After cleverly redirecting Kushina's fury, Uchiha Jin finally let out a breath of relief.
Unfortunately—
"Jin," came a gentle, almost ghostly voice behind him, "I believe you also owe me an explanation about Obito and Rin."
Jin stiffened.
Minato Namikaze stood there wearing an extremely "nuclear-level kind" smile.
Which was infinitely more terrifying than Kushina's punch.
Minato was usually gentle with everyone.
But when he was genuinely angry?
That was a different story.
And right now—
He was absolutely angry.
Jin rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"I'll definitely give you a full explanation. But shouldn't we deal with the Iwa–Suna–Kumo allied army first?"
Minato held his gaze for a few seconds before sighing lightly.
"You've all been fighting through the night without rest. Go recover. We'll take over the defenses for now."
"As for the allied forces… there's still some time. We'll discuss it properly once you're back to full condition."
Minato could clearly see how exhausted Jin was.
Fatigue dulled judgment. And this was not a battle that allowed dull thinking.
Jin didn't argue.
After completing defensive handover procedures with Hyūga Hiashi, Hyūga Hizashi, and the others, he found a relatively intact room inside Kikyo Mountain Fortress and collapsed onto a bedroll.
Whether it was sheer exhaustion—
Or the security brought by Minato's arrival—
The moment he closed his eyes, he fell into deep sleep.
Night Falls
Jin slept for nearly ten hours straight.
It wasn't until the early hours before dawn that someone came to wake him for the war council.
Stepping outside, he immediately sensed the atmosphere had changed.
Most Konoha shinobi hadn't slept at all.
They were sitting upright against walls, leaning on weapons, eyes closed but bodies tense—resting without resting.
Ready to move at any second.
War was imminent.
Jin quickened his pace and followed the escort to the temporary war room.
Inside—
Over a hundred people were packed into the chamber.
At the center were Minato and Uzumaki Kushina.
Nearby stood the Hyūga brothers, the current Ino–Shika–Chō trio—Shikaku Nara, Chōza Akimichi, and Inoichi Yamanaka.
There were experienced jōnin like Mimura.
Powerhouses like Might Duy and Kakashi Hatake.
From the Uchiha clan came elite representatives—Obito Uchiha, Yashiro, Tekka.
Everyone in this room—
Was a pillar of Konoha.
Jin scanned the space and noticed an empty seat within the inner circle.
Without hesitation, he walked over and sat down.
Whether by status or strength—
That seat was meant for him.
Shikaku cleared his throat and stepped forward toward a large battlefield map pinned to the wall.
"Everyone's here. I'll skip the formalities."
He pointed to a red-marked circle on the map.
"According to reconnaissance, the Iwa–Kumo–Suna allied army is currently encamped here."
"Iwagakure fields approximately five thousand. Commanded by Kitsuchi. Accompanying him are the Four-Tails' jinchūriki Rōshi and the Five-Tails' jinchūriki Han."
"Sunagakure has roughly four thousand. Led by Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage. Elder Chiyo accompanies him."
"Kumogakure has just over one thousand remaining troops. They're led by the Fourth Raikage, A—though he was heavily wounded earlier and is reportedly still recovering."
Shikaku's gaze flicked toward Jin.
Curiosity.
Assessment.
He had known Jin was strong.
He hadn't expected him to severely wound the Raikage in a disadvantaged engagement.
At this rate, in Konoha—
Only Minato could truly restrain him.
Around the room, eyes turned toward Jin.
Respect.
Gratitude.
If Jin hadn't killed the Two-Tails' jinchūriki, reclaimed the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, marched across distances to wound the Raikage, and held Kikyo Mountain—
They wouldn't be having a war council.
They'd be defending the gates of Konoha itself.
Regardless of the outcome of this campaign—
His merit was unquestionable.
"Hahaha! As expected of Jin!" Duy laughed boldly. "Looks like I'll have to train even harder for the next battle!"
Unlike others who might temper their words due to clan politics, Duy spoke without hesitation.
Shikaku resumed.
"Preliminary estimates place enemy forces at over ten thousand. At least two jinchūriki are confirmed present. Elite shinobi are numerous."
"The pressure Konoha faces now exceeds anything in the previous three wars."
In past wars, Konoha had faced multi-front threats—
But never had enemy forces broken through and reached so close to home.
This was the first time since the village's founding.
Even Kushina—the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki—had been deployed to the battlefield.
That alone said everything.
Shikaku exhaled slowly.
"No matter how strong the enemy appears…"
"We must hold them here."
He looked around the room.
"Behind us lies the village."
"Our families. Our comrades. Our friends."
"If we retreat—Konoha falls."
"And with it, everyone we cherish."
His voice grew steady, resolute.
"So this time—I ask everyone to set aside grievances. No holding back. No internal disputes."
"We face this together."
The room fell silent.
Heavy.
Determined.
War had arrived.
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