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Two Hours later, in the Jonin meeting room;
Tension filled the room as it filled up with all the available jonin that are currently in Konoha. What increased the tension was the huge map of the elemental nations that was hung up with many detailed maps of the borders of the land of fire around it.
All eyes were glued on Hiruzen as he finished briefing the assembled jonin on the situation and on what the Council agreed upon.
"So, this is the situation as of right now." Hiruzen finished as he eyed the Jonin in front of him
"I agree."
"That's what should be done."
"We shouldn't have even given Kumo a chance to enter Konoha."
"Such audacity, they try to kidnap one of our children, and when that failed, they got the gall to demand compensation."
"Such shamelessness needs to be stopped."
"If it is war they want, then war they will get."
Mutters spread across the assembled Jonin. Disgust with the Kidnapping attempt, appalled by Kumo's response, and agreement with the council's decision to stop these greedy, shameless Kumo bastards.
"Ok, quiet down," Hiruzen said, making the mutters die down.
Hiruzen mentally sighed. So this may come to war. He had fought in the first Shinobi war, led Konoha in the Second and Third Shinobi wars, as its leader and Hokage. Now, as an old man, he wished for peace for the rest of his remaining days. But he had to agree with the council, Kumo's actions are just too much to compromise.
"Kumo is mobilizing its forces, so we need to be ready if they really want to bring the fight to our borders," Hiruzen said with a serious tone before looking at Shikaku
"Shikaku, if you would," Hiruzen said, to which Shikaku nodded before standing up.
Shikaku walked to the front of the assembly and in front of the maps.
"As of now, we have between 17000 and 18000 active Shinobi. And if it got to that, we pull the ones that have retired back into service if the situation needed, we would have about 21000 to 22000 Shinobi." Shikaku said as he eyed the jonin.
Most of the retired Shinobi are Kunoichi who got married and settled down to raise their children. There are also retired Shinobi who won't be called upon, like those with permanent disabilities.
"Our latest intel indicates that Kumo has between 14000 and 15000 active Shinobi. While we have the numbers, we have to protect a much larger border." Shikaku said as he pointed towards the map of the land of fire.
"The land of lightning is a large peninsula surrounded by water from all directions, with its only land connection being with the land of frost. That means that the majority of their forces will meet us at the border between the land of hot springs and the land of frost. Kumo must be contained in that area or pushed back. If we are pushed out of the land of hot springs, the Kumo Shinobi will be right at our doorstep." Shikaku said with a serious tone, pointing at the lands between the borders of the land of fire and the land of lightning on the map.
"While the main portion of our forces will go to meet Kumo, the other borders can't be left unguarded. The second largest group of our forces will be stationed on the north west border in case Iwa has any ideas." Shikaku said as he pointed at the lands between the borders of the land of fire and the land of Earth.
"Our west and east borders need to be reinforced just in case," Shikaku said, pointing at the map.
"That is the overview of the situation. More detailed plans will be made later after we make the divisions." Shikaku said as he pulled out a small stack of papers and looked at them.
"The Commander of the Kumo front will be me, assisted by Inoichi Yamanaka, who will be the head of intelligence. Choza Akimichi will be stationed on the northwest border as the commander to observe Iwa's movement." Shikaku said
"Back to the Kumo front, the Scout and tracking divisions will be led by Hiashi Hyuga and Tsume Inuzuka,..." Shikaku said as he kept giving tasks to one Jonin after another. Some Jonin liked their assignments, while others didn't, like Fugaku and the other Uchiha Jonin present. It didn't appear on their faces, but their moods soured when they heard that they were assigned to reinforce the east and west borders, the farthest away from any battles that may occur.
"..... The main base medical hospital that will be stationed behind the frontlines will be overseen by Lady Tsunade. Finally, the frontline medical care and triage will be overseen by Shizune." Shikaku finished.
After a bit of silence to make the roles sink in, Koharu broke the silence.
"That is good and all, Hiruzen. But you haven't discussed the problems that are the Raikage and Kumo's two Jinchuuriki," she said with a serious but slightly worried tone.
"The Raikage shouldn't appear on the battlefield from the start, but if he is spotted near the frontlines, I will move personally to intercept him. I will call for Jiraiya to be there to assist me in that endeavor if it happens." Hiruzen said. He is still a bit worried, though. With Minato's death, the mantle of the fastest Shinobi went to the Raikage A, which will make it quite difficult to deal with him.
"As for the two Jinchuuriki." Hiruzen started before looking towards Naruto, who sat beside Tsunade
"I will leave them to Naruto to deal with if they appear on the battlefield," Hiruzen said, shocking most of those present.
"What? Hiruzen, you can't be serious. The Nibi Jinchuuriki, I can understand. But the Hatchibi Jinchuuriki is a whole other monster. He is a perfect Jinchuuriki for Kami's sake." Koharu said with a tone filled with disbelief.
"I believe the boy is well equipped for such a task. Isn't that right, Naruto-kun?" Hiruzen said as he looked at Naruto. Hiruzen knows that there isn't anyone in the village with more sealing knowledge than Naruto, along with him having Chakra chains, making this task quite feasible.
"Yes, Sensei," Naruto replied with an even tone. But his heart held a bit of sadness about having the possibility of fighting two people he could consider brethren.
Tsunade was unexpectedly quiet. Not that she isn't worried, she is. She knows that the one most suited for the task, which is extremely dangerous for regular Shinobi, is her son. Her son's abilities would enable him to accomplish such a task and return safely. It might even make some abilities that were once hidden come to light.
"Good. We are done here. As soon as you all leave, the rest of the Shinobi forces will be informed to start mobilizing. I want all of you to be on the move as fast as possible." Hiruzen said as he stood up.
"Naruto, walk with me," Hiruzen said as he walked towards the door, with all the jonin present starting to stand up.
Outside the jonin meeting room, Naruto caught up with Hiruzen and started to walk beside him, but a little bit behind.
"Can you access the Kyuubi's Chakra, Naruto-kun?" Hiruzen said loud enough so that only Naruto could hear. The question surprised Naruto a bit, but it didn't appear on his face.
"Yes, a little bit. Why sensei?" Naruto replied quietly
"How many tails can you access without losing control?" Hiruzen asked
'Kurumi,' Naruto called in his mindscape.
'I think five if you pushed yourself to the limit. Six if I helped you.' Kurumi replied with a thoughtful hum.
"I am sure I can access four tails safely, sensei," Naruto replied, and now it was Hiruzen's turn to be surprised.
'And he called that much a little bit,' Hiruzen thought sarcastically as he remembered the time when he witnessed Kushina access that much of the Kyuubi's chakra.
"That is good, my boy. I was just making Sure you have a backup plan if it came to it." Hiruzen said with a smile.
"You are dismissed, Naruto-kun. Go get ready. It may turn ugly." Hiruzen said as the smile disappeared, replaced with a serious look.
"Yes, sensei." Naruto said before disappearing in a body flicker. He had a lot to prepare for. He also needs to talk to Katsuyu, but let's finish the preparation first.
To be continued.
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I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
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