Kumogakure's mobilization was so open and forceful that almost the entire shinobi world learned of it. Naturally, Konoha could not remain unaware.
After all, Konoha's ANBU was under Hikaru's control. There was no way he would fail to keep an eye on an opponent who might start a war.
For example, the Land of Lightning's troop deployments had begun shifting. Some of the forces originally stationed along the coast to guard against Kirigakure had been transferred toward the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Iron.
This was to guard against a surprise attack from Konoha while also keeping watch on their old enemy, Iwagakure.
Of course, the number of troops deployed there was far too small. If any major village truly moved, those forces would be crushed outright.
At most, they served as scouts and early warning units. Necessary precautions still had to be taken.
These movements appeared on Hikaru's desk almost immediately.
Hikaru understood what all of this meant. The development of events had not shifted much because of his presence, which meant it was time for him to move properly.
As expected, after the Kumo head ninja died, Hikaru immediately received news that the Raikage himself was leading the army, accompanied by the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki.
Hikaru shared this information with Nara Shikaku and the others, and it was this news that made them realize Kumo was truly going all out.
They had mobilized so many ninja, and even the Raikage and jinchūriki were moving. No matter how one looked at it, this was clearly a posture meant to crush Konoha completely.
"But if they do this, aren't they worried their own home will be attacked?"
Many people considered this question. Even Hikaru could not help thinking about it.
Why was Kumo so bold?
Hikaru had already made moves in Iwagakure and had even left Nara Shikashiro there specifically to monitor Iwa's current situation.
If Kumo truly was not afraid at all, then either they had brain damage, or they had enough backup measures.
A village's grand strategy could not be thrown into chaos because of personal desire. Hikaru believed there had to be a specific reason behind it.
After thinking it over, Hikaru finally remembered what he had missed.
He also understood why Kumo dared to act like this.
The reason was simple.
The Heavenly Transfer Technique.
Space-time ninjutsu was actually quite common in this world.
Obito's Kamui, as well as the Flying Thunder God Technique mastered by Minato and Hikaru, were both forms of space-time ninjutsu.
In addition, techniques like Summoning Jutsu, Amenotejikara, Amenominaka, Yomotsu Hirasaka, the Heavenly Transfer Technique, and Limbo were all similar in nature. One could say the variety was dazzling.
However, most of these were derived from Ōtsutsuki abilities.
The exceptions were the Flying Thunder God Technique, Summoning Jutsu, and the Heavenly Transfer Technique.
Coincidentally, Kumo happened to possess one of these three techniques: the Heavenly Transfer Technique.
The Heavenly Transfer Technique sent a target to a designated location through ultra-high-speed movement.
Because it involved high-speed movement, it created intense friction with the air. Ordinary people could not withstand that pressure and would be torn apart.
Because of that, this technique was mainly used to transport objects.
But there were always exceptions.
The Third Raikage, who had fought ten thousand Iwa ninja for three days and nights, had once successfully used the Heavenly Transfer Technique to enter the battlefield.
Because his body was strong enough.
He was a man who could wrestle the Eight-Tails in close combat. His body could fully resist that violent tearing force.
The Fourth Raikage, who inherited the Third Raikage's bloodline, could also withstand the intense friction created by the transfer.
Aside from those two monsters with abnormal physical strength, the only other person who had succeeded seemed to be Tsunade, who possessed the Strength of a Hundred Seal.
The Fourth Raikage dared to lead the army out because he likely knew that if someone tried to attack Kumogakure while he was away, he could give them a huge surprise.
"Only, after meeting me, are you sure you'll still be able to return whenever you want?"
Hikaru was still very confident.
After all, even if he used only the power belonging to his identity as "Senju Hikaru," he was already close to, or had even reached, the level of Hashirama Senju at his peak during the Warring States Period.
During this period, he had also trained in some interesting things.
For example, he had spent quite a lot of effort on several special Wood Release techniques.
Everything he had done was to give the people of Kumo a surprise.
He was truly looking forward to seeing what expressions those people, as well as the hidden observers from other villages, would show when they witnessed that surprise.
Hikaru did have a bit of a mischievous streak. Besides, this was his stage to begin with. Naturally, he had to perform properly.
Especially since the Sharingan's source power planted inside his body seemed more difficult to cultivate than he had imagined.
Originally, Hikaru thought this thing would be done in one or two months. But now, he realized the time it required had exceeded his expectations.
Even now, it had not broken through much. Its progress was stuck somewhere above seventy percent, showing faint signs of stagnation.
