Akihara Kagura has left.
The entire pentagon conference room fell silent.
The five Kage present remained speechless for a long time. Even all the attending ninjas were at a loss for words, standing there with their heads bowed.
"Immediately form a ninja alliance."
Tsunade looked at the Kage present and said in a solemn voice, "That guy wants to become the enemy of the entire ninja world and involve everyone in this war. So, as he wishes, spread his declaration of war throughout the ninja world!"
No one present raised any objections.
Even though they knew that darkness lay ahead, they had no choice but to move forward with Akihara Kagura's plan. His strength was overwhelming, and he commanded a massive army.
No matter what…
No one could escape this war.
The five Kage quickly passed the resolution to form the ninja alliance, and they didn't even need to consult with their daimyo before starting to arrange the alliance matters.
In addition to the ninjas from the five great nations, many ninjas from smaller nations also joined, represented by Hanzo of the Salamander.
The meeting quickly allocated all the positions.
The only troublesome issue was…
The position of the supreme commander of the ninja alliance.
None of the five Kage present were a match for Akihara Kagura, and none had the face to take on a role opposing him. The Fourth Raikage, the Third Tsuchikage, the Fifth Kazekage, and the Fifth Mizukage were all quickly defeated by Akihara Kagura...
In comparison…
Tsunade, the Hokage, stood out.
She hadn't fought Akihara Kagura, so she hadn't lost to him. Moreover, her status was more appropriate.
After all…
In terms of relationships…
Tsunade was the Hokage of Konoha.
Akihara Kagura was only her assistant.
"Lady Hokage is the most suitable candidate."
Hanzo of the Salamander took the initiative to propose, providing solid reasoning: "You were once Akihara Kagura's superior. Only the Hokage can boost the morale of the ninja alliance. Strategically, this is just a war against a rogue ninja from Konoha, making it easier for everyone to believe in their victory..."
"Of course."
After speaking, Hanzo added another point: "This also has a drawback. It might lead the participating ninjas to underestimate the enemy, or fewer ninjas might join, thinking it's just Konoha's issue..."
"But overall..."
"This war is ultimately led by the five great nations. Their ninjas are the main force against this world-ending battle, so having the Hokage as the supreme commander has more advantages than disadvantages..."
Tsunade's eyes filled with gratitude.
At least Hanzo of the Salamander was willing to stand by her and provide sound reasoning. This spared Tsunade from having to propose it herself, which might be seen as a power grab.
Honestly,
Tsunade wanted the position.
She understood the situation well. She knew that Uchiha Madara's participation was crucial in this war. She couldn't command Madara, but she could use the supreme commander's authority to coordinate the ninjas with Madara...
"This..."
The Kage present were cautious.
They feared saying anything that might be perceived as a power struggle, especially being pushed into the position.
"Lord Hanzo has a point."
The Fifth Kazekage Gaara expressed his agreement but quickly raised his concern: "I believe Lord Hanzo's idea of having the Hokage as the supreme commander could boost morale, but the drawbacks outweigh the benefits..."
"This war concerns the survival of the ninja world. No level of caution is too much for the participating ninjas. They should at least understand the strength of their enemy. We should be focusing on gathering more forces..."
"Of course."
"I'm not vying for the position."
Gaara's expression was calm, his eyes scanning everyone present: "I'm just worried that many ninjas might see this as Konoha's problem and not want to get involved. Konoha has suppressed Sand Village for years, and there's significant resentment. I still need to persuade my village to join the war..."
"Mist Village… can't agree either."
The Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi hesitated before voicing her opposition: "As Lord Hanzo and Lord Kazekage said, many might not want to participate. While Mist Village resents Akihara Kagura, more ninjas resent Konoha's suppression..."
"When the Fifth Hokage took office, she launched a war against Mist Village on her first day, ordering her assistant to capture the village in one day..."
"Now, that assistant has defected. Even if his goal is to destroy the ninja world, many will still see the Fifth Hokage as forming the ninja alliance to kill her rogue subordinate. People tried to stop me from attending this meeting..."
