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Konoha's only real challenge was winning the conventional Shinobi battles.
Konoha's intelligence analysis suggested that if the four great Villages set aside their differences and launched an all-out assault against Konoha—they could likely muster at least sixty thousand Shinobi.
And if the smaller Villages were drawn into the conflict—Konoha would be facing the combined might of the Shinobi World! At least seventy thousand Shinobi!
This number was—staggering.
When facing a small number of Genin and Chunin, they could be dismissed. When facing a large number, it was best not to overestimate oneself.
Genin graduating from the academy, without a kekkei genkai or unique talent, typically possessed only the three basic jutsu and shuriken skills. This wasn't just a matter of resource allocation; it was also limited by innate talent.
The total amount of chakra in the Shinobi World was finite. While everyone possessed chakra, the quality and quantity varied greatly. Aside from a few kekkei genkai users, the vast majority of Shinobi received their chakra allotment like a lottery draw.
After graduation, these Chunin served clients, undertook low-level missions, or acted as cannon fodder on the battlefield, their purpose being to deplete enemy resources and serve tactical needs, such as acting as bait.
Those who survived the crucible of battle, gaining experience and knowledge, might become academy instructors, join cryptographic units, or, if skilled in combat, become squad leaders.
Unlike Chunin, Jonin were the backbone of the hidden Villages. Without them, the Villages couldn't function. While not as powerful as Kage, their numbers, experience, and stability made them valuable assets, whether on the battlefield or completing missions.
Therefore—Minato didn't hold the arrogant view that Chunin and Genin were insignificant.
Iwagakure Shinobi were skilled in coordinated attacks.
When dozens or hundreds of Shinobi used Earth Release combination jutsu, even elite Jonin and Kage had to tread carefully.
A single kunai couldn't pierce Susanoo's defense, but what about sixty thousand kunai launched simultaneously?
Similarly, Konoha Shinobi might face sixty thousand Wind Release: Great Breakthroughs—Water Release: Water Shockwaves—or Lightning Release: Electromagnetic Murders.
Even the weakest jutsu, multiplied by sixty thousand, became a devastating force.
While Konoha held an advantage in top-tier combatants, could this advantage compensate for their numerical disadvantage in conventional forces? Only actual combat could provide the answer.
Ultimately—Konoha had few friends and many enemies. This was unavoidable. To achieve true peace, a direct confrontation with the Allied Shinobi Forces was necessary.
The outcome of the military conflict remained uncertain.
And all of Konoha's previous victories could be reversed by a military defeat.
However, looking on the bright side, Konoha had already secured three victories, while the four great Villages had none. This, in itself, was a fourth victory! Konoha held four victories, the four Villages zero—a resounding triumph!
Minato glanced at Gojo Kaigetsu, a question forming in his mind: Why doesn't Kaigetsu-kun seem worried?
Of course, from Gojo Kaigetsu's perspective…
Ten thousand Shinobi versus fifty thousand? The advantage was Konoha's!
Setting aside the First and Second Hokage, currently resting in their coffins—while their usage time was limited, using the bodies of their ancestors in battle felt—disrespectful to a traditional Shinobi like Minato. It was understandable why he hadn't factored them in.
Besides the ultimate weapons of the past, Kushina Uzumaki and Mikoto Uchiha were nearing their due dates.
Once the vessels of Asura and Indra's chakra were born, their chakra could be extracted, combined, and evolved into Ōtsutsuki chakra, granting Konoha eyes comparable to the Rinnegan.
Finally, there was Susanoo—Obito's two eyes—one Mangekyō, one Eternal Mangekyō—even if unable to achieve the Perfect Susanoo, the skeletal form was enough to tip the scales of victory.
Not to mention the morale and fighting spirit of the Allied Shinobi Forces after the economic collapse.
Gojo Kaigetsu had already calculated the outcome of the war between Konoha and the Allied Shinobi Forces.
The only variable was Black Zetsu potentially leading Akatsuki into the conflict, disrupting the balance, allowing him to profit from the struggle.
