Chapter 71: Nara Shikaku: Then I'll go?
"Lord Orochimaru, please rest assured. I, Kato Dan, will fight to the death for Konoha!"
Kato Dan was no fool. Flowery words that cost nothing were easy to say.
"Mm!"
To this, Orochimaru just smiled and nodded.
Kato Dan took it as encouragement, but in reality, Orochimaru was already plotting how to get him killed.
"..."
Tsunade, at the side, couldn't help but roll her eyes. This was a classic case of being sold and still helping the seller count the money.
Tsunade hadn't even voiced her helpless thoughts when Kato Dan turned his head and said to her with great solemnity, "Lady Tsunade, war is dangerous. I will definitely protect you!"
"..."
I need your protection? Do I need you to tell me if war is dangerous?
Looking at Kato Dan's appearance, it was clear he hadn't given up on Tsunade.
"Good luck!"
Tsunade rolled her eyes, dropped a single sentence, and couldn't be bothered with him anymore. This kind of idiotic guy... it would be better if he just died. There was no value in him staying alive.
"I will!"
Kato Dan only took her words as encouragement, his face full of joy. Little did he know, he probably didn't have much longer to live.
...
"All units, move out!"
With a single order, the forces of the three fronts left Konoha in unison.
"Sigh!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, in the Hokage Building, let out a faint sigh. It wasn't that he was worried about how many ninja would die. The most crucial thing for Sarutobi Hiruzen was whether Konoha could win.
"Lord Hokage!"
Among the ninja clans in Konoha, the only one not assigned a mission was the Uchiha clan. Even the Hyuga clan had been assigned to the battlefield, but only the Uchiha clan had nothing to do. The beautiful name for it was "guarding Konoha."
"Lord Hokage, my Uchiha clan can also go to the battlefield!"
At this time, the head of the Uchiha clan was not Uchiha Fugaku, but his father. The Uchiha clan's talent could only truly grow through real war. Staying in Konoha every day, playing the role of the Military Police Force and dealing with trivial matters, would sooner or later lower the overall combat power of the Uchiha clan.
Regarding the Uchiha clan head's request, Sarutobi Hiruzen cleared his throat and said in a pretentious manner, "Ahem! Rest assured, if there is a chance, I will let the Uchiha clan go to the battlefield!"
Having the Uchiha clan guard Konoha was deliberately done by Sarutobi Hiruzen. He couldn't possibly be unaware of the Uchiha clan's terrifying talent. What Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted was to infinitely weaken the Uchiha clan's power. The Second Hokage had spent his entire life scheming against the Uchiha clan. As his student, Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't learned much else, but he was quite experienced in scheming against the Uchiha.
"Yes! Sigh..."
The Uchiha clan head was no fool; how could he not see that Sarutobi Hiruzen was restricting the Uchiha clan? But there was nothing he could do. Sarutobi Hiruzen was the Hokage of Konoha. No matter how unwilling the Uchiha clan was, it was still unwilling. In the end, he could only sigh helplessly and leave the Hokage's office.
"Heh!"
Watching his retreating back, Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a disdainful chuckle. The Uchiha clan, on the battlefield? Dream on!
"But Kirigakure..."
At this time, Sarutobi Hiruzen recalled Aoyama Riuun's earlier words. Would Kirigakure, which had always been shrouded in mystery, join this war? At that time, Konoha could fight one against four. Now that most of Konoha's ninja had been dispatched, if Kirigakure also declared war on Konoha, they would be truly overwhelmed.
"Impossible!"
Perhaps fearing the realization of this outcome, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately shook his head and said in a self-comforting manner, "Kirigakure didn't participate in the First or Second Great Ninja Wars. How could they possibly participate this time? Aoyama Riuun must be talking nonsense. He doesn't understand war, he doesn't understand the ninja world!"
It must be like that. Sarutobi Hiruzen said while nodding affirmatively.
Not long after, Sarutobi Hiruzen would come to regret this decision.
...
"Is this the border of Kumogakure? It's much better than Sunagakure's side!"
A few days later, Aoyama Riuun, leading several thousand ninja, arrived at the border of Kumogakure. Although it was also a rocky cliff area, compared to the endless yellow sand of Sunagakure, it was clearly much better.
"That's why Sunagakure is full of poor bastards!"
Carrying his mace, Aoyama Riuun said with a light chuckle. The atmosphere around him was completely at odds with the seriousness of the situation.
"Lord Riuun, now is not the time for that!"
Nara Shikaku was helpless. They were on the battlefield now. Was it really a good time to be joking?
"Of course I know this is the battlefield. I'm just trying to lighten the mood. You're really no fun!"
"..."
So, it's my fault? Should I leave then?
"Alright!"
After finding a decent valley, Aoyama Riuun waved a single hand, planting his mace beside him.
"Everyone, start setting up camp. Also, organize patrols!"
Although Aoyama Riuun hadn't experienced much of war, he understood what needed to be done.
"Yes!"
With a single order, the several thousand ninja began to get busy.
Aoyama Riuun, along with Hatake Sakumo and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, went to a cliff. From there, they could vaguely see the shadow of Kumogakure.
"Well, should I go and say hello to the people of Kumogakure first?"
"Don't!"
As soon as Aoyama Riuun's voice fell, Hatake Sakumo, at the side, quickly said.
Seeing the dangerous smile on Aoyama Riuun's face, Hatake Sakumo knew that he was about to be reckless again. "Saying hello" would definitely mean charging into Kumogakure alone!
Hatake Sakumo had to stop him. As if afraid that Aoyama Riuun would really be that reckless, he directly blocked Aoyama Riuun's path.
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