c122: The Second Generation Wins at the Starting Line
After word of the conflict reached Konoha, many shinobi sighed heavily...
After a period of relative calm, war had broken out again.
When will this era of constant unrest truly come to an end?
Although small-scale conflicts rarely required full mobilization, conscription still fell on select groups of shinobi.
These were usually civilian-born ninja without powerful backgrounds.expendable yet necessary. In contrast, the major clans like the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Uchiha sent only a select few to maintain presence and gather intelligence, not to bear the brunt of battle.
Elite jonin from noble clans, promising civilians under Hokage protection, and key departments like the Administrative Corps and Academy instructors were exempt from early drafts.
Even in the Medical Corps, unremarkable shinobi were retained over being risked on the frontlines. Despite the high value of medical knowledge, Konoha could not afford to lose their trained specialists as mere battlefield fodder.
These individuals remained in logistical rear units or field hospitals protected by elite escort teams.
Tsunade's vision of "every squad including a medic-nin" had merit, but the harsh reality of chakra control and precision skill requirements made it impractical. Even among the famed Konoha 12 in canon, only Sakura managed to fully inherit medical-nin standards under Tsunade's tutelage.
Gen Uchiha also received the notice about the escalating war. Yet, he remained unmoved, keeping to his usual rhythm.
He slacked when convenient at the Police Force, continued harvesting souls through his Soul-Soul techniques, researched forbidden jutsu, occasionally dropped in on Orochimaru, and maintained rapport with his three beautiful female subordinates. He sometimes met familiar peers like Iruka or Mizuki, browsed arcane scrolls, or simply read history in peace.
The Uchiha Police Force wasn't expected to engage unless Konoha itself came under siege. Their responsibilities were civilian law, not warfare.
More importantly, he had Orochimaru's implicit protection. He wasn't under active suspicion, nor was he high-profile enough to draw pressure from the elders.
As for Kurenai Yuhi, Anko Mitarashi, and Yugao Uzuki—they, too, were off-limits to frontline deployment. Anko was a direct disciple of Orochimaru, which made her position politically delicate. Kurenai and Yugao were both under Gen's quiet protection, either through favors or subtle threats.
Unless Gen himself volunteered, none of them would be sent to die.
He didn't plan to volunteer yet. His intention was to accompany Orochimaru once the Sannin was made battlefield commander.
By then, Gen speculated, his Mangekyō Sharingan would awaken unlocking his full potential for the battlefield.
Collecting the souls of elite enemy shinobi would far surpass harvesting from civilians. And in war, such kills were easier to justify, harder to trace.
Still, Gen remained skeptical that Sarutobi Hiruzen would appoint Orochimaru as official commander. Despite the latter's accomplishments developing the Kusanagi Blade technique, being a former ANBU Commander, and his intelligence network in various countries Hiruzen had grown wary of Orochimaru's obsession with immortality and kinjutsu.
If Orochimaru triumphed and gained national prestige during the war, Hiruzen's position would weaken. It would become harder to deny Orochimaru the Hokage seat.
Thus, Gen deduced Orochimaru would be used as a stopgap deployed during crises, then quietly rotated out before the war ended, denying him credit.
And when Orochimaru left, Gen planned to follow.
Not because of blind loyalty but because once Orochimaru stepped down, the new commander would likely be a high-ranking elite jonin. Gen had no intention of taking orders from someone below his level. He had reached Kage-class in strength and wouldn't lower himself.
Orochimaru was a Sannin, a master of forbidden techniques, and someone who treated Gen as more than a pawn. That earned him Gen's cooperation for now.
So, to reap maximum souls and life force from the battlefield, Gen had to time his entry precisely. Not too early to risk exposure, not too late to miss the chaos.
Homitz—the power granted by the Soul-Soul Fruit.could be used freely. His Mangekyō, once awakened, could be unleashed openly under the excuse of wartime necessity.
Strength demanded display. In this world, hiding power invited mockery or even ambush. Better to intimidate than to appear vulnerable.
Yet, if timing didn't permit, he would retain Mangekyō as a trump card.
Homitz, however, could not be hidden. It was vital to his soul-harvest strategy. Cloaked under "unique forbidden jutsu," it would pass inspection during the fog of war.
…
Around nine that evening, as the war news filtered deeper into Konoha's hierarchy, Sarutobi Hiruzen returned to his compound from the Hokage Office. Acting as Third Hokage once more, the aging leader looked fatigued.
His wife, Sarutobi Biwako now recovered from an earlier illness greeted him and helped him out of his Hokage robes.
"The Great Elder is waiting in the tea room," she whispered.
Hiruzen frowned, then exhaled and nodded.
Donning a loose white yukata and lighting his signature pipe, Hiruzen entered the room.
The elder of the Sarutobi Clan, Gou Sarutobi, was already kneeling respectfully in formal attire bearing the clan crest.
As clan head and Hokage, Hiruzen technically outranked everyone. But traditions were honored, and Gou bowed deeply.
"Haoyong, what brings you here at this hour?" Hiruzen's voice was neutral, hiding annoyance.
He never liked Gou Sarutobi's narrow-mindedness. The elder placed clan above village, and Hiruzen raised under Tobirama's ideology prioritized the village above all else.
Still, the Sarutobi clan was Hiruzen's foundation. He could not alienate them entirely.
Gou bowed again. "Forgive the late hour. But the issue is pressing."
Hiruzen nodded curtly. "Speak. As long as it doesn't compromise village welfare, I'll consider it."
Gou's face brightened. "News of the frontlines is alarming. No official commander has been appointed for the Kumogakure front. I wish to recommend someone."
"Shinnosuke," Hiruzen said flatly. He already knew.
"Yes," Gou confirmed. "Your eldest son. Trained in ANBU, mentored by yourself, with both pedigree and practical experience. He's grounded, calculating, and commands loyalty."
"He's also untested," Hiruzen replied. "This is war, not a drill."
"It's a limited conflict. A thousand shinobi at most. Far smaller than the Third Shinobi World War. He doesn't need to conquer, only hold the line and we can assign Nara Shikaku as his advisor. A check and balance."
Gou smiled slyly. "If he's Hokage material, this is his trial. If not, he fades quietly. But if successful… imagine a father-son Hokage legacy. Only the Senju have done it before."
He leaned forward.
"This is the collective hope of the Sarutobi clan."
Hiruzen puffed silently on his pipe.
He hated such overt clan politicking. But the elder had a point. Denying his son a chance might fracture internal unity. And Shikaku Nara was brilliant, if paired properly, the risk was minimized.
"…Very well," Hiruzen said at last. "Assign Shikaku as chief strategist. I want no recklessness."
"Of course, Hokage-sama," Gou replied solemnly, though inside he was thrilled.
The next morning, Sarutobi Shinnosuke was officially named commander of the Kumogakure frontline.
The newly reassembled Ino-Shika-Cho trio—Yamanaka Haichi, Nara Shikaku, and Akimichi Choza joined him, backed by a contingent of Sarutobi loyalists.
The second generation had indeed won at the starting line.
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