The night sky over Konoha was blanketed by heavy dark clouds. Not even a single thread of starlight could pierce through.
Inside the meeting room of the Hokage Building, the lights burned bright, casting their glow over face after face, each one exhausted and grave.
The meeting had gone on for an entire night. The tea on the table had gone cold and been reheated, over and over again.
But no one had left. Even their breathing seemed careful and restrained.
Chiya sat in the seat by the window. His fingers tapped lightly on the table as his deep gaze looked out toward the horizon, which was just beginning to turn faintly pale.
His expression was calm, as though this meeting, one that could reshape the entire landscape of the shinobi world, had nothing to do with him.
And yet, this night had been meant for his time with Tsunade.
He had not expected to be pulled into a meeting that stretched until now.
But it was precisely because of Chiya's involvement that the strategic deployment to counter the encirclement by the four great villages had been completed in such a short span of time.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood at the head of the table. The tobacco in his pipe had long since burned out, but his fingers still habitually rubbed the mouthpiece out of old habit.
His gaze swept across everyone present and finally settled on Chiya. A complex emotion flickered through his eyes.
The number of constructive proposals Chiya had raised throughout this night was far too many.
And nearly every single one of them had been the optimal solution.
If it had not been planned in advance...
Then one could only say that Chiya was a naturally gifted leader!
'Truly, the waves behind drive the waves before.'
'If he were to stand in my position someday...'
He did not dare to let the thought go any further.
"Everyone!"
Hiruzen's voice was hoarse and low.
"After a full night of discussion, I will now lay out the final war deployment."
The atmosphere in the meeting room went taut in an instant. Every gaze locked onto Hiruzen.
Hiruzen drew a deep breath and spoke slowly.
"Konoha will enter a state of full-scale war. I will personally serve as supreme commander, taking charge of both the ANBU and Root, and overseeing the broader picture."
His gaze swept across Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado.
It finally came to rest on Uchiha Fugaku.
"Danzo, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Uchiha Fugaku will serve as my war advisors, assisting me in handling all matters during the war."
Danzo's expression was as dark as stagnant water, but in this moment he could not argue back. He could only let out a cold snort as a silent acknowledgment.
He had expected that in this war, he would manage to secure the position of battlefield commander and head to the front lines.
He had never imagined that in the end, he would wind up an advisor.
A damned advisor. He had already been one for all these years!!
And now Hiruzen was making him an advisor again!
Was he afraid that if Danzo went to the front lines, his accomplishments might overshadow Hiruzen's own and threaten his position?!
His thoughts drifted back as he looked at Hiruzen.
He found himself remembering that scene from long ago, when the two of them had escaped from Kumogakure together.
The words Hiruzen had said with unwavering resolve as he held the rear...
Danzo still remembered them clearly to this day!
No matter how he looked at it, he had always been one step behind Hiruzen in the end!
Hiruzen gave a light cough and continued.
"The southwestern front faces the Suna-nin's poisons, puppets, and Wind Style. Tsunade will remain the supreme commander against the Suna-nin.
Medical ninja will serve as the main force, responsible for detoxification and treatment. The elite of the Aburame Clan will be responsible for countering the puppet units. The Fire Style ninja of the Sarutobi Clan will be responsible for suppressing the Suna-nin's Wind Style."
Hearing this arrangement, Tsunade reached beneath the table and quietly took hold of Chiya's hand.
She turned and glanced at him. A deeper gravity had settled into her eyes.
Chiya returned it with a faint smile
and turned his hand over to hold hers.
"The eastern front."
Hiruzen's tone grew heavier.
"Hyūga Sakusei will serve as supreme commander. The Hyūga Clan will form the main force. The Inuzuka Clan will assist with reconnaissance. The Shimura Clan ninja will be responsible for disrupting the battle rhythm of the Kirigakure ninja."
Hyūga Sakusei rose to his feet and gave a solemn nod.
"The Hyūga Clan will not fail what has been entrusted to us!"
"The northern front."
Hiruzen's gaze turned toward Chiya.
