harleyscars Chapter 55 Konoha's Most Luxurious Lineup
Chapter 55 Konoha's Most Luxurious Lineup
The conference room was filled with bigwigs at that moment.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, occupies the main position, flanked by Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane, the elders. Next is Tsunade, representing the Senju clan, followed by the heads of the two powerful clans, the Uchiha and Hyuga. After them are the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Aburame, Hatake, Inuzuka, and Kurama clans.
Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and even Dan Kato, who mastered the S-rank ninjutsu, Spirit Transformation Technique, were among Konoha's ace fighters, and they could only sit in the last position.
Even the Hokage's personal disciple, the future Legendary Sannin of Konoha, could only sit at the very back, which shows just how impressive Konoha's lineup is right now.
Despite having such a formidable lineup, Konoha managed to render them virtually helpless in less than a decade.
If it weren't for the emergence of the Yellow Flash in the future, even if Konoha had won the Third Shinobi World War, it would have been a very difficult victory.
"Everyone's here, let's begin the meeting."
After all the Jonin who could represent the Konoha leadership and, in special circumstances, even bypass the Hokage to issue A-rank missions to other ninjas, were seated, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Danzo Shimura, who was assisting the Hokage, a look.
The latter immediately stood up, walked to the blackboard behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, and pulled down a roll-up map of the ninja world.
After drawing two circles on the map with a red pen, Danzo Shimura's next words caused the expressions of the Jonin present to change.
"Based on the intelligence relayed by our informants, and after verification by the Anbu, it is now 100% confirmed that Amegakure and Sunagakure have gone to war."
"So, they really did start fighting? Did Amegakure declare war on Sunagakure, or did Sunagakure declare war on Amegakure?"
"Fortunately, the Land of Iron did not break the historical covenant, otherwise, with the assistance of the samurai legion, that person from Amegakure would be even more powerful."
"..."
Looking at the Jonin who were only discussing Amegakure, Sunagakure, and Hanzo of the Salamander, without any sense of crisis, Shimura Danzo drew another circle on the map and said in a deep voice, "In addition to the war between Amegakure and Sunagakure, our spies have also discovered that a large number of troops have been added to the southern border of the Land of Earth."
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the conference room instantly became heavy.
Anyone who has seen the ninja world map and has a bit of military awareness has realized the seriousness of the situation.
"Does the Land of Earth also intend to join the war? Are the Land of Rain's resources even worth their covetousness?"
"If they move all their troops to the southern border, aren't they afraid that the Land of Lightning will also get involved, taking the opportunity to attack their eastern border and invade the Land of Earth?"
"Perhaps Onoki is simply reinforcing the defenses of the southern border in case Hanzo of the Salamander suddenly changes his mind?"
"..."
"Gentlemen..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke, and the conference room fell silent instantly.
Everyone looked at the Third Hokage with respect, waiting for his next words.
"The special nature of the Land of Rain needs no further explanation. Our Land of Fire is separated from the Land of Wind by the Land of Rivers, which boasts a vast natural landscape. It is precisely this buffer zone, which is difficult to attack but easy to defend, that has led to a tacit balance between us and the Land of Wind."
"If the Land of Earth wants to invade our Land of Fire, it would either have to cross the plains of the Land of Grass or the Land of Waterfall, which has 20 kilometers of coniferous forest. Given our relationship with the villages of Grass and Waterfall, the Land of Earth, which has had a terrible reputation in recent years, simply cannot sneak into the Land of Fire undetected."
"Only the Rain Country, located at the intersection of our Fire Country, Wind Country, and Earth Country, is shrouded in rain all year round. It has no large amount of undeveloped natural scenery, nor waterfalls and dense forests, making it the best breakthrough point."
"In the past, this area was kept in check by Hanzo the Salamander, and no one wanted to face the most poisonous salamander in the ninja world."
"Now that Amegakure has taken the initiative to break the balance, and the Salamander has been tied down by Sunagakure, this breakthrough point has lost its strongest obstacle, which is an excellent opportunity for both Konoha and Iwagakure."
"Therefore, we cannot gamble on Onoki's mercy; we must prepare for the worst."
The Jonin all looked thoughtful.
Immediately, Hyuga Tsubaki, the head of the Hyuga clan and an absolute supporter of the Hokage lineage, slowly spoke up: "Hokage-sama, what are your thoughts? On behalf of the Hyuga clan, I will follow your arrangements."
I second that.
I second that.
"..."
The Ino-Shika-Cho family, along with the Aburame and Inuzuka families, echoed this sentiment.
Then, their gazes turned in unison to the location of the Uchiha clan.
After the Senju clan merged into Konoha, the Uchiha clan is now the most powerful and prestigious clan in the ninja world.
Its bloodline limit is so great that it is said to be invincible in one-on-one combat.
This clan possesses the strength and resources to disregard the Hokage.
That's why the Second Hokage kept suppressing the Uchiha clan. The Konoha elders, who were his disciples, also regarded the Uchiha as a thorn in their side.
The head of the Uchiha clan really wanted to curse at that moment.
But the proud Uchiha couldn't do something so undignified. He could only put on a stern face, cross his arms, and say, "I second that."
Seeing that the Uchiha were also willing to follow his arrangements, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded: "Thank you all for your support. My idea is to prepare for the worst in advance."
"Not only the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth, but also the Land of Thunder, the Land of Water, and the Land of Rain should be considered as hypothetical enemies."
"The lesson of the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools reminds us that, under special circumstances, these countries may very well put aside the hatred from the First Shinobi World War."
"We must not only guard against attacks from the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth, but also from the Land of Rain, and be prepared to deal with the possibility of invasion from the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water at any time."
"Therefore, we cannot deploy all our troops to the western border. We must also leave some troops and high-end combat capabilities to be ready to support the eastern and northern borders at any time."
"Like me, the Hokage, all clan leaders are the last line of defense for the nation and the village. You may choose whether or not to personally lead your troops to the front lines. If you choose to stay in Konoha and defend it with me, please provide a list of participating members, which I will then arrange."
"If everyone agrees, then let's adjourn the meeting here."
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced behind him and called out, "Tsunade, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Sakumo, and Danzo, you guys stay behind."
After he finished speaking, the heads of the various ninja clans, as well as elite Jonin like Kato Dan, all stood up and left.
Even the elders Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were the same.
Soon, only Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, the future Legendary Sannin of Konoha, and Sakumo Hatake, who had already earned the title of Konoha's White Fang, remained in the conference room.