Amid the deafening clamor, the village's top leaders had no choice but to reluctantly return to the negotiating table. This time, they faced the clan leaders gathered at the Ninja Clan Hearing over the distribution of post-war benefits from Herb Country.
After fierce haggling, Sarutobi Hiruzen eventually accepted the final ultimatum issued by the furious clan leaders. With great reluctance, he agreed with the clans involved in the Grass Ninja Village campaign to split the benefits forty-sixty.
Accordingly, the participating ninja clans would receive sixty percent of future benefits from Herb Country, while Konoha would receive forty percent.
Although neither the village's top leaders nor the clan heads were particularly satisfied with the outcome, it represented the minimum common ground both sides could agree upon.
Before finalizing the division of benefits, Sakumo Hatake remained silent throughout, like a puppet sitting motionless in his seat, quietly observing the various expressions across the conference hall.
This was yet another moment that completely shattered his deeply rooted perceptions.
The overly calculating attitude displayed by the Hokage and the two senior advisors, combined with the open greed displayed by the ninja clans, left Sakumo feeling unfamiliar toward his fellow villagers whom he once believed he knew so well.
As for Kenji Uzumaki, who originally should have taken center stage accusing others for the bloody and tearful suffering of his people, he had now become a complete outsider—even astonished at the mercenary faces shown by Konoha ninjas at this very moment.
After all, it was extremely rare to witness such blatant self-interest between the village's top leaders and noble ninja clans who claimed generations of refined heritage performing together on the same stage.
"This is the real Konoha."
Sakumo exhaled silently, his belief in the Will of Fire—once so unshakable—now beginning to waver.
This feeling of having been deceived for half a lifetime only to suddenly awaken was truly unbearable.
But except for Soushu Hyuga and Tsunade, who remained silent throughout, not even Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen noticed Sakumo Hatake's shift in expression.
At this moment though, Tsunade was too troubled herself while Soushu Hyuga had no intention of addressing anything publicly, so the two merely exchanged glances before continuing their silent observation.
Once the division of benefits was settled, this so-called ninja clan hearing completely lost its original purpose.
"Order! Order!"
With renewed confidence after settling the distribution shares, Mitokado Homura even took off his shoes and began tapping on the table, demanding the still-bickering clan leaders to quiet down.
This time, the clan leaders showed considerable courtesy and quickly fell silent.
"The Grass campaign will require a ninja force, but this mission isn't solely for the Uzumaki Clan—it's also an opportunity to showcase strength for all Konoha's ninja clans. Therefore, we shouldn't mobilize ordinary villagers directly."
Homura first defined the nature of the Herb Country campaign.
To this, the clan leaders raised few objections.
"To ensure a decisive victory over Herb Country, how many ninja forces do you gentlemen believe we should mobilize?" Homura continued questioning.
Then, everyone's gaze fell on Hyuga Soushu.
After a moment of contemplation, Hyuga Soushu gave his answer: "The Hyuga Clan will deploy three hundred of its ninja forces."
The three hundred ninja forces mobilized by the Hyuga Clan had not yet been disbanded, so directly redeploying them was the most efficient approach. This number also ensured the clan wouldn't be left thinly defended by pulling out too many ninja.
"The Uchiha Clan will deploy three companies!"
Soon after, Fugaku Uchiha also made his statement.
The stance taken by these two powerful ninja clans set the tone for the discussion.
Even though other ninja clans might have been able to mobilize more ninja than this, in order to avoid drawing unwanted attention from the major clans, none would exceed the number of 300 ninjas. Each clan adjusted its contribution based on its standing within Konoha accordingly.
Before long, the various ninja clans who took turns giving their commitments had amassed a total of 2,700 ninja. Moreover, prior to this, the one-thousand-strong ninja force led by Hiashi Hyuga had already breached the Grass Ninja Village's defenses. Therefore, from everyone's perspective, victory in this battle was assured!
"Also, we need to be mindful of Iwagakure's interference,"
Sakumo Hatake, who had remained silent for quite some time, couldn't help but speak up. "Furthermore, our peace treaty with Iwa hasn't even been finalized yet. Rushing into Herb Country like this is certain to provoke retaliation from Iwagakure. Plus, the Rain ninja haven't been fully subdued yet—we must be cautious about any moves they make!"