"Kumogakure's Lightning Style and taijutsu are our primary threat. Uchiha Chiya will serve as supreme commander, leading the Uchiha Clan as the main force, with the genjutsu ninja of the Kurama Clan assisting."
Chiya slowly rose to his feet. A flash of crimson light passed through his dark eyes.
"The Sharingan of the Uchiha will leave no movement of Kumogakure's ninja hidden."
His voice was not loud, but it carried a confidence that admitted no doubt.
The people gathered in the meeting room could not help but hold their breath, as though subdued by his presence.
"The northwestern front!"
Hiruzen looked toward Hatake Sakumo.
"Iwagakure's Earth Style and demolition units are our primary threat. Hatake Sakumo will serve as supreme commander, leading the elite members of the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans and others into battle."
Hatake Sakumo gave a slight nod. The face beneath his silver hair was as resolute as iron.
"The ANBU will give everything we have."
Hiruzen's gaze finally settled on Namikaze Minato.
"The logistics force will be handled by Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato, ensuring support and supplies reach every front line."
Jiraiya exchanged a glance with Minato.
Minato nodded and quickly rose to his feet. The bright blue of his eyes shone with steady resolve.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!
I will ensure every supply and every unit of support arrives on time."
Hiruzen looked around at everyone, his voice low and firm.
"Everyone, the future of Konoha is in your hands."
A solemn silence fell over the meeting room. Everyone answered in unison.
"Yes!"
After the meeting ended, the crowd dispersed one after another.
Chiya had barely stepped out of the Hokage Building when Tsunade blocked his path.
"Chiya."
Tsunade's voice carried a trace of exhaustion, but her eyes were still sharp.
"Things change in an instant on the battlefield. You are still young. If you run into a difficult opponent, do not push yourself too hard!"
Chiya gave a slight smile.
"I know. Stop worrying."
Tsunade stared into his eyes, as though trying to read something in them.
After a moment, she let out a quiet sigh.
"I hope we all make it back alive."
Looking at Tsunade, Chiya smiled to himself.
'As long as you don't gamble away all your money, I'll make it back safely.'
He did not answer. He only gave her shoulder a light pat, then turned and walked away.
The Uchiha side still needed to be organized. As for his "battle" with Tsunade, that would have to wait until later.
Uchiha compound, training ground.
Chiya stood on the raised platform. Below him, the Uchiha were lined up in neat rows.
The eyes of every one of them burned with the will to fight. Their Sharingan flickered with crimson light in the morning glow.
These were all elite members of the clan. Their training had begun from the moment the Second Shinobi World War ended.
Everything they had worked for had been building toward this day.
"Everyone!"
Chiya's voice reached every pair of ears with clarity.
"The moment we have been waiting for has arrived!"
"The Third has ordered us, the Uchiha, to serve as the main force against the ninja of Kumogakure.
The Lightning Style and taijutsu of Kumogakure are not to be underestimated. But the Sharingan and Fire Style of the Uchiha are equally not to be underestimated."
He brought both hands together, opened his mouth, and a torrent of scorching flame poured out.
The surface of the training ground erupted in roaring fire. The flames shaped themselves into a great dragon, coiling upward and finally dissolving into the sky.
"Remember. Our goal is not to show off courage in a single moment. Our goal is to defeat the enemy at the smallest possible cost, and through that, claim victory on the battlefield!!"
The clan members answered in unison.
"Yes! Clan Head!"
Chiya's gaze swept over everyone. It finally rested on Shisui.
"Shisui, this time you will stay at my side. You will come with me to the northern front."
A flash of excitement crossed Shisui's eyes. He gave a solemn nod.
"Yes, Sensei!"
Chiya swept his gaze over the crowd one final time and looked toward Mikoto.
"The affairs of the clan, I leave to you."
A seriousness settled over Mikoto's gentle features. She spoke softly.
"I will guard our home."
Chiya reached out and lightly touched her cheek. His eyes were full of warmth.
"Wait for me to return."
Mikoto took his hand and gave a firm nod.
"I will!"
Chiya smiled at her, then in an instant reappeared on the platform of the training ground.
"Gather at the village gate. Move out!!"
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