Upon accepting the heavy responsibility, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately began selecting ninjas.
Within a day, he had gathered all five hundred, ready to depart soon.
Among the five hundred, Hiruzen Sarutobi chose fifty ninjas from his own clan, all of whom were elites who had undergone rigorous training and possessed formidable strength.
Although they lacked any Kekkei Genkai, the Sarutobi clan, with its centuries of ninjutsu inheritance, was a powerful ninja clan in the Warring States period, comparable to the Senju, Uchiha, and Hyūga clans.
The Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans were all affiliated with them, holding a status similar to retainers.
The Sarutobi clan's loyal and dependable character had always been praised by local nobles.
Aside from the Senju, the Sarutobi clan was the most favored by local lords during the Warring States period for employment.
In the last ninja war, the Sarutobi clan also followed closely behind the Senju, with their clan's losses second only to the Senju.
Because the Senju bore too much responsibility, the Sarutobi clan did not suffer the same fate as them.
In addition to the fifty ninjas from the Sarutobi clan, another hundred were comprised of various other clans, and the remaining three hundred and fifty were civilian ninjas.
After nearly twenty years, the new generation of civilian ninjas had officially entered the ranks of the Konoha Ninja Village.
Due to the implementation of the specialized division system, these civilian ninjas who could participate in missions were undoubtedly the cream of the crop—after all, without talent, the academy would not consider them for combat roles—and their strength was comparable to that of ninjas from mid-tier clans.
Among these individuals, Hiruzen Sarutobi also brought along his favorite students: Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Asumi.
After becoming Chunin, the three had different appointments: Orochimaru entered the research department, Asumi the intelligence department, and Jiraiya remained an ordinary ninja operating outside.
Despite this, the three, having trained together, maintained a strong bond.
Jiraiya, having spent years on missions, had shed much of his frivolousness.
While he could still be playful in his daily life, he clearly separated personal matters from official duties.
Over the years, Jiraiya had also made significant progress in his Sage Mode training.
Fukasaku, his mentor, once said that Sage Mode training emphasizes the cultivation of both body and mind.
For Jiraiya, who was somewhat restless as a child, his experiences in the outside world broadened his horizons, refined his character, and benefited his physical and mental well-being.
Consequently, Jiraiya developed an interest in experiencing different landscapes.
If one day he could shed his ninja identity, he might travel as an explorer, experiencing local customs and gathering materials.
"I once carried out a mission to protect merchants on a voyage, so I'm somewhat familiar with that area.
If there's anywhere you'd like to go, just ask me!" Jiraiya declared confidently to his two fellow students, raising a hand and thumping his chest.
"You think we're going on vacation, Jiraiya?" Asumi said with a chuckle, looking at him.
"Even though it's wartime, you can't always be on edge.
You still need to relax when the time comes.
An old sailor once told me that," Jiraiya said earnestly.
"Boring.
Instead of doing that, I'd rather hone my ninjutsu," Orochimaru said, shaking his head slightly.
"Heh heh, Orochimaru, you must be getting rusty from staying in the research department too long," Jiraiya chuckled, looking at him.
"But you're quite impressive; even without having been on missions outside, just training with me and Sensei Hiruzen, you can regain your past feel."
"Of course, because Orochimaru is a genius." Asumi was very confident in Orochimaru's talent.
She and Jiraiya at least had experience with outdoor missions, but after the joint Chunin exam, Orochimaru entered the research department and never seriously fought anyone again.
However, just by training with his fellow students, Orochimaru quickly returned to his past state.
Perhaps he hadn't reached his peak, but he was clearly ready for combat.
With more experience in battle, he could surely improve further, which is why Hiruzen Sarutobi brought him along.
Orochimaru's expression remained unchanged despite Asumi's praise, as he himself understood that his talent was indeed exceptional.
Few clan ninjas could compare to him; at a young age, he had mastered ninjutsu that most people would never achieve in a lifetime.
As the three were chatting, they heard someone call out "Orochimaru-senpai."
Turning around, they saw a girl of fourteen or fifteen running towards them.
The girl was beautiful and had a gentle demeanor; just one look would make one think she was a kind and generous person.
She was Akemi.
