Chapter 161: The Ninja Clans' Decision
The Third Hokage's reaction was peculiar. He remained completely still as the Nirvana Temple Technique unfolded. Even when the Special Jonin Mitarashi Anko beside him was repeatedly struck by three kunai, he didn't flinch. As the Sound Four erected the Four Violet Flames Formation, his composure only deepened. It wasn't until the barrier was fully in place that he calmly inquired of "the Fourth Kazekage" what the matter was.
Then, the woman, appearing to be in her fifties, embraced the elderly man, who looked to be in his seventies, and began to discuss secrets too sensitive for outsiders to overhear.
The old woman yawned, remarking that she felt somewhat sleepy.
The old man offered, "I have an extendable Adamantine Staff. Would you care to see it?"
Observing their conversation about matters of length and depth, the Sound Four, demonstrating considerable foresight, each created a small barrier within the Four Violet Flames Formation. Their strong desire to survive was evident, a stark reminder of their role as mere tools, and they clearly wished to avoid hearing any potentially fatal information.
Taking advantage of their participation in the Chunin Exams, the Sand and Sound Villages had infiltrated a significant number of ninjas. Disguised as civilians and merchants, these operatives now discarded their facades and launched a simultaneous attack within the Leaf Village. Concurrently, a joint ninja force from the two villages amassed outside the village walls.
With coordinated attacks from both inside and out, the once peaceful Leaf Village was instantly engulfed in the smoke of war. Information regarding the village's patrol routes and hidden sentries had long been secretly disseminated by Kabuto. Consequently, the ninja coalition outside the village advanced rapidly, breaching defense line after defense line with ease. The village's situation was critical, prompting institutions like the Ninja Academy and Konoha Hospital to urgently organize evacuations.
Kakashi had taken many ANBU ninjas with him, Guy and Lee were away training, Asuma and Kurenai were at a movie, and several Jonin and Special Jonin at the competition site attempted to rescue the Third Hokage, only to be intercepted by ninjas from the Sand and Sound Villages.
The Sand Village Jonin, Baki, displayed remarkable bravery, single-handedly holding off a joint assault from two ANBU ninjas.
Many Chunin and Genin were affected by the Nirvana Temple Technique, and most of the Jonin were absent. The entire ninja command structure of Konoha Village was thrown into disarray.
With a deafening roar, the One-Tail Shukaku unleashed its immense chakra, which swept across the battlefield. Simultaneously, the Third Hokage's voice echoed from within the Four Violet Flames Formation.
"Don't worry about me. Focus on rescuing the civilians and guests from other nations."
The few remaining Special Jonin looked at the One-Tail Shukaku, their hearts pounding with dread.
Fear was undoubtedly present, but they knew they had to act. Hadn't the Nine-Tails attacked before? Yet, countless ninjas had bravely rushed forward to stop it. The Leaf ninjas' willingness to sacrifice themselves was truly commendable.
However, the timing was terrible; too many civilians were present.
Some argued for prioritizing the rescue of their own villagers, while others believed they should first evacuate the dignitaries from neighboring countries.
Furthermore, the lack of clear leadership only exacerbated the chaotic scene.
Whether driven by duty or personal conviction, Genma Shiranui, as the referee, felt compelled to step forward and confront the tailed beast head-on.
He was the closest; if he didn't act, who would?
His primary objective was to lure the tailed beast away from the village, and he launched a full-force attack.
Ino couldn't comprehend how things had devolved so drastically. Her initial plan, even with its unforeseen consequences, now seemed far less chaotic than the current situation. In the original timeline, Shukaku hadn't appeared in the village center. This was akin to a weakened version of the Nine-Tails' attack, wasn't it?
Seeing Naruto, Sasuke, and Genma Shiranui seemingly eager to test their skills against the One-Tail Shukaku, she decided to temporarily withdraw.
Unlike Naruto and Sasuke, who were orphans without spouses or children, she had a large family to protect.