This naturally left Hikaru dissatisfied.
Therefore, this operation was also an opportunity for him to forcefully break through the planting problem.
However, Hikaru knew now was not the time to discuss that.
Sitting inside the Hokage's office, he exchanged a glance with Nara Shikaku before directly standing up.
He ignored Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado's livid faces, and did not look at Hiruzen Sarutobi's cold expression either. He slowly spoke.
"Everyone, the current situation is extremely bad for us. Kumo has directly crossed through the Land of Iron and the Land of Hot Water and reached the border of the Land of Fire…"
At this point, Hikaru paused slightly. His gaze swept across everyone in the meeting room.
Today, everything would be a signal.
A signal that would be difficult to accept, yet impossible to ignore.
The Fourth Hokage's faction—or rather, Hikaru himself—was truly stepping onto this stage.
The people he was facing now were all the core power holders within Konoha.
These people were the ones who could truly decide the scale and direction of this war.
There were some people here Hikaru disliked, even hated.
For example, those two elders who seemed to have lived all the way into the Boruto era.
But only if these people cooperated and coordinated with one another could Konoha truly respond to Kumo.
Hikaru was not afraid of a direct confrontation.
But war was not simply a matter of two sides clashing once.
Mobilization, logistics, how to defend after the army advanced, and how to organize attacks…
All of these required planning and coordination.
After all, large-scale military operations were not the same as individual battles.
If one defensive line had a problem and the enemy charged through, disrupting the formation and dividing the troops, the end result would be being surrounded and destroyed piece by piece.
Especially now, when Konoha was clearly at a disadvantage, this coordination and command became even more important.
"I know some of you do not want this war to happen.
"But if we do not fight, I believe all of you understand what Konoha's fate will be. Kumo has forced Konoha to make a choice based on a completely fabricated accusation.
"If we accept it, Konoha's reputation in the shinobi world will be swept away. At the same time, the people inside Konoha will no longer feel secure.
"I believe Lord Hokage agrees with this as well. Correct?"
As he said this, Hikaru deliberately looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
At this moment, Hiruzen's expression became even uglier. Still, he endured it.
He knew he could not get angry now.
Indeed, the Hokage was Konoha's leader, the highest commander who guided Konoha in a reasonable direction.
But at this moment, all those who should have supported him, like first mates on the same ship, had collectively stopped following him.
Under such circumstances, he could no longer mobilize Konoha's strength.
He could only watch these people make decisions as they pleased, unable to oppose them.
Because if he opposed them now, he would be opposing all of Konoha.
He did not know why he had suffered such backlash.
But he knew he had to compromise now.
Otherwise, everything would truly be over.
He took a deep breath, then stood up. His gaze swept coldly over everyone present.
Some people lowered their heads instinctively under his gaze.
Others continued to meet his eyes.
Finally, when his gaze once again landed on Hikaru, he silently nodded.
"I naturally understand.
"Then I will leave it to you, Senju Hikaru!"
If one asked who felt the most gratified right now, it would undoubtedly be Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But if one asked who felt the angriest right now, that would also be Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The emotions of gratification and fury intertwined within him, leaving him utterly unwilling to remain here any longer.
If he had not clearly understood what would happen if he left now, he might truly have turned around and walked away.
He was angry because everyone had betrayed him.
These people, appointed by him to Konoha's highest positions, had now completely sided with the other faction.
This betrayal struck Hiruzen heavily.
He had already experienced Danzo's betrayal and Orochimaru's betrayal.
He had also lost his wife and son, and had personally witnessed Danzo's death.
These past few years had truly been unbearable for him.
And now even Konoha's foundation was betraying him.
How could he accept this?
What made it worse was that the bastard Hikaru had leaked the matter of him intending to hand over Hiashi Hyūga.
With the help of that damned newspaper, the entire village had probably already learned about it!
One could imagine how difficult Hiruzen's current situation was, and how Konoha was discussing him now.
He no longer dared to think about it.
Failure.
This time, it was a complete and utter failure.
A failure that nearly ruined his reputation.
But at the same time, he also felt gratified.
Because he had long since seen how heavy Hikaru's ambition for the Hokage position was.
He had long since acknowledged that Hikaru was a more suitable Hokage than Minato Namikaze.
For Hikaru to silently gather so many of Konoha's higher-ups under his banner—such methods truly satisfied him.
The only question was what Hikaru would do next.
Hikaru had used this opportunity to win over so many people. This was his moment of brilliance.
But after such brilliance, if he failed to do what he needed to do, then beyond the light waited only an endless abyss.
