"Things are getting tense on the frontlines. According to the latest intelligence, both Iwagakure and Kirigakure seem to be taking actions that suggest involvement in the war," said Nara Shikakichi, leading a meeting of the jōnin in the Hokage's building.
"It appears Iwagakure has formed an alliance with Sunagakure. Our spies report that Iwagakure's jōnin were recently seen in Sunagakure, where they met with Chiyo."
"Their target is likely Kumogakure."
The jōnin in attendance remained silent.
Sitting to the Hokage's left, Danzo Shimura narrowed his single eye, his face impassive. Most of the intelligence Nara Shikakichi shared came from Root's spies, and he had been the first to handle more detailed reports.
"That spells doom for Kumogakure." Shikakichi's sudden, blunt remark drew the attention of everyone in the room.
"Compared to Sunagakure, which is defending its own territory, and Iwagakure, which has been preparing for a while, the forces of Kumogakure are showing signs of fatigue. Raikage assumed that Sunagakure, now leaderless without its Kazekage, would be easy to conquer. He planned to lead an elite squad and a jinchuriki to break through and force Sunagakure to surrender in one swift attack."
"However, his surprise attack failed. Instead, Sunagakure's Rasa and Pakura led a team that halted the Kumogakure forces at the borders of the Land of Wind, preventing them from advancing."
"Now, both sides have suffered significant losses without realizing it, and they are stuck in a stalemate. Any involvement from an external force could drastically shift this balance, ultimately determining the victor between the two villages."
"Iwagakure is that disruptor."
Shikakichi continued, "If Iwagakure joins the fray, Kumogakure is bound to lose. Based on Iwagakure's usual aggressive approach, they won't easily back down once they've committed."
"Once Kumogakure falls, they will set their sights on other villages."
"I'm guessing their next target will likely be us."
"In other words, we need to prepare for an impending war ourselves, correct?" asked Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in the Hokage's robes, placing his hat on the table and folding his fingers together.
"Yes," Shikakichi nodded with certainty. "If a new Great Ninja War breaks out, Konohagakure and the Land of Fire, as wealthy and centrally located as they are, will undoubtedly be drawn in. There's no avoiding it."
"And the enemies? Iwagakure, their potential ally Sunagakure, and perhaps even Kirigakure, which is also on edge?" The Third Hokage frowned.
He didn't mention Kumogakure, currently in frequent conflict with Konohagakure. After taking hits from Iwagakure and Sunagakure, Kumogakure's most likely course of action would be to retreat temporarily, regroup, and consider re-entering the war depending on how the situation unfolds.
So, once the Hidden Cloud Village is forced to withdraw, its threat can be temporarily set aside.
"The Hidden Sand Village won't have the strength to start another war until they've chosen the Fourth Kazekage and solidified his position. Although they managed to hold off Cloud's offensive and tie down their ninja army, the Sand suffered heavy losses." Shikakichi Nara dismissed the Hidden Sand Village as a current threat.
"So, in the short term, the worst-case scenario is that we'll need to face both the Hidden Rock and Hidden Mist Villages at once?" The Third Hokage summarized.
While it would be challenging, this outcome still seemed manageable. After all, in the previous two Great Ninja Wars, Konoha had faced even more enemies.
"Then let's begin full-scale war preparations. Stockpiling resources and mobilizing ninja forces will now shift into a wartime stance," the Third ordered.
The jonin present had no objections to the Hokage's decision. Large-scale war was unavoidable, so preparing sooner would help them stay composed when it officially started. They then began discussing and negotiating various aspects of war logistics, including coordination between departments.
A jonin usually led one, or sometimes multiple, ninja squads, most of whom were Chunin within their village.
"What about the Technology Development Department?" The Third Hokage turned his gaze to his student, Orochimaru.
The other jonin immediately quieted, their eyes fixed on Orochimaru seated at the front.
In recent years, the Technology Development Department was no longer an obscure unit in the village. For many, it was seen as almost as important as the Medical Department.
The Medical Department could save lives and heal wounds.
The Technology Development Department, however, could unlock new potential and enhance strength.
In this dangerous world, no one understood the importance of power better than those present. Many of them hoped to gain new methods and technologies to increase their own strength from the Technology Development Department.
In several prior meetings, the Third Hokage had allocated substantial funds and resources to the department, hoping Orochimaru could quickly produce technologies useful for war.
"The Tail Seal technique has already been created. All that remains is to infuse the necessary chakra attribute as needed. So, I'll need to prepare a roster of the required ninja," Orochimaru responded calmly.
"The Tail Seal? What does it do?" The Third Hokage's eyes lit up, and Danzo Shimura, along with the two advisors beside him, perked up.
"It can enhance a ninja's strength, but it requires a certain level of willpower and refined chakra control. According to Kagetsu, the current capabilities of this technique has the most significant impact on jonin who are low on chakra," Orochimaru replied.
Currently, this technique wasn't especially useful to Orochimaru—it could only be seen as a last resort when chakra was completely exhausted.
However, the advanced research it inspired piqued his interest, particularly the study of Kekkei Genkai transplants or what might be called Kekkei Genkai control.
By using an external method, it could allow a ninja without a Kekkei Genkai to use corresponding Kekkei Genkai techniques. Of course, the challenges vary depending on the strength of the Kekkei Genkai in question.
There were also possibilities for Kekkei Genkai fusion and more.
It seemed that Kagetsu was already advancing ahead in the study of ninjas Kekkei Genkais.
"Excellent," the Third Hokage nodded. The importance of jonin in warfare was undeniable. A powerful shinobi on the battlefield could easily tip the scales of war.
Genin, at best, served as expendable forces during war—a harsh truth that meant they were simply there to deplete the enemy's strength.
…
After the meeting ended, Orochimaru was on his way out of the building when someone called out to him.
"Orochimaru-senpai, I'd like to ask for your and Kagetsu's help with something." Minato Namikaze stood in front of Orochimaru, his expression earnest.
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