"Akemi, what are you doing here?" Orochimaru asked, momentarily stunned.
"Of course, I'm here to see you off, Orochimaru-senpai, and I also wanted to give you this," Akemi said, pulling something from her pocket and handing it to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru took it and saw it was an amulet, made by the village shrine.
Although there was no clear proof, the common people believed it contained a god's blessing.
Orochimaru hadn't expected Akemi to give him this.
He was at a loss for how to handle it, caught between a rock and a hard place, when he heard Jiraiya's exaggerated voice.
"Wow, Akemi, you specifically brought this for Orochimaru.
Didn't you prepare anything for me?" Jiraiya looked at Akemi with great anticipation, but saw her gaze unconsciously shift away, immediately feeling a pang of disappointment.
Seeing this, Akemi suddenly smiled, then pulled two more amulets from her pocket and said, "Just kidding, Jiraiya-senpai, these are for you and Asumi-senpai."
"There really are some!" Jiraiya had initially thought that Orochimaru might disappoint the girl's kind intentions and had stepped in, but he hadn't expected Akemi to actually prepare amulets for him and Asumi.
He took them with surprise.
"I originally wanted to give one to everyone, but the shrine told me that these amulets are only for close people.
So, I could only make five.
The other two are for Uncle Hiruzen and Uncle Danzo," Akemi smiled.
"That's a bit of a shame." Jiraiya curiously stared at the amulet in his palm, then put it around his neck, chuckling, "Anyway, thank you for your thoughtfulness."
"Mm, thank you, little Akemi." Asumi also happily accepted hers.
Since his classmates had all accepted the amulets, Orochimaru naturally couldn't refuse, so he put the amulet away and said to Akemi, "Alright, you should go back quickly.
You probably still have homework."
"Mm.
Orochimaru-senpai, when you return, I will definitely uncover the secret of that ninjutsu.
Just you wait." With that, Akemi ran towards Hiruzen Sarutobi, presumably to deliver the last two amulets.
"Orochimaru, you actually received something from a girl.
I thought you were born incapable of attracting girls." Jiraiya watched her leave, then nudged Orochimaru with his elbow.
"Heh heh." Orochimaru merely let out a cold laugh at Jiraiya's action, offering no comment.
He simply turned around and looked down at the amulet.
"Honestly, I originally thought little Akemi giving Orochimaru an amulet meant she had other intentions," Asumi said softly to Jiraiya, moving a little further away.
"Me too, but then I thought I might have been wrong." Jiraiya had once believed it was a young girl's affection for an older senior, feeling incredible, both happy and jealous.
Happy that if Orochimaru could really attract girls, that would be great, at least he wouldn't have to worry about this guy being lonely for the rest of his life.
And jealous that even this guy could find a girl, and the Third Hokage's daughter at that, so why couldn't he?
"But if Akemi really liked this guy, I'd be incredibly envious.
Luckily, it's not like that," Jiraiya's tone was a little sour.
"Just change your personality.
You're very serious during missions, and your usual performance is mostly good, but occasionally you still flirt," Asumi said, glancing at Jiraiya.
"My personality isn't bad, is it?
This could even be considered a unique charm, no?" Jiraiya chuckled.
"At least for me, I don't feel anything," Asumi said.
Perhaps because Jiraiya hadn't given Asumi any beautiful girlish fantasies when they were young, even now that he was gradually maturing, Asumi felt nothing.
It might also be because they were too familiar with each other, more like fellow students and friends.
"Ah, if Orochimaru can win over the Third Hokage's daughter, I must also find a woman who is no less than him," Jiraiya sighed.
Asumi couldn't help but glance at him again.
Look, he's already starting to flirt.
No matter how mature his appearance becomes, he's still the same lecherous Jiraiya from the past.
However, if Jiraiya really changed, Asumi might even be a little unaccustomed to it.
She casually said, "Oh, for example?"
"For example... Tsunade." Jiraiya closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then suddenly opened them and said seriously.
"...Are you sick?" Asumi suddenly felt a chill, as if she had heard something incredible, and reached out to touch Jiraiya's forehead.
"What are you doing?" Jiraiya quickly avoided her hand and said, "I'm serious.