The higher one stood, the harder one fell.
Hiruzen truly did not wish for the person he considered the most suitable Hokage at present to end up that way.
Gratification, anger, and worry.
These three emotions tormented him constantly.
But now, all he could do was watch.
Watch what Hikaru would do.
"Minister Shikaku, how many ninja can the village currently mobilize?"
Seeing Hiruzen sitting there in silence, looking as if his mind had drifted away, Hikaru shook his head slightly and asked.
He felt Hiruzen seemed to have somewhat given up.
But that was fine.
At least that attitude made things much more convenient for Hikaru.
"Since the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars, the village's ninja forces have suffered tremendous losses. Many injured ninja have become ordinary villagers.
"In addition, our training speed has not fully kept up. At present, there are thirty-seven thousand two hundred registered ninja.
"Among them, twenty-seven thousand are genin, nine thousand six hundred are chūnin, and as for jōnin…"
As Minister of the Administration Department, Shikaku should not have been the one to answer such a question.
But Shikaku also held another very important position.
He was the head of the Jōnin Commander's Office.
This position originally belonged to Minato Namikaze, but after Minato went to Mount Myōboku to recover, the post was left empty.
Hiruzen likely wanted to win over Ino-Shika-Chō, so he gave this position to Shikaku as an additional role.
And now, this benefited Hikaru.
"I understand. Thank you, Minister Shikaku."
Hikaru nodded gently.
This number was truly not high, but it was also the most normal number.
Even though Shikaku had not stated the number of jōnin, Hikaru knew there were very few jōnin in all of Konoha.
Jōnin were rare resources.
Aside from the greater clans having more jōnin, the civilian ninja side having one or two hundred would already be remarkable.
"Then how many ninja can the village actually mobilize?"
"There are one thousand troops stationed on the western border near the Land of Rivers. From the northwest to northeast, in the Land of Rain, Land of Grass, and Land of Waterfalls, there are around five thousand ninja.
"From the northeast to the east, in the Land of Sound, Land of Hot Water, and Land of Whirlpools, there are also four thousand ninja.
"However…"
Shikaku recalled the deployments briefly, then quickly and accurately reported them.
"The defensive ninja from the Land of Iron and Land of Hot Water have already gathered at the border stronghold. There are roughly two thousand of them.
"As for the village itself, after excluding administrative personnel, we can mobilize thirteen thousand combat ninja.
"However…"
The meaning of "however" was obvious.
The ninja responsible for defending the surrounding regions absolutely could not be moved.
There was no doubt about that.
Who knew whether someone would take the chance to strike their home?
Although Konoha had ceasefire agreements with several villages, that did not mean some minor villages would not make moves.
Even if everyone knew those small villages might be backed by one of the great ninja villages, the great villages were not personally acting.
They were simply using proxies.
There was not much that could be blamed on them.
The village could mobilize more than twenty thousand ninja in total, but Hikaru also knew how many among them were young genin or ninja fully engaged in education, medicine, and administration.
Shikaku's report probably did not include young genin on the combat list.
In addition, Konoha also needed many ninja to maintain order inside the village.
After all, Konoha had over a hundred thousand residents.
If order was truly lost and enemy ninja caused trouble inside, whether by spreading rumors or assassinating administrative personnel, it would be disastrous.
Therefore, the number of ninja Konoha could actually use was not high.
War required consideration of many factors.
Sending troops was not a matter of using however many one had.
Unless the village itself was about to fall, only then would they consider a desperate last stand.
"It seems we truly do not have many people available."
Hikaru sighed slightly, but soon looked toward Hiruzen.
"Lord Hokage, is there anything else that needs to be added?"
"You decide."
Hiruzen closed his eyes and did not bother answering those questions.
He knew very well that even if he said something, the young man before him probably would not truly listen.
After all, as a Hokage—or as someone supported by everyone as a Hokage should be—when it was time to make a decisive call, he had to make it.
There could be no hesitation.
"In that case, since everyone trusts me, I announce…"
Hikaru spoke directly.
As his voice rang out, every ninja present stood up, except Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura.
"This time, we will deploy four thousand ninja and cooperate with the two thousand at the front-line stronghold to resist Kumo's invasion.
"Minister Shikaku, I will trouble you with mobilization. We do not have much time.
"Also, have the jōnin from other defense zones transferred to the Land of Hot Water front line as quickly as possible, especially jōnin capable of command."
"Yes, Minister Hikaru."
Shikaku nodded without hesitation. At the same time, he quietly let out a breath of relief.
