The next morning, inside the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen sat behind his desk with a gloomy expression.
Homura had gone to mobilize the Chinoike clan, while Koharu Utatane claimed illness and refused to come.
To gather another batch of ninja for the front lines, he had already notified all the major ninja clans.
Yet not a single clan head had arrived.
"Lord Hokage, the messages have all been delivered..."
An Anbu knelt on the floor, his voice growing quieter and quieter.
"But..."
"But what?"
"Clan Head Nara said the clan's affairs are too busy, and he cannot spare the time."
"Clan Head Yamanaka said... said his mind-related secret techniques have recently developed problems and he needs to recuperate."
"Clan Head Akimichi said he's dieting and cannot engage in intense physical activity."
"Clan Head Hyuga said the branch family requires reorganization, and there are currently no troops available."
"Clan Head Inuzuka said the ninja hounds are in mating season and cannot go to war."
"Clan Head Aburame said the kikaichu are currently breeding..."
"Enough!"
Hiruzen slammed the table, causing the teacup to jump.
The Anbu lowered his head and dared not speak further.
Hiruzen knew these people were making excuses, but there was nothing he could do about it.
The major ninja clans had completely lost faith in him. Other than venting his anger, he could do nothing.
"Pass down the order. Mobilize one thousand ninja from the Sarutobi clan to accompany me to the northwestern Hidden Stone battlefield."
The Anbu hesitated.
"Lord Hokage, the Sarutobi clan's ninja... haven't experienced war in many years, and their training has become somewhat lax..."
"I know."
Hiruzen stood up and draped the Hokage robe over his shoulders.
"But I no longer have any other choice."
...
Hidden Leaf training ground.
One thousand Sarutobi clan ninja stood there in a loose, disorderly formation, whispering among themselves.
Some had even forgotten to wear their forehead protectors, while others held kunai in hand while yawning.
Hiruzen stood atop the platform, looking at this force as a deep sense of powerlessness rose within him.
The Sarutobi clan's ninja had been protected too well by him over the years.
Using his authority as Hokage, he had assigned the Sarutobi clan's ninja only the best missions.
However, this also caused most of the Sarutobi clan ninja, who had never experienced war, to gradually forget what war was.
He naturally understood that it would be difficult to win battles while leading them.
Regardless, all he could do now was place his hopes on Homura achieving success on the northern battlefield.
…
Meanwhile, outside Hidden Leaf's main gate.
Homura stood at the front of the formation, full of vigor.
Behind him, two hundred Chinoike clan ninja stood in neat ranks.
They wore identical dark combat uniforms.
At the very front of the formation, Chitose Chinoike's expression was solemn.
Behind him stood the Chinoike clan elites. Among them, fewer than thirty had truly awakened the Ketsuryugan.
"Move out!"
Homura waved his hand, and the force began marching northward.
Along the way, Homura walked side by side with Chitose, his tone full of self-satisfaction.
"Clan Head Chitose, this time your Chinoike clan is Hidden Leaf's trump card."
"You're confident in dealing with Hidden Cloud's Jinchuriki, right?"
Chitose fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking.
"Lord Homura, among the Chinoike clan, fewer than thirty clansmen have awakened the Ketsuryugan."
"Moreover, the Ketsuryugan is not a Kekkei Genkai suited for large-scale combat."
"It excels at controlling individual targets, manipulating the blood within their bodies, and turning them into human bombs."
"If used on the battlefield, it is better suited for special operations alongside the main force rather than frontal assaults."
Homura's smile stiffened slightly, his tone becoming displeased.
"Hm? Are you saying you can't defeat the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki?"
"It's not that we can't defeat him. We require tactical coordination."
Chitose patiently explained.
"Although the Ketsuryugan is powerful, its effective range is limited, and its effectiveness against a Jinchuriki with enormous chakra reserves would be greatly reduced."
"If the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki can be isolated from the rest of Hidden Cloud's forces, then our chances of success will be much higher if we carry out a targeted elimination."
Homura waved his hand impatiently.
"Enough, enough. I don't care about all that!"
"The Uchiha were able to do it. Their Susanoo is so powerful. Doesn't your Chinoike clan have some similar ability?"
A trace of anger flashed through Chitose's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
"Lord Homura, the Uchiha and the Chinoike possess two entirely different Kekkei Genkai."
"The Ketsuryugan specializes more in single-target manipulation and blood control. They cannot be directly compared."
"Enough already."
Homura waved dismissively.
"I'm not discussing theories with you. Once we reach the front lines, your Chinoike clan will take the vanguard!"
Chitose's expression changed.
"No! The Chinoike clan's Kekkei Genkai must be used in coordination with other ninja. We cannot fight independently!"
"If we are exposed on the frontal battlefield and the formation is broken through, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
"I am the commander-in-chief. What I say goes!"
Homura's voice suddenly rose.
"Do not question my decisions! This is the Third Hokage's order!"
"Your Chinoike clan has enjoyed Hidden Leaf's protection for all these years. Now it's time for you to contribute!"
Chitose clenched his fists.
The clansmen behind him also revealed expressions of anger.
Even so, because the Chinoike clan still had family members inside Hidden Leaf and lived under the village's control, no one dared speak.
...
Three days later, Hidden Leaf's northern front command headquarters.
It was a crude encampment built upon a hillside.
Tents filled the camp, and Hidden Leaf's ninja moved back and forth with exhaustion written all over their faces.
When Homura arrived with the Chinoike clan, the front-line commander, a civilian Jonin named Yamada, was discussing defensive strategies with several subordinates in front of a map.
Upon hearing the report, Yamada quickly came out to greet them.
"Lord Homura, you've arrived!"
Yamada bowed respectfully.
"The Third Hokage already sent word that reinforcements would arrive. It's just... I didn't expect you to come personally."
Homura did not return the greeting. He walked directly into the command tent, his eyes sweeping over the battle map hanging on the wall.
"What's the current situation?"
Yamada followed behind him and pointed at the map.
"Hidden Cloud's forces are currently plundering towns thirty li north of here. The Fourth Raikage is personally leading them, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Killer B is there as well."
"Their main force numbers around two thousand men, and their combat strength is extremely powerful."
"We currently only have a little over fifteen hundred men. We can only rely on the terrain for defense."
Homura frowned.
"Too few, but it doesn't matter. I brought two hundred elite reinforcements."
Yamada's eyes lit up.
"Two hundred? Wonderful! Which unit are they from?"
"The Chinoike clan."
Homura's tone was full of pride.
Yamada revealed a thoughtful expression before cautiously speaking.
"Lord Homura, we still do not fully understand the Chinoike clan's strength. Perhaps it would be better to let them serve as reserves first, and after they familiarize themselves with the battlefield..."
"No need!"
Homura interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for objection.
"From this moment onward, command authority over the front lines belongs to me."
Yamada froze.
"Lord Homura, you do not have experience commanding major campaigns. Perhaps I should..."
"Are you questioning my decision?"
Homura's voice turned cold as he pulled out a scroll from his robes.
"This is the Third Hokage's order. All front-line forces are now under my full command!"
---
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