Everyone was abuzz with discussion.
But those present were either village leaders, their guards, or aides… all agile individuals with keen eyesight. They quickly noticed the cracks on Hashirama's and Tobirama's bodies.
No, they had actually noticed them earlier.
They were just so shocked by the sudden appearance of these two legendary figures that they hadn't paid attention.
As the discussion rose and the awe in their hearts gradually faded, they naturally noticed this detail.
"This is the appearance of those resurrected by Impure World Reincarnation. Could these two be revived dead?"
Onoki, being the eldest present and the most experienced and knowledgeable, quickly identified it.
However, he couldn't be sure.
The strength of the dead revived by Impure World Reincarnation was vastly different from their lifetime power; it was a technique created by the Second Hokage for probing and suicide attacks. But the Chakra of these two… even without leaking, Onoki could sense the vast and immense energy contained within their bodies. It was absolutely not comparable to ordinary revived dead.
"Let me introduce them!"
Seeing the endless debate, Hiruzen spoke. "These two are our Konoha's predecessors, First Hokage Senju Hashirama-sama and Second Hokage Senju Tobirama-sama. They are temporarily revived using the Second Hokage's forbidden technique 'Impure World Reincarnation'."
"It really is the Impure World Reincarnation!?"
Onoki's eyes widened in disbelief. "I once saw the Second Hokage use this technique. The revived dead couldn't compare to their lifetime strength at all. Besides suicide attacks, it had no practical combat value. But why are you two… Could it be you two were so powerful in life that even after Impure World Reincarnation, you still possess such strength?"
"That's naturally impossible!" Tobirama said calmly. "Even my brother has his limits. The reason we are like this is because a Konoha's descendant perfected this technique, allowing the summoned dead to possess approximately seventy percent of their lifetime strength."
"I see~"
Onoki couldn't help but sigh in relief.
Although having such Chakra at seventy percent was also shocking, Onoki had personally witnessed Madara and the First Hokage in action. He had some understanding of this level of power.
However…
"Perfected Impure World Reincarnation!?"
Onoki suddenly realized something and abruptly exclaimed, while the others had already fallen into deep thought.
Being able to summon dead with approximately seventy percent of their lifetime strength, possessing immortal bodies and unlimited Chakra… Wouldn't Konoha, mastering this technique, be invincible?
"Everyone need not worry!"
As if knowing what the others were thinking, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled. "Impure World Reincarnation is a very difficult technique to master. Moreover, it requires living people as sacrifices to perform, truly going against nature. If not facing life and death, our Konoha would absolutely never use it."
The implication was that they would use it at life-or-death moments, no, at any critical juncture.
Like now,
Nevertheless, everyone heaved a huge sigh of relief.
After all, Konoha had never initiated attacks on other villages in all these years. They found Hiruzen's words relatively believable.
The Raikage spoke. "Since the First Hokage can withstand the risk of the Floating Continent crashing, let's continue discussing the later strategic deployment."
"Agreed."
Shikaku glanced at the Raikage, observed the expressions of the others. Seeing none had objections, he nodded. "Then let's continue the previous topic. Although First Hokage-sama can withstand the risk of the Floating Continent crashing, war changes in the blink of an eye. No one knows what the situation will be then. Therefore, I still insist on forming an elite team to infiltrate the Mechanical City and seize control to avoid the Floating Continent's crash. Specific candidates will be selected from each village. If you have good candidates to recommend."
Hearing this, Hiruzen twirled his mustache. "I recommend Uchiha Obito and Hatake Kakashi."
"Those two…" Shikaku pondered briefly, then nodded. "Obito's ability is most suitable for infiltration, and Kakashi's intellect and adaptability are sufficient to lead the team. Then we still need two more. Does anyone have recommendations?"
As he spoke, Shikaku looked at the people from the other villages.
"I recommend Chukichi from Kirigakure. He is one of the few Sensor-type Shinobi in the Shinobi World who can rival others and is also skilled in group stealth techniques, very suitable for this operation."
"I recommend Kakko from Iwagakure. He excels at stealth techniques and is also outstanding in various other abilities, very suitable for this operation."
Yagura and Onoki recommended one after another suitable candidates from their respective villages.
Hearing this, Shikaku nodded. "Then have them gather first to familiarize themselves with each other's abilities."
"Okay."
Hiruzen, Yagura, and Onoki each instructed someone behind them, who immediately went to handle it.
Seeing this, Shikaku continued. "To prevent Shinobi from different villages from clustering together during battle and shirking dangerous tasks, I will mix up the original organization of the 50,000 personnel. Additionally, considering the Floating Continent and Mechanical City's position, having 50,000 people crowded together cannot utilize the numerical advantage. I will divide the 50,000 into five large divisions. Does anyone have objections?"
"No."
"This is a very reasonable arrangement."
"Only then can everyone feel at ease."
"…"
Seeing no opposition, Shikaku nodded and continued. "Next is appointing the division captains. The First Division will be led by Raikage-sama. The Second Division by Tsuchikage-sama. The Third Division by Mizukage-sama. The Fourth Division by Namikaze Minato. The Fifth Division is a medical corps, led by Tsunade-sama."
Although Shikaku believed this battle was eighty percent likely a decisive battle in one strike, he wasn't sure how long that one strike would take. Therefore, establishing a medical corps was still very necessary.
"Finally…" Shikaku looked at everyone. "I want to form a vanguard unit."
"Wait, the 50,000 people have already been divided into five divisions. Where will the manpower come from to form a vanguard?"
A leader from a medium-sized village voiced confusion; most others felt the same.
But some intelligent individuals had already thought of something, their eyes flashing with unusual light.
"Of course, it's the Impure World Reincarnation army led by the First Hokage-sama!" Shikaku glanced at the First and Second Hokage. Seeing they showed no objection, he continued. "The dead revived by Impure World Reincarnation have immortal bodies and unlimited Chakra. They are the most ideal vanguard unit members. Therefore, I need you to provide personal items from the deceased outstanding Shinobi in your villages' histories. Although saying this is somewhat disrespectful to the deceased, I sincerely hope they can deplete the enemy for us."
His words immediately caused the platform to erupt into discussion like a boiling pot.
Regarding controlling the dead as vanguard… if in desperate straits, presumably no one would say much.
But this time, with the Shinobi World united and having absolute numerical superiority, they didn't want to increase the burden on their hearts and morality.
"Is there any objection?" Tobirama said loudly, cutting off everyone's discussion.
Seeing everyone look over, Tobirama said, "If it's for the future of descendants and later generations, even if their slumber is disturbed, they will understand. So don't feel burdened. If you still can't decide, why not summon them first, ask their opinions before deciding."
His words left the others with no further objections.
After all, if the individuals themselves don't mind, why should you worry pointlessly?
Although some also worried that handing over relics of their village's powerful Shinobi to Konoha might lead to them being used against them later, with the great enemy at hand, they couldn't afford to care about that now.
"Since everyone has no objections, then go prepare separately. Once the respective formations are assembled, we'll discuss offensive formation issues again. This Allied Force will surely win."
"Will surely win!"
"Will surely win!"
"Will surely win!"
Shikaku's voice carried to the surroundings. From the four Sky Castles came deafening cheers, scaring away birds passing nearby in panic.