Sending forces out to strike in different places—one hit to the east, another pit dug in the west—would only benefit Konoha.
It could even turn the war into something akin to the Second Great Ninja War, where Konoha gradually managed to bury large portions of enemy forces within the Fire Country.
Even if those who perished caused significant losses to the Fire Country.
"Pakura, take a team and set up patrols around the area, lay traps, and make sure Konoha's forces can't gather any information."
"Hmph!"
Everything Rasa was doing seemed designed to push her aside.
Pakura might have been dissatisfied, but there was nothing she could do to resist.
After all, Rasa was the vanguard commander. She could only follow orders.
Like Konoha, Sunagakure wasn't entirely unified either. As the Third Kazekage grew older, the competition for the next Kazekage intensified.
Both Rasa and Pakura were strong candidates for the position.
On top of that, their relationship had been rocky since childhood, only becoming more fierce as they grew older.
What began as a rivalry in strength had now turned into a rivalry for power.
Konoha.
The Third Hokage, who had only recently enjoyed a few days of stability, suddenly lost his composure once again. Standing up too quickly in his anxiety, he slammed into his desk, causing a loud crash as documents scattered to the floor.
Yet, the Third Hokage had no mind for any of that. He clutched the scroll in his hands, his expression shifting rapidly.
Sunagakure had declared war on Konoha!
They had already attacked the border outpost. No further messages had come, meaning the outpost had likely been wiped out.
The shinobi stationed there had probably all gone to meet the Sage of Six Paths in the Pure Land.
"Immediately summon the Elder Council for a meeting. And the Hokage Advisors—no, forget that, just the Elder Council and Tsunade from the Logistics Department!"
Though the Elder Council was large, only Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado usually participated in high-level discussions.
In his frenzy, the Third Hokage even called for the Hokage Advisors.
But those positions had long since been abolished, and their former holders were now just at home, retired.
Sunagakure declaring war on Konoha was an earthquake for the village—an even bigger shock than the declaration from Mist Village.
The Anbu moved with the fastest speed possible to notify the Elder Council and Tsunade.
Those summoned set aside everything else and rushed to the Hokage's office.
Tsunade, as usual, arrived first. Though Koharu and Homura weren't exactly weak, they were much older and couldn't match Tsunade's pace.
"Old man, don't call me unless it's really urgent. There's a mountain of work waiting for me in Logistics."
Entering the Hokage's office, Tsunade started complaining right away.
Because of the defeat on the frontlines, village matters had piled up, keeping Tsunade on her toes.
Being called to the Hokage's office in the midst of that workload, it was natural for someone like Tsunade to voice her complaints.
"Sunagakure has declared war on us."
The Third Hokage said it without preamble, raising his head.
At those words, Tsunade's face turned serious. She moved to her seat, crossing her arms and furrowing her brow in thought.
"Sunagakure has declared war on us."
When Koharu and Homura arrived, the Third Hokage wasted no time, dropping the bombshell as soon as they entered.
The two paused for a moment before quickly taking their seats and asking, "What's the situation?"
"Has the Third Kazekage lost his mind? It's only been three years since the last war with Sunagakure. How dare they?"
They're already at our doorstep—what's there to be afraid of?
Tsunade rolled her eyes.
Considering that it wasn't the time for arguments, she let Koharu's foolish comment slide.
Instead of wasting energy complaining, it was better to think about how to face the upcoming battle.
Tsunade was already frustrated—just a few days ago, she'd warned the Third Hokage about Sunagakure, and now here they were, with Suna officially declaring war.
"This isn't the time to discuss why the Third Kazekage dared to declare war on Konoha. We need to focus on how we're going to repel Sunagakure's attack."
The Third Hokage was visibly irritated, puffing on his pipe as he said, "The ongoing conflict with Mist Village has already drained so many of our resources, which is precisely why Sunagakure felt emboldened to declare war."
Thinking of the never-ending struggle with Mist Village, which didn't seem likely to end anytime soon, the Third Hokage felt another headache coming on.
"We must send a large force to stop them. If the battle spills into the Fire Country, it will cause massive problems."
Everyone still vividly remembered the horrors of the Second Great Ninja War. Combined with the specific warnings from the Fire Daimyo, no one dared take the matter lightly.
If they upset the Daimyo, and he cut off funds and supplies, how could Konoha keep fighting?
Konoha could just about sustain itself during peacetime, but during war, they couldn't keep up without the Daimyo's support.
Now, another question arose: who would lead the defense against Sunagakure?
Konoha couldn't just casually send out thousands of shinobi, but they could still muster an appropriate force—how strong that force was would be the key.
The army wasn't the issue, but what about a commander and high-level fighters?
Orochimaru and Jiraiya were on the eastern front, deeply engaged in the war with Mist Village. They couldn't be recalled to lead the fight against Sunagakure.
Almost instinctively, the Third Hokage turned to look at Tsunade, and Koharu and Homura also followed suit.
It was obvious they thought Tsunade was the best candidate.
"What?"
Tsunade looked at them, bewildered. "Don't tell me you expect me to command the frontlines?"
Tsunade certainly had the capability, but she couldn't leave the village.
She feared that if she left, chaos would erupt, and she didn't trust Danzo not to sell out the village piece by piece.
If she was on the frontlines and things went awry in the village, she'd be stuck between two crises, pleasing no one.
"Forget it. I can't leave. There's too much going on in Logistics. If I leave, God knows if that department will be sold off. Moreover, I propose we bring the Finance Department under my control as well."
Tsunade not only rejected going to war but also wanted to take control of the Finance Department.
Everyone understood why Tsunade was doing this and who she was worried about.
Koharu and Homura looked a bit embarrassed, silently cursing Danzo under their breath.
After a few moments, the Third Hokage smiled wryly and said, "Tsunade, the frontlines need you."
"The village needs me more."
Tsunade was resolute. After seeing the Third Hokage repeatedly tolerate Danzo's actions, she knew she couldn't rely on him.
If she left, the Logistics and Finance Departments would undoubtedly face problems.
"I'm not leaving."
Tsunade stubbornly shook her head, dismissing the Hokage's appeals, and offered her suggestion.
"We still have qualified individuals in the village; it's just that past behavior drove them away."
Turn the page on this mess?
Not happening. If you make a mess, you better be ready to clean it up. Ignoring the displeased looks on the Third Hokage's and the elders' faces, Tsunade spread her hands.
"Is this so hard?
"Send Sakumo Hatake to lead. Pull Takuya from the eastern front as well. I refuse to believe that Sunagakure will stand a chance!"
"But do you even have the nerve to ask?"
"Would he even agree?"
The Third Hokage hesitated. Not long ago, Sakumo Hatake's reputation had been dragged through the mud, even leading him to submit a resignation letter.
The Third Hokage had tried to persuade him a few times, but Sakumo was set on stepping down, resolute in his decision to rest.
Would he agree to help now?