After Homura Mitokado and the others left the Kumogakure camp, they walked for a while before stopping.
A Ninja from the guard squad used a special method to relay the negotiation details back to the camp and Konoha Village.
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately called another emergency meeting with Konoha's people late that night.
The meeting began.
Hiruzen Sarutobi directly distributed copies of the intelligence to everyone present.
After a moment, seeing that everyone had finished reading the intelligence in their hands, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke directly.
"A war with Kumogakure is inevitable. This time, I've decided to go to the Battlefield myself. Everyone, please state how many people you can send."
Konoha's main forces had already assembled and departed when Kumogakure first appeared in the Land of Hot Water.
After all, Konoha had already entered a state of war preparedness when Hidden Mist made its move, and regular missions had long been suspended.
This meeting was mainly to determine the commanders and the Jonin who would participate in the battle, and they would depart after the meeting.
It would obviously be easy for Jonin to catch up with the departing main forces at their speed.
However, as soon as Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, someone immediately began to object.
"No, you are the Hokage of Konoha! How can you go to the Battlefield? If you go to the Battlefield, what will happen to Konoha?!"
The speaker was Utatane Koharu, who clearly disagreed with Hiruzen Sarutobi personally leading the expedition.
As soon as she spoke, many Ninja present nodded, and many others voiced their agreement.
"That's right, Hokage-sama, how can you go to the Battlefield?"
"Exactly, Hokage-sama, if you're on the front lines, Konoha will fall into chaos!"
"Yes, if even the Hokage goes to the front, the entire Ninja World will think Konoha has no one left!"
The voices of opposition rose and fell.
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a sense of relief seeing such a scene.
Having already made his decision, he was clearly not someone others could sway.
Hiruzen Sarutobi explained with a chuckle.
"It has been confirmed that the Raikage of Hidden Cloud Village is also participating in the war. If the Raikage can, why can't I?"
"As for the second point everyone is worried about, some trivial matters of Konoha can be entrusted to Advisor Koharu. She has been in a high position for many years and is very familiar with Konoha's situation, so handling minor issues won't be a problem."
"If there are any important matters within the Village, you can also contact me directly. I will set aside time every day to handle them."
After hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Utatane Koharu, who had initially objected, immediately fell silent.
The chair in the Hokage Office, she never thought an old woman like her could sit on it for a few days.
Utatane Koharu, already imagining herself sitting in the Hokage's seat and handling Konoha's affairs, no longer had any intention to object.
But there were still Ninja unwilling for Hiruzen Sarutobi to personally go to battle; the Kage held a special significance in every Village.
Although Konoha Village did not completely deify its Kage like Hidden Cloud Village, the Kage was still a symbol of the Village.
A straightforward Ninja, truly unwilling for the Hokage to go to the front lines, stated the reason he thought of.
"Hokage-sama, you are no longer in your prime, while the Raikage of Hidden Cloud Village is in his prime, at the peak of his strength!"
"The Uchiha Clan Head easily won the war against Hidden Mist, and I believe the Uchiha Clan Head can still be the commander this time."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been patiently listening with a gentle expression, changed his face abruptly after hearing this person's words.
What does that mean?! Does it mean I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, am inferior to the Raikage?! When this old man was dominating the Ninja World, that little Raikage brat was still drinking milk!
And what do you mean Uchiha Tomoki is very suitable? He is the least suitable candidate!
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the Ninja who spoke—black sunglasses, high-collared shirt, an Aburame Clan Ninja. I'll remember you!
Such meetings were usually attended by the heads of Konoha's Ninja Clans, elite Jonin, and heads of various departments.
Therefore, as a major Konoha family, there would usually be two or three people attending.
Uh, of course, except for the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan.
The Uchiha Clan was because the Clan Head was also the Department Head, and all of them were holed up in the Military Police Force, so only Yuuki attended.
The Hyuga Clan, due to its ancient traditions and its secluded environment, was like a Village within a Village, and all contact with the Village had to be made through Hiashi.
