With Gaara relying on the overwhelming power of the One-Tailed Shukaku, even Kakashi, a master of swordsmanship, found it difficult to withstand his relentless advance.
Standing atop a fortress, Kakashi, his silver hair tousled by the wind, observed the Sand Ninja army marching forward with grim determination. The weight of the situation was evident in his eyes. He knew that with his current strength, he could not stop their progress.
Without hesitation, Kakashi quickly formed a series of hand seals. Moments later, his summoned psychic dog arrived at his side. Kakashi whispered a few words into its ear, and the small but formidable creature sped off toward the back of Konoha Village.
At the same time, Kakashi prepared the ninjas around him for the coming attack, as Gaara's yellow sand once again began to descend upon them.
Soon, the emergency signal Kakashi had sent reached the command room in Konoha Village. Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, and the others quickly gathered to discuss the situation.
The small, mischievous dog conveyed the message from the frontlines before disappearing in a puff of smoke. In the command room, Koharu narrowed her eyes, her face shadowed with worry. Mito Kado Yan shared the same concerned expression, but Sarutobi Hiruzen's face remained impassive, his sharp eyes flickering with thought. He said nothing, deep in contemplation.
"We must respond to this situation," Mito Kado Yan said, adjusting her glasses as she turned to Koharu.
But Koharu didn't immediately respond. They all knew how dire the battle was. The Sand Ninja army, with Gaara, the tailed beast Jinchuriki, leading the charge, had sent an elite force. Even with Hatake Kakashi on the frontlines, they knew the copy ninja could only slow the enemy, not stop them.
"Old monkey, what should we do?" Koharu asked Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Despite no longer holding the position of Hokage, Hiruzen was still a guiding figure in Konoha. His wisdom, forged through years of experience, was invaluable. Koharu trusted his judgment and often turned to him for guidance, even after his abdication.
The room fell silent as Hiruzen didn't immediately answer. Instead, he calmly smoked his pipe, deep in thought.
"We need to hold an emergency meeting," Hiruzen finally declared, his voice calm but decisive.
Soon, word spread, and all the senior ninjas of Konoha gathered in the Hokage's office for the emergency meeting. As the room filled, there was an odd quietness, until the door creaked open.
A man slowly stepped inside, causing everyone to look up. He stretched lazily, clearly unfazed by the urgent situation.
"I... Haha," Kirito yawned, stretching his arms as he adjusted the sunglasses on his forehead and casually took his seat.
Every movement was scrutinized by Hiruzen, who was keenly aware of Kirito's laid-back nature. Koharu, noticing Hiruzen's focused gaze, could sense what was on his mind.
With the war pressing on and the tailed beast wreaking havoc, if Konoha Village did not respond decisively, their reputation as a powerful force would be severely compromised. The Sand Village had already crossed the border, and if Konoha continued to remain passive, it would only embolden the other ninja villages to strike.
In this tense moment, the village appeared vulnerable—like a paper tiger, unable to defend itself. If Konoha didn't take action now, it risked losing face, and other villages would seize the opportunity to take advantage.
Koharu, understanding the gravity of the situation, no longer hesitated. Her voice rose with determination.
"The situation on the frontlines is escalating. Kakashi has sent a signal for support," she said, her gaze scanning the room. "Konoha can no longer sit idly by."
The room fell silent as everyone absorbed her words. They all knew Kakashi's strength, but even he struggled against Gaara's Shukaku. No one in the room was confident enough to take on the tailed beast Jinchuriki.
Might Guy, with his characteristic watermelon head, remained quiet, considering whether he should use his Eight Gates technique. But he knew that opening all eight gates would be a death sentence, and it wasn't the right time to risk his life.
The atmosphere grew heavy as everyone looked to Hiruzen for guidance. It was then that Sarutobi Hiashi, an elder ninja of Konoha, stood up. His gaze shifted toward the back of the room, where Kirito was lounging.
The entire room followed his gaze, focusing on Kirito, who seemed completely unfazed by the tension around him. He had been known for his relaxed attitude and unorthodox methods, but now it seemed that Konoha's survival might depend on him.
"Kirito," Utatane Koharu began, her voice sharp. "Konoha is at a critical juncture. It's time to use your trump card."
Kirito's expression shifted slightly, a slight frown forming as he processed her words. He didn't want to get involved—he was quite content with his laid-back lifestyle. But then, a familiar figure crossed his mind.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Kirito's mouth as he sat up straighter.
"Oh, I do have a way to deal with that Shukaku," he said, his tone casual, though a glint of determination shone in his eyes.
The room was immediately filled with anticipation. The tension was palpable as everyone turned their attention to Kirito. Mitomon En and Koharu exchanged a brief glance, silently acknowledging that Kirito was finally taking action.
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes remained unchanged. He knew Kirito all too well. If they wanted him to act, there would be a cost—one that might require more than they were willing to pay.
Despite the excitement building in the room, Hiruzen didn't flinch. He knew what Kirito was capable of, but he also understood that Kirito's approach came with its own risks. Still, the room was filled with a sense of hope as Kirito's plan began to take shape.
What would happen next? The fate of Konoha—and perhaps the entire nation—hung in the balance.