"We'll see you in the Land of Earth."
After bidding farewell to everyone one by one, A and his entourage turned and left. In an instant, they were gone.
"Was this Sensei's idea as well?"
It wasn't until A's presence had completely faded that Yahiko turned to Nagato with the question.
"No, it was Sensei's wife's idea. Sensei didn't object, though."
Nagato couldn't help but smile as he recalled Kawakaze's shocked expression.
Sensei wasn't entirely wrong, either. I bet they're having an ergency eting right now.
"Everyone is here, right?"
Tsunade stood at the front of the Konoha Warfare Operations Conference Room, addressing Shōta, who was positioned behind her.
"As you commanded, everyone from all the clans is present."
Shōta glanced at the notebooks of the conference attendees. Unlike previous etings, where only a small group had gathered, the room was now packed with people.
"Good."
Tsunade nodded and raised her hand, pounding several tis on the podium. The dull echoes filled the room, instantly silencing the lingering chatter.
"Enough speculation."
"I've gathered everyone here today because there is sothing important we must discuss."
Tsunade spoke slowly, her voice commanding attention as all eyes fixed on the stage.
"Her presence is getting stronger," Kawakaze muttered to the person beside him, eyeing Tsunade, who had deliberately donned her Hokage robe, exuding an air of authority.
"You talk too much."
Sakumo, ever serious during etings, didn't even bother to look at Kawakaze.
"..."
Receiving no response, Kawakaze resigned himself to silence, turning his focus back to Tsunade. He admired her quietly, unbothered by the surprising news from Nagato. After all, if it were truly urgent, he wouldn't be able to enjoy the mont like this.
As the brothers exchanged words, Shōta had already begun explaining the situation at Tsunade's behest.
"According to precise intelligence, a Shinobi World War will break out in two days."
"Fortunately, the target is not Konoha."
"However, once the war begins, it will only be a matter of ti before Konoha is inevitably drawn in."
"Today, Lord Hokage has gathered you all to hear your opinions."
"Should Konoha take the initiative, or should we wait and see?"
The mont Shōta finished speaking, before he could even return to his place beside Tsunade, the room erupted into chaos—louder than before.
"Of course Konoha won't be targeted."
"Yeah, unless soone's brain is stuck sowhere."
"But who's fighting who?"
"That's not important."
"I say we attack first. We can't keep hiding."
"We should beat up those brats from Iwagakure before they get any ideas."
"No, no, no. We should wait and see how things unfold first."
...
Although the opinions in the audience were diverse, no one doubted the authenticity of the intelligence from start to finish.
Tsunade gave everyone enough ti to speak, quietly observing without interfering.
anwhile, Kawakaze and a group of core figures around him silently summarized the various viewpoints.
After an unknown period, the voices in the eting room gradually died down.
"Quiet."
Tsunade repeated her tactic, knocking on the podium once more.
"First, I will answer your questions."
"The Kumogakure and Akatsukigakure are preparing to attack the Land of Earth."
She wasn't concerned about spies in the room. If such etings could be compromised that easily, then Jiraiya should have committed seppuku himself.
After the audience had digested the news, Tsunade continued.
"There are no abstentions here. You now have two choices."
"Those who support taking the initiative to go to war, stand on the right. Those who want to wait and see, stand on the left."
Her gaze swept across the room, her authoritative tone leaving no room for hesitation.
Following Kawakaze and the others' lead, the people in the room began to move.
Before long, two distinct groups had ford.
"Haha, looks like there are still more peace-loving people."
"Then it's settled."
Without even counting, Tsunade already knew the result—everything was under control.
She gave the final order for everyone to be ready for war at any ti before leaving in style.
Rather than a debate, this eting had been an open declaration to all of Konoha:
War is coming!!!
Long after Tsunade left, the eting room slowly emptied.
Although speculation had been swirling before, the official confirmation still sent shockwaves through everyone.
Outside the conference room doors, people tacitly pretended nothing had happened.
For now, this was a burden only Konoha's ninja had to carry.
"The news was a bit of a shock," Orochimaru remarked with rare emotion.
This day had finally arrived.
As core mbers of Konoha's leadership, they were imdiately surrounded by others the mont Tsunade left.
After answering a seemingly endless stream of questions, they finally stepped out of the conference room.
"I called you as soon as I got the news," Shōta said, confirming what Kawakaze had already assud.
"I was wondering why there were suddenly so many rchant ships leaving the Land of Lightning's docks," Jiraiya said with a laugh, finally getting an answer to the mystery that had been bothering him for days.
Tonight, he could finally sleep soundly.
He couldn't bla the intelligence officers for struggling to gather information—Kumo was heavily guarded.
If not for Kawakaze's hidden move, they likely wouldn't have realized the attack was coming until it had already begun.
"I really didn't expect the Kumo to target the Land of Earth first," Fugaku muttered, looking perplexed.
He had expected them to pick the weakest target first.
Could there be sothing about the Land of Wind that made them wary?
"He does take Sunagakure lightly," Orochimaru said with certainty, his eyes flashing.
As a man who had already reford his ambitions, he was sure this was the Third Raikage's most genuine thought.
The Third Raikage had no fear of Sunagakure aiding the Land of Earth.
If Sunagakure dared to interfere, he would be more than willing to fight them too.
"Heh, and yet he's benefiting from the situation we created," Sakumo mused.
Would they still be so confident if Sunagakure were at its peak?
"That's true."
During the Second Shinobi World War, Shinku had been chief logistics officer and had seen firsthand how much humiliation Sunagakure had suffered at Konoha's hands.
If not for certain circumstances, Sunagakure might not even exist today.
"There's no point in dwelling on it," Kawakaze said, smiling easily.
"It's not our turn yet, so let's enjoy the peace while it lasts."
"Once the real fight starts, there won't be any ti for that."
His relaxed deanor showed no hint of concern.
He knew very well that Konoha's current strength was terrifying.
Just in terms of Kage-level fighters alone, they far outmatched the other villages.
The Third Raikage was lucky he wasn't foolish enough to attack the Land of Fire first.
If he had allied with Akatsuki and launched an attack on Konoha instead, they would have quickly shown him why the flowers bloom red.
"You think everyone has as much free ti as you?" Jiraiya scoffed.
"I'll leave it at that—I've got work to do."
Rolling his eyes, he hurried off. He needed to arrange surveillance on the future battlefield.
If he sat idle after receiving this information, that would be dereliction of duty.
"I'm leaving too. I need to return to the village and prepare my people," Fugaku said.
He knew war was inevitable.
It wasn't happening yet—but it was only a matter of ti.
As the head of Konoha's largest clan, he couldn't afford to let the Uchiha na lose its weight.
Reviews
All reviews (0)