"No worries," replied Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly. "The Northwest Border Defense Forces will march together with the Coalition Force of Ninja Clans into Herb Country. Meanwhile, the disbandment of the Rain Country Frontline Army headquarters will be put on hold, to monitor and contain the Rain ninja's movements. If necessary, we can reassert control over the southeastern region of the Land of Rain."
Upon hearing this, the leaders of the ninja clans nodded in agreement, clearly satisfied with the proposed arrangement.
Though it was the Coalition Force of Ninja Clans that shouldered the responsibility of attacking and destroying the Grass Ninja forces, the Hidden Leaf still retained forty percent of all spoils gained from Herb Country. Thus, in their eyes, it was only reasonable for the village to send the Standing Ninja Army as backup support.
Sakumo Hatake, feeling disillusioned, said nothing further.
After all, no matter what, this was a resolution determined by collective will.
"There's also the matter of appointing a commander for the joint forces,"
Once the exact number of troops had been agreed upon, Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses and brought forth another critical topic.
The clan leaders exchanged uneasy glances.
In principle, Hyuga Soushu, representing the Hyuga Clan, was the most suitable candidate. After all, he came from a prestigious ninja clan and was a decorated commander during the Great Ninja World War. Both his status and capability made him the ideal choice.
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared indifferent, seemingly ignoring his old friend Mitokado Homura's words as he took long puffs on his pipe, letting thick clouds of smoke fill the room.
He wanted to gain something for his own clan, but as Hokage, he couldn't push too hard without looking greedy and provoking animosity or even backlash from the ninja clans.
Fugaku Uchiha wore an eager expression, clearly hoping for a chance to prove he could overcome his weaknesses.
After all, even Hiashi Hyuga, a nobleman who never involved himself in mundane affairs, had once led a thousand-strong ninja force to breach the gates of the Grass Ninja Village. Now, with each clan contributing a combined total of over 2,700 elite ninja, destroying that puny Grass Village should be a piece of cake.
Soushu Hyuga's gaze lightly swept past Fugaku Uchiha, who looked eager and restless, then subtly sent a meaningful look to a Clan Leader seated beside him.
The moment that leader sharply caught onto this silent signal, Soushu Hyuga slightly tilted his head and gave a small upward jerk of his chin toward Fugaku Uchiha. No words were needed—the meaning behind the gesture was clear enough: ask him to step forward and push Fugaku into the spotlight.
"I recommend Captain Fugaku!"
Instantly grasping the meaning, this Clan Leader immediately stood up and shouted out loud without hesitation.
At the front, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and his two senior advisors barely managed to hide their shock upon hearing these words—their expressions darkened instantly!
We must guard against the Uchihas more than we guard against the Hyūgas!
That was an ironclad ancestral law!
So their reaction was equally direct:
"No way!"
Even Homura Mitokado, famous for his wisdom and strategic mind, blurted out his true thoughts before he could even think it through.
"What nonsense!"
Fugaku's face had just lit up with surprise and delight, yet before it fully showed, it froze.
As soon as Homura spoke, Fugaku quickly realized he had reacted too impulsively—spoken too bluntly!
While suppressing the Uchiha clan was indeed a core stance of the Hokage faction, such sentiments could not be openly declared in public. After all, in principle, the Will of Fire stood for unity among all people—not singling out any clan or group.
"Captain Fugaku has no experience leading a full ninja army alone before. Plus, this invasion of the Grass could very well provoke interference from Iwagakure and Rain ninjas. Therefore, selecting a more seasoned and prudent commander seems more appropriate."
Once realizing his slip-up, Homura quickly attempted damage control.
However, by making that reasoning, the pool of possible commanders narrowed down considerably again.
Among all the Clan Leaders present, the one with the most experience was naturally Soushu Hyuga—who had silently signaled someone else to nominate Fugaku Uchiha.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, clearly noticed this as well.
Acting on the principle that if he couldn't get his way, neither could the Uchiha clan, he actively suggested, "In my opinion, Commander Sōshu would be quite suitable!"
Upon hearing this, all the other Clan Leaders nodded in agreement.
As for Fugaku Uchiha, whose dreams had just been crushed, his expression turned dark and unstable, eyes darting back and forth across the three top leaders, almost ready to activate his Tomoe Sharingan on the spot and start fighting.
And this was precisely what Soushu Hyuga wished to see.