"Frankly speaking…"
Mei Terumi sighed and revealed her difficulties: "Once they know that the Fifth Hokage of Konoha is the commander of the ninja alliance, I will have to forcibly issue orders to compel the village's ninjas to participate in this war..."
"..."
Tsunade fell into silence.
To win this war, Tsunade dared not give up this position, nor could she nominate anyone else because they might not cooperate with Uchiha Madara...
"As for the other Kage..."
The Fifth Kazekage Gaara looked at the other Kage present and couldn't help but speak: "From the perspective of status and qualifications, it is appropriate. However, many people in the ninja world know that you all were once captives of Akihara Kagura, which might undermine your authority..."
"So what can we do?"
The Fourth Raikage, knowing his lack of strength and that his appointment as the commander of the alliance would be opposed, angrily cursed: "At this point, we can't let Uchiha Madara be the commander of the ninja alliance, can we?"
This was almost a joke...
No one would think that the ninja alliance would obey Uchiha Madara...
The situation reached an impasse.
Hanzo of the Salamander scanned everyone present and spoke in a deep voice: "Everyone, now is not the time to hesitate. Even if the Fifth Kazekage takes the role of the commander of the ninja alliance, it could serve to inspire the young. His status is even younger than Akihara Kagura. We can promote Lord Kazekage as a rare young genius in the ninja world to confront Akihara Kagura..."
"Uh..."
The Fifth Kazekage Gaara immediately looked embarrassed.
As a defeated opponent of Akihara Kagura, even having been beaten by him years ago, his age and qualifications were very shallow. He could barely command respect in Sand Village, let alone serve as the commander of the ninja alliance!
"There is another way..."
Tsunade's gaze fell on Hanzo of the Salamander, reminding in a deep voice: "Akihara Kagura has always been called the God of Ninja in the ninja world. We can let the former demi-god of the ninja world, Hanzo of the Salamander, take the position of commander of the ninja alliance..."
This would be extremely beneficial for Konoha!
If she herself were to take the position, it would inevitably cause dissatisfaction among the ninjas of Mist Village, Sand Village, Cloud Village, and Rock Village. It would be better to push someone friendly to her!
At least Hanzo of the Salamander would not reject her proposals and would even support them for the sake of the overall situation. Moreover, the position of the commander of the alliance was largely ceremonial; the real decision-makers were still the Five Kage...
"A demi-god of ninja challenging the God of Ninja?"
The Third Tsuchikage Onoki glanced at Hanzo of the Salamander.
"I agree."
The Fourth Raikage had a good impression of Hanzo of the Salamander, especially since Hanzo helped when his guard recklessly risked his life by restraining two subordinates.
One of the guards… was someone he was grooming to be the Fifth Raikage!
This alone was enough for the Fourth Raikage to support him!
Moreover, the character and quality of Hanzo of the Salamander had earned their trust. At least they didn't have to worry about him deliberately sabotaging them!
"I agree."
The Fifth Kazekage Gaara also expressed his agreement.
"I agree."
The Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi also cast her vote in favor.
Compared to having Tsunade as the commander of the alliance, they would rather vote for Hanzo of the Salamander. This demi-god of ninja also had the courage to die together with Akihara Kagura.
"I am too old..."
Hanzo of the Salamander shook his head and objected: "I have already decided to fight alongside the leader of the samurai of the Land of Iron, Mifune..."
"Lord Hanzo."
"You are the most suitable candidate."
"The power of the demi-god of ninja is not something other ninjas can fathom..."
The Fifth Kazekage Gaara softly persuaded: "Perhaps I am too young, and my words are not pleasant to hear, but the commander of the alliance is just a demi-god challenging the God of Ninja. At least everyone will understand the gravity of this war..."
In theory...
This was quite suitable.
Because the reputation and contributions of Hanzo of the Salamander were significant enough, and he had been tirelessly working to stop Akihara Kagura, even proactively gathering a large number of small-country ninjas and samurai for the ninja alliance.