Although Hikaru had suddenly been pushed into this position, his rank was sufficient, and everyone else believed the Fourth Hokage stood behind him.
But he had never proven himself in wartime command.
Now that he suddenly had to make such decisions, Shikaku had truly been uneasy.
Not only him. Many people were probably uneasy.
So Shikaku had already decided to remind this ANBU Minister whenever necessary.
However, this young minister's performance was not bad at all.
Although the arrangements were relatively simple, at least they were orderly and clear.
This was a war between two villages.
No matter who stood in this position, they would feel terrifying pressure.
But this young man seemed to feel no such pressure.
He could handle these matters.
"Lord Hokage."
Hikaru saw Hiruzen agree and stopped paying attention to what he might be thinking. He turned to look at him.
"Then I will leave logistics to you.
"After all, logistics are the lifeline of the frontline ninja. I believe only you can handle that properly."
"I understand."
Hiruzen sighed inwardly, but still nodded.
No matter how dissatisfied he was, no matter how tormented and angry he felt, he also understood that Konoha was about to go to war.
That meant he had to do something.
Even if there was hatred between them, that could wait until after the war.
Even though he knew that, with public opinion fermenting, his situation was probably truly difficult now.
But this was not the time to consider that.
Managing logistics was a heavy responsibility.
During the Third Shinobi World War, Iwagakure had been forced to surrender precisely because their supply line had been severed by Minato's team, combined with pressure from Kumo.
Because of Konoha's superior geography, they had many possible logistics routes.
And because the Hyūga existed, they could to some extent avoid large-scale squad infiltration.
At least they would not be like Iwa, needing a large reserve force guarding the rear and weakening the front line.
But when Hiruzen thought of the Hyūga, his expression turned strange again.
After all, he had intended to sell out the Hyūga in exchange for peace between Konoha and Kumo.
And now, he could not help thinking of that clan again.
"As for the main force of four thousand ninja…"
Seeing Hiruzen agree, Hikaru continued with his arrangements.
He was not worried about handing such an important task to Hiruzen or whether the man might interfere.
If it had been handed to Danzo, Hikaru would have had to guard against him.
But with Hiruzen, there was no need.
This man was fundamentally different from Danzo.
Of course, if he truly did something unforgivable, especially with Konoha in its current state, Hikaru would make him a disgrace among all "Kage."
Although from the current situation, he already seemed to be moving in that direction.
After all, most of Konoha's important positions were no longer standing on his side.
"Minister Shikaku, arrange someone to temporarily take over your work. This four-thousand-strong main force will be entrusted to you."
After thinking for a moment, Hikaru made his decision.
Such a large force was most reassuring in Shikaku's hands.
"No, Minister Hikaru."
To Hikaru's surprise, Shikaku directly shook his head.
"You should be the commander of this main force."
"Me?"
Hikaru froze slightly. He had not expected Shikaku to refuse.
Looking at the situation, Shikaku was the most suitable person in terms of both position and ability.
"I will arrange someone to take over my work."
Shikaku saw Hikaru's confusion and smiled.
"That way, I can go to the front line with Minister Hikaru and assist you in dealing with Kumo."
After Hikaru finished the arrangements, the war was completely defined. The entire village of Konoha began operating at high speed.
Perhaps because the Third Shinobi World War had ended less than two years ago, and because the Nine-Tails Incident had stirred the sensitive hearts of Konoha's ninja, the efficiency they displayed was terrifying.
In only two days, the conscripted ninja had fully gathered according to the combat sequence.
Although two days was somewhat slow for ninja, since Kumo had already set out, Konoha still had frontline defense troops holding the line, so there was no need to worry too much for the moment.
When the newborn morning sun rose from the east on the third day, Hikaru and his group led a mighty force of four thousand toward the front line.
Almost all of Konoha's villagers came out spontaneously to send them off.
Many ninja who had been left behind held back a breath of frustration.
There were many reasons they could not go to the battlefield, but they also understood that they had to handle their necessary duties properly.
At the same time, they were curious about who exactly was leading the army this time. They truly did not know much.
But soon, they learned from the newspaper that the young man leading the army was from the Senju Clan.
He was Senju Hikaru, the ANBU Minister who had stopped the Nine-Tails during the Nine-Tails Incident.
"I never expected it to be him. So his name is Senju Hikaru."
"A new Wood Release user? May the heavens bless us. Is the glory of the First Hokage about to descend upon Konoha again?"
