"Go and bring the assistants and the two advisors here."
Receiving Hiruzen Sarutobi's order, Danzo and his two subordinates quickly arrived at the office.
Naturally, the three had already been briefed on the ninja world's movements,
but ultimately, everything depended on the Third Hokage's decision.
Whether to fight or not was his call alone.
"Sarutobi, what's your take?"
"This time, Kumogakure won't let this slide~"
"After all, they've even deployed their jinchūriki in advance!"
Danzo had initially intended to discuss with Sarutobi whether they should send envoys to Kumogakure,
to find out why they suddenly initiated war.
This was a period for the great ninja villages to rest and rebuild—
not a time for fighting.
But upon learning that Kumogakure had unleashed their ace, the jinchūriki,
without negotiation,
Danzo understood that diplomacy was no longer an option.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed in resignation.
"Of course I understand.
Now it's just a matter of planning our strategy."
He fell silent for a moment.
Konoha looked strong, but it was already stretched thin.
The Nine-Tails incident had wiped out the Fourth Hokage.
Among the Sannin,
Jiraiya was off tracking the masked man,
Tsunade had fled due to her phobia of blood,
and Orochimaru was causing chaos everywhere—
escaping thanks to Sarutobi's deliberate leniency.
The remaining core forces were still immature,
leaving Konoha critically short on high-level combat power.
Taking on the two jinchūriki from Kumogakure seemed unrealistic.
After thinking it through, Sarutobi realized
that Konoha could now only rely on the Uchiha clan and the Hyuga clan.
Danzo seemed to come to the same realization,
and the two old allies exchanged a glance, full of relief.
It was a good thing they hadn't acted against the Uchiha clan.
Otherwise, with war approaching, the two elders would have had to fight themselves—
and at their age, they might not have been a match for the reckless Kumogakure forces.
To cover his own embarrassment, Sarutobi cleared his throat.
"Fugaku, what do you think we should do?"
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku felt a surge of joy.
Finally, an opportunity for the Uchiha clan to prove their loyalty!
He quickly responded,
"Hokage-sama, rest assured!
The Uchiha clan stands ready at all times.
At your command, we will lead the charge!"
Sarutobi couldn't help but nod in approval,
and even Danzo gave a subtle acknowledgment.
"Good! Well said! Clan head Fugaku, your heart is truly with Konoha."
Sarutobi stood and patted Fugaku on the shoulder in encouragement.
Fugaku was ecstatic.
This meant the Third Hokage recognized the Uchiha clan,
that their efforts over the past months had not been in vain.
Beside him, Hyuga Hizashi was speechless.
Fugaku had just spoken the words he had wanted to say himself!
This… this wasn't right—
those were supposed to be my words!
Hizashi's younger brother had died at the hands of Kumogakure,
and though the Third Hokage's hesitation contributed,
the blame ultimately lay with Kumogakure,
who coveted the Hyuga's Byakugan.
This grudge had to be avenged.
"Hokage-sama, give the order!
The Hyuga clan is ready at all times!
We will make sure these reckless Kumogakure fools do not return!"
Hiruzen and Danzo exchanged glances.
Perfect! With the two clans mobilized,
and support from Ino-Shika-Cho,
the Kumo battlefield should be manageable.
"Excellent! Such spirit is commendable!
But war is no child's play.
As Hokage, I am responsible for every ninja—they are Konoha's future.
Our operational plan must be carefully discussed to avoid unnecessary casualties."
Listening to the Third Hokage's impassioned words,
Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hizashi were deeply moved.
Their previous grievances against Sarutobi vanished.
Even now, he was thinking of Konoha's future and their well-being.
Meanwhile, at the Sarutobi estate,
"What?!"
"Kumogakure has suddenly concentrated troops at the border?!"
Sarutobi Hakuto Sarutobi was shocked,
while Izumi appeared strangely excited.
From Sarutobi Hakuto's expression, he saw unmistakable thrill—
war was coming, and Sarutobi Hakuto was… excited?
"Yes! And sightings suggest the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails jinchūriki are present!
The Hokage and council are deliberating how to respond~"
Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hakuto leapt from his bed.
He had been wasting away as a playboy for days,
but now…
the S4 season was starting early!
"Yes! Yes! Finally, some fun!"
Sarutobi Hakuto quickly dressed and dashed out of the room.
Izumi barely had time to react—
in a blink, Sarutobi Hakuto had vanished from sight.
Back at the Hokage's office,
as Sarutobi and his council debated strategy,
the office door was suddenly kicked open.
"I'm going to the battlefield!!!"