She's also the First Hokage's granddaughter, and she's very cute.
Although her figure used to be a bit lacking, now... Heh heh."
Jiraiya might have been too familiar with Asumi, or his thoughts might have strayed, to blurt out such words subconsciously.
By the time he realized it, Asumi had already taken a few steps away.
"Jiraiya, I think we should report this to the Konoha Military Police Force." Asumi's expression was unreadable.
"How can you say such things in front of a girl?
Are you too bold?"
"Ah, haha, can we pretend you didn't hear that?" Jiraiya was also a bit embarrassed at this point.
These were words he should only say in front of Sensei Hiruzen, and Sensei Hiruzen would surely discuss them with him properly.
But Asumi, as a girl, clearly couldn't be complicit with him.
"How about I tell Tsunade?" Asumi thought for a moment and said.
"Please, spare me that!" Jiraiya immediately pleaded with Asumi.
"If you're willing to give me some compensation, I'd be willing to keep your secret," Asumi said slowly, making sure Jiraiya understood every word.
"Anything you want to buy, just say it!" Jiraiya said, looking very generous.
"How generous of you, Jiraiya.
Seeing your sincerity, I'll forget what you just said." Asumi smiled sweetly.
—Phew, women, sometimes you really have to be careful.
Jiraiya couldn't help but wipe his sweat.
No wonder people often say that among the three taboos of ninjas, one is women.
He needed to be careful about his words and actions in the future, otherwise, if Asumi had leverage, she would certainly extort him again later.
For Asumi, whether she said something or not was completely irrelevant, but for him, it was different.
Thinking of Tsunade's strength, Jiraiya shivered.
He had better be careful and try not to anger Tsunade, otherwise, he really didn't know what would happen to him.
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi officially announced their departure.
Jiraiya and the others immediately became serious, moving to their designated positions according to the team's plan.
After Hiruzen Sarutobi confirmed everything, he led the five hundred people to the coastal border, bidding farewell to the team also departing to deal with the Land of Wind, and they each set off on their respective journeys.
The coastal border was primarily protected by local lords ennobled there.
During the last ninja war, the sudden attack by the Kirigakure Ninja Village caused significant trouble for the country.
The criticized lords were very attentive to the security of the coastal border, increasing the training of their samurai and border patrols.
Upon arrival, Hiruzen Sarutobi's first task was to visit this lord.
Because in the battle to protect the Land of Uzushio, they couldn't rely solely on their five hundred people; they also needed the cooperation of local samurai.
Masaki Kazamori focused on easing relations between ninjas and samurai, and had many friendly exchanges with the lords of these border strongholds, even allowing them to participate in commercial ventures, so their relationship was quite good.
Upon learning of the Konoha forces' arrival, Lord Miyamoto generously welcomed them, arranged accommodation for the ninjas, and hosted Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō Shimura, who were leading the group.
Upon learning that Hiruzen Sarutobi would personally lead people to infiltrate the Land of Uzushio to protect its citizens, and that the Kirigakure Ninja Village intended to annihilate the Land of Uzushio, it certainly couldn't rely solely on ninjas; there might also be a large number of samurai involved.
Therefore, he hoped to borrow some of the lord's elite soldiers.
As a lord ennobled by the Land of Fire, Lord Miyamoto only needed to protect his own territory.
Regarding the territories of other countries, unless ordered by the capital, he had no obligation to protect them.
However, Lord Miyamoto had a good relationship with the Konoha Ninja Village and had earned a lot of money by cooperating with merchants under the Konoha Ninja Village's name.
While he couldn't dispatch a large army, he could agree to a small number of elite soldiers.
As a local lord, Lord Miyamoto had considerable autonomy.
Lord Miyamoto offered three hundred men.
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately nodded in agreement, saying that three hundred would suffice, but they had to be well-trained veterans and led by samurai of sufficient strength.
Lord Miyamoto did not object to this and stated that to reassure them, Hiruzen Sarutobi could personally test the strength of the samurai he selected.
Soon, the ten samurai leaders personally chosen by Lord Miyamoto appeared in the city's training ground, where Hiruzen Sarutobi personally tested their strength.