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"I will ensure the border's security."
Having sat on the Hokage throne for decades, the Third Hokage could still read the shinobi world's situation clearly.
After all, his years as Hokage hadn't been in vain; with a single glance, he could tell that Iwa Ninja Village was on the verge of exploding.
Tsunade's main purpose in seeking out the Third Hokage wasn't to inform him of this intelligence, but to hope he would go to the border and take command, preventing Iwa Ninja Village from suddenly attacking Konoha.
Some things had to be guarded against in advance; otherwise, if the enemy invaded before preparations were made, it would be too late.
Even if Konoha drove the enemy out, it would come at a heavy cost.
At times like this, prevention was the best outcome.
Though the best defense was offense, Konoha couldn't proactively strike Iwa Ninja Village before they declared war.
Unable to attack first, they could only defend, guarding against a sneak attack. Achieving this step was already sufficient.
No matter what tricks Iwa Ninja Village tried to play, Konoha could respond at any time.
It was similar to Jiraiya heading to the border to guard it, preventing the war between Kiri Ninja Village and Suna Ninja Village from dragging Konoha into the conflict.
Deploying in advance, exerting deterrence, making enemies think twice before acting rashly—they had to consider the consequences first.
"Then the mobilization of the ninja forces will depend on you, Shikaku."
This heavy task still fell on Nara Shikaku's shoulders, but who made him the Jonin Commander!
With this position, he had to handle his duties properly. Kazuki and Tsunade could do these things too, but they couldn't hold everything in their own hands; when it was time to delegate, they had to let go.
"Rest assured, Lord Hokage. I will coordinate well with Lord Third." Shikaku bowed slightly, giving his sincere assurance.
Tsunade nodded without saying anything.
But Kazuki reminded him:
"It's not about coordinating with Lord Third; this is your job to begin with. You don't need Lord Third to coordinate with you. Lord Third's task is to lead the people you select to station at the border line and defend against Iwa Ninja Village. Everyone has their own duties. Do you understand what I mean?"
Shikaku glanced at the Third Hokage, his mouth twitching: "Understood."
He knew Kazuki was specifically reminding him to prevent the Third Hokage from overstepping, deliberately selecting only people he trusted.
Because this wasn't the Third Hokage's responsibility—your task is just to station at the border!
As for the rest, you don't need to worry about it.
How to select people and make arrangements—that's someone else's business. Mind your own duties and don't reach out casually.
With these matters, if the Third Hokage got involved, who knew what kind of trouble he'd stir up.
Given the Third Hokage's stubborn belief that anyone not from the Hokage faction wasn't trustworthy, the people he selected would definitely cause problems.
For example, during the Third Shinobi World War, eight or nine out of ten mid-level commanders in Konoha's main army were either from the Sarutobi clan or the Shimura clan.
Ninjas from Konoha's various clans, as long as they couldn't gain the trust of the Hokage or other high-level officials, wouldn't get even a shred of command authority. They could only let others prance around above their heads, pointing fingers and giving orders.
Kazuki naturally wouldn't allow this to happen again, so the Third Hokage couldn't interfere in these matters.
Compared to Shikaku, the Third Hokage—who had already mentally prepared himself—showed no reaction.
Because he knew Kazuki wouldn't allow him to get involved.
As for stuffing in his own people, that was even less possible. At most, when he was at the front lines commanding one side, he could select some trustworthy individuals to become mid-level commanders.
That was the maximum control he could exert.
Nara Shikaku didn't let down his position as Jonin Commander. In just two short days, he handled all the preparations. The Third Hokage led the reinforcement troops and headed straight to the front lines.
Konoha mobilized a large number of ninjas, who left the village under the Third Hokage's leadership, advancing toward the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain.
This kind of action couldn't be hidden from spies, and Kazuki and Tsunade had no intention of concealing it.
They were openly telling others: Konoha was fully prepared. Those with ulterior motives should stop eyeing us.
Otherwise, you'd crash into this sharp nail.
"Are we really going to war?"
First, Jiraiya took away a group of ninjas, and not long after, the Third Hokage took another batch. The villagers of Konoha began to grow tense.
Fortunately, the Hokage sides promptly issued an announcement.
Konoha was mobilizing ninja forces not to go to war, but to station at the border and prevent the village from being drawn into the flames of conflict. This was merely a defensive measure to prevent potential dangers, not to participate in the war.
After reading the announcement, the villagers' suspended hearts settled back down.
For them, as long as Konoha wasn't the one starting the war, everything was negotiable.
What was wrong with mobilizing a group of ninjas for defense?
This was a good thing—to prevent enemies with ill intentions from attacking Konoha and plundering the resources of the Land of Fire.
"It seems Konoha has realized that, compared to Suna Ninja Village and Kiri Ninja Village, they should pay more attention to Iwa Ninja Village."
Looking at the intelligence in his hand, A couldn't help but smile. He lifted his head toward the direction of Iwa Ninja Village and sighed:
"Ohnoki, oh Ohnoki, just how much longer can you hold out?"
"Lord Raikage, is Iwa Ninja Village definitely going to declare war on Konoha and launch an attack?"
Mabui was a bit puzzled. A's tone was too decisive, and Konoha's actions were very real.
Even without the slightest hint of movement, they directly stationed people at the border line, all but naming Iwa Ninja Village as the one they were guarding against—the village that might desperation-jump the wall.
"You're still too young."
Mabui, this trusted Raikage secretary, was very capable in handling affairs but lacked experience and insight.
A tossed the intelligence scroll onto the table and gave a cold laugh:
"Who knows if they will or not? It's just that, influenced by the war between Kiri Ninja Village and Suna Ninja Village, Iwa Ninja Village probably won't last much longer. My father said long ago that Iwa Ninja Village couldn't withstand turmoil. He also kept warning me not to let our village become a second Iwa Ninja Village."
'Damn it!!' Thinking of this, A immediately recalled the death of the Third Raikage, and a surge of anger rose from his heart.
He had a bad temper, but he was obedient and listened to the Third Raikage's words.
If not for the Third Raikage's proper guidance, the moment the Third Raikage died, Iwa Ninja Village and Kumo Ninja Village would have erupted into war.
A was heartbroken and grief-stricken, but he controlled his emotions and anger.
Lord Raikage, thinking of Lord Third again.
Mabui stood silently to the side.
"Hmph, they'll get what's coming to them sooner or later."
Cursing once, A frowned and began to think.
The fighting between Suna Ninja Village and Kiri Ninja Village was growing more intense. Konoha was starting to guard against Iwa Ninja Village, preventing internal explosions in Iwa and a desperation attack on the Land of Fire.
With Konoha on guard, Ohnoki would have to think thrice before attacking the Land of Fire, but the internal landmines in the village would explode sooner or later.
As long as Ohnoki didn't want to see this mine detonate, war was inevitable.