Night fell. With the arrival of the support troops, bonfires were gradually lit in the camp.
The wounded were moved in an orderly manner to the newly built medical tents, and the tired faces of the defending troops also showed a little relaxation.
In the command tent, all the Jonin were gathered here.
Behind the long table in front of the crowd, Homura Mitokado sat in the center wearing the same black ninja outfit as the Third Hokage. On his left were Sakumo Hatake and Jiraiya, and on his right were Orochimaru and Tsunade.
"Is everyone here?"
Homura Mitokado crossed his fingers and announced in a deep voice: "Now convey the following matters: First item, I, Homura Mitokado, by the order of the Hokage, will serve as the commander-in-chief of the Rain Country battlefield from today."
Hearing this, everyone was not surprised.
The job of commander-in-chief must be held by an elder with sufficient prestige.
As one of the two high-level consultants, Homura Mitokado was sufficient to shoulder this heavy responsibility.
Of course, once there was a mistake in the front-line command, he was the only one who could take the blame.
"At the same time, Jonin Sakumo Hatake will be responsible for the command of the northern front, Jonin Jiraiya will serve as the southern commander, Jonin Orochimaru will serve as the combat staff officer, and logistical medical affairs will be the responsibility of Tsunade————"
Orders were conveyed methodically.
Until the meeting was dismissed and only Tsunade and the other front-line commanders were left in the tent, Homura Mitokado looked at the messenger ninja: "Notify Genin Minato Namikaze to come here."
"Yes."
The messenger ninja left quickly.
Soon, Minato was brought to the tent.
"Lord Consultant."
Seeing Homura Mitokado, Minato nodded politely.
"Ah! Long time no see, Minato-kun."
Homura Mitokado immediately put on a kindly smile, which made Tsunade's eyebrows twitch wildly.
Compared to Koharu Utatane's strong personality, as a fellow high-level consultant, Homura Mitokado's personality was much more rational, even rational to the point of ruthlessness.
If Danzo said it was for the village, everyone would at most listen for fun, but if Homura Mitokado said this, absolutely no one would question it.
Precisely because of this, even when facing Tsunade, the granddaughter of the First Hokage, the other party had never given a good face.
On the contrary, because of Tsunade's willful personality, he had reprimanded her several times following Koharu Utatane.
In so many years, when had she ever seen this old thing smile so obsequiously?
"I heard Sakumo's report. You actually almost wiped out an entire Hidden Sand front-line unit with your own strength."
Homura Mitokado waved his hand, signaling Minato to stand closer. He looked at Minato carefully, confirming that Minato had no injuries, and then nodded with satisfaction.
"What overflowing talent!"
"Lord Consultant overpraises."
Minato remained calm: "Is there a mission to be entrusted to me?"
"Well—although it troubles you a bit, this mission indeed requires your help."
Homura Mitokado nodded: "The Third Hokage has always advocated peace. Although Hidden Sand Village has been trying to provoke war, there is no great enmity between us and Hanzo. Fighting with Hidden Sand in the Land of Rain is really a helpless move."
"Therefore, the Third intends to negotiate with Hanzo, hoping to unite with Hidden Rain Village to resist the invasion of Hidden Sand. This requires sending someone to Hidden Rain Village to negotiate related matters."
"Do I need to go along?" Minato asked.
"Yes."
Homura Mitokado nodded: "Because we are not clear about Hanzo's attitude for the time being. However, this invasion of Hidden Sand also shows that Hidden Rain Village does not have enough power to cope with external threats."
"So the Third decided to send Orochimaru to Hidden Rain Village for negotiation before the full-scale war begins."
"I understand."
Minato nodded without objection.
But he was a little puzzled in his heart. It was obviously just a mention, why did a high-level consultant explain so much detail to him, a Genin.
This is all to accumulate experience for you!
With such strong mobility and being someone who will become Hokage, how can you not understand the battlefield situation?
Looking at Minato's neither humble nor arrogant appearance, Homura Mitokado thought to himself.
One person destroying a hundred people————
And not cannon fodder, but a vanguard unit executing a blitz mission with Jonin accounting for one-quarter!
If Minato wasn't too young, he really wished he could tie Minato to the Hokage's chair!
"Then thanks for your hard work. The negotiation team will be led by Orochimaru. You, Nawaki, and Mikoto Uchiha will accompany. Set off tomorrow morning."
Homura Mitokado put away his smile and said seriously: "Hanzo is cautious and suspicious, and Hidden Rain Village is under martial law all year round. Your primary task is to ensure your own safety, especially you."
Minato nodded: "Understood!"
"Mmh————"
Homura Mitokado paused, a little embarrassed: "There is another mission regarding the construction of the camp. You also saw the environment of the Land of Rain—"
Minato: "..."
No, caught a sheep and shearing it to death?
Homura Mitokado's tone was sincere: "The Land of Rain is rainy and muddy. Fortifications built by conventional Earth Style are easily eroded, and the humid environment is extremely unfavorable for the recovery of the wounded and the storage of supplies—"
Minato thought for a moment: "I can build Wood Style defensive barriers and watchtowers outside the camp, and plan several areas inside, but large-scale casting takes time."
"No problem, really trouble you."
Seeing that Minato didn't refuse, the appreciation in Homura Mitokado's eyes became stronger.
Then he paused: "By the way, I heard you can also catalyze crops?"
Before the voice fell, only a bang was heard!
Tsunade slapped the table and stood up, glaring at Homura Mitokado: "Stinky old man, are you endless?!"
Seeing this, Jiraiya subconsciously smoothed things over: "Hey hey hey, calm down Tsunade—"
"Get lost!"
"Okay—"
Sitting back in his chair, Jiraiya looked calm, as if nothing happened, making Sakumo Hatake's eyelids twitch beside him.
"Earth Style houses painted with lacquer are also damp-proof. Do you have no living people under you?"
Tsunade was full of anger: "With the crappy food in the camp, Minato probably can't even eat enough, and still has to grow food for you?!"
"Calm down, Tsunade."
Homura Mitokado rubbed his forehead helplessly, but he didn't look too surprised, seeming to have expected Tsunade's reaction long ago.
"I didn't say he had to complete it immediately. This is a long-term mission and also protection for Minato."
"Minato's Wood Style has been exposed. In no more than three days, his name will appear on the black market bounty. In this situation, do you feel assured letting him continue to run around on the battlefield?"
"Need I say more about the importance of Wood Style? Minato has mastered the Flying Raijin Jutsu. Is there anyone in this camp who can watch him?"
Hearing this, Tsunade sat back in her seat.
As if nothing happened, she turned to look at Orochimaru and praised: "I said long ago that Consultant Mitokado is meticulous and strategic, a pillar of the village. See, I wasn't wrong, right?"
Homura Mitokado: "————"
Two-faced!!!