After spending several days idling around the village, *Hayashi and Sakumo Hatake, the supreme commanders assigned to the Land of Water front, still had not left Konohagakure*. However, the two had already entered a state of intense preparation for war. Personnel adjustments, supply coordination, and numerous small but important details demanded their full attention.
Because of this, Hayashi no longer had time to watch over the four children. Kakashi's training was immediately put on hold.
The boy was clearly reluctant to see it end, but the moment Hayashi handed him the Endless Blade, Kakashi's disappointment quickly turned into excitement.
"The next time you return to Konoha, I will definitely surprise you," Kakashi said seriously as he hugged the sword.
Watching his teacher walk away, Kakashi quietly turned to Kushina and asked, "Teacher, are you and Teacher lovers?"
Although he used the word teacher twice, Kushina immediately understood what he meant. She coughed lightly, and a faint blush spread across her face.
"...Who told you that?"
"I guessed."
"You brat." Kushina tried to grab Kakashi's ear, but he had already dashed away.
Not far from the *Konoha Ninja Academy*, Sakumo and Hayashi walked side by side toward the Hokage Office.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye to Kakashi, Elder Brother Sakumo?" Hayashi asked.
"We will meet again in the future, so there is no need for unnecessary farewells," Sakumo replied calmly. "It is enough that you already said goodbye to him."
Having only been a father for a few years and spending most of his time on the battlefield, Sakumo was still searching for his place as a capable father.
Hayashi smiled quietly.
Walking along the peaceful streets of Konoha beside Sakumo, he realized that the next time he returned to the village might not be for years.
That night, only Hayashi, Sakumo, and the *Hiruzen Sarutobi* were present in the Hokage Office.
"The situation is roughly as follows," Hiruzen said slowly. "The supplies provided by the *Fire Daimyo* are currently stored at the Daimyo's residence. You can collect them when you pass through."
He paused before continuing.
"In addition, I am entrusting one thousand ninja to the two of you."
Hiruzen looked at them seriously.
"Therefore, deploy the troops. I hope you will bring good news back to the village."
"Yes," Sakumo and Hayashi replied at the same time.
Before leaving the front lines, *Tsunade had launched a large-scale assault against the forces of Kirigakure, destroying an outpost they had established in the Land of Bears*.
Thanks to that attack, the conflict between Konoha and the Hidden Mist had temporarily fallen into a stalemate. Because of this, Tsunade was able to withdraw with confidence, and Sakumo and Hayashi could delay their departure slightly before heading to take command.
Of course, the delay could not last long.
The current coordinator on the front lines was *Shikaku Nara. Although he possessed exceptional intelligence and strategic experience, he lacked the prestige and strength necessary to firmly command powerful clans such as the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan*.
Early the next morning, a large number of ninja had already gathered at Konoha's main gate.
Sakumo and Hayashi arrived even earlier. Watching the steadily assembling shinobi, Hayashi remained calm on the surface. However, the sudden weight of responsibility on his shoulders brought undeniable pressure.
Things were different now.
In the past, he had only been responsible for a few teammates within a small squad. Now he carried the lives of a thousand ninja.
"That should be everyone," Sakumo said quietly.
He stepped forward and addressed the gathered shinobi.
"This mission will take us to the front lines against the Hidden Mist. Many of you come from other battlefields, which means you will face entirely new enemies."
"Everything may feel unfamiliar at first, but ninja of Konoha do not fear the unknown."
"We fight to protect our homes and the people we care about."
"For that reason, we will be fearless."
"Prepare yourselves. It is time to depart."
The assembled ninja remained silent. Everyone present understood the seriousness of war.
Still, Sakumo's words strengthened their resolve.
After a brief pause, Hayashi stepped forward and officially announced the departure of the force.
This unit consisted entirely of ninja. Supplies and escorts would be collected at the Daimyo's residence, where everything had already been prepared.
At the speed they were traveling, the force would likely reach the front lines in about three days.
Meanwhile, far away in the Hokage Office, Hiruzen silently lit his pipe after watching the troops leave.
---
Inside *Kirigakure*, in the Mizukage's office, a strange scene was unfolding.
A man wearing a white mask sat in the Mizukage's seat.
Meanwhile, the *Yagura Karatachi*, the Fourth Mizukage, stood beside him like a subordinate.
At that moment, a massive pitcher plant slowly rose from the floor.
"You are back?" the masked man asked as *White Zetsu* appeared.
"What is the current situation?"
White Zetsu spoke calmly.
"Konoha currently holds the advantage in the Land of Wind under *Orochimaru's leadership. Both sides remain locked in a stalemate in the Land of Grass, but the Onoki*, the Third Tsuchikage, has deployed the Four Tails jinchuriki."
"Konoha also suffered heavy losses in the *Land of Hot Water. Commander Danzo Shimura was seriously injured, and the Third Hokage has sent Homura Mitokado* as reinforcement."
The intelligence White Zetsu provided was astonishingly detailed, almost as if he had direct access to reports from every battlefield.
Even the casualty numbers from both sides were extremely precise.
After listening, the masked man tapped the desk lightly.
"As expected of Konoha. Even while being pressured by several nations, they still manage to hold their ground."
"However, this situation works in our favor. The longer this war lasts, the more every village will weaken."
The goal of the *Eye of the Moon Plan* was to collect the Tailed Beasts. Unfortunately, every hidden village currently guarded their jinchuriki closely.
Although he had gradually mastered the power of the *Mangekyo Sharingan, he was not Madara Uchiha*. He had not yet reached the level where he could suppress an entire village alone.
More importantly, because he had once used *Izanagi, he had transplanted one of his father's Sharingan*.
Although this restored his vision, it created an extremely troublesome problem.
The pattern of the Mangekyo Sharingan in his eyes was now mismatched.
Because of that, he could not awaken the ultimate power of the Sharingan.
*Susanoo*.
Madara had once used that power to battle *Hashirama Senju*.
If he could unlock it, he believed he could sweep across the Five Great Nations.
Looking toward White Zetsu, he asked quietly, "Did you find the information I requested?"
White Zetsu nodded.
"Your father's Mangekyo Sharingan should currently be in Orochimaru's possession."
"Orochimaru?" the masked man muttered thoughtfully.
"Can you steal it?"
"It will be difficult," White Zetsu replied. "Orochimaru hides his most important items inside the stomachs of his summoned creatures. I cannot enter *Ryuchi Cave*."
"Then continue monitoring him. Eventually he will take it out for research."
White Zetsu nodded.
At that moment, *Black Zetsu*, who had been silent until now, spoke.
"There is something else you might find interesting."
"What is it?"
White Zetsu continued.
"White Fang and Lightning Flash have already departed in this direction with one thousand ninja."
"Uchiha... Hayashi has arrived?"
The masked man's expression remained hidden behind the mask, but his gaze lowered slightly.
"Since he refuses to remain in the Land of Wind..."
"I will prepare a special gift to congratulate him on becoming a commander."