Faced with the choice of directly confronting the One-Tail or safeguarding her family, she unequivocally chose the latter.
Two Sound Village ninjas lunged at her. Ino swiftly executed a Water Severing Wave, cutting both of them into pieces. Without a second glance, she grabbed Hinata's hand and fled.
Along the way, she entrusted Hinata to her father, Hiashi Hyuga, gently patted Hanabi's head, and with mutual understanding conveyed through nods, they quickly evacuated the area.
Ino soon rejoined her father, Inoichi, and her mother.
Unlike Kushina Uzumaki and Mikoto Uchiha, both accomplished Jonin, Ino's mother was merely a Chunin who hadn't engaged in combat for over a decade.
The family of three eliminated more than a dozen enemies and joined a large contingent of ninjas from the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans. Together, they quietly made their way to the Nara clan's medicinal herb outpost outside the village.
The Ino-Shika-Cho formation gathered, and their immediate priority was to secure the safety of the elderly, the infirm, women, and children.
Ino's mother, Shikamaru's mother, and Choji's mother all sought temporary refuge in the Nara clan's underground shelter. A secret passage also existed beneath, providing a means of complete escape should the village fall.
While the village had its own established defense mechanisms, the ninja clans also had their independent contingency plans. At this critical moment, they placed greater trust in their own capabilities.
Ino pinned the Jinchuriki to the ground and began striking him. By no stretch of the imagination could she be considered among the elderly, infirm, women, or children.
Her mother offered a few brief instructions, and Ino followed Inoichi to the meeting. Shikamaru nodded in her direction. Shortly after, Choji also arrived.
For these ninja clans, family held paramount importance; the village came second.
Shikaku possessed the strongest sense of loyalty to the village, yet he couldn't disregard the well-being of his family.
To foolishly rush into battle and fight to the death at this juncture? That was preposterous! Protecting one's family was the obvious priority, and the rest could be addressed later.
The Hyuga, Inuzuka, Aburame, and even the Sarutobi clans followed the same principle. They had to ensure the safety of the elderly, the infirm, women, and children within their families, as these individuals represented the clan's foundation.
The heads of the three families engaged in hushed discussion. Ino, completely disregarding her image as the village's flower, sat by herself, pouring and drinking wine. Shikamaru, having been abruptly awakened, couldn't suppress his yawns, still feeling groggy. Choji, noticing Ino drinking and the adults seemingly unconcerned, glanced around with his small eyes before pulling out potato chips and munching on them loudly.
The ninjas of the three families continuously gathered intelligence from all corners.
"Patriarch, the Third Hokage has not issued a summons for the ninja clans to join the war effort."
"Patriarch, the ANBU and Root ninjas have not mobilized in significant numbers. The two advisors and Lord Danzo have not made an appearance."
"Patriarch, all members of the Hyuga clan have gathered within the main family's compound for defense."
Outside, the sounds of fighting and death permeated the air, yet within the Nara clan compound, an eerie calm prevailed.
The heads of the three families listened to the reports from their positions of authority, while the three younger members, Ino and her peers, could only sit below and await orders, under the pretense of learning.
Even Shikamaru and Ino held little sway on this occasion, let alone the portly young master Choji.
The Sand and Sound Villages' attack routes were clearly defined. They completely bypassed the ninja clans' compounds, and even the major commercial establishments and financial institutions were untouched. All their forces were concentrated on the stadium, the intent of their decapitation strategy unmistakable.
Ino-Shika-Cho remained committed to supporting the Third Hokage, but they couldn't act rashly.
Shikaku understood the principle of offering help when it's truly needed, rather than simply adding to an already favorable situation.
Moreover, the ninjas of his own Sarutobi clan had yet to make a move. Why should Ino-Shika-Cho be the first to engage? There was no logical reason for it.
"Wait a little longer." A ninja from the Nara clan, seemingly influenced by the Will of Fire, requested permission to fight. Shikaku immediately instructed him to wait.
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