The books on sensory ninjutsu and medical ninjutsu have strict requirements for chakra control, demanding that one avoid even the slightest mistake in the most detailed aspects.
Both books contain some exercises aimed at improving chakra control.
This is exactly what Makoto wanted to see.
The following days were spent reading books, practicing chakra control, and occasionally sparring with the two younger members of his clan on the training field.
Tokimasa and Tetsu, both of whom were struggling, wanted to refuse, but were told by Iroha that constantly sparring with someone stronger would greatly help improve their own skills.
At this time, more bad news arrived from the front lines:
Konoha's forward outpost had been discovered by the Iwa ninja and suffered a large-scale attack, with heavy casualties among the 3,000-strong force.
When the news reached the village, it caused a huge shock throughout Konoha.
After having made some gains in the battle at Kannabi Bridge, the balance of the war now began to tilt in Iwa's favor.
Without the forward outpost, all of Konoha's forces had to retreat, ceding the battlefield in the Land of Grass and pulling back to the borders of the Land of Fire.
From the perspective of outsiders, the situation seemed like an inevitable defeat for Konoha.
Inside the Hokage building, the meeting room's long table was filled with people—these were the core personnel temporarily staying behind in the village.
The meeting had been going on for several hours without a break, with heated arguments having erupted during the discussions, and at one point, there had been several minutes of complete silence, with no one willing to speak.
After a while, someone knocked and entered, placing a letter in front of the Third Hokage.
Sarutobi Hiruzen opened it and glanced at the contents, his expression growing increasingly agitated.
Mitokado Homura, who was sitting beside him, took the letter and looked at it, his face darkening immediately.
"This is outrageous! How can they even offer such a price!"
It was a quotation from several mercenary organizations, but the prices listed were ridiculously high.
Koharu, who was also present, angrily remarked, "In the past, they've benefited greatly from the Land of Fire, yet now they're taking advantage of us in our time of need!"
Hiruzen didn't speak, understanding that these mercenary groups didn't actually want to help Konoha fight the war.
They were all afraid that if Konoha lost, they would face retaliation from Iwa.
Another ninja entered the meeting room, delivering yet another letter.
During this period, Hiruzen had received countless letters from all sides—local merchant associations in the Land of Fire, as well as prominent noble families, all expressing their willingness to support Konoha in various ways.
The letter in his hands now came from the Daimyo's office, and after reading it, Hiruzen 's expression lightened slightly.
His superior was still reliable.
The letter mentioned that a new batch of military supplies was already on its way, and that any further needs should be promptly communicated.
The Daimyo's office had sent several letters, expressing concern and inquiring about Konoha's situation in detail.
It seemed that things were not calm there either.
"We need to reinforce our forces," Danzo, who was sitting at the head of the table to Hiruzen's left, spoke slowly.
"How can we still send ninjas to the frontlines?" Hiruzen replied irritably.
"The number of ninjas left behind in the village is already very small.
If I weren't here to oversee things, any attack on Konoha could shake the foundation of the village."
"No, there's still a batch of genin," Danzo remarked.
"Impossible!" Hiruzen immediately rejected his suggestion.
"Those genin have just graduated. Are you sending them to the battlefield to die?"
Danzo's lone visible eye narrowed slightly, and he calmly replied.
"It's something they'll face sooner or later.
It's better for them to be tempered on the battlefield early."
Hiruzen glanced at Homura and Koharu, seeing that neither of them spoke up.
He knew they didn't oppose the idea.
Everyone in the meeting room was watching Hiruzen, waiting for his decision.
"No!" Hiruzen stood firm in his stance.
"Those freshly graduated genin have never seen combat.
Sending them to the battlefield will only make them cannon fodder.
They are the future of the village. Doing so would be akin to killing the golden goose for its eggs."
Danzo sneered, "Are you going to wait until the Iwa ninjas reach the village gates before sending them to fight?"
Hiruzen was at a loss for words.
He wanted to continue rejecting the idea, but he suddenly thought back to the Warring States period, before the founding of Konoha, when children at ninja academies were already trained to kill on the battlefield.
Once that thought entered his mind, it was hard to shake off.
Hiruzen let out a heavy sigh, closing his eyes and remaining silent.
What was the purpose of founding Konoha? Wasn't it to protect them?
I can't do this... I can't do this...
"Hiruzen, what are you hesitating about?" Danzo began to pressure him.
"Do you want to destroy Konoha?"
Homura and Koharu both remained silent, choosing not to speak.
"Hiruzen!"
"Make a decision, Hiruzen!"
Danzo's voice echoed continuously in the meeting room, like a persistent, haunting whisper in Hiruzen's ears.
"Lord Hokage!" Suddenly, another ninja spoke up.
Hiruzen looked up at him.
It was a young man, a special jonin from the village.
He continued, "My younger brother has just graduated, but I've been personally training him. He has quite a bit of practical combat experience. You can send him to the battlefield."
After he spoke, other voices chimed in, "Lord Hokage, my son too!"
Their words made Hiruzen's heart feel even heavier.
These people were not afraid of death for the sake of the village.
Many of them had privately requested to be sent to the front lines.
But there had to be someone left behind in the village, so Hiruzen had rejected these requests.
Suddenly, a knock echoed clearly through the quiet meeting room.
The oppressive atmosphere gave Hiruzen a moment to breathe as he hoarsely spoke.
"Come in."
Was it another letter? Whose was it this time...
However, the person who entered was not a messenger, but a tall, slender man with long black hair, exuding a cold, ominous presence.
It was Orochimaru.
Upon seeing him, Hiruzen's eyes briefly lit up, but that light quickly faded.
The others in the meeting room also murmured at Orochimaru's entrance.
Danzo, upon seeing him, calmly closed his eyes.
"Orochimaru." Hiruzen slowly speak.
"Are you planning to go to the front lines... The village really needs your strength right now."
He averted his gaze, his head slightly lowered as he spoke to himself.
"Sarutobi-sensei."
"....."
"I have a way to repel the Iwa Ninjas."
As soon as these words were spoken, the meeting room erupted in murmurs.
Hiruzen was also taken aback, raising his head to look at Orochimaru, who was dressed in combat gear and wearing his forehead protector.
"What method?"
"Form an alliance with Sunagakure."
Hiruzen frowned upon hearing this.
"The alliance letter was sent a long time ago, and our Daimyo has already sent one to the Wind Daimyo, but we've received no response from their side."
"Let me go personally," Orochimaru said.
"I will secure this alliance for Konoha."
"You..." Hiruzen looked at him, his expression filled with surprise.
"I agree. Given the current situation, it's not impossible for Orochimaru to try." Danzo spoke up.
Hiruzen fell silent. He wasn't hesitating; he was just reminded of many things.
Orochimaru continued, "Sarutobi-sensei, what do you think?"
Hiruzen, hearing the words, felt a bit disoriented.
The figure standing before him seemed a little unsteady.
End of chapter
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