The Ninja Alliance had a large number of people.
Even for Kakashi Hatake and Momochi Zabuza, who had only crossed paths twice and didn't quite see eye to eye—with others harboring generational grudges against each other—this was true.
The gathering area was filled with grumbling voices, and while they couldn't openly curse and stir up conflicts, they still had to curse behind closed doors.
"It's all Konoha's ninjas' fault!"
"They used to always rely on that bastard Akihara Kagura, and now they can't deal with their village's traitorous ninja, causing such a big problem for the Ninja World, making us come here to die!"
"Keep it down..."
"That guy wants to destroy the Ninja World..."
"..."
As a group of ninjas were complaining.
Among the Medical Ninja forces.
A young ninja wearing glasses and a blonde ninja also wearing glasses listened to the conversations, continuing to distribute medical supplies with a smile.
They were none other than Kabuto and Yakushi Nonou.
Medical ninjas were scarce no matter where they were.
Tsunade wanted to place Kabuto in a special unit, considering his Reanimation Jutsu could be very useful, but Kabuto wanted to protect Director Yakushi Nonou.
That was the most important thing...
No matter what happens, the director must be protected.
Even though outsiders were clamoring about Akihara Kagura devastating the Ninja World, Kabuto's mind was focused on one thing: protecting the director at this time.
"Kagura..."
Yakushi Nonou muttered the name, still with a trace of worry on her face, "Kabuto, will this world really be destroyed by him?"
"If everyone believes it, then let it be..."
A slight smile appeared on Kabuto's lips, yet he didn't much believe the rumors flying outside: "Let's take care of our duties, protect ourselves in this war..."
No need for Akihara Kagura to say...
Kabuto knew precisely what he needed to do.
Just as years ago when he misunderstood Akihara Kagura and nearly died at Uchiha Itachi's blade with Yakushi Nonou...
Now...
Kabuto was very clear.
As long as he protects the director, everything will be fine.
"Kabuto."
Orochimaru's voice appeared behind Kabuto; he spoke with a mischievous smile, "Wouldn't you consider teaming up with us against Akihara Kagura?"
"Am I not already doing that?"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, responding with a light laugh: "The work of the Medical Ninja forces is still work..."
"You know what I mean."
Orochimaru shook his head, smiling as he continued, "The Reanimation Jutsu ninja unit could be extremely useful against Akihara Kagura. Staying here doing these minor tasks seems wasteful of your talent..."
"I refuse."
Kabuto shook his head, refusing Orochimaru's suggestion.
To avoid Orochimaru's pestering, Kabuto asked in turn: "Shouldn't Lord Orochimaru be at the meeting above at this time?"
"That's where the big shots gather..."
Orochimaru responded with a light laugh, his lips curving into a mocking smile: "Those fools disregard those who could really resolve the war, yet they discuss an unbeatable opponent amongst themselves, being with fools is life's greatest agony..."
"Orochimaru! Let's go to the meeting!"
Jiraiya suddenly appeared, calling out to Orochimaru loudly from afar.
"That idiot..."
Orochimaru could only curse, unable to stay and hassle Kabuto further under Jiraiya's urging, he could only leave with Jiraiya.
Above the tower.
The big shots of the Ninja World remained in the tower discussing strategy.
In a conference room.
In the center of the room was a map of the Ninja World.
Ninja Alliance Staff Nara Shikaku pointed at marked locations on the map with a wooden stick, "According to our deployment, the main forces are spread along the Land of Thunder's border and coastline, with over a thousand sensor units dispatched to constantly monitor Akihara Kagura's movements..."
"Don't underestimate Akihara Kagura's intelligence."
The Third Tsuchikage Onoki spoke with some anger, having returned to The Hidden Rock Village after the last meeting only to see devastation, and heard reports from other ninjas.
The Third Tsuchikage Onoki mentioned the lesson from The Hidden Rock Village, speaking heavily, "Even if he didn't act last time, The Hidden Rock Village would have fallen to his army..."
"The intelligence I received was he led tens of thousands of White Zetsu past The Hidden Rock Village's outposts and borderlines, directly appearing in The Hidden Rock Village, swiftly encircling the village..."
"We've learned from The Hidden Rock Village's lesson."
Nara Shikaku nodded, tapping the map with the wooden stick, "At our location, aid can be mutually drawn at any time, even if forces face encirclement, other forces can promptly assist…"
"However..."
"He might just come straight through."
Nara Shikaku analyzed Akihara Kagura's mentality, softly explaining, "Now Akihara Kagura and the White Zetsu army are entrenched around the Valley of the End, moving on land along the Land of Hot Water path straight to the Land of Thunder..."
"But there's also a possibility of them moving by sea, directly landing on the Land of Thunder's coast, though most of these coastlines are cliffs, inconvenient for landing, but judging by intelligence, these cliffs don't affect White Zetsu..."
"Of course."