From another angle, the Uchiha Clan being distrusted by the ruling elite due to their immense power in Konoha might actually help maintain long-term peace between the Uchiha and Hyuga clans.
After the Ninja Clan Hearing, the Coalition Force of Ninja Clans assembled within a single day. However, Hyuga Soushu did not immediately issue orders to march out. Instead, he announced the expedition against the Grass Ninja and declared that the official invasion would commence in three days.
This decision seemed oddly out of step with Konoha's usual stealthy military tactics.
Yet when the news spread and once again stirred public outrage, the response from the people of Konoha was entirely different from previous resistance toward warfare—this time, everyone fully supported what they saw as a righteous campaign to punish the Grass Ninja extremists.
More importantly, nobody in Konoha truly took the fence-sitting Grass Ninja seriously—they viewed this entire operation merely as an armed parade meant to demonstrate Konoha's might.
The next day, envoys sent by Iwagakure swiftly arrived at Konoha, requesting Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi to explain the clans' actions.
However, since most of the current ninja forces mobilized were composed entirely of clan ninja, even if they were all wiped out, it wouldn't threaten Konoha's ruling foundation. Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi firmly rejected the envoy's protest and demands. After publicly revealing Iwagakure's concerns, he boldly declared that Konoha's total and final victory was absolutely inevitable!
This declaration instantly caused the Hokage's popularity rating, previously weakened by negative public opinion, to shoot straight upward. As long as they weren't risking their own necks or having their lives disrupted, the villagers of Konoha could actually get pretty hyped for war!
As the Coalition Force completed its assembly, preparations for military supplies surged forward with great intensity.
This time, each ninja clan contributed their best-kept capabilities.
Thanks to the cheap resources obtained from the Occupied Territories, the Hyuga Clan took full responsibility for supplying all standard ninja tools.
Meanwhile, the Uchiha Clan and the Sarutobi Clan jointly provided common explosive tools such as Explosive Tags and pre-made traps.
The Ino–Shika–Cho triad served as suppliers for medicine and military rations. Other major and minor ninja clans also got a slice of the action when it came to supplying the army—since the clans provided the manpower, the village naturally covered the costs; and nobody was about to pass up a chance to make some easy money!
However, while Konoha buzzed with excitement, the Grass Ninja Village descended into total chaos.
Having just barely recovered from being thoroughly crushed by Hyuga Hiashi's thousand-man battalion, the Grass Ninja had barely caught their breath—and before even beginning to clean up the wreckage, they received the dreadful news that Konoha's army was about to invade them.
Upon hearing this, the Grass Ninja Village leader Mang immediately abandoned his earlier illusions.
Originally, Leader Mang had planned to file a complaint to Konoha, hoping to gain some compensation through tantrums, unreasonable arguments, and emotional pleas from the usually soft-spoken Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi. But now that news of the advancing ninja forces had arrived, all such unrealistic dreams vanished completely.
At this point, dreaming about gaining benefits was nothing more than wishful thinking. The real concern was whether he could keep his position, followed closely by whether the village could even survive.
Thus, after scanning his surroundings and weighing his options, Leader Mang realized he had only one choice left.
That was: Iwagakure.
Although Iwagakure was currently holding peace talks with Konoha following the Rain Country War, no formal treaty had yet been signed. Thus, at least on paper, Konoha and Iwagakure were still technically at war—a situation Leader Mang of the Grass Ninja Village saw as a golden opportunity.
Looking at the surrounding circumstances, the Rain Ninja Village had been severely weakened after prolonged warfare; Takugure chose to stay out of it all and remain neutral; while Kumo, once a village of great ambition, now struggled after suffering heavy losses and was deeply entangled in conflict with Kirigakure. As a result, much of the Land of Lightning had effectively fallen under Konoha's control.
Confronted with this dire situation, Leader Mang made the controversial decision—going against ancestral tradition—to abandon Grass's long-standing position of neutrality, determined instead to fully side with Iwa and seek its strength to counter the approaching threat of Konoha's military forces.
Especially upon hearing that Iwa had sent emissaries to Konoha to express concern, Leader Mang jumped up in excitement and immediately petitioned for an audience with the Third Tsuchikage Onoki.
At the same time, while Iwa accepted Grass's request for visitation, its Border Forces openly violated the preliminary agreements established under the Konoha-Iwa peace framework, crossing into Herb Country's territory and further escalating tensions.
The specter of war once again hung over the ninja world!
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