"Th-this…" Mitokado Homura hesitated, but the woman beside him—Koharu Utatane—gritted her teeth, stood up abruptly, and declared without hesitation:
"As his disciples, it is our duty! I am ready to head to the frontlines at once and fight the brutes of the Land of Lightning to the death!"
A flicker of genuine surprise passed through Senju Mori's eyes, and he nodded approvingly.
"Such courage is commendable."
Staring at Koharu's death-before-dishonor expression, the darkened face of Shimura Danzō, and the shocked Mitokado Homura, Mori smoothly shifted his tone:
"But avenging Lord Second does not require going to the frontlines.
Jonin Koharu, remain here in the village.
Assist the Aburame clan head in coordinating logistics and transporting supplies."
"I hereby appoint Aburame Shikan as Head of the Logistics Division, and Utatane Koharu as Deputy Head."
Senju Mori cast a meaningful glance at Danzō, then turned to look at Koharu.
"I trust the two of you will fulfill your duties with courage."
"Yes, sir!"
The two answered in unison.
As they sat down, the eyes behind Aburame Shikan's dark glasses flickered slightly—he had already understood Mori's intent.
Koharu, after a brief moment of confusion, felt a complicated sense of relief well up inside.
'At least I didn't end up like Danzō...'
Meanwhile, Mitokado Homura opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came.
Something about this scene felt painfully familiar…
In the end, he sank back into his seat, powerless, a trace of regret flashing silently across his face.
Senju Mori paid them no further attention and continued with the roll call.
"Jōnin Inuzuka Dō."
"Here!"
Amid several Inuzuka jōnin, Dō stood up quickly, eyes full of expectation.
Mori issued the appointment:
"I am establishing a frontline reconnaissance and rapid-response unit.
You will serve as its captain.
You may select your own members and submit the roster later."
"Yes, sir!"
Inuzuka Dō responded loudly.
Mori's gaze moved on, quickly resting on the familiar trio of the Ino-Shika-Chō clans.
Aside from Nara Shikajo—who sat beside him as an adviser—Akimichi Chōei, the Akimichi clan head, and Yamanaka Inohiko of the Yamanaka clan were both present.
After observing briefly, Mori asked with mild curiosity:
"Why do I not see Jōnin Torifu?"
At this, Akimichi Chōei hurriedly stood, his round face full of respect:
"I beg the Hokage-sama's pardon, but Torifu's old injuries have flared up. He is bedridden and resting in the clan compound."
"However, I visited him this morning.
Though confined to bed, Torifu insisted I relay his words—that he will obey the Hokage's commands without hesitation, and that we must fight bravely for the village."
Senju Mori understood immediately.
Akimichi Torifu had grown disillusioned.
He no longer wished to stand with that little faction that supported Sarutobi Hiruzen.
He had no intention of getting involved in clan politics anymore.
As for all that talk about "obeying the Hokage's orders"…
Most likely fabricated by Chōei—completely baseless.
But with Torifu stepping back, the Akimichi clan no longer needed to worry about loyalty to Hiruzen's old classmates.
They could openly join forces with the Yamanaka clan and realign themselves without hesitation.
After a moment of thoughtful consideration, Senju Mori spoke in a calm voice:
"Since that is the case, Jōnin Chōei, Jōnin Inohiko—you two shall enter the Strategy Division and assist Shikajo with his duties."
Then Mori turned to Nara Shikajo, his tone gentle:
"Shikajo, Torifu is a close friend of yours. When this meeting ends, you should visit the Akimichi compound—go on my behalf as well and check on him."
"I was planning to do so already, Hokage-sama."
Nara Shikajo rose with a composed smile.
Inwardly, he once again praised his own foresight.
With Senju Mori's words, the small rift that had begun forming among the Ino–Shika–Chō trio was no longer a problem.
From this day forward, not only could he fully mend relations with the Yamanaka and Akimichi clans—he could also secure for himself an unparalleled leadership position within the three-clan alliance, even acting as its representative to the outside world…
All of this stemmed from a single wise decision made back then.
At last, Senju Mori asked, "Advisor Sōgo—how goes the preparations of the Defense Division?"
"Reporting to the Hokage-sama, all personnel have been fully assembled and stand ready to serve the village at any time!"
Hyūga Sōgo rose sharply, chest lifted as he answered.
Mori nodded slightly and issued the order:
"Good. Effective immediately, begin the eradication of all hidden operatives from foreign nations within the village.
Especially spies and covert agents sent by Kumogakure and Iwagakure—clean them out completely. Not a single one is to remain!"
"As you command." Hyūga Sōgo responded sternly.
To him, no spy could possibly escape the Hyūga clan's Byakugan.
Just then, someone suddenly stood up.
"Hokage-sama!"
Mori looked toward the voice—it was the head of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Isshin.
Not only Mori—every eye in the room turned toward the Uchiha clan head.
Standing in the center of everyone's attention, Uchiha Isshin met their gazes directly, unflinching.
His voice rang loud and clear, carrying that unmistakable Uchiha pride and resolve:
"Hokage-sama! Kumogakure threatens our home. It is only right that the Uchiha clan be the vanguard—allow us to shed our blood first!"
The conference room fell silent.
Everyone watched Uchiha Isshin… then covertly glanced toward Senju Mori.
No one doubted the Uchiha clan's battle prowess.
But their pride—and their sensitivity—were just as formidable.
Senju Mori looked at Isshin without any surprise.
Instead, admiration flickered in his expression.
"Uchiha Clan Head Isshin—your request was entirely within my expectations."
His voice carried clearly across the room:
"When this village was founded, it was Senju and Uchiha fighting side by side—only through their unity and strength did Konohagakure come into existence."
"The Uchiha clan's power and loyalty are pillars this village cannot do without."
Yet Mori did not immediately appoint the Uchiha.
Instead, his gaze moved across the room and settled on a Senju clansman sitting upright.
"Jōnin Sōji."
"Here!"
Senju Sōji stood sharply.
"I order you to command the elite of the Senju clan, and incorporate jōnin and chūnin from various clans—form the First Combat Unit, with you as its captain!"
"Understood!"
Senju Sōji answered firmly, his tone filled with unshakable resolve.
Then Mori's gaze returned to Uchiha Isshin.
"Jōnin Isshin!"
"Here!"
"You will serve as Captain of the Second Combat Unit! The Uchiha clan will form its core, and you shall incorporate jōnin and chūnin from other clans into it!"
At these words, many jōnin's eyes showed a trace of nostalgia.
Though the Uchiha were not popular within the village, it was undeniable that the height of Konoha's power had been during the era when Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara stood together—founding the village, dominating the entire shinobi world…
Uchiha Isshin was visibly moved, the scarlet three-tomoe Sharingan activating involuntarily.
He nearly roared his response:
"Understood!!!"
Senju Mori rose suddenly, raising his arm:
"All orders shall be executed immediately!"
"Tomorrow morning, all units will march with me to the front and repel Kumogakure!"
Through this single meeting, Senju Mori swiftly completed wartime mobilization and personnel restructuring.
The entire war machine of Konoha had begun turning in perfect sync—driven by his will alone.