The Ninja who had been stared at deeply by Hiruzen Sarutobi clearly did not know that he had greatly offended Hiruzen Sarutobi.
This Aburame Clan Ninja was still gloating, thinking that his profound insights had caught the attention of Hokage-sama.
Ah! The feeling of being noticed by others is truly wonderful, especially the attention from Hokage-sama.
Eh~ Whose gaze is that? The Ninja, feeling other gazes on him, looked in the direction of the gaze and saw Yuuki smiling and watching him.
So it's not just Hokage-sama, but also Lord Yuuki who is paying attention to me? It seems I need to speak more actively in the future.
At this moment, Yuuki looked at this Aburame Clan Ninja, filled with emotion.
Truly a brave warrior, you are truly courageous. Should I say it's typical of the Aburame Clan? Usually, they keep a low profile, but they always drop bombshells unexpectedly!
Hiruzen Sarutobi, with a somewhat displeased expression, decided not to let everyone argue on this matter any longer.
"Alright, quiet! I am Konoha's Hokage! What I just did was inform you, not discuss with you!!!"
Everyone fell silent, somehow feeling that Hokage-sama had suddenly become different.
Upon hearing this, Yuuki couldn't help but think that if Danzo were still here, that phrase would probably have come out.
After a slight pause, Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
"Everyone, please state how many Jonin you can send."
Yuuki didn't say anything; he wanted to observe the situation before making a decision.
This was about going to the Battlefield as Hiruzen Sarutobi's subordinate, and there were almost no Jonin in the Clan who had no objections to Hiruzen Sarutobi!
Sigh! He could only choose a few Ninja with less strong opinions to send out.
As for not sending anyone, Yuuki didn't have that thought. After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Hokage, but Konoha belonged to everyone.
"Nara Clan, 15 members!"
"Akimichi Clan, 15 members!"
"Yamanaka Clan, 15 members!"
The Ino–Shika–Chō and the Sarutobi Clan, the closest families, directly sent 45 members, as if Jonin were free.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was very satisfied. The Ino–Shika–Chō, due to their Clan's secret techniques, were already stronger than ordinary Jonin.
If they teamed up, the effect would be far more than 1+1+1 equals 3!
"Hyuga Clan, 15 members!"
Hiashi also spoke. Although he deeply disliked Hiruzen Sarutobi's previous actions, the Clan's roots were in Konoha, so he didn't deliberately cause trouble.
Following this, various families spoke one after another, stating the number of Ninja they could send from their Clan.
Before long, only the Uchiha Clan in the entire meeting room had not sent Ninja.
After continuous deliberation, Yuuki finally found a few Ninja who didn't have strong opinions about Hiruzen Sarutobi.
So, without further hesitation, he directly raised his hand to signal.
"Uchiha Clan, 3 members!"
As soon as he spoke, almost all eyes in the room turned to Yuuki, including Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Yuuki felt a bit awkward.
The dignified Uchiha Clan, when Konoha faced war, only sent three Jonin. Frankly, it was embarrassing.
But Yuuki couldn't help it. He knew what his clansmen were like. As long as he or Shisui weren't there, and perhaps Fugaku too.
If those three weren't around, they would be a lawless bunch, let alone acting as Hiruzen Sarutobi's subordinates. It would be good if they didn't cause trouble.
Yuuki felt so awkward at this moment that he could dig out a three-bedroom, one-living-room apartment with his toes.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, understood the intricacies. To be honest, he wouldn't mind if the Uchiha Clan didn't send any Ninja, as the numbers were already sufficient.
This time, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally intended to use his own resources. The Sarutobi Clan, after many years of development, didn't have many top masters, but it had many skilled individuals.
However, he was satisfied that Yuuki could send three Jonin. The number of people wasn't important; what mattered was the attitude!
Clearly, Yuuki's attitude was affirmed by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi discussed some details with everyone. Rather than a discussion, it was more of an announcement.
"The personnel from each Clan will gather at the Konoha Village entrance within one hour! Now, meeting adjourned!"
One hour later, Hiruzen Sarutobi led a mighty team of Jonin out of Konoha.
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