"Is everyone here?"
Inside the meeting room of Konoha's Operations Department, Tsunade asked Shouta behind her.
"As you instructed, representatives from all clans have arrived."
Shouta also glanced at the record book of attendees.
This time there were a lot of people present. The crowd below looked like a sea of faces, nothing like their old meetings with just a handful of people around a table.
"Hmm, good."
Tsunade nodded and raised her hand, knocking heavily on the podium.
A dull tapping echoed through the meeting room, instantly silencing what had previously been a noisy scene.
"Stop speculating needlessly."
"Today, I've gathered everyone here because there's something urgent that needs discussion."
Only after everyone's eyes focused on the stage did Tsunade slowly begin speaking.
"The pregnant woman is getting quite formidable."
Kawaki whispered quietly to the person beside him, watching Tsunade in her Hokage robe looking particularly solemn.
"You just don't know when to shut up."
True to form, Sakumo remained serious during the meeting.
He didn't even spare Kawaki a glance.
"..."
Realizing he'd made a fool of himself, Kawaki gave up and silently turned his attention back to Tsunade.
Though Nagato's message had surprised him, upon reflection, he hadn't grown overly anxious.
Otherwise, why would he be so calm now?
As the two brothers conversed, Shouta had already begun explaining the situation per Tsunade's orders.
"According to confirmed intelligence, a major war will break out in the Ninja World two days from now."
"Fortunately, our target isn't Konoha."
"But once this war starts, it's only a matter of time before we get dragged in."
"Today, Hokage-sama has gathered everyone to hear your opinions."
"Should Konoha act first, or watch and strike at the right moment?"
Before Shouta could return to his position standing slightly behind and beside Tsunade, chaos erupted in the hall.
The noise was even worse than before.
"Our Konoha won't be the target."
"Yeah, unless someone's Kage got their brain squashed by a door."
"But who exactly is fighting whom anyway?"
"That doesn't matter."
"I think we should strike first. Anyway, we can't avoid it forever."
"We should attack Iwagakure first, those scumbags."
"No no no, we should watch and wait, choose the right moment before acting."
...
Although opinions varied among those below, not a single person questioned the intelligence's authenticity from start to finish.
Tsunade gave them ample time, silently observing without interrupting.
Kawaki and the other core members silently gathered everyone's opinions.
After an unknown amount of time, the sounds in the meeting room gradually faded.
"Silence."
Tsunade tapped the podium again, using her familiar strategy again.
"Now I'll answer your questions."
"The Cloud Ninja Village and the Akatsuki are planning to attack the Land of Earth."
Tsunade wasn't afraid anyone here might be a spy. If even this meeting had been compromised by spies, then Jiraiya should have committed ritual suicide.
After giving the audience time to digest this news, Tsunade continued.
"There's no abstention here—you each have two options from this moment on."
"Those supporting active participation stand on the right side, while those preferring to wait and see stand on the left."
Tsunade's gaze slowly swept across the room, her tone firm and commanding.
With Kawaki and the others leading the way, the people inside began to move.
They quickly arranged themselves into two clearly defined lines.
"Heh, seems like most people still prefer peace."
"Then it's settled."
Tsunade didn't even need to count — she already knew the answer. Everything was under control.
It wasn't so much a meeting as a direct declaration to all of Konoha:
War is coming!!!
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