It was still the familiar meeting room of the operations department. The last time he was in this room, he first met Tsunade.
This time, Kawaki was standing beside Tsunade, shoulder to shoulder with her.
Orochimaru and Sakumo were also beside them.
More Jonin were on their way, and the Third Hokage hadn't shown up yet.
"Kawaki-kun, you're really good at predicting things. I'm impressed," Orochimaru said with a gloomy face. The war had finally begun.
"It was just some guesses. I never expected Hanzō of the Salamander to be so bold," Kawaki said. If he hadn't read the original plot, he couldn't even imagine that such a tiny little country would start wars on three fronts simultaneously.
First, it fought against Granny Chiyo of Sunagakure, and the battle ended in a draw.
Then, it beat Mifune of the Land of Iron but spared his life out of mercy.
Finally, it defeated the three disciples of the Third Hokage of Konoha and disgracefully bestowed upon them the title of "Sannin".
This Hanzō of the Salamander was truly worthy of the title of "Demigod of the Ninja World" at present. He was incredibly powerful.
This jerk is just the typical hot - head in Kawaki's eyes. He was like, "I don't accept this, so I'm going to take you all on."
He didn't give a damn about the Five Great Nations.
"Teacher must be really angry this time. How dare this tiny Land of Rain provoke our Konoha, just like pulling the whiskers of our Konoha tiger!" Tsunade said. She saw clearly in the office that the Third Hokage had smashed his pipe on the table.
"We'd better not underestimate Hanzō of the Salamander," Kawaki reminded Tsunade. He remembered that Tsunade would either have died or been seriously injured if it weren't for Jiraiya's protection.
"Kawaki-kun is right. The title of Demigod of the Ninja World is not just for show," Orochimaru was also being cautious. He believed that those with a great reputation were not to be underestimated.
Sakumo was like a silent gourd, just standing there like a wooden post, listening to the three of them chatting.
"Aniki, why aren't you talking?" Kawaki nudged his elder brother with his shoulder, breaking his cool persona.
"If the Land of Rain wants to fight, then let's fight," Sakumo said simply, with a calm face and a fixed gaze.
"You're quite arrogant," Kawaki said, and for some reason, this thought just popped into his mind when he saw his elder brother like this.
It successfully broke Sakumo's calm.
"You..."
"The Third Hokage is coming," Kawaki quickly stood at attention, and the words Sakumo was about to say were swallowed back. He was so angry.
Tsunade got a headache looking at these two guys. It's much more relaxing for sister - in - law Natsuki, staying at home and having a baby.
Orochimaru was watching the two brothers having fun with great interest. It was a kind of joy he had never experienced before.
The Third Hokage strutted onto the main platform of the meeting room, flanked by Nemu Koharu and Homura Mitokado.
At this moment, the meeting room fell completely silent, and a tense atmosphere began to spread.
The Third Hokage stood still for a while before starting to speak.
"The Land of Rain has declared war on our Konoha."
"The war has begun."
"The only reason I've gathered you here today is this."
"Let Hanzō of the Salamander know that the dignity of our Konoha cannot be violated."
"Orochimaru will lead the team and set off for the Land of Rain tomorrow."
"This battle allows only victory, not defeat."
"Do you understand?"
This was not really a meeting. It was just the Third Hokage giving orders unilaterally.
When he said the last sentence, the Third Hokage suddenly raised his voice.
It had to be said that the Third Hokage had great popularity among the ninjas. The Jonin in the meeting room responded loudly.
"I swear to complete the combat mission even if it costs my life!"
Everyone was highly motivated, deeply influenced by the Will of Fire.
"Orochimaru, compile a list of those going on the mission and those staying behind."
"Hand it to me later."
"Yes, sensei."
After Orochimaru responded, the Third Hokage left with two silent advisors.
"I'm going."
Sakumo had already volunteered.
Kawaki could only follow with a wry smile. There was nothing he could do about his impulsive elder brother.
"Tsunade-chan, you should stay in the village for now."
"The war has just started, and there shouldn't be large - scale actions yet."
"Come when we need you."
Kawaki knew that Tsunade had just obtained Hashirama's cells and needed time to settle them in her body.
There was no need for her to go to the battlefield so early just for him.
"Kawaki-kun, maybe the war will end before Tsunade has to go to the battlefield."
Orochimaru lightened the tense atmosphere a bit.
"Let's hope so."
Kawaki replied with a wry smile. He knew this war wouldn't end anytime soon and would drag on for years.
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
Tsunade's beautiful eyes sparkled. She looked at Kawaki for a while before agreeing.
"Well, I'll go get busy then."
Orochimaru also spoke up and left. The rest of the work was up to him.
Fortunately, it was just a list of Jonin. Otherwise, he definitely wouldn't be able to finish it today.
Kawaki left with his brother and Tsunade. They were leaving tomorrow and needed to go home and pack.
"I'll go to the hospital first. See you tonight."
After leaving the Hokage Building, Tsunade said goodbye.
"Okay."
Kawaki replied and watched Tsunade leave before walking home with Sakumo.
"Aniki, why are you so eager?"
Kawaki couldn't figure out why his brother was so eager to go to the battlefield when his sister - in - law was pregnant.
"If we don't fight, how can the next generation live well?"
Sakumo's eyes were deep. Maybe he only confided in his younger brother.
Everyone had their own thoughts, and he was no exception.
Hearing this, Kawaki understood why his brother would end his own life. His heart was filled with love for the village.
When darkness fell and he was deserted by the village, his heart was broken.
But now, Tanzō was dead, and there was him, Natsuki, and the unborn Kakashi.
This tragedy definitely wouldn't happen again.
"Who would have thought you, the quiet guy, had such a lofty vision."
Kawaki deliberately teased to break the heavy topic.
"I have nothing to say to you."
Sakumo couldn't help but shoot a glare at his younger brother and strode ahead quickly. Soon he disappeared from Kawaki's sight.
Kawaki shook his head and smiled. His brother really couldn't take a joke.
When he got home, Nawaki and Minato had returned from Orochimaru and were training in the martial arts training hall.
"Nawaki, Minato, come here."
"Aniki (sensei), what's up?"
Nawaki and Minato put down their swords and trotted over.
"How's your training going recently?"
"I still haven't made any progress in ninjutsu development. I'm sorry to disappoint you, sensei."
Minato was a bit embarrassed. He and Orochimaru had gone through all the materials these days but found no clue.
"Haha, it's okay. You're still young. You have plenty of time."
Kawaki didn't expect Minato to develop Ninjutsu immediately. It's too absurd for a ten-year-old to do that.
"My teacher said I lack actual combat experience now. But my Chunin-level skills are okay."
Nawaki was very proud. His strength has improved greatly since he met Kawaki.
"Not bad, not bad."
"Our Konoha is at war with the Land of Rain. Do you know?"
The two kids shook their heads. The news hasn't spread yet.
"I'm going to the front line tomorrow."
"I'm taking you with me."
"A ninja who has never seen blood can't be called a real ninja."
Kawaki's face became solemn. After all, going to the battlefield isn't a joke.
He couldn't guarantee that he could always be by the two kids' sides to protect them.
"Sure!"
The two kids agreed in unison. The enthusiasm of youth was boiling in them.
It remains to be seen if they can still smile after seeing the cruelty of war.
"If there's nothing else, pack your things tonight and come with me tomorrow morning."
"Nawaki, stay for dinner tonight. Your sister will come."
After Kawaki finished speaking, he got up and left. The two kids were still excited.
After Kawaki left, they kept chatting.
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