The scene shifts to Konoha.
Compared to Sunagakure, which was hastily mobilizing its entire force, Konoha had learned about Kirigakure's insane war plans much earlier.
Naturally, they had started preparing earlier as well.
Tobirama wasn't sure why Kirigakure dared to go mad and commit suicide by starting a war against Konoha at this mont.
Although Konoha was still resettling a large number of Uzumaki clan mbers and over 200,000 won and children from Kumogakure, it would be difficult for Konoha to accommodate such a large population, even if they all settled outside the village. It was indeed a bit overwhelming and hard to focus on one thing while neglecting others.
But that didn't affect the overall combat capability at all!
Moreover, after absorbing so of the Uzumaki ninja, Konoha's overall strength had slightly increased.
How could Kirigakure possibly pull off such a bluff?
Even if Tobirama used his brain to think, he knew that Kirigakure might be hiding so dirty tricks or have so kind of support.
He imdiately guessed many possibilities and only hoped it wasn't the worst-case scenario.
Now that the war had begun, Tobirama wasn't afraid.
The hardest tis had passed, and now the Village of Konoha was the number one power in the ninja world. Its strength was extraordinary. Why should they fear Kirigakure?
Since Kirigakure was determined to die, he didn't mind sending them to their graves as soon as possible!
After learning that Kirigakure's main force had left their holand, Tobirama imdiately ordered Hiruzen to mobilize Konoha's main force again and prepare to leave the village for battle.
The battlefield couldn't be chosen in Konoha. If they were truly attacked, it would be like attacking their own frontlines.
Whether they won or lost, it would be a disaster for the village.
Therefore, it was crucial to place the battlefield outside the village, the farther away the better.
According to intelligence, Kirigakure had sent 20,000 full-fledged ninja this ti, aning almost all of Kirigakure's ninja were deployed except for the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled.
It was clear that they didn't even want to leave their nest and were ready to fight to the death and settle the battle by any ans necessary!
Although such tactics seed utterly insane to Tobirama, he still gave Kirigakure enough respect for the sake of caution.
Konoha imdiately gathered an elite main force of 4,000, plus hundreds of Uzumaki ninja, which was more than enough to crush most of their strength!
Although Kirigakure's 20,000-strong ninja army seed intimidating, more than half of them were Genin, and their overall quality was far from comparable to Konoha's.
There was nothing to worry about!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
For this expedition, Tobirama brought almost all of Konoha's top-tier combatants.
This included Uchiha Kagami, Sarutobi Hiruzen—who was also a Kage-level fighter—and even his sister-in-law, Uzumaki Mito!
There were also over a hundred Jonin from various clans like the Senju, Uchiha, Hyuga, Sarutobi, and more...
It could be said that the lineup was extrely luxurious.
Especially since Kagami had obtained the Mangekyo Sharingan, he had gained a position second only to the clan leader in the Uchiha clan, and his influence had increased significantly.
He was now able to influence most of the Uchiha clan's opinions, and the entire clan was now supporting Konoha.
It was obvious. Kirigakure was trying to settle the battle, so why wouldn't Konoha want to do the sa?
The fight was bound to happen sooner or later, so why not crush Kirigakure once and for all!
After setting out, the troops marched quickly along the way.
Hiruzen, who had taken over as the Third Hokage, rushed to Tobirama's side and couldn't help but ask anxiously:
"Sensei, I feel that Kirigakure's invasion is very unusual. They must have so conspiracy!"
"I know."
Tobirama responded calmly.
"I'm worried they might send people to attack the village while our main force is away fighting. Have all the scouting teams been dispatched beforehand?"
"Yes, they were all sent out before we left."
"Then what are you worried about?"
As they leaped through the forest, Tobirama glanced at Hiruzen, unable to believe that Hiruzen didn't even understand such simple common sense.
Ninja were always strong in infiltration missions with high mobility and stealth, as well as assassination missions. If a large force moved, secrecy was easily lost.
