"No!!"
"No!!"
Seeing Sarutobi Hakuto kick the door open and demand to go to the battlefield,
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo immediately intervened with firm refusal.
"The battlefield is too dangerous!"
"You haven't even graduated from the Ninja Academy yet—you're not even a genin!"
"What could you possibly do on the battlefield?!"
"Does Konoha have no other warriors? Should we really send a child to fight?!"
One argument after another was laid bluntly before Sarutobi Hakuto.
At this moment, the two shared a single attitude:
going to the battlefield was absolutely forbidden.
But Sarutobi Hakuto was unfazed.
As a wayward noble, once he made up his mind, nothing could sway him.
"I'm just here to inform you~"
"This isn't asking for your permission!"
With that, he turned and left the Hokage's office without another word.
Hiruzen and Danzo fell silent.
This kid was fine in every way… except for his infuriating personality.
Why couldn't he just be a spoiled playboy?
Why did he insist on running off to the battlefield?
They had originally planned to continue discussing the battle details with Uchiha Fugaku,
but now… their mood was gone.
Their minds were full of Sarutobi Hakuto's reckless declarations about going to war.
The battlefield is unpredictable.
If something went wrong… just thinking about it made Danzo shiver.
Uchiha Fugaku, seeing the situation, quickly stepped forward:
"Hokage-sama, rest assured!
If Young Master Sarutobi Hakuto wishes to go, then let him follow!
The Uchiha clan will ensure Young Master Sarutobi Hakuto's safety!
If anything happens, I, Fugaku of the Uchiha, will take full responsibility!"
Hearing this, Hiruzen and Danzo felt slightly relieved.
With the Uchiha clan protecting him,
Sarutobi Hakuto's safety on the battlefield should be guaranteed.
The Uchiha were renowned not just for show,
but for countless victories in previous ninja wars.
"Good! Then Sarutobi Hakuto will be entrusted to you, Fugaku!"
"Ensure this brat's safety!"
Seeing that the Third Hokage had entrusted him with such a critical task,
Fugaku was moved and pledged again and again.
As for Hyuga Hizashi, he did not contest the task.
Compared to the Uchiha, the Hyuga excelled at reconnaissance rather than protection.
Still, this didn't mean the Hyuga wouldn't send people to safeguard Sarutobi Hakuto.
After all, his daughter was betrothed to Sarutobi Hakuto.
The Hyuga's fortunes were now tied to Sarutobi Hakuto's—what harmed him would harm the family.
If Sarutobi Hakuto died, his daughter would be left a widow within the Sarutobi clan—
something Hizashi could never allow.
"Clan Head Fugaku, please take care of Young Master Sarutobi Hakuto~
Before departure, I'll also dispatch a few elite jonin to guard him!"
Fugaku had no reason to refuse.
The more people protecting Sarutobi Hakuto, the better.
He even hoped Hizashi would send additional jonin—
With the Byakugan watching their surroundings, Sarutobi Hakuto would be safer than ever.
While the two discussed how to ensure Sarutobi Hakuto's safety,
Sarutobi Hakuto himself had already returned home to prepare supplies.
If he knew they were planning to protect him,
he would probably laugh so hard he'd lose his teeth.
On the battlefield,
he was confident that even the Nine-Tails couldn't stand against him—
protection was unnecessary.
Meanwhile, at the border, Kumogakure could no longer wait.
Once their supplies arrived, the assault would begin.
In Konoha,
Uchiha Fugaku led a large contingent of Uchiha warriors,
Hyuga Hizashi sent members from his branch family,
and the remaining forces came from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio and other clans.
Soon, the allied forces were fully assembled.
Supplies had already been secured from the daimyo by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Looking at the assembled army,
Hiruzen felt a rush of youth.
Straightening his Hokage robe, he stepped before the troops.
"Warriors!!!
Kumogakure advances step by step!
They now place their blades at Konoha's throat!
This battle is not only for us!
But for the next generation!!!"
Raising his hand, Hiruzen shouted,
"Where Konoha flies, the fire burns everlasting!!!
Advance!!!"
With his command, the Konoha allied forces roared in unison:
"Huah!!!"
Morale instantly peaked.
Led by Fugaku, the army surged toward the border.
As the army departed,
Hiruzen scanned the troops—
but Sarutobi Hakuto was nowhere to be found.
"Huh?! Where's that brat gone?"
"Did he change his mind?"
Relieved at first,
Hiruzen thought, As long as he's not on the battlefield, it's fine.
Meanwhile, in the Sarutobi estate,
Sarutobi Hakuto, who had demanded to go to war, was still asleep.
In the yard, Uchiha Itachi and others watched, exasperated.
"Is Young Master Sarutobi Hakuto really going to the battlefield?"
"You ask me? Who do I ask?"
"Just wait patiently."
The protective detail had been dispatched,
yet the person they were assigned to guard was still asleep.
As the sun climbed higher,
the guardians grew impatient,
and only then did Sarutobi Hakuto finally wake up.
"Ah, I overslept!"