"The following groups are temporary assignments for each of you. While you won't be directly participating in the war immediately, you must still assist with village defense duties and logistical supply transportation."
The jonin continued. Though The Second Great Ninja World War had already begun, in its early stages no country would directly commit their full forces to large-scale operations.
This conflict's main battlefield wasn't on any two nations' borders, but rather within the Land of Rain sandwiched between the Lands of Fire, Earth, and Wind.
The Land of Lightning lay geographically distant from both the Lands of Fire and Earth, separated by deserts and other smaller countries. As for the Land of Water, it resided even farther away across overseas islands, making rapid participation difficult.
Therefore, the current war primarily aimed at determining which nation could seize initiative on the Rain Country battlefield. Whichever of the three - Fire, Earth, or Wind - gained control over this region could then turn against the others.
Yet achieving this wouldn't be easy, as the Land of Rain possessed its own military forces.
Amegakure's leader Hanzo the Salamander was renowned throughout the ninja world as a semi-god figure.
Thus, amidst such complex circumstances, large-scale battles hadn't erupted yet.
At this stage, the most effective method involved sending small elite squads through the Land of Rain to harass and disrupt enemy borders.
They might even penetrate deep into enemy territory to attack enemy ninja villages. If frontline warriors worried about problems behind their lines, they naturally couldn't focus entirely on combat.
However, this mission posed tremendous difficulty, demanding an exceptional number of elite operatives.
This war could very well turn into a war of attrition.
Precisely because of this, village defense became particularly important, though the Konoha Ninja Village's massive size required significant defensive resources.
While using these Ninja Academy students might seem like settling for inferior quality, there was no alternative.
After all, war changes fast. If they waited until big battles broke out to hand over defense duties to these newbies, it'd make things even worse.
Until major confrontations occurred, they needed to make as much preparation as they could.
"Guard Unit One, led by Captain Kai Guy – First Squad: Miura Yamato, Terumi Andou, and Hidaki Shaw; Second Squad: Megumi Tsukawa, Saburo Motomiya, and Daichi Sawamura; Third Squad..."
The jonin read the names off a prepared list, announcing the team assignments for over a hundred freshly promoted genin.
If during peacetime, every three-person squad would have an instructor overseeing them, but under current wartime conditions, personnel shortages made maintaining regular procedures impossible.
Therefore, four squads formed one guard unit, under command of an elite chunin or tokubetsu jonin captain, enabling these academy graduates to quickly familiarize themselves with village protection duties.
The Sixth Guard Unit, led by Captain Akai Shuji. First Squad: Minato Namikaze, Yan Uchiha, and Rina Takeuchi. Second Squad: Mikoto Uchiha, Yu Akasaka...
Minato's team assignment came up quickly. When he heard he'd been grouped with Yan Uchiha, his expression flickered with surprise before he noticed the gaze being directed at him.
Minato smiled toward him, but the other maintained his usual arrogant look.
"This guy."
Minato didn't take offense though. With his current mindset, he naturally wouldn't bother arguing with a "child."
...
"Now, does everyone know who their teammates are?" After the assignments, the Jonin scanned the room with his eyes and spoke.
Then, the dozen or so Ninja standing behind him stepped forward one by one.
"First Guard Unit, gather here."
"Third Guard Unit members, hurry up! I'm giving you ten seconds!"
"Fifth Guard Unit..."
Those were clearly the captains of each Guard Unit. They spread out separately and began calling out.
Everyone burst into motion, each seeking their assigned position.
"Not having my own Forehead Protector is bad enough—why didn't I even get assigned to a squad?!" Kushina approached the Jonin angrily, her brows furrowed.
"What's your name?" The Jonin asked without even looking at her.
"Uzumaki Kushina."
The Jonin glanced through the roster in his hand but couldn't find her name.
"There's no record of you," he stated plainly.
Kushina was furious for a moment, but Minato remained by her side, gently holding her arm.
At that moment, Sakumo stepped forward and said, "Just assign her to the Sixth Guard Unit with Minato Namikaze."
"Yes, Lord Sakumo," the Jonin answered respectfully without hesitation.
Minato nodded toward Sakumo and then smiled at Kushina, saying, "Alright, let's go."
Kushina pouted, shot an angry glare at the Jonin, and then followed Minato toward where the Sixth Guard Unit had gathered.
Whoosh!
Sakumo vanished in a blur, leaving the scene.
Soon afterward, both Minato and Kushina noticed that the dozen Anbu guards hidden in the shadows had also departed.
...
Ten or so minutes later, at the Hokage Tower.
Bang!
The door to the Hokage Office was shoved open forcefully by Danzo, who strode in without regard for the Third's presence. Before the Third could ask anything, Danzo spoke first.
"Why have you stopped monitoring Uzumaki Kushina and removed all the guards around her?" Danzo questioned.
The Third looked up and replied, "Monitoring? That girl isn't a criminal. With the village currently short on manpower, there's absolutely no need for her protection detail."
Upon hearing this, Danzo's face turned red with anger. "She's the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki! Letting her wander freely in the village is just asking for trouble!"
"The sealing was completed nearly a year ago, and there hasn't been any sign of unrest from the Nine-Tails within Kushina. This proves she can keep the Nine-Tails under control. As for keeping her isolated, do you really think that's the best way to protect her?"
"This is Konoha. If someone could break through the village's defensive barrier, then what's the point of all the protective seals placed around it?"
"As the Hokage, this is my decision. You have no right to question it. I have many other matters to attend to. Focus on your duties and do not overstep!"
The Third's eyes darkened, instantly revealing a murderous aura that even surprised Danzo.
While The Third usually radiated gentleness, in anger, he transformed into an awakened lion—untouchable and unstoppable.
Danzo clenched his teeth tightly, but deep in his heart, he still held great fear toward The Third.
"Hmph."
He let out a cold snort, then left the place.
...
In a secret underground chamber somewhere in Konoha, Danzo sat at the head of a hidden hall. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, gleamed with a cold light. Gradually, his face started to twist.
"Sarutobi..." he muttered through clenched teeth. No matter the situation, that man always stayed one step ahead.
It had been like this for a long time already.
In the past, he had once dared to challenge The Third directly. But now, he certainly wasn't alone anymore. Under The Third's command were powerful ninja that Danzo couldn't afford to ignore.
Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade... and even Sakumo Hatake.
Gradually, his expression changed again. A sinister grin curled across his face as he let out a bone-chilling laugh.
"The Great Ninja War... isn't that exactly my opportunity?"
...
(To be continued.)
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>