Hokage Tower.
Kakashi frowned deeply, his fingers interlocked and resting on the desk, his expression troubled. The enemy had come too quickly. There was a certain lag in the information, so the enemy had probably already penetrated deep into the Land of Fire's heartland.
"Kumogakure, Sunagakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure have all sent messages requesting a video call with the Hokage-sama." Inoichi Yamanaka reported solemnly, his face also grim.
The enemy was at their doorstep, and the news was only just coming in. The Intelligence Division had to bear some responsibility.
"The urgent matter now is to block the enemy from advancing further into the Land of Fire's heartland. Otherwise, the consequences will be unthinkable." Shikaku said gravely, offering his suggestion.
"Right. With a great enemy at hand, let's deal with the immediate threat first." Kakashi followed the good advice, "Dispatch the Shinobi Forces from the Fifth and Seventh Sectors near the village. Protecting Konoha is the priority."
Konoha itself wasn't very large and couldn't station too many troops. These Shinobi Forces were stationed in sectors across key locations in the Land of Fire, supporting each other from a distance.
"Understood!" Yugao accepted the order and prepared to take the documents to mobilize the troops.
Facing a large-scale invasion like this, relying solely on the village's elite Shinobi was far from enough. At least for protection and guard duties, the Shinobi Forces could leverage their numerical advantage.
"Then send a team to scout ahead for intelligence. Team 10..." He turned to look at Shikamaru, a questioning look in his eye.
"I have no issues on my end. We can depart at any time." Shikamaru nodded.
As the Hokage's secretary, he was qualified to participate in the meeting. Shikamaru's father, Shikaku, acting as the strategist, showed no particular expression upon his son's agreement.
"Choji has no problem either. He hasn't had much to do lately." Choza directly accepted the mission on his son's behalf. He had long been displeased with Choji's idle daily life.
Besides, it was just intelligence gathering. With Shikamaru there, there wouldn't be much danger. It would be good for him to get some exercise. Furthermore, he had some personal bias, as his son staying in the intelligence squad was safer than fighting on the battlefield.
"Ino has been... unwell recently." Inoichi hesitated slightly before refusing.
"Then merge with Team 8. Shino, Kiba, Choji, and Shikamaru." Kakashi said lazily, lowering his head to write on the mission scroll.
At this unclear juncture, he deliberately avoided summoning Hinata. Perhaps he was thinking of Naruto, or perhaps he didn't want to deal with the old folks from the Hyuga Clan's main family.
If he weren't sitting in the Hokage's seat, when war came, he would only need to follow orders.
The brief meeting ended there. Kakashi stood up to head to the Intelligence Division for the online version of the Five Kage Summit. Facing a common enemy, the Five Great Shinobi Villages could be surprisingly united.
…
Land of Snow.
After Naruto finished selecting his gifts, he turned to see Koyuki looking like she had something to say but was hesitating, so he couldn't help but ask, "What do you want to say?"
'She's not pregnant too, is she?' He thought inwardly, 'Well... it doesn't really matter. It's a mutual arrangement anyway. I've been mentally prepared for it.'
After all, Koyuki had mentioned wanting a child a long time ago. But it wasn't something you could just have by wanting it. Naruto's visits to the Land of Snow weren't that frequent, and he didn't plan to stay overnight this time either.
"Nothing... Last time, I heard you have a subordinate named Kurama Yakumo who can manipulate dreams." Koyuki said, trying to make her words clear.
"We acquired a set of equipment that can transmit signals like a wireless transmitter. It might be helpful for that person, but it still needs testing."
"Small matter. I'll bring her along in a few days." Naruto understood. It was probably something beneficial for Yakumo, and perhaps for the Land of Snow as well.
But he had many worries recently and didn't have the leisure to inquire further. He just waved his hand in agreement.
"You can just say it directly next time. No need to be coy."
"Mm." Koyuki responded.
Although that's what he said, Koyuki, after all, came from a royal family and knew what position she should occupy. One step too far would be willful, while one step less would be dull.
She was at the best age for a woman and managed the distance with Naruto very well. She didn't make Naruto feel burdened, nor was she overly submissive.
After Naruto packed the gifts into his seal space and left, Koyuki looked at the palace returned to silence and couldn't help but sigh softly.
The news of Naruto's upcoming wedding with Ino naturally wasn't hidden from her. To help Naruto choose a suitable gift, Koyuki had also put effort into accompanying him and pondering over it.
But now that everything was settled, she couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. It felt like something was missing, but that was something she could never have hoped for anyway.
Shaking her head, Koyuki pushed the messy thoughts from her mind. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. When it came down to it, she couldn't accompany him like a normal wife either.
Things were already very good, at least everything was going smoothly. If it weren't for Naruto... who knows what state the Land of Snow would be in now.
In an instant, Koyuki's expression returned to its usual cool detachment.
Naruto had just returned to Konoha when he suddenly found the village in chaos. Pedestrians on the streets were all hurrying about.
He was taken aback, 'Hadn't I only been gone for a few hours?'
'What had happened?'
Suddenly, he seemed to remember something. Looking towards the Hokage Tower, a sense of unease grew in his heart. Without a second glance, he turned and grabbed someone, asking directly, "What happened?"
The villager, hurriedly carrying things home, anxious and impatient, was suddenly grabbed mid-path. Already on edge, his anger flared, and he opened his mouth to curse.
But upon turning his head and seeing Naruto's face, he immediately swallowed the profanity.
"War is coming!"
After saying this, the villager gritted his teeth, shook off Naruto's hand, and hurried home.
"So soon? Why now, of all times..." Naruto stood on Konoha's main street, his expression complex. Behind him was a chaotic crowd and the gradually darkening sky.
Nightfall.
On the second floor of the Yamanaka Flower Shop.
Ino sat on the sofa with a slightly dissatisfied expression, wearing loungewear. Across from her sat her parents.
"Stop acting like a child. You're about to be a mother." Inoichi said, his face stern, "Stay in the village. Don't get involved in the war."
"Yes, your father is right. Even the rear areas can be dangerous. It's better to stay safely in the village. You have to think of the child." Ino's mother, Rino, added.
"Ah! Stop talking!" Ino covered her ears and stood up, about to return to her room.
She wasn't so foolish as to insist on risking the battlefield. Even if not for herself, for... she would do her utmost to ensure her own safety.
It was just that her parents' nagging was annoying, and she couldn't help but retort.
Just then, the wind chime downstairs rang.
Suddenly, Ino's steps halted, 'Didn't I tell that little fool to come in a few days? Coming now is just asking for Dad's scolding! Why did he have to show up right when things are tense?'
Inoichi had already stood up and was walking towards the second-floor balcony. Just reaching the balcony edge would allow him to see Naruto downstairs.
"Hey! Wait!" Ino suddenly cried out.
"What?" Inoichi frowned, turning back to look at his daughter.
"I... I dropped something!" Ino thought quickly in her panic, "Something very important... Anyway, I'm going to the battlefield! Don't try to stop me! I'm going!"
She shouted loudly. Sure enough, Inoichi and Yoshino's attention was diverted, and they both looked at Ino.
But before they could speak, Ino swiftly rushed down the stairs, shouting as she went.
"I'm going out for a walk! Don't follow me!"