Unlike the decisive stances taken by the Uchiha and the Hyuga clans, once Hyuga Hiashi finished speaking, no one else immediately followed.
The conference room fell into collective silence, as if everyone had suddenly turned into quails.
Although they had agreed to go to war, how much strength they would actually contribute still depended on the situation.
What if the Uchiha and Hyuga were only putting on a show, but secretly refused to truly fight?
If they stepped forward too eagerly, wouldn't they just end up getting themselves killed?
Even though they were all shinobi of Konoha, trust could not be built overnight.
After all, caution against others was always necessary.
In their view, the main force of this war had to be the Uchiha and the Hyuga.
Their own clans would only provide auxiliary support.
They spoke of comradeship, but when it came to dividing responsibility, things were very clear.
This mess was caused by the Uchiha and the Hyuga—
Why should others be the ones charging into the front lines?
Providing support was already doing their best.
These smaller clans had no chance of producing a Hokage.
Elite jōnin was the ceiling for them.
Naturally, they were unwilling to gamble too many clan members' lives on a war.
If the war was won, the credit would belong to others.
If it was lost, they wouldn't be blamed.
Risking their lives was absolutely out of the question.
Under such circumstances, simply muddling through was good enough.
Hiruzen Sarutobi cast a satisfied glance at Uchiha Yusuke.
So what if you're good at stirring things up?
The Uchiha still lacked the foundation to truly gain everyone's support.
However, with war imminent, the Third Hokage could not openly sabotage Yusuke.
He could help scrape together manpower, but concentrating superior forces was basically impossible.
This time, the Uchiha had sent out two-thirds of their elite forces.
Hiruzen would have been delighted to see them and Kumogakure grind each other down on the battlefield.
That way, both internal and external threats would be weakened at once—a perfect two birds with one stone.
Yusuke was well aware of Hiruzen's little schemes.
Fighting Kumogakure did carry considerable risk, but if handled properly, it was also an opportunity to establish Uchiha prestige.
Hiruzen had his calculations.
Yusuke had his own.
This gamble was dangerous, but the potential reward was just as great.
If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch the tiger cub?
This time, the Uchiha were seeking fortune amid danger.
Hiruzen coughed lightly and stood up.
"The Uchiha and the Hyuga have shown great righteousness."
"Everyone, stop holding back. This is a war to protect the village."
With the Third Hokage speaking, no one could remain silent any longer.
After all, a war was not something two clans could shoulder alone.
Letting only the Uchiha and Hyuga face Kumogakure was completely unrealistic.
Nara Shikaku was the first to step forward.
"The Nara clan can deploy ten jōnin and one hundred chūnin."
Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Chōza immediately followed.
"We're the same."
As a combined force, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio nearly matched the Hyuga's deployment.
By any standard, that was sincere enough.
Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction.
"The three of you have shown your commitment. The position of battlefield strategist will be entrusted to Shikaku."
The intelligence of the Nara clan was known throughout Konoha.
Even Yusuke had no grounds to object to this arrangement.
The battlefield strategist was a critical role with decision-making authority.
Hiruzen assigned it early specifically to prevent the Uchiha from entering the core of power.
In his view, although the Uchiha were sending many troops, central authority would never be given to them.
At most, Yusuke would receive the title of deputy commander.
Hiruzen then turned his gaze to the other clan heads.
"The Ino–Shika–Chō clans have deployed half their strength.
Each of you will contribute one-third."
War was an excellent opportunity.
Not only to weaken the Uchiha and Hyuga, but also to conveniently suppress the other clans.
In recent years, the Sarutobi clan had been steadily rising.
Once the Uchiha and Hyuga were weakened, the Sarutobi would truly become Konoha's foremost noble clan.
"This…"
The heads of the smaller clans all showed strained expressions, hesitating to speak.
Their clans were far weaker than the Uchiha or Hyuga.
Those great clans had thousands of shinobi.
They barely had a hundred.
Losing even one was a heavy blow.
But the Third Hokage had made his stance clear, leaving no room for argument.
Other clans had sent at least half—
Asking them for one-third was hardly excessive.
Under Hiruzen's gaze, the smaller clan heads could only swallow their grievances and nod in agreement.
Once all clans had declared their contributions, Hiruzen finalized the decision.
Konoha ultimately assembled three thousand shinobi, to be deployed to the front lines to face Kumogakure.
With matters settled, the representatives of civilian shinobi showed faint smiles.
Against Kumogakure, over two thousand of the deployed forces came from the major clans.
Civilian shinobi numbered less than one thousand.
This was naturally good news for them.
In past wars, civilian shinobi had always borne the greatest losses.
This time, those of civilian origin could finally breathe easier.
"Sigh…"
The clan heads looked at Uchiha Yusuke and Hyuga Hiashi with some resentment.
The Third Hokage was highly respected, and Danzō had not stepped forward to take the blame.
That left Yusuke and Hiashi as the most obvious targets.
The Uchiha and Hyuga were large clans—
Even after sending over half their forces, they still had hundreds remaining.
But we've been dragged into this mess!
One-third of our forces—
That's practically fatal!
With troop numbers settled, the most critical issue remained:
Who would hold command authority?
The Third Hokage stepped forward with a smile.
"Hiashi, this matter began with the Hyuga."
"The position of battlefield commander will be entrusted to you."
Hyuga Hiashi stood and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you for your trust, Hokage-sama, but I fear I am not suited for the position of battlefield commander."
The two advisors immediately stood, their faces dark.
"Hiashi, what are you saying?"
"If not you, who else could take command?"
"Do you refuse to serve Konoha?"
The decision to appoint Hiashi had already been settled internally.
They would not allow it to be questioned.
Facing their pressure, Hiashi remained calm and resolute.
"Advisors, I believe Clan Head Yusuke is more suitable."
"He bears the title of 'Flame Demon' and has defeated Uchiha Fugaku before. His strength far surpasses mine."
A favor received should be repaid.
Yusuke had once helped the Hyuga, and Hiashi seized this chance to return that debt.
Hiruzen's smile did not fade as he spoke again.
"Yusuke's strength is indeed impressive, but he is still too young."
"Hiashi, we all know your capabilities. There's no need to be so modest."
"You are older and more steady in handling affairs.
You should not decline this command."
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