"Bold, passionate words! But the reality is… where does the Hidden Leaf still have enough Shinobi to support yet another front? Shinobi don't just appear out of thin air!"
Koharu snorted coldly, unable to wait to pour cold water over the proposal.
Homura backed her up, his tone resolute:
"Exactly! Let me make this clear in advance.
"Our Mitokado clan has gone through consecutive wars, and the Shinobi of suitable age within the clan are all already burdened with important duties. We truly cannot spare any more manpower to participate in a new campaign."
Facing the two advisors passing the buck in tandem, Gento's gaze was sharp as lightning as he looked at Homura:
"Oh? The Mitokado clan enjoys the resources and funding allocated by the village and receives the protection of the Hidden Leaf in ordinary times.
"And now, with external enemies approaching and war imminent, you are the first to declare that you cannot spare anyone? Is this the responsibility of a Hokage advisor's clan?"
"You… don't spout nonsense!"
Homura was unable to respond, his face turning red.
"That's enough!"
Koharu hurriedly interrupted, attempting to cover for her old partner.
"Now is not the time to dredge up old accounts! Since the Uchiha advocate for war and are a major clan, they should naturally bear more responsibility!
"In my opinion, in dealing with the Hidden Sand this time, it is most appropriate for the Uchiha to serve as the main force!"
"What a fine 'should naturally bear more responsibility'!"
Gento turned his gaze toward Koharu, his face full of ridicule.
"The Uchiha will, of course, serve as the main force.
"That said, what I want to ask is, how many elites does your clan intend to send to fight alongside the Uchiha?"
With the flames suddenly directed at her, Koharu panicked.
"How could that be possible! Our Utatane clan has never had a large population. How could we compare with the Uchiha? Absolutely not!"
"What's the difference?"
Gento looked at her agitated appearance with interest and pressed on slowly.
"We are all Shinobi clans of the Hidden Leaf. Why is it only natural when it comes to the Uchiha, yet absolutely impossible when it comes to the Utatane clan?"
"How can that be the same?"
"You Uchiha are a great clan, of course, you should contribute more…"
"That's enough."
Gento no longer engaged in meaningless verbal sparring with them.
He swept his gaze across the entire room, his voice suddenly rising, carrying the long-lost proud dominance of the Uchiha:
"It seems some people have long grown accustomed to weighing gains and losses in comfort, forgetting that the Shinobi world is governed by blood and fire!
"Since some clans fear war and refuse to advance, then let the Uchiha raise this battle banner!"
"The wars that other clans dare not participate in. We, the Uchiha, will fight.
"The enemies that other clans dare not provoke. We will provoke.
"The foes that other clans dare not kill. We will kill."
He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across every face with differing expressions, before declaring:
"In short, the enemies that other clans can kill, we Uchiha can kill.
"And the enemies that other clans cannot kill, we Uchiha can kill even more so!
"Dominating with Ninjutsu, shaking the Shinobi world! This is the Uchiha!"
As his words fell, the meeting room sank into silence.
That long-lost, domineering aura belonging to the great clans of the Warring States era spread from Gento like a tangible force, impacting the minds of everyone present.
Many of the older clan heads, in a daze, seemed to see the shadow of Madara Uchiha from years past.
Even Danzo narrowed his single eye, a trace of an unreadable glint flashing within.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, breaking the silence.
He knew that, as Hokage, he had to decide at this moment.
"Very well. The Uchiha possessing such determination is a blessing for the Hidden Leaf.
"Therefore, what support does the Uchiha require from the village?"
Gento had already prepared his answer:
"First, the Uchiha will dispatch three hundred elite members of the Police Force currently maintaining village order to the frontlines.
"During this period, I hope Hokage-sama can coordinate the Anbu and the remaining security forces to temporarily take over the responsibilities of the Police Force."
Hiruzen pondered for a few seconds before nodding in agreement.
"That is acceptable. The Anbu will take over part of the patrol duties. The village's safety need not be a concern."
"Second, I require an official appointment as the frontline Commander-in-Chief, along with full authority, so that I may flexibly deploy all participating forces based on enemy conditions and formulate and execute battle plans."
To have someone so young from the Uchiha serve as the Commander-in-Chief against an entire village?
Hiruzen's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
The risks involved were self-evident.
However, as his gaze swept over Koharu, Homura, and those clan representatives whose expressions were troubled or wavering, he understood in his heart:
At present, there was indeed no more suitable or more resolute candidate than Gento.