Moreover…
This elder was not one of the Five Kage.
No matter which major village's Kage took the position of the Allied Ninja Forces' supreme commander, it would more or less cause significant dissatisfaction among the other villages' ninjas. In contrast, Hanzō of the Salamander, the leader from a minor village, wouldn't provoke as much resistance.
As long as it doesn't cause excessive rejection...
This candidate can be accepted by more ninjas.
Finally...
Hanzō of the Salamander's strength is not weak.
Besides the Second Ninja World War, Hanzō even challenged three major villages. Even though he was defeated, he ensured the integrity of the Land of Rain and Rain Village.
Even at this point, Hanzō of the Salamander's title as the Demigod of Ninja, though aged, could still be convincing to some extent.
Weighing the pros and cons...
Hanzō of the Salamander seems to be the most suitable candidate?
"This..."
Hanzō of the Salamander could not refuse and had to accept the proposal of the others. However, he proactively suggested another idea: "If I am to be the supreme commander of the Allied Forces, my age won't allow me to participate energetically in battles..."
"....."
The Five Kage thought that the supreme commander of the Allied Ninja Forces was overthinking.
However...
Hanzō of the Salamander directly proposed a strategy, his eyes dimming slightly: "Everyone, why not use me as the supreme commander as bait in the war..."
"According to Akihara Kagura's arrogant thinking, he will definitely lead his army to attack me directly. I can use the poison of the Salamander to kill as many of his troops as possible, and the Allied Ninja Forces can attack his army from the rear..."
At the beginning of his tenure as the supreme commander...
He had already thought of his sacrifice...
The Five Kage present fell silent upon hearing Hanzō's words, as they had to admit that his proposed strategy was highly feasible...
"Lord Hanzō..."
Tsunade hurriedly stopped Hanzō's idea and said: "It is too early to talk about your sacrifice now, we have more important matters to discuss..."
In any case...
This supreme commander would support her.
Tsunade immediately took the opportunity to propose communicating with Uchiha Madara for the Allied Ninja Forces, as Uchiha Madara was the strongest force against Akihara Kagura in this battle.
Additionally...
Tsunade also raised the issue of protecting the Nine-Tails and Eight-Tails.
However...
This depended on whether the Eight-Tails of Cloud Village was still there when the Fourth Raikage returned.
If the Eight-Tails was still there, the jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails, Killer Bee, and the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, Uzumaki Naruto, must be hidden in advance to avoid being found by Akihara Kagura to resurrect the Ten-Tails...
There was also the issue of the Allied Ninja Forces' headquarters...
To be honest...
The Allied Ninja Forces' headquarters didn't seem safe anywhere...
Because the other major villages had been attacked by Akihara Kagura, and the only one that had not been attacked, Konoha, was so well known to Akihara Kagura from his years in its leadership that returning to Konoha would be like going home.
In the end...
The headquarters was placed in Cloud Village.
The towering heights of Cloud Village could at least prevent a sudden attack from White Zetsu.
The Allied Ninja Forces' troops were also simply divided, as it was impossible to create more units at this point, so they could only roughly divide them.
However...
Tsunade raised another concern, with some unease in her heart: "I don't know if it's my illusion, but I'm always worried that Akihara Kagura has some other plot..."
"At this point..."
The Fourth Raikage frowned and said in a deep voice: "The entire ninja world is gathering to fight him, what need does he have for further plots?"
"Even if he does have some plot..."
The Fifth Kazekage Gaara shook his head and tried to reassure them: "We can't think about it now. We have no choice but to move forward..."
"No matter what..."
Hanzō of the Salamander looked at the Five Kage present and solemnly declared: "We must all abandon past grievances and unite to stop his plot to destroy the ninja world. That young man has already declared war..."
"Besides facing him in battle..."
"We have no other choice!"
~~~
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— Ending + Extra Chapters (Completed)
Read upto Chapter 348: End! + Extra Chapters of Sasuke's Rebirth where the world Akihara Kagura is not around. Thank you!