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The signal for the jōnin assembly had not been seen for months since the last war ended.
Yoichi hadn't noticed the eagle flying overhead, signaling the summons, as he was inside his home.
It wasn't until someone came to inform him personally that he realized Hiruzen was summoning all the jōnin.
"Why at a time like this..."
Reluctantly, Yoichi rose from the couch and glanced at Yugito, who stood blushing with her face flushed and dressed in knee-high white socks. She looked at him disdainfully, but Yoichi lifted a finger and said,
"This interruption counts towards tomorrow."
"In your dreams, pervert!"
Yugito replied angrily, stomping her feet in her white socks as she stormed back to her room.
After the incident with Samui, she had agreed to a back massage service. This method was quite effective at relaxation, so after some negotiation, it was extended to a weekly basis to cover lodging and food expenses.
Yugito's delicate face had turned beet red, but without any income, she had reluctantly accepted.
Although she had become a Konoha genin, she found it hard to take even D-rank missions due to the lack of trust. Penniless, she temporarily stayed in Yoichi's home.
Even if she wanted to move out, she would still be under his watchful eye, meaning she would need to build her own house nearby. Poor Yugito simply couldn't afford it, so she agreed to the back massage service.
'Once I start taking on missions, I will definitely move out of this pervert's house!'
Yugito fumed after returning to her room, determined to become independent and escape her current situation.
But after sitting on the bed for a while, she couldn't stop thinking about those nightly sounds. She wrestled with her embarrassment before finally crawling under the covers.
Moments later, soft rustling could be heard from beneath her blanket.
---
At the Hokage's Office, Yoichi entered the meeting room, nearly the last to arrive. He walked past the other jōnin to sit in the front, next to Orochimaru.
With his skill and status, he deserved to be in the front row.
"Most people are here. Shall we proceed?"
Sarutobi began gravely, "Three days ago, ninjas from Taki and Yugakure villages suddenly intruded into the Land of Fire. A confrontation broke out when our patrol tried to stop them, resulting in their deaths. Now, these two villages are demanding compensation and the culprits."
Huh?
Around 80% of the jōnin in the room were confused. These two villages thought they could intimidate Konoha?
Orochimaru spoke up in his hoarse voice, "Isn't this Iwa and Kumo's influence? The two smaller villages would only act this boldly if they were armed with a treaty from two of the Great Nations."
His words were a wake-up call to the others.
Takigakure was a relatively strong village with the Seven-Tails, but Yugakure had almost no real strength. Just a few jōnin could wipe them out, and they didn't dare compete for missions in their own country against Kumo or Konoha.
Their newfound boldness must have stemmed from the backing of two Great Nations.
"War again, huh..."
Sakumo muttered.
"It hasn't started yet, but we're preparing for the possibility. Fortunately, Kirigakure and Sunagakure are still busy with their own conflicts."
Sarutobi revealed intelligence from the Anbu, "If war comes, we'll be facing Iwa and Kumo."
Hearing about this potential alliance, most of the jōnin, except for a few like Yoichi, grew tense.
Both Iwagakure and Kumogakure were military giants, each supposedly boasting thousands of ninja.
In the Second Shinobi World War, dozens of Iwa elite ninja had pursued the Sannin. Without timely reinforcements, at least one of the Sannin would have perished.
Both Iwa's Four-Tails and Five-Tails Jinchūriki were renowned, capable of unleashing Bijūdama and even full transformations.
Kumogakure had lost the Two-Tails, but the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki was still formidable. Kumo also had thousands of ninja.
In comparison, Konoha barely had around 10,000 ninja, counting every clan.
Yoichi asked, "Third Hokage, when is the deadline given by Taki and Yu?"
"In two days. They claim it's the final deadline."
"Let's give them a lesson!"
Yoichi sneered. "If Iwa and Kumo intend to wage war, giving away half the Land of Fire won't satisfy them. If conflict is inevitable, let's teach these accomplices a lesson. Otherwise, every small village will think they can blackmail us."
Orochimaru added, "I agree with Yoichi. Otherwise, we'll be facing four villages united. Though Taki and Yu aren't strong, having them or not makes a difference."
"I also agree. We should eliminate these two villages from the battlefield."
Sakumo nodded. He also believed war was unavoidable, so weakening the enemy's forces early would be wise.
"Very well. We'll consider team compositions."
Sarutobi scanned the room. All the strongest jōnin were present, but careful consideration was required.
"Let me handle Takigakure, Third Hokage."
Yoichi volunteered, "I will make Taki regret framing Konoha. Even if Ōnoki coerces them, they won't dare join the fight."
"Are you sure?"
Sarutobi was concerned about the Seven-Tails. Yoichi seemed more interested in capturing another Jinchūriki than accomplishing the mission.
"You should take on Yugakure, Yoichi."
Sarutobi decided, "Takigakure is well-prepared and could have Iwa ninja lying in wait. I'm putting together a team around Minato to ensure a safe retreat if needed."
Turning to Minato, he asked, "Can you handle it?"
"I'll follow your orders, Third Hokage."
Minato affirmed confidently.
Yoichi saw that Sarutobi had decided, so he didn't press further. There would be other opportunities.
"With Jiraiya, Minato, Shin'ichiro, and Inuzuka Tōdō, you'll be going to give Taki a warning."
"Yoichi, who will be on your team?"
"Just me."
Yoichi replied, "I don't need help against Yugakure."
In the future, the entire village would be slaughtered by Hidan. For now, Yugakure's leader still had ambitions, likely coerced into this war.
"Alright, let's discuss wartime strategy."
They needed to determine where to engage the enemy and how many ninja to send. The clans dispatched their forces due to the looming danger.
Yoichi deployed 80 clan members in the first wave, which was significant for the Uchiha.
Despite the Police Force having many non-Uchiha members, Yoichi had to deploy many of his people since most others were managing business affairs.
Among these 80 were Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Yokokawa, Police Force squad leaders.
After his return from Ryūchi Cave, Yoichi had brought back herbs for Snake Heart Pills, distributing a second batch of Sage Cursed Seals to the clan.
Of the 80 Uchiha, 50 had the Sage Cursed Seal, most equipped with combat gear.
With these safeguards, their survival chances were better than other ninja. If they died, it would be due to poor luck and lacking skills.
The Uchiha were grateful for Yoichi. Under Fugaku's leadership, they provided just as many people with fewer survival tools. With no restrictions on secret jutsu, even a genin could choose two C and D-rank jutsu.
After spending hours in the Hokage's office, the meeting finally ended.
Assigned teams would depart the next day, and others within five days.
Yoichi returned home and brought down the Kiba blades, which had been gathering dust.
When Yugito heard him return, she got up from her bed and was surprised to see how much time had passed. She patted her cheeks and scolded herself for wasting time.
Exiting her room, she saw Yoichi cleaning the Kiba blades.
"War is about to start. I won't be home for a while. You can wander Konoha or the Uchiha grounds, but if anyone has ill intentions, leave Two-Tails' chakra with me so you can contact me anytime."
He noticed her damp bangs sticking to her forehead. Had she fallen asleep wrapped in her blanket?
(End of Chapter)