After a brief consideration, Hiruzen said in a deep voice:
"…Very well. I will formally appoint you as the Commander-in-Chief of the frontlines.
"But you must take responsibility for every decision and for the lives of all participating Shinobi. What is your battle plan?"
Gento's expression remained unchanged, confident and well-prepared:
"My plan is an ambush!
"The Hidden Sand is still convinced that their attack plan is highly secret, and that the Hidden Leaf knows nothing. That is their greatest weakness!
"We can exploit this information gap and set up an ambush in advance along their planned invasion route, waiting at ease for the exhausted enemy and striking them unprepared!
"Once the ambush succeeds, we can heavily damage the enemy forces in the very first battle!"
Hiruzen's eyes lit up, unable to hold back his praise:
"Excellent! Strike unexpectedly, use strategy to overcome strength! It is indeed feasible!"
Not only Hiruzen, but many clan heads below, especially those who had experienced war, could not help but nod to themselves upon hearing this.
Indeed, this would not be a prolonged war of attrition nor a hasty encounter battle, but a carefully planned ambush!
If executed properly, it could truly achieve tremendous results at relatively low cost, and might even directly crush the Hidden Sand's offensive.
More importantly, killing enemy Shinobi in an ambush battle meant real military merit and tangible rewards!
Several clan heads' breathing grew heavier as they began recalculating in their hearts.
"Good!"
Hiruzen slapped the table and made his decision.
"Since that is the case, the plan is settled. Gento, submit a detailed list of required supplies to the Hokage's office as soon as possible. I will have them prioritized for allocation.
"Meeting adjourned!"
The meeting ended in a subtle atmosphere.
Everyone began to leave one after another.
Gento had just walked a short distance out of the meeting room when three people blocked his path.
They were the current heads of the Ino–Shika–Cho clans: Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi.
As their representative, Shikaku spoke:
"Commander Gento, our Ino–Shika–Cho clans would also like to participate in the Battle of Kikyo Pass. Each of our clans is willing to dispatch fifty elites, a total of one hundred and fifty Shinobi, to follow your command."
Excellent!
As expected of Shikaku Nara, one of the Hidden Leaf's foremost strategists, he had grasped the key points and potential benefits of this battle, reacting far faster than anyone.
"Agreed."
Gento nodded decisively.
"However, since you are participating, you must fully obey my unified command. On the battlefield, orders are absolute. There is no room for negotiation."
"Of course!"
Shikaku agreed without hesitation.
He trusted the strategic insight Gento had demonstrated and the combat strength of the Uchiha; it was certainly not baseless.
Entrusting their clansmen to him carried risk, but also greater opportunity.
The Ino–Shika–Cho's immediate stance made other clans, who were still observing or hesitating, unable to hold back any longer.
The head of the Inuzuka clan stepped forward as well:
"Our Inuzuka clan is also willing to send fifty elites! Let those Sand bastards have a taste of our Ninja Hounds!"
Hiashi Hyuga said coldly:
"The Hyuga clan will also dispatch fifty elites who possess the Byakugan."
Even Danzo, who had been watching coldly, gave a subtle signal to Torune Aburame beside him.
Torune stepped forward.
"Danzo-sama believes this battle concerns the dignity of the Hidden Leaf. The Aburame clan is willing to send fifty clan members to assist the Commander-in-Chief."
For a moment, the various clans that had previously claimed they had no manpower to spare had suddenly gathered another three hundred Shinobi!
The Will of Fire might at times be obscured, but when faced with potential merit and tangible clan interests, actions often spoke louder than slogans.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado watched this scene, their expressions turning quite unpleasant.
As Gento had said, if it were an ambush battle, it could indeed deal grave damage to the enemy nation; perhaps even secure victory in the war!
They were already beginning to regret it.
Regardless, their earlier words had been too absolute and their stance too rigid; To change their position now would be equivalent to slapping their own faces and bowing to Gento.
How could they lower themselves like that?
Ultimately, Koharu could only snort sourly.
"Hmph! A bunch of fools blinded by profit! Putting everything on a brat who's barely out of diapers. When you suffer defeat and heavy losses, let's see what you'll do!"
Homura also forced himself to maintain face and echoed:
"Exactly! The battlefield is no child's play. Young people don't know the immensity of heaven and earth…"
Gento did not even bother to turn back.
"That won't require your concern."
After saying that, he did not linger and hurried away.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing the mission!
[Reward: Draw Chance ×1]
...
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