It was 3 p.m.
The location: the conference room in the Hokage Tower.
The attendees were the acting Fifth Hokage, Torifū Akimichi, the Uchiha Clan Head, Uchiha Sōgen, the Hyūga Clan Head, Hyūga Hiashi, and over thirty other clan leaders, including Shibi Aburame, Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, Chōza Akimichi, Tsume Inuzuka, and Kurama Tsumuyun.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the war with Kirigakure (the Hidden Mist Village).
Torifū Akimichi didn't beat around the bush. The acting Hokage, known for his straightforward personality, bluntly explained the village's dire situation regarding a lack of manpower. He stated that the upcoming war with the Hidden Mist would require the combined efforts of all the clans.
"...That's the situation. Does anyone still not understand?"
Torifū scanned the room and asked loudly.
Naturally, no one responded. Torifū had explained things clearly enough that it would be hard to believe anyone didn't understand.
After waiting for a moment and seeing no one speak, he continued, "Since everyone understands, I won't go around asking individually. Please tell me how much military strength each of you can contribute to this war." His gaze then shifted to Uchiha Sōgen and Hyūga Hiashi, the two closest to him.
"The Uchiha Clan can send thirty Jōnin," Sōgen said without hesitation.
His attitude had been firm from the beginning. The Uchiha had never feared war, and to demonstrate that resolve, he offered up a significant portion of the clan's top fighters. It wasn't that he didn't understand the heavy costs of war. "Additionally, I want to be the supreme commander in charge of this war against the Hidden Mist."
That was Sōgen's plan—he intended to personally lead and control the war effort.
"Thirty Jōnin? Impressive, as expected from the Uchiha Clan!"
"That's... an incredible number!"
"Is Konoha's strongest clan stepping up?"
The smaller clan leaders whispered to each other. Torifū allowed them to discuss quietly, as long as they didn't disrupt the meeting. He was satisfied with Sōgen's support and shifted his attention to Hyūga Hiashi.
"The Hyūga Clan can also send thirty Jōnin."
Hiashi didn't disappoint Torifū.
Like Sōgen, Hiashi also offered thirty Jōnin, not just for appearances. He hadn't forgotten the Byakugan stolen by Kirigakure. As long as that eye wasn't recovered, the Hyūga Clan's shame couldn't be erased.
Torifū's mood brightened further.
That was sixty Jōnin already, an impressive number. With an additional one or two thousand Chūnin and Genin, they could form a full army.
"The Aburame Clan can send ten Jōnin."
"The Yamanaka Clan can send ten Jōnin."
...
As the clan leaders continued reporting their numbers, they became smaller, which was expected. Although many of these clans were not much smaller than the Uchiha or Hyūga in terms of population, the number of Jōnin didn't always correspond to the size of a clan.
The Uchiha Clan, for example, had a natural advantage. Once they awakened the Sharingan, their strength grew rapidly, producing many young Jōnin.
The Hyūga Clan also had an inherent advantage, with every member able to awaken the Byakugan. Even those with average talent could become Chūnin with hard work, and the gifted ones had no trouble becoming Jōnin.
Other clans couldn't compare to these natural advantages!
When all the clan leaders had spoken, Torifū accepted a slip of paper handed to him. After glancing at the tally, his face lit up. "Two hundred twenty-seven Jōnin! Haha! Looks like we'll be giving the Hidden Mist a harsh lesson this time!"
The acting Hokage burst out laughing.
"Now, the next matter is selecting the commander for this war." After laughing, Torifū cleared his throat and returned to the main topic. His gaze wandered between Hiashi, Shibi Aburame, and the others. "Besides Uchiha Clan Head, is there anyone else who wishes to take command?"
He asked three times.
No one responded.
Seeing Sōgen so confidently seated, no one dared to challenge him for the role of supreme commander. His near-destruction of the ROOT division had left a lasting impression.
Moreover, being the supreme commander wasn't something anyone could handle. Kirigakure was no pushover. Uchiha Sōgen might look down on them, but the others didn't share that confidence. If they underestimated the Mist Village and suffered a defeat, it wouldn't be surprising. After all, during the Third Great Ninja War, the Hyūga Clan had suffered a humiliating loss at Kirigakure's hands.
That was the first time a Byakugan had fallen into enemy hands.
The shame still haunted the Hyūga Clan to this day.
"Since no one else is stepping forward... Uchiha Clan Head, I entrust the war effort against Kirigakure to you," Torifū decisively handed the responsibility to Sōgen.
He had seriously considered other candidates for supreme commander, but after reviewing the options, he couldn't find anyone more suitable than Uchiha Sōgen or Hyūga Hiashi.
The Leaf had lost too many talented shinobi over the years—White Fang's suicide, the collapse of the Sannin, and the early death of the Yellow Flash...
Uchiha Sōgen, despite his youth, was a standout candidate. Besides, Kirigakure's pretext for starting this war was directly related to him—specifically, the large sword, Samehada, in his possession.
On top of that, the Mist envoy had been captured by Sōgen, which had triggered the Mist's declaration of war.
"Rest assured, Hokage-sama. I will return with victory and honor," Sōgen declared with unwavering confidence.
His conviction raised the spirits of many in the room. The Uchiha's strength on the battlefield certainly inspired confidence!
"I'll be looking forward to it!" Torifū replied with a smile.
A major victory during his tenure as acting Hokage would certainly secure his place in Konoha's history.
"By the way, Hokage-sama, besides the Jōnin, how many troops can the village allocate to me?" Sōgen asked.
"...Less than two thousand," Torifū's smile faltered slightly, but he didn't hide the truth.
"I know that's a small number, but it's all we have. Of course, I can try to pull together enough to make it a full two thousand." His gaze shifted to the other clan leaders, implying that they should provide more Chūnin and Genin.
"No need for that. The Sarutobi, Shimura, Mitokado, Koharu, Kazama, and Ise clans can provide an additional 1,500 troops," Sōgen said calmly.
His words were like oil on fire.
The conference room erupted in chaos.
"This is impossible!"
The Sarutobi Clan Head jumped up in shock and anger, his face turning red with rage.
He wasn't the only one. The other clan leaders were equally furious, glaring at Uchiha Sōgen... except for the Shimura Clan Head, who resignedly remained seated.
(End of Chapter)