the order. I wouldn't dare disobey!"
He bowed again in a hurry.
There was no helping it.
She was the First Hokage's wife, a legendary figure.
He still needed Mito's support to stand firm in the village.
Mito was quite satisfied with his attitude.
"Monkey, I've been missing my family back home. So I'd like you to send envoys to invite them to Konoha to visit."
Hiruzen frowned slightly, but still nodded.
"That is only right. Mito-sama, as the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, you safeguard Konoha's peace. If you wish to see your family, I naturally agree."
"How about this: I'll have Sakumo and Torifu lead a five-hundred-strong ninja detachment to escort them. What do you think?"
He phrased it as a discussion.
"No problem at all, Monkey. Thank you. I knew you'd be a thorough Hokage. Come by the Senju compound more often from now on and keep this old woman company."
Mito smiled faintly.
Hiruzen's eyes lit up.
This was Mito extending goodwill to him.
The implications were obvious.
From this moment on, Mito would fully back him as Hokage.
For him, this was excellent news.
With a figure like her standing behind him, his Hokage seat would be all but secure.
He quickly bowed again.
"Many thanks, Mito-sama."
Mito shook her head.
"Monkey, I should be the one thanking you. I'll head back. There are still things to take care of at home."
"Walk slowly, Mito-sama, and watch your step."
At this point, Hiruzen's respect toward Mito could not be higher.
He had no choice.
Her status was what it was, and now she was willing to publicly stand behind him.
What else could he do but hold her up like an honored ancestor?
…
On the march.
In the column, the thousand shinobi under Tsunade's command were mostly from the Senju clan.
Yet the one following directly behind Tsunade was an Uchiha, Kotarou.
This sat poorly with many of the Senju.
After they reached the border…
"Tsunade-sama, leave the scouting of the enemy to me."
A young man from the Senju stepped forward and bowed to Tsunade.
Tsunade looked over at him.
Ryuichi.
Originally named Senju Ryuichi, he was skilled in reconnaissance, a talented jōnin.
His words stirred Tsunade's interest.
Kotarou had originally not intended to speak.
But the look of open disdain Ryuichi shot him made it impossible to stay quiet.
"Tsunade-sama, I can conduct reconnaissance without suffering a single casualty. We won't lose even one soldier."
Kotarou said calmly.
He felt it was time to show a bit of his hand.
Otherwise, who knew how these Senju would gossip about him later.
He didn't particularly care what they thought of him, but he absolutely couldn't allow Tsunade's reputation to be dragged down by accusations of favoritism.
Tsunade turned her head and looked at Kotarou, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
How could Kotarou say something like that?
Reconnaissance without casualties…
Even veteran scouts could not guarantee that.
(End of Chapter)
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