"I heard the Third Hokage originally planned to abandon the Hyūga Clan in exchange for peace. It was this lord who joined forces with many ministers and clan heads to oppose him, forcing the Third Hokage to change his mind."
"The Third Hokage really is old. How could Konoha make such a concession?"
"Exactly. I remember the newspaper analyzed something like this long ago. Applying it here fits perfectly. If we give in even once, Konoha's image in the shinobi world will be completely ruined."
"Not only that. If we give in this time, what about next time? If one concession can bring peace, won't people start thinking every concession can bring peace?"
"I heard this time they wanted the Hyūga Clan head. Next time, will they demand land from the Land of Fire?"
"And I also heard this was all staged by Kumo. They were trying to kidnap the Hyūga little princess, and that's why they were killed."
"…"
"…"
Hiruzen stood on the viewing platform. His gaze was fixed on the departing army, but all kinds of discussions kept reaching his ears.
His expression shifted unpredictably.
Although he had known public opinion would ferment, and although he had known the situation would be unfavorable to him, he had believed that his actions would still receive some support from the villagers.
But now, it seemed he had received no support at all.
It was as if he had completely made the wrong decision.
No one understood him.
He also saw some clan members looking at him with very abnormal eyes, filling him with helplessness and sorrow.
"Hiruzen, what should we do now?"
Koharu and Homura had been standing beside him the entire time. Naturally, they heard those words too, and anger rose in them.
Konoha's decisions did not require these people's understanding. They only needed to obey.
What these people were doing now was betrayal.
How could they not feel furious?
"What else can we do now?"
Hiruzen glanced at the two of them and finally sighed helplessly.
"The war has already begun. We should do what we need to do."
"I never thought that after only two or three years of peace, war would come again."
Hikaru wore Konoha's standard combat uniform with a green flak jacket and a forehead protector tied around his head. He led the four-thousand-strong force rapidly toward the border of the Land of Hot Water.
To be honest, this outfit felt rather fresh to him.
After wearing ANBU attire for so long, dressing like this for the first time felt somewhat uncomfortable.
However, as Konoha's highest commander during wartime, he could no longer continue wearing ANBU clothing.
Nara Shikaku was truly interesting.
Originally, Hikaru had intended to hand this role to him, because Shikaku was the most suitable person to command an army.
Whether it was strategic ability, his experience in the Third Shinobi World War, or his position as Jōnin Commander, he was the ideal choice.
But Shikaku had not hesitated to give the position to Hikaru instead.
His purpose was obvious.
He had completely seen through Hikaru's thoughts, and he was also willing to push him forward.
There were also some very interesting details about this mobilization.
The major clans that had leaned toward Hikaru had all sent quite a few core forces.
Behind Hikaru were Hyūga Hiashi and Hyūga Hizashi, and together they had gathered nearly a hundred Hyūga ninja.
Although most of these Hyūga ninja were branch family members, with only a small number from the main family, this was already the limit of what Hiashi could do.
After all, the main family's combat strength was not necessarily that strong, while the branch family spent all their time taking dangerous missions.
This was one of the reasons why relations between the main family and branch family were so tense.
Imagine a group of people living in comfort and privilege while standing high above everyone else.
Meanwhile, another group risked their lives and made enormous contributions to the clan, yet were treated like slaves.
Who could accept that?
However, Hiashi personally going to war this time somewhat suppressed the voices of those present.
This was already the Hyūga's main force. It was the main force they could mobilize.
Aside from them, Hikaru had also mobilized many from clans such as the Hyūga, Aburame, and Inuzuka, as well as members of the Senju Clan he had brought out.
There were also large numbers of civilian ninja and small-clan ninja who had chosen to follow him.
One could say that this four-thousand-strong army had a very comprehensive composition.
Reconnaissance, assault, and ninjutsu support were all well-covered.
"Kumo gave us no choice."
Shikaku stood beside Hikaru and shook his head.
"Besides, isn't this what Minister Hikaru wanted?"
"In a way."
Hikaru chuckled. He still looked very relaxed.
"War is terrifying, but what is more terrifying is losing the will to resist. After all, if we make full preparations, war can still be dealt with."
"Then, Minister Hikaru, what are your thoughts?"
Only now did Shikaku ask curiously.
"Or rather, do you have a plan?"
"A plan? I do. And it is already being executed."
Hikaru seemed to think of something amusing, and his eyebrows rose slightly.
"If nothing unexpected happens, that kid is probably wearing a bitter expression right now.
"But that is ANBU's matter. As for us, we need to make Kumo gather together, preferably in a place suitable for a large-scale frontal battle…"
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