After receiving Senju Senra's intelligence, Konoha reacted immediately. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, swiftly summoned the elders and convened another council meeting.
The decision was passed.
Another three thousand shinobi would be deployed to the Rain Country battlefield to deal with the coming war.
With this, Konoha had invested a total of eight thousand troops into the Rain Country front, having already suffered losses of two thousand.
That meant that, after reinforcements arrived, Konoha would still have around six thousand shinobi available on that battlefield.
As for why they didn't deploy everything—
It was because they still had to guard against Sunagakure.
If the rear was left empty and Sunagakure suddenly launched a full invasion into the Land of Fire, the consequences would be catastrophic.
And beyond that, many clans were unwilling to commit themselves fully.
So from Konoha's perspective, this level of reinforcement was already the limit for now.
Only if Sunagakure committed even more troops to the Rain Country battlefield could Konoha send additional reinforcements later.
And that—
Was exactly why Hanzo dared to start this war with Konoha.
If Konoha had no restraints, then the Rain Village would simply be seeking death.
The title of the number one ninja village in the world was not an empty one.
Because of all its concerns, the forces Konoha could actually commit were less than a third of what it truly possessed.
So if the Rain Village gathered all its strength, victory was not entirely impossible.
And if the Rain Village won this battle, the entire situation on the Rain Country front would be overturned.
Hanzo would then gain even more room to maneuver.
Because when that time came—
Sunagakure would absolutely not let the opportunity slip by.
The Land of Wind had coveted the territory of the Land of Fire for far more than a day or two.
The moment Konoha showed any sign of weakness, Sunagakure would surely throw everything it had into war against them.
So—
This was a war neither side could afford to lose.
Konoha Frontline Headquarters.
All shinobi of Jonin rank and above had gathered there.
At the head seat sat the supreme commander—Senju Senra.
On his left were Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya.
On his right, Yoru sat at the front, followed by Senju Mingluo.
This was the true leadership core of the war.
"The village has sent back its response."
Senju Senra slowly swept his gaze across the room.
"Three thousand reinforcements are already on their way to the front."
The Konoha shinobi were immediately overjoyed upon hearing the good news.
"And one more thing."
Senju Senra's expression turned strange.
"Orochimaru has been appointed frontline commander of Konoha."
The announcement landed like a thunderclap.
The room instantly erupted into discussion.
"Why Lord Orochimaru?"
"I think Lord Yoru is more suitable!"
"Lord Yoru may still be a little too young, but Lady Tsunade would also be a good choice!"
After all, Tsunade had worked together with Yoru to destroy a major Rain Village supply cache.
But—
Tsunade was a Senju.
"Enough."
Senju Senra shouted, silencing the room.
Indeed, in terms of qualifications, Tsunade and Orochimaru were both disciples of the Third Hokage.
"The village's orders have already been given. Orochimaru, we'll be working together from now on."
Orochimaru stood up and gave a slight nod to everyone.
Yoru watched the scene without the slightest surprise.
The Senju clan's influence during the Second Great Ninja War—
Had grown too great.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was uneasy.
So he had sent his favorite disciple, Orochimaru, to check the Senju clan's growing power.
"Go prepare yourselves," Senju Senra said, rising to his feet. "According to our intelligence, the Rain Village has indeed gathered its forces. Once the reinforcements arrive, the great war will begin!"
"Yes, Lord Senju Senra!"
The Konoha shinobi all rose and shouted in unison.
Three days later, when Konoha's reinforcements arrived—
The war machine began to move.
Countless kunai, shuriken, and explosive tags were distributed among the shinobi.
Not a trace of fear could be seen on any of their faces. Each of them had already prepared themselves to throw their lives into this meat grinder for the sake of the village.
The advisors within headquarters began drawing up battle plans.
First—
As supreme commander, Senju Senra had to remain at the Konoha camp.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commander Orochimaru, as the highest battlefield leader at the front, would command the center route and direct Konoha's forces in combat against the Rain shinobi.
Yoru and Tsunade would take charge of the left route.
Jiraiya and Senju Mingluo would take charge of the right route.
At the start, the war would not immediately become a decisive final battle.
Instead, the forces would advance into the depths of the Rain Country in the form of elite squads and ordinary battalions, engaging the Rain shinobi in brutal slaughter.
The purpose was to continuously wear down both sides.
Once one side showed weakness—
The decisive battle would arrive.
An elite squad would be led by one Elite Jonin and consist of five additional Jonin, forming the sharpest blade on the battlefield, cutting down every target they encountered.
Certain decapitation missions would also be assigned to elite squads.
As for ordinary battalions, each would consist of one Jonin, twelve Special Jonin, and fifty Chunin.
Important supplies. Important commanders.
These battalions would split apart and steadily push deeper into the Rain Country, clearing away every obstacle.
No prisoners would be taken.
Every Rain shinobi they saw—
Would be killed.
Once the orders were given, the three main armies prepared to move.
The camp itself would be guarded by Senju Senra and two thousand shinobi.
The central route would be led by Orochimaru with two thousand shinobi.
The left route would be led by Yoru and Tsunade with one thousand shinobi.
The right route would be led by Jiraiya and Senju Mingluo with one thousand shinobi.
The six-thousand-strong Konoha army had been fully divided.
"Today!" Senju Senra stood atop a high platform, looking down at the four divisions below him as he shouted, "Konoha will wage its fiercest war yet against the Rain Village! Tell me—are you afraid?!"
"NO! We fight for Konoha!"
The Konoha shinobi roared in unison, their eyes bloodshot with battle spirit.
"Good!"
Senju Senra shouted in praise, then roared even louder.
"Those shameless Rain shinobi slaughtered countless Konoha comrades in the last war! And now they dare provoke war once again! Tell me—what should we do?!"
"Kill!"
The sound shook the heavens, and a murderous aura spread across the land.
"Good! Then, everyone—kill for Konoha! May your martial fortune be boundless!"
Senju Senra laughed loudly in the end.
"Konoha will triumph!"
"Kill all the Rain shinobi!"
Morale reached its peak.
The moment the order was given, the three armies marched out, advancing into the depths of the Rain Country.
The remaining two thousand shinobi stayed behind with Senju Senra to guard the Konoha camp. If the front line came under pressure, they would be deployed into battle immediately.
As for the Rain Country—
For this war, they had also gone all in.
By scraping together every possible force in the entire nation, they had assembled an army of eight thousand shinobi.
Of those, one thousand—
Were not even ten years old.
The merciless slaughter, stripped of all limits and restraint—
Had begun.
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