Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
The Fourth Raikage and Killer B had already arrived at the front lines with three thousand elite troops.
The reconnaissance squads Uchiha Yusuke had dispatched learned of it immediately.
That information was then relayed back to Konoha at once through the Communications Unit.
Faced with such an urgent situation, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not convene a meeting to discuss countermeasures. Instead, he summoned the Konoha F4.
Hokage Building — Hokage's Office
Homura Mitokado spoke in a flat tone.
"Hiruzen, Kumogakure is coming in aggressively this time."
"We should prepare early."
The "prepare early" he referred to was naturally not about reinforcing Uchiha Yusuke.
With the Fourth Raikage A personally taking the field, and with Killer B—the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki—as well as Yugito, the Two-Tails' jinchūriki, present as well, Uchiha Yusuke was all but certain to face a dire situation.
Sacrificing Uchiha Yusuke suited them perfectly.
The real problem was this: after Yusuke's defeat, how would they force Kumogakure to withdraw?
The Fourth Raikage was no benevolent saint. Unless pressure was applied, he would not stop.
They did not want Kumogakure to charge straight through the borders and break into the Land of Fire.
Konoha's higher-ups could accept Uchiha Yusuke losing—
But they would not accept losing the war.
At worst, they could concede some benefits and sign a peace treaty.
But they could not make any further concessions.
After all, Hiruzen still cared about his reputation.
He absolutely could not become a defeated leader—otherwise Danzō would seize the chance to stir trouble and force him to relinquish the Hokage seat.
Koharu Utatane stepped forward and suggested, "The situation is urgent. Why don't you send someone to summon Jiraiya back again, Hiruzen?"
Homura Mitokado nodded along.
The last time Jiraiya refused to return had already displeased him.
Now that Konoha faced a crisis, Jiraiya would have no reason to refuse again… right?
In the corner of the office, Danzō—who had remained silent—suddenly stood.
"It doesn't matter if Jiraiya won't come back."
"This time, let me serve as the overall commander to repel Kumogakure."
"Hiruzen, what do you think?"
Danzō's calculations were clear.
After Uchiha Yusuke was defeated, he would step in and turn the tide.
In that case, who else could claim the greatest merit but him?
If he harvested that prestige, the Hokage position might soon fall right into his hands.
Danzō had waited for this day for a very long time.
Hiruzen merely glanced at Danzō, neither agreeing nor refusing.
If Jiraiya returned, resisting Kumogakure would naturally be his task.
If he did not… was the Hokage not still here?
When would it ever be Danzō's turn to take the lead?
You're nothing but the one who takes the blame—don't forget your place.
Hiruzen said nothing. A shadow flashed in Danzō's eyes.
Though the Third Hokage indulged him in ordinary times, at crucial moments he always liked to "drop the chain," and that infuriated Danzō.
Would it kill you to hand over the Hokage seat?
So old, yet still unwilling to make room for others!
In truth, Hiruzen wasn't unwilling to step down.
He simply didn't want to hand the Hokage seat to Danzō.
If Jiraiya were willing to take over, Hiruzen would be quite happy to relax and act as an elder statesman.
That had essentially been the case when the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, took office.
Danzō looked to the two advisors, hoping they would speak for him, but Homura and Koharu clearly stood closer to Hiruzen.
If those two hadn't played their duet back then, how could Hiruzen have reclaimed the Hokage seat he'd lost?
Aside from dealing with Kumogakure, Konoha's higher-ups now faced another issue.
If they wanted to sit back and watch Uchiha Yusuke clash with Kumogakure until both sides were crippled, they would need to think carefully.
News that the Fourth Raikage had personally gone to the front lines had already reached Konoha.
They needed an excuse to appease Uchiha Yusuke and delay reinforcements as much as possible.
Only then would events unfold according to the script they wanted.
Hiruzen spoke calmly.
"Who will drive back Kumogakure can be discussed later."
"First, let's talk about how to support the front lines."
The Third Hokage wore a stern, righteous expression.
He spoke of sending support, but in truth, he had no intention of doing so.
Hiruzen's greatest skill was this: he never voiced his real intentions directly—he always borrowed another's hands.
That way, even if something went wrong, he wouldn't bear the primary responsibility.
Otherwise, why was it always Danzō who took the blame?
In terms of political instinct, Danzō was not even in the same league as Hiruzen.
The two advisors were extremely "competent." The moment Hiruzen spoke, they immediately understood what he wanted.
"Support is necessary," Homura said.
"But both Sunagakure and Iwagakure are currently watching Konoha like hawks."
"We can't spare enough manpower at the moment."
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
During the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha had made enemies of both Sunagakure and Iwagakure.
Using them as an excuse—claiming they might strike while Konoha was weakened—was indeed a convenient reason.
With Hiruzen and the two advisors aligned, Danzō could only leave in a huff.
If others refused to give him an opportunity, then he would create one himself.
No sooner had Danzō left than Uchiha Fugaku pushed open the door and entered.
"Hokage-sama. I came uninvited—have I disturbed you?"
Hiruzen immediately put on a warm smile.
"Fugaku."
"You came at the right time. We were just about to have ANBU notify you to attend a discussion."
Fugaku's expression was tense with urgency.
"Hokage-sama, the Fourth Raikage has personally taken the field. The front lines are in danger—we must send reinforcements immediately!"
Facing Fugaku's proposal, the Third Hokage neither confirmed nor denied. Instead, the two advisors stepped forward at once.
Homura said in a deep voice.
"Our patrol units have just reported that both Sunagakure and Iwagakure appear to be gathering forces."
"In my view, the Kumogakure front can still hold for some time. Deterring neighboring nations and stabilizing the rear is the priority!"
Koharu also chimed in.
"In the last war, Konoha formed deep grudges with both Iwagakure and Sunagakure."
"They may take this chance to return in force. We cannot afford to be careless."
After the two advisors spoke, Hiruzen finally rose as well.
"Fugaku…"
"I also want to reinforce the Kumogakure front at once, but Konoha cannot spare enough shinobi in such a short time."
"Iwagakure and Sunagakure's movements cannot be ignored. Once the situation stabilizes, I will send additional troops to the front immediately."
Fugaku opened his mouth, wanting to say more—
But the Third Hokage's expression left no room for argument.
Seeing that, Fugaku's face darkened like the bottom of a pot.
Yusuke had been right.
Konoha's higher-ups only knew how to play dirty, underhanded games.
Fugaku snorted, slammed the door, and left.
He was growing more and more disappointed in the Third Hokage.
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