Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, then paused in thought, recalling the scene when he had met with Uchiha Shizhi a few days prior. Accompanied by Hatake Sumao, Hiruzen personally visited Uchiha Shizhi, the leader of the Uchiha Clan, hoping that the Uchiha could organize a clan force as a precaution for unforeseen circumstances.
After a discussion between Uchiha Shizhi and Hiruzen Sarutobi, she agreed to this proposal. Yet before parting ways, Uchiha Shizhi presented Hatake Sumao with a scroll containing her insights on swordsmanship.
The scroll contained many refined techniques of Uchiha sword arts that she had compiled. Originally prepared for Shiyu Uchiha's future development, this version was copied because Uchiha Shizhi had been inspired by how Minato Namikaze learned sword techniques from Shiyu Uchiha.
Her goal was simple: to help Konoha. She hoped Hatake Sumao would soon reach Kage-level strength, reducing casualties in the coming war and perhaps even turning the tide of battle.
Simultaneously, it was also about laying foundations for her son Shiyu Uchiha. She already knew her son would never remain in obscurity forever; this current phase of quietude was simply a period of accumulation for his future ambitions. And Hatake Sumao was the one she favored most—someone she desperately wanted on her side.
Uchiha Shizhi had long sensed her physical condition—she knew her time was limited; without taking any action, she probably only had five years at best.
In her youth, she'd repeatedly used her own body for experiments while developing Izanami, a forbidden technique designed to counter Izanagi. Later, she engaged in multiple fierce battles against powerful opponents wielding Mangekyō Sharingan abilities. Although she successfully killed two and subdued one, these victories came at the cost of severe injuries. Although she eventually recovered using her youthful vitality, those battles severely depleted her very life essence.
The reason she was still alive today was precisely because, after the Naraka Yomi War, she hadn't activated her Mangekyō or engaged in high-intensity combat ever since.
Initially, Hatake Sumao was reluctant to accept the gift—accepting such a significant favor would incur a heavy debt. While he disliked politics, he wasn't entirely ignorant of its implications. However, what Uchiha Shizhi said next caused him to hesitate.
"I'm giving you this sword art not for any other reason, but because I hope that before stepping onto the battlefield, your swordsmanship can reach an even greater level—so you may slay more enemies for Konoha and bring our village victory. You are currently standing at a critical threshold; I hope you can achieve this breakthrough. If any Uchiha betrays Konoha in the future… don't hesitate to cut them down."
Hearing those words, Hatake Sumao immediately hesitated—he could refuse, yes. But if he did develop further, countless comrades' lives might be saved in the imminent war. His hesitation pleased both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Uchiha Shizhi even more.
Then Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, "Sumao, take it. I hope that from now on you will perform even better—to reduce Konoha's losses and deliver victory."
Thus, Hatake Sumao accepted the swordsmanship scroll, bowing respectfully to Uchiha Shizhi as he said, "I will repay this kindness someday."
Yesterday, Hiruzen Sarutobi sensed an extraordinary sharpness from Hatake Sumao, even giving him a slight sense of crisis. Then Hatake Sumao told Sarutobi that he had broken through to a new level, which brought great delight to the currently understaffed Hiruzen.
At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't the least bit afraid of Hatake Sumao. After all, he was the "Professor of Ninjutsu." Once he created distance, Hatake Sumao was surely doomed to defeat. Even in close combat, Sarutobi, wielding Enma in his golden staff form, remained unshaken.
After all, he couldn't possibly imagine how outstanding Hatake Sumao would become in the future, nor could he realize that his own strength, stagnant after the Second Ninja World War, would seem like regression when compared with Hatake Sumao's rapid progress.
Thinking that Hatake Sumao had already been promoted, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "For the Land of Wind, Hatake Sumao will take responsibility, with Tsunade as backup. The Uchiha Clan force will participate as well, leading 500 Uchiha warriors and a 5,000-strong Ninja Force into battle. They'll be divided into two groups. The first group of 2,500 will join with the border forces and will be under Sumao's unified command. They'll directly strike into the Land of Rivers to let the Sand-nin know that Konoha isn't to be trifled with, and whoever attacks first will definitely pay the price. The second group will consist of 3,000 troops. Additionally, Hatake Sumao will be granted tactical autonomy on the battlefield."
Then Danzo Shimura and the other two were very confused, and Danzo even requested to go to the Land of Rivers side to deal with the Sand-nin from the Land of Wind.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "Sumao has already broken through. He's completely qualified to handle that battlefield."
Initially shocked, they then felt joy—only to be soon overtaken by pressure.
After all, this was indeed a stormy period. At such a critical moment, Konoha had gained another Kage-level ninja, increasing their confidence in winning the war by yet another margin.
However, a younger generation had now appeared before them, making them feel pressure. The strongest among the three, Danzo, had only recently broken through to Kage level, while the other two were merely ordinary elite Jonin.
Therefore, the three were determined to prove themselves, so no one would perceive them as having risen through favoritism rather than true ability. Danzo, in particular, who had already lost to Sarutobi once, didn't want to lose to a junior this time.
The three men, however, didn't realize that war is the ultimate test of one's true ability.
Then Hiruzen Sarutobi added one last sentence to complete his final arrangement: "The Hyuga Clan must also send 500 troops, assigned to the reconnaissance units of various Shinobi Forces, departing together with the first group."
Finally, Hiruzen Sarutobi said to several of his companions, "The front lines will temporarily be entrusted to you. If there's anything you can't handle, send me a message, and I'll personally come to fight on the front lines." At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was full of vigor and vitality, radiating a compelling aura. For a moment, this deeply moved the others.
The four finally reached a consensus, and together they held a meeting of Jonin. During the Jonin meeting, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up directly and announced his decision to the assembled Jonin. With his strength and prestige, his deployment won unanimous approval from everyone present.
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still in his prime—far from the defeated man he would later become. His presence was so commanding that he even began to believe—mistakenly—that Konoha was truly his.
Soon afterward, under Hiruzen Sarutobi's command, Konoha swiftly transformed into a precision war engine. Gradually evolving into a war beast, it began revealing its cruelest face to the Ninja World and announcing the outbreak of the Second Great Ninja War.
At the Jonin meeting, Hatake Sumao listened carefully to Hiruzen's orders. He felt both honored to be entrusted with such responsibility by the Hokage he deeply respected—and utterly overwhelmed by its weight. After some contemplation, before deploying the Uchiha clan's forces, Hatake Sumao visited Uchiha Shizhi once again. After exchanging pleasantries, he got straight to the point.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>