Aburame Shiken was being collectively trained within the Aburame clan. The clan's combat strength was reflected in the number of insects they could cultivate.
In the past, the problem had always been a lack of resources.
But now, somehow, Aburame Shiken had obtained a huge amount of resources from somewhere.
The Aburame clan head had once asked about it out of curiosity.
After Shiken explained the situation to him, the clan head hurriedly covered his mouth and stopped him.
"This kind of thing doesn't need to be told to me anymore. From now on, it's the world of you youngsters."
As he left, he kept slapping his own mouth.
"Serves you right for asking. Serves you right for asking."
Meanwhile, for some reason, the Hidden Stone forces had not launched any attacks.
This made Torifu extremely nervous.
As the saying goes: it's not someone acting recklessly that you should fear—it's when they remain completely still.
A dog that bites never barks.
Torifu even called Aburame Shiken over to analyze the situation.
Shiken said,
"It doesn't matter. The breakthrough point of the battlefield isn't here. If nothing unexpected happens, the Cloud ninja front should end very soon. When that time comes, we'll just adapt accordingly."
...
At this moment, on the battlefield between Konoha and the Cloud Village—
Senju Hideki arrived at the Cloud Village front with more than three hundred ninja from various small clans.
"Shinku, Shishō, Tōru, Gan… why are you still following me? The Senju clan has already declined. We can't give you any benefits anymore."
Hideki asked.
Yūhi Shinku replied,
"Hideki, what are you talking about? Back in the Warring States era, all of our small clans barely survived because the Senju supported us. The Senju could have swallowed us whole, but they didn't. Instead, they invited the Yūhi clan to become allies and never demanded anything in return. With such a great debt of gratitude, how could we not repay it? The elders of the Yūhi clan have always wanted to return that kindness."
Mitarashi Shishō said,
"Hideki, the elders in your family probably never told you what those days were like. Back then, in the Land of Fire alone, there were hundreds of ninja clans. Any group with more than ten members and three generations of inheritance could call itself a clan. Missions were accepted in the name of the clan. Imagine several clans competing over a single C-rank mission—you probably haven't seen that before, but I've heard about it countless times. For the sake of a mere hundred ryo, someone could lose their life. In that era, the value of an entire ninja clan wasn't even worth ten thousand ryo."
Gekko Tōru continued,
"So Hideki, in a world like that, the Senju clan still chose to protect us. You should understand how precious that kind of friendship is."
"But that was just Hashirama-sama's personal idea."
"No," Gan from the Kurama clan shook his head. "The entire Senju clan was like that. They never bullied the weak. If it weren't for being forced into conflict with the Uchiha during that era, the Senju wouldn't even want to fight anyone. The Senju have an incredibly strong reputation—high mission success rates, gentle treatment of others. The elders at home always said the Senju clan were like saints.
"In the early days of Konoha, whenever a Senju jonin led a team on a mission, not a single one returned alone. Either they came back together with their teammates… or they stayed behind to cover the retreat.
"My father was brought back alive because a Senju jonin gave his life for him.
"As for the Will of Fire that the village talks about—honestly, many of our clans never truly believed in it. But the Senju clan actually lived by it.
"There was a saying that spread throughout Konoha back then: 'In the name of Senju, I swear—behind me, not a single person of Konoha will be left behind.'"
People don't actually want to become heroes.
But when a hero stands right beside them, they can't help but start imitating that hero.
Konoha ultimately existed because of the Senju.
For some reason, the members of the Senju clan reminded Hideki of people from his previous life—people who had received proper education and believed in doing the right thing.
That was also why he wanted to revive the Senju clan.
Good people deserved good rewards.
Right?
"Let's go. We've arrived at the battlefield."
Senju Hideki walked into the command tent.
Hatake Sakumo was gently stroking his short blade.
Nara Shikaku was studying a map without pause.
Yamanaka Inoichi kept flipping through a book titled Geological Survey Report of the Fire–Lightning Border.
"Sakumo-sama. Shikaku. Inoichi."
"Hideki, you're a little late."
"Ran into some trouble on the way. Had to deal with it."
"Good."
After finishing his brief exchange with Hatake Sakumo, Hideki turned to Nara Shikaku.
"Shikaku, Shiken said this place is the main breakthrough point."
Shikaku sighed.
"Honestly… if this place is so important, why didn't he come here himself? I'm cursed with a life of constant work. No matter where I go, I never get any peace."
Shikaku felt absolutely certain the heavens were targeting him personally.
What had he originally planned for his life?
Just something simple—live peacefully, take it easy, and get through life without stress.
But everything changed when he turned five.
It was all because of those overachievers who ruined his lazy lifestyle.
I'm only twelve years old!
Before five, life was carefree.
From five to ten, he woke up earlier than a rooster and slept late, splitting each day into two just to learn the clan's Secret Techniques and countless other subjects.
From ten to eleven, it was endless missions without a single day of rest.
From eleven to twelve, he was on the battlefield commanding troops.
Thinking about it that way… this had actually been the easiest year so far.
After all, he had only fought one battle. The rest of the time was mostly idle.
If this one battle wipes out the Cloud Village forces…
Wouldn't that mean another whole year of rest?
Why does that thought make me a little excited?
Shikaku, calm down.
That's the Cloud Village—one of the Five Great Ninja Villages!
How could you compare that to a vacation?
Tch. How could they even belong in the same sentence as vacation?
Shikaku quickly cut off his train of thought.
The more he thought about it, the scarier it became.
"Hideki, if Shiken said that, he must already have some kind of plan, right?"
Hideki nodded.
"He didn't give any details. He only asked me to pass along one sentence: the Third Raikage is a good person."
Why suddenly hand out a "good person" card?
"Just… a good person?"
Shikaku didn't understand at first.
"Yes. A very good person. No selfish desires, cares deeply about his subordinates, completely devoted to the public good, and extremely concerned about the development of the Cloud Village."
"Ah… he really is a good person."
Shikaku understood immediately.
At the same time, a strange smile appeared on his face.
Standing nearby, Hatake Sakumo felt a chill run down his spine when he saw that smile on his student.
Third Raikage… I pray for you.
These brats are already incredibly devious.
And you're about to face someone even more devious than them.
"Sakumo-sensei."
"Hm?"
Sakumo unconsciously tightened his grip on his blade.
There was no hostility—just the pure instinctive reaction of a human facing something deeply sinister.
"Sakumo-sensei, do you know any sealing techniques?"
"A little. But I'm not particularly skilled."
"That's fine. A little is enough. Tomorrow, sensei, you must remember this: you'll have an extremely important mission.
"Even if I, Inoichi, Chōza, Hideki, and the four thousand Konoha ninja outside all die… you must not turn back.
"Because the survival of Konoha will rest entirely on you."
"…Alright. I need to hear this plan in detail."
Hatake Sakumo didn't agree immediately.
Even though, deep down, he already felt that whatever Shikaku was about to say would probably be the best possible strategy.