A force of tens of thousands of people wouldn't be able to hide all traces, no matter what they did while attacking simultaneously. As long as scout-type and sensor-type ninja were spread out to investigate, it would be impossible for a large-scale enemy force to bypass and attack from behind.
Moreover, there were many Hyuga ninja among Konoha's scouts, who could easily lock onto enemies from a distance.
Unless Kirigakure's forces dared to send part of their troops to bypass the entire Land of Fire, it would take several tis longer to go around other countries.
But by that ti, the main forces of both sides would have already clashed, and the decisive battle would have already taken place.
By the ti they arrived, Konoha might have already crushed Kirigakure's forces, and then they could return ho victorious at a leisurely pace.
"Sensei, what I ant wasn't Kirigakure's forces, but other forces..."
"What forces?"
At this point, Iwagakure had been destroyed. Although there were still so remnants of Kumogakure's forces, they wouldn't dare act recklessly with Konoha's hostages in hand.
Could we still rely on the samurai forces from the Land of Iron and small ninja villages like Takigakure to join in and stab Konoha in the back?
Would they dare?
Could Kirigakure afford such a reward?
"Sensei, what if Sunagakure takes the opportunity to attack the village?"
"Are you suspecting that the Hidden Mist and Sunagakure are colluding and carrying out a secret operation?"
"It's possible!"
If a decisive battle between Konoha's forces and Kirigakure's forces truly occurred, and Sunagakure stabbed from behind, whether it was a surprise attack on Konoha or a counterattack, it could cause heavy damage to our side!
"Don't worry. Sunagakure did send troops, but they are all under my surveillance and not heading toward our village."
"Ah? Sunagakure also sent troops? Then..."
Hiruzen was slightly surprised and worried, wanting to say sothing but stopping himself.
"Alright, you've worked hard. Are you just trying to use this opportunity to get information about Danzo?"
"Hehe—" Hiruzen's face turned red. As expected, he couldn't hide anything from his teacher.
Since he could beco Hokage, Hiruzen was certainly no novice in strategy. How could he not understand basic battlefield knowledge?
In fact, he just wanted to use this opportunity to ask about his old friend.
"Don't worry. Danzo isn't with the troops and is staying safely in Sunagakure."
"Oh! Good, very good!"
Hiruzen felt much more at ease. He was really worried that if Danzo also joined the troops and a real battle broke out, it would be impossible to know who the secret agent was on the battlefield!
After all, in the eyes of most Konoha ninja, Danzo was a despicable and hateful traitor to Konoha!
If we et him on the battlefield, I won't show any rcy.
"Sensei, even though Sunagakure's troops are heading to the battlefield, what if they really stab us in the back during the battle?"
"What should we do? Let's eat together!"
"Saru, as a Hokage, can you be a bit more resolute? If I hear such disappointing words from you again, I'll punish you!"
Tobirama glared sharply at Hiruzen, unable to resist thinking about Hiruzen's long-standing weakness and cowardice, and he wanted to punish Hiruzen right then and there.
"Yes!"
Hiruzen said with a tingling scalp, then imdiately ran to the front of the troops.
Seeing this, Kagami and Torifu secretly sneered.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
To reach the Land of Fire from the Land of Water, one needed to cross the ocean; although ninja could walk on water, it would definitely take more ti and consu more chakra.
Therefore, after Kirigakure's forces arrived in the Land of Fire's territory, they stopped and began to rest and recover.
The next day, the journey was accelerated again, and soon they had penetrated thousands of kiloters.
Finally, on the morning of the fourth day after Kirigakure's forces set out, the two sides finally clashed in a dense forest.
There wasn't much to say.
The two villages were mortal enemies, and Konoha had previously killed the Second Mizukage, who was deeply loved by Kirigakure.
As soon as the two sides t, an extrely intense large-scale battle broke out!
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