Hiruzen sat in the main camp, fully aware of the perilous situation. The Uzunokuni had been completely overrun by Mist Shinobi.
Another step forward and not even strong figures like Tatsuya and Tsunade could prevent the imminent disaster. Even the reputation of the Konoha wouldn't be enough to save them. There was no turning back.
"Wish the Uzumaki clan were still here," Hiruzen mused aloud. If Danzō were privy to his thoughts at that moment, he'd undoubtedly roll his eyes in exasperation. First, he regretted Orochimaru, and now he longed for the Uzumaki clan. Did he want to find a blue-skinned racoon robot and a time machine to reverse it all?
"Have the reinforcements from the north not arrived yet?" Hiruzen called out from the camp. Well before the conflict with the Mist Shinobi began, he had dispatched messages to Hatake Tatsuya, Hatake Sakumo, Nara Shikaku, and others in the north, urging them to wrap up their northern conflict and rush south to aid him. With this group of skilled individuals, they should be able to halt the Mist Shinobi's advance.
A Special Jōnin from the Gekko clan, who would soon take the mantle of strongest in the Gekko clan, quickly entered the tent and kneeled before Hiruzen, reporting, "Master Hokage, the response from the Northern Front has arrived, but..."
Hesitating, Gekko Tsukasa seemed uncertain. "What are you hesitating about? Spit it out!" Hiruzen said impatiently, his anxiety overriding his usual kindly demeanour.
"This is a signed reply from Nara Patriarch," Gekko Tsukasa finally revealed, his voice trembling slightly as he handed over a letter recently received from the north.
Hiruzen wasted no time and opened the letter, reading it with increasing tension. His fingers clenched so tightly that they nearly tore through the paper. "Ridiculous!" he muttered angrily, almost grinding his teeth.
The contents of the letter could be succinctly summarized as follows: "The northern front is under immense pressure, and it will take at least half a year for reinforcements to march south. Please understand, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen was on the brink of cursing aloud. Did they think he lacked informants? Ever since Tatsuya had killed the son of the Third Raikage, Cloud Shinobi had gradually retreated to the border of the Land of Lightning, establishing a defensive line between Yunokuni and the Land of Lightning.
This should have appeared to be an act of defiance from Tatsuya, but under these circumstances, it should have taken a month, or at most half a month, for the Konoha Shinobi forces heading north to pivot south for reinforcements.
Yet now, Nara Shikaku claimed it would take half a year? Was this some sort of game? Hiruzen scowled as he carefully re-read the contents of the reply, his anger palpable.
Hiruzen was baffled once more. The reply's handwriting was of Nara Shikaku's and had left him speechless for an extended period.
It had an unusual tone, an unsettling mix of wordplay, and a sense of malicious mockery. From every angle, it felt more like Hatake Tatsuya's style. Hiruzen could even envision Tatsuya lounging in a chair, dictating the letter while Nara Shikaku ghostwrote it.
"Humph!" Hiruzen huffed, growing increasingly infuriated as he tossed the letter to the ground. The patriarch Gekko clan, standing before him, was taken aback.
He had anticipated that Hiruzen would be upset after reading the letter but had not expected this level of anger. The oppressive silence sent shivers down the Gekko patriarch's spine, and he spoke cautiously, his face showing his concern.
"Lord Hokage, this..."
Hiruzen, after his outburst of anger, calmed down within moments. He was an experienced politician who understood that frustration and rage were unproductive. What mattered most at this point was finding a way to withstand the Mist Shinobi's impending assault and devising a plan to bring reinforcements from the north to the south.
In response to his initial inquiry, the first solution that came to Hiruzen's mind was to mobilize the few people currently available to him. He considered seeking out Jiraiya, his new disciple. While a single Kage-level ninja might not be enough to alter the situation dramatically, it could serve as a staunch resistance against the Mist Shinobi's relentless advance, buying time for the northern army to march south for reinforcements.
"What about Homura and Koharu?" Hiruzen inquired.
Gekko Tsukasa replied, "They are severely injured but not in mortal danger."
Hiruzen stroked his beard and decided, "Have Koharu and Homura each lead a team. One should head north to request reinforcements from Hatake Sakumo and Nara Shikaku, while the other should covertly investigate Jiraiya's whereabouts. If they locate him, they are to bring him back immediately."
"Understood," Tsukasa said as he swiftly left the camp.
...
...
Ten days later, on the Konoha vs. Cloud Shinobi battlefield in the north, the Konoha barracks served as a stronghold.
"Ahahahaha-"
"Ohhahahahaha."
In the main tent, Koharu, who had come with a team to request assistance, sat on the sidelines with a solemn expression. Tatsuya and Senju Nawaki were roaring with laughter.
They had just recounted the news of Mist Shinobi's occupation of the Uzunokuni's ruins and their impending invasion of the Land of Fire, pleading for reinforcements. Yet Tatsuya and Nawaki found the situation uproarious.
Tatsuya chuckled, "This is beyond incredible, isn't it? Hokage-sama lost a critical military position in the very first battle. To lose this quickly while having double the number of shinobi is a kind of talent."
Nawaki chimed in, "Absolutely! Haha—Master Hokage is undoubtedly a teammate of Danzo and kneels just as quickly! Haha! The two old fogeys are too Danzo's teammates and are not far behind! Hahaha——!!!"
In the commander-in-chief's seat, Hatake Sakumo, and on the side seats, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, Akamichi Choza, Hyuga Hiashi, and others couldn't help but let out an uncontrollable smile.
However, they didn't dare to burst into laughter like Tatsuya and Nawaki. They had to either bite their lips or forcibly cover their mouth.
Koharu's face alternated between shades of red and blue. She reminded himself that she had come here seeking help, and in such dire circumstances, it was out of the question to assume the airs of a senior advisor. She couldn't afford to let pride get in the way of saving their own lives.
But even so, it was impossible to relinquish the authority she had held for thirty years. Therefore, Koharu opted for what she considered a more gentle approach.
"Sakumo, if the Mist Shinobi invade the Land of Fire, countless lives in our land will be plunged into a brutal war. We're all part of Konoha. I trust you wouldn't want that to happen, would you?"
"Oh, I think I'm going to be sick..."
Nawaki didn't intentionally raise his voice, but he didn't bother to conceal his disgust either. His expression made it clear that he was on the verge of vomiting.
Koharu's face turned even more red, and she felt as though she were about to turn into an oni.
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