Just as Uchiha Gen was presiding over the work in the medical area for the first time, a meeting was taking place at the innermost core of the fortress camp.
Homura Mitokado held an intelligence scroll, passing it down with a slightly excited expression.
Jiraiya took the scroll, scanned it briefly, and his expression jolted.
A moment later, the corners of his mouth curled up, and he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"The young couple from the Hidden Sand actually died?"
"To be able to pull off something like this, it's truly worthy of that guy."
"The couple from the Sand? Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law? That old hag's family?"
Tsunade uncrossed her legs and slapped the table.
"Sakumo did it?"
"Yes! While the Third Kazekage was being deceived by the illusion of a large army, Sakumo led an elite squad deep behind enemy lines."
"He assassinated those two puppet masters in a single battle."
"The tides of this war have been rewritten by Sakumo's brilliant surprise attack!" Jiraiya said excitedly.
"It is indeed good news. At least our front in the Land of Rivers won't fall into a disadvantage."
"Calling us here, Sensei must have some instructions, right?"
Orochimaru crossed his arms with a calm expression, though a hint of shock remained in his eyes.
Sakumo Hatake was a few years older than them, a contemporary whose strength was so great that even Orochimaru and the others held him in high regard.
Now that the man had taken down two high-level Hidden Sand officials who were close to Kage-level in one battle, his strength had clearly reached a new peak.
"Correct! The Sandaime hopes that our front in the Land of Rain can coordinate with the troops in the Land of Rivers."
"We are prioritizing the concentration of forces to apply pressure on the Sand from two directions."
"Their top-tier combat power has been heavily damaged, making them the enemy village with the highest hope of being defeated right now," Homura Mitokado nodded steadily.
"That won't be easy. With the Sand and the Rock joining forces, plus Hanzo being a troublemaker, we're currently in a stalemate."
"If we keep enduring as we have been, we'll surely be the ones left standing in the end, but if we make rash changes—" Sarutobi Biwako said hesitantly.
"Lady Biwako, this is the Sandaime's order, after all," Kome Aki reminded her.
Sarutobi Biwako was the Third Hokage's wife; it was fine for her to question him, but it was a different matter for the others.
"The Village is currently maintaining fronts in multiple directions simultaneously, and you know the pressure on logistics and manpower."
"If we can defeat the Sand first, it would significantly relieve that pressure and free up a massive amount of combat power to be deployed to other battlefields."
"If we succeed, we can break the current passive situation," Homura Mitokado added, looking at Biwako.
The woman could only nod in agreement.
"Then let's do it. Homura, tell us the plan."
Homura Mitokado turned his head and looked at all the Jonin present.
"I intend to make the following arrangements—"
"Arranging for all wounded to retreat to the rear? Mobilizing all forces? Do I have to mobilize too?"
Uchiha Gen finally heard the words he had been dreading.
It seemed the days of safely and happily farming B-rank missions in the medical tent were coming to an end.
"Yes, a decisive battle will be launched this time."
"The evacuation of the wounded will be handled by Hamaki Mimura, and Lady Biwako will also accompany the team."
"All remaining combat power, even the latest batch of graduated Genin, must be mobilized to the front lines," Tsunade said with a serious expression.
This kind of large-scale engagement was different from the skirmishes Gen had seen.
Throughout the entire Great Ninja War, battles involving thousands of people might only happen a handful of times.
Once on the battlefield, there are enemies everywhere, and even a Jonin could be killed in the chaos.
Orochimaru stood behind Tsunade, looking toward the distant medical area and then at Uchiha Gen.
In a battle like this, even he would have to give his all to deal with the enemy's top experts; he wouldn't have time to look after his disciple.
"The operation begins tomorrow morning, and the medical area will evacuate secretly tonight."
"I have only one requirement for you."
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes stared at Uchiha Gen as he tossed out a new certificate and a transfer order from his robes.
"Take your two companions and try your best to come back alive."
Uchiha Gen reached out to catch the items and looked them over.
The first was a ninja rank certificate, bearing the personal seal of the Third Hokage.
From this moment on, Uchiha Gen was a legitimate Special Jonin, part of the elite class of Konoha.
The other document was a formal appointment letter.
"Go find them. From now on, we won't have time to look after you," Orochimaru said, waving his hand.
Without another word, he hurried away with Tsunade.
With less than twelve hours until the start of the great battle, they still had many logistics to attend to.
Uchiha Gen silently lowered his head to read the appointment.
"Special Jonin Uchiha Gen is hereby appointed as the Captain of the Sixth Squad, Fourth Platoon of the Third Combat Unit."
"Effective immediately, he shall be fully responsible for the command and combat operations of said squad."
"By order of the Konohagakure Frontline Headquarters."
Shortly after, Gen bid farewell to the medical Genin, Lady Biwako, and several ninjas still undergoing treatment.
Uchiha Gen took his appointment letter and headed toward the assembly point of the Third Combat Unit.
Along the way, large numbers of ninjas were busy with operational deployments.
"Everyone is moving. The vast majority of our combat power has been mobilized."
Uchiha Gen retracted his gaze, identifying the markings on the buildings.
"Fourth Platoon... Sixth Squad... it should be here."
Uchiha Gen pushed open the door.
The creaking sound of the hinges drew the attention of the people inside.
"Hoh, quite a few familiar faces."
Seeing the people in the room, a smile appeared on Gen's face.
It was good to see familiar faces; it meant he understood the squad's background, making it much easier to command.
It made sense; Orochimaru wouldn't assign him to a team of strangers where he couldn't lead effectively, as that would only hurt their combat efficiency.
"Gen? Why are you here?"
Sarutobi Enjun, who was sitting in a chair stuffing crackers into his mouth, suddenly widened his eyes.
Beside him was Uzuki Ruri.
Not far away, a stocky boy with red spiky hair was huffing and puffing as he poured potato chips into his mouth.
"Ah, it's Gen. Want to come and eat together?"
Nearby, a tall boy with the Byakugan nodded politely at Gen, and beside him sat a girl with delicate features.
"Choza, Hizashi, and you—why are you all here?"
Uchiha Gen looked at his new subordinates and asked curiously.
Two of these three were indeed his acquaintances: Akimichi Choza and Hyuga Hizashi.
"Munch munch munch—Inoichi was transferred to the Sensory Unit, and Shikaku was assigned to a place where his intelligence could be better utilized, so I was assigned here," Choza explained through a mouthful of chips.