Chapter 60: Hiruzen's Decision, No More Free Time
Fire Country's western border base.
Since Konoha hadn't yet joined the war or engaged in three-front warfare...
At this time, the Legendary Sannin, White Fang of Konoha, and Danzo Shimura still gathered together, constantly monitoring the battlefield between Sunagakure and Amegakure.
Currently, the busiest and most dangerous were the reconnaissance squads and ANBU infiltrating enemy nations to gather intelligence.
Intelligence about Sunagakure's counterattack quickly reached Orochimaru and the others via reconnaissance squad.
"That old hag Chiyo actually developed an antidote formula for the salamander poison?"
Reading the scroll's intelligence, Tsunade looked utterly astonished.
"Not just that. Sunagakure apparently found the salamander's weakness. They briefly achieved a stalemate with Hanzo." Danzo Shimura knew even more.
Jiraiya looked delighted. "If Sunagakure and Amegakure are locked in stalemate, Hanzo probably can't redirect his attention to attack us, right? Does that mean the great conflict won't erupt?"
Knock knock knock—
Almost the moment Jiraiya's words fell, knocking suddenly sounded.
"Enter."
As the words fell, the door opened from outside. A Byakugan-wielding man wearing a green vest walked in.
"Distinguished leaders, my clan brother's summoning beast brought back the latest intelligence."
The Byakugan user wasted no words, directly handing a scroll sealed with a talisman to Danzo Shimura, who held the highest rank as Hokage Advisor.
"Thank you for your hard work, Kawa."
Danzo Shimura—whose wings hadn't yet fully grown and who similarly dreamed of becoming Hokage—nodded quite courteously in response.
After Hinata Kawa departed, Danzo immediately used an unsealing technique to open the scroll.
Upon finishing the scroll's contents, his expression immediately darkened.
Noticing Danzo's expression change, Hatake Sakumo asked: "Danzo-sama, did the battle situation suddenly change?"
"Yes. See for yourselves."
Danzo placed the scroll on the table.
Soon, Orochimaru and the others' expressions also darkened.
"That Onoki bastard suddenly increasing border forces—clearly up to no good." Jiraiya complained. "After lying dormant three months, he's finally made his move. Good thing he's only attacking Amegakure. This still doesn't concern us."
"If that were all, it would certainly be good news." Orochimaru's finger lightly traced across the scroll's text, suddenly freezing on one line. His voice turned grave. "But they attacked Amegakure while Hanzo was locked in stalemate with Sunagakure, launching sudden assaults—is it really just to massacre and plunder wealth? You must know they're not Sunagakure's allies. Aren't they afraid Hanzo will suddenly change targets?"
Hatake Sakumo added: "Amegakure has massive Ame shinobi forces stationed. Even if the wealth inside far exceeds other towns and villages, there's no need to risk entering a military base to plunder."
Hearing this, Jiraiya's expression immediately turned serious. "You mean the massacre and plundering are just surface actions? They have other objectives?"
Orochimaru and the others exchanged glances for several seconds before saying in unison: "The antidote."
As a medical ninja, Tsunade immediately stated gravely: "We cannot sit idle. Even if it means being identified as joining the war, we must take action."
"Regardless of whether Iwagakure seeks the antidote, or whether they've obtained the antidote and formula, they've already prepared for war with Amegakure. If we truly let them obtain the antidote formula and develop a cure for the salamander poison, we'll be in an absolutely passive position."
"I absolutely refuse to believe that Onoki bastard is only after Rain Country's resources."
"Who knows—once both Sunagakure and Iwagakure possess antidotes, will Hanzo unite with them? Or perhaps, relying on their antidotes, they'll deliberately lure Hanzo to our side. How would we respond?"
"We must also obtain the antidote and develop a formula to cure the salamander poison."
After hearing Tsunade's analysis, Orochimaru and the others all felt their spirits sink.
However, Orochimaru still said: "Let's report to Sarutobi-sensei first."
Danzo and the others had no objections.
Using clan summoning beasts for transmission, intelligence about Iwagakure's surprise attack on Amegakure, along with Tsunade's analysis, soon appeared before Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After reading this intelligence, Hiruzen's mood also grew heavy.
"Onoki, what exactly are you thinking?"
Hiruzen attempted to place himself in Onoki's position, speculating on his thoughts.
Earth Country's territory was extremely vast, surrounded by numerous small nations. Bordering Demon Country, Rain Country, and Waterfall Country, it didn't lack trees or water sources at all.
Regarding minerals, with rocky mountains everywhere, they similarly lacked nothing—resources were merely difficult to extract.
What they lacked were locations suitable for trade and economic prosperity, plus the status and reputation to attract nobles and civilians from other nations to commission them.
But Rain Country's harsh environment, aside from water resources, proved utterly unsuitable for trade. Rather than offending the formidably powerful Hanzo of the Salamander, they'd be better off attacking Waterfall Country with its dense forests and fertile land while Konoha deployed massive forces guarding the western border.
Hiruzen took a deep drag on his pipe, then his eyes suddenly sharpened, murmuring: "Onoki... is your target Fire Country?"
At this moment, Hiruzen made his decision.
Just like Tsunade's analysis—regardless of whether Iwagakure's target was Fire Country, Konoha couldn't sit idle.
Thus, Hiruzen raised his hand in a gesture.
The next second, an ANBU appeared in the Hokage's office, kneeling on one knee with respectful tone: "Hokage-sama."
"Go notify Genin Gojo Yoru to come see me. No need to rush—let him prepare before coming."
"Yes."
The ANBU bowed his head, then vanished like an afterimage.
Before long, Yoru—who'd been in his courtyard helping Kushina practice sealing techniques—received the ANBU's notification.
"I understand. Let me prepare, then I'll head over." Yoru nodded, grasping Hiruzen's meaning.
He then returned to his room to organize his belongings.
"Yoru, are you joining the war?" Kushina followed him inside.
"I'll only know after meeting Hokage-sama." Yoru smiled. "It might just be that he needs my Flying Thunder God Technique to deliver something to the border for Orochimaru-sensei."
Despite saying this, Yoru had already prepared mentally for war participation.
Not contacting him for three months indicated the battle situation remained manageable, not yet requiring the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Now finally summoning him meant the great conflict had likely erupted.
If Yoru remembered correctly, the Second Shinobi World War's participants included only Rain Country, Fire Country, Wind Country, and Earth Country.
And Konoha apparently fought on three fronts.
'Could someone be in danger, requiring reinforcement?' Yoru thought internally, remembering Orochimaru had requested several Flying Thunder God kunai.
Or perhaps they needed him as the Flying Thunder God Technique wielder to secretly execute certain missions?
Regardless of which scenario, Yoru's free time had ended.
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