Konoha Village, Hokage Office.
Ever since receiving the intelligence, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression had remained grim. He convened two consecutive high-level meetings.
Konoha had no choice but to respond.
They had to send more troops to the Land of Rain battlefield.
If they didn't, Sunagakure and Iwagakure would gradually push into the Land of Fire—
And the consequences would be disastrous.
Thus—
Konoha had to intercept the two great villages' forces within the Land of Rain.
The decision was made during the meeting.
Eight thousand reinforcements would be dispatched.
Combined with the two thousand Konoha ninjas already stationed on the frontline—
Konoha's total forces in the Land of Rain would reach ten thousand.
This number—
Along with the losses from the previous war—
Meant Konoha was committing the majority of its strength.
If the war escalated further—
Even genin would be forced onto the battlefield.
"Sakumo… this time, I need you to move."
Hiruzen looked at the white-haired man before him, a rare seriousness in his eyes.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Hatake Sakumo replied calmly.
Hatake Sakumo—
An elite of the ANBU, a veteran of countless battles, and one of Hiruzen's most powerful hidden cards.
His chakra blade technique—
Was unmatched in Konoha.
Even Hiruzen himself couldn't guarantee victory against him.
He was born for the battlefield.
His terrifying blade techniques would undoubtedly shine in this war.
With his white hair and gentle appearance—
No one would guess that he was such a fearsome elite ninja.
Until now, Sakumo had remained hidden in the shadows as the ANBU's trump card, his identity unknown to the public.
But this time—
Facing the combined assault of two great villages—
Hiruzen had no choice but to reveal this ace.
Jiraiya…
At the thought of his disciple, Hiruzen couldn't help but grit his teeth.
At such a critical moment—
He was still in the Land of Rain, teaching war orphans!
"I'm doing this for the future of the shinobi world!"
That was Jiraiya's reply.
Future my ass!
How could two war orphans influence the fate of the shinobi world?!
Hiruzen wanted to punch that unreliable fool.
If Jiraiya were here—
Hiruzen wouldn't have needed to deploy Sakumo so early.
But with high-level combat power lacking—
He had no choice but to send Sakumo in Jiraiya's place.
Konoha's strategy this time was simple—
Hold back Iwagakure at all costs.
No need for victory—
Just don't lose.
Gather all elite forces—
And crush Sunagakure!
The forces facing Iwagakure were primarily composed of the Senju clan under Senju Senra, supported by elite Hyūga clan members.
Various secret technique clans provided additional support.
Total forces: four thousand.
Though outnumbered two to one against Iwagakure's eight thousand—
They wouldn't collapse.
Because—
The strength of the Senju and Hyūga clans far surpassed that of Iwagakure.
That was Konoha's foundation.
As for Sunagakure—
That battlefield would be even more terrifying.
Orochimaru would serve as commander-in-chief.
Yoru.
Tsunade.
Hatake Sakumo.
These top-tier powerhouses—
Would all be concentrated there.
Nearly all secret technique clans would also be deployed.
Total forces: six thousand.
Hiruzen was determined—
To crush Sunagakure in one decisive blow.
The logic was simple—
Sunagakure, having just endured disaster—
Was weaker overall than Iwagakure.
Rather than injuring all ten fingers—
Better to cut off one completely.
Once Sunagakure was destroyed—
Konoha would seize full control of the war.
As for whether they could hold off Iwagakure—
Hiruzen was confident.
After all—
Sunagakure and Iwagakure were not united.
Iwagakure would be more than happy to watch Konoha and Sunagakure fight to the death.
Thus—
As long as Konoha crushed Sunagakure quickly—
Iwagakure wouldn't have time to react.
After Sakumo left—
Hiruzen's expression turned even more serious.
This—
Was a true great war.
…
Inside Yoru's home.
"Yoru… you're going to the battlefield again?" Konan asked, her clear eyes filled with worry.
Mikoto and Kushina stood beside her, equally concerned.
Yoru smiled gently and hugged each of them in turn.
"Don't worry. Those Sand ninjas aren't capable of hurting me. I'll be back soon."
"Let us go too!" Kushina shouted. "We're strong as well!"
Mikoto and Konan looked at him with hope.
They wanted to fight by his side.
Yoru looked at the three girls who had grown so much.
His thoughts stirred.
Indeed—
They were no longer weak.
Mikoto had already awakened her Sharingan.
Though not yet at three tomoe, her two-tomoe state, combined with the Uchiha clan's resources and Yoru's support—
Made her Fire Release techniques immensely powerful.
She could even skillfully use advanced jutsu like Fire Dragon Flame Bomb.
Konan was even more formidable.
Her paper ninjutsu had reached an extraordinary level.
With her vast chakra reserves—
She could achieve a form similar to elementalization.
As long as she had chakra—
No attack could truly harm her.
Combined with explosive tags—
Her destructive power was terrifying.
Even elite jonin could be killed if careless.
Kushina was no less exceptional.
A once-in-a-generation genius of the Uzumaki clan—
Under Uzumaki Mito's guidance, she had mastered powerful sealing techniques.
Her naturally immense chakra reserves only made her stronger.
At this point—
Kushina was already a formidable jonin-level fighter.
"Alright, alright," Yoru said with a smile. "After I leave, Konan and Kushina must listen to Mikoto, okay?"
"Mikoto… I'll leave the home to you."
Looking at her gentle and beautiful face—
Yoru felt a softness in his heart.
She was the first girl he had met.
No matter how many others came after—
Mikoto would always hold a special place.
"Mm!" Mikoto nodded firmly.
"I'll take care of everything."
Yoru smiled.
"Alright. I'm leaving."
He picked up the luggage they had prepared for him and walked toward the door.
"Come back soon!"
Mikoto watched his retreating figure, tears finally falling from her eyes.
Konan and Kushina's eyes turned red as well—
Watching the man they loved head once more toward the cruel battlefield.
Yoru didn't turn back.
He simply raised his hand and waved—
Walking toward Konoha's military assembly point.
TO READ 150+ ADVANCE CHAPTERS HEAD OVER TO MY PATREON
patreon.com/ted11