Perhaps Nagato, instead of using the ultimate weapon to enforce peace through deterrence, would directly intervene on the battlefield, eliminating the Shinobi of the five great nations. Without their interference, the Shinobi World might experience a long period of peace.
If Nagato joined the fray—perhaps the war would truly become—interesting.
Who would emerge as the ruler of the Shinobi World?
Gojo Kaigetsu sighed.
Unfortunately, Konan was only willing to contribute to Konoha's economic efforts, working tirelessly, over twelve hours a day, printing money, stocks, lottery tickets, bonds, printing paper, toilet paper…
At least, during Gojo Kaigetsu's numerous attempts to probe her, Konan had remained tight-lipped, refusing to divulge any information about Nagato, no matter how forcefully Gojo Kaigetsu—prodded her Shinobi way.
This non-violent non-cooperation, this violent non-cooperation—was starting to frustrate Gojo Kaigetsu. He wanted to test just how tight Konan's lips truly were.
If he could pry open Konan's tightly sealed mouth, obtain information about Nagato's true location—he could dispatch Konoha's top forces for a decapitation strike, eliminating this destabilizing factor prematurely.
But—Konan's lips were sealed shut.
Perhaps only by arranging for a cute little girl, who affectionately called Konan "Big Sister," to—meet an unfortunate end before Nagato's eyes, with Konan coincidentally witnessing the tragedy, could he truly break through her defenses, allowing him to fully—penetrate her heart.
Gojo Kaigetsu had already arranged for the actors, and had even instructed Uzumaki Reina, Konan's supposed best friend, to subtly influence her. But nothing had worked. He'd administered all the necessary—eye drops. Perhaps Gojo Kaigetsu wasn't capable of such cruelty. In that case, he would have to handle it himself.
The Six Eyes could perceive the flow of chakra, allowing for incredibly precise manipulation. Theoretically, by touching the black receivers embedded in the Six Paths of Pain, he could trace the chakra back to Nagato's true body.
Gojo Kaigetsu hadn't ruled out the possibility of directly attacking Amegakure. But Black Zetsu, being cautious, would likely flee with Nagato at the first sign of trouble. Even if Nagato didn't run, Black Zetsu would. Therefore, he had to wait for the Six Paths of Pain to come to him.
It was simply a matter of deploying troops, arranging sufficient defenses within the Village during the war with the four nations, to prevent the Six Paths of Pain from reaching Konoha and unleashing a massive Shinra Tensei.
"Perhaps I've overlooked something." Suddenly, Gojo Kaigetsu looked directly at Minato. "Minato—Kushina's due date, it's approaching, isn't it?"
"Yes. Tsunade-sama said it's very soon, around the time of the Fire Games. Why?"
"We might have to—inconvenience Kushina. During her delivery, she'll need to be moved to a secure location outside the Village. She can return after the baby is born."
Gojo Kaigetsu's expression turned serious. "Minato, do you trust me?"
"Kaigetsu-kun—of course, I trust you. But why so suddenly? For safety reasons, shouldn't Kushina give birth within the Village?"
Minato knew that a jinchuriki was most vulnerable during childbirth. It required an absolutely secret and secure location.
Whether as a husband or as Hokage, fulfilling his responsibilities, Minato needed to understand why Gojo Kaigetsu wanted to move Kushina outside the Village.
"Everything for Konoha!"
"The enemy targets the Nine-Tails. Kushina will be vulnerable during childbirth. The enemy might exploit this opportunity to attack Konoha. They possess the ability to release and control the Nine-Tails, and jutsu capable of destroying Konoha…"
"Therefore, for the Village's safety, moving Kushina outside is the most prudent choice. And being outside the Village doesn't mean she'll be unsafe—With sufficient protection, Kushina will be secure. This also gives us an opportunity to eliminate the hidden enemies threatening Konoha."
As long as Nagato and Black Zetsu couldn't resist the temptation, choosing to strike—they would fall right into Gojo Kaigetsu's trap. By tracing the chakra through the black receivers in the Six Paths of Pain, using his Six Eyes, he could locate Nagato's true body!
Black Zetsu could phase through the earth, but it wasn't omniscient! To monitor the battlefield constantly, it had to find ways to observe the situation in real-time.
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