On the front lines, ever since Konoha's main forces retreated to Kikyō Mountain, the Cloud ninja's offensive has weakened considerably.
Perhaps due to Commander Kagami's effective leadership, or perhaps the enemy forces knew when to retreat, the opposing Gold and Silver Brothers had already set up camp outside Kikyō Pass, beginning a siege.
The siege lasted a full week.
As the year drew to a close, Kagami personally led a unit out of the city to scout. After careful reconnaissance, they discovered the enemy had blocked all possible routes forward.
This means that all of Konoha's positions north of Kikyō Pass have fallen.
Kagami frowned in deep thought—the tactic of dividing forces to flank and retake positions was no longer feasible. The only way to reclaim the heartland now was a desperate breakthrough.
'Hiruzen, you and Danzō should return to the front lines first.'
"What?" Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned in confusion. "What are you trying to do?"
Just two days ago, a team led by Hiruzen—disciples of the Second Hokage—rushed to reinforce the battlefield, with all orders coming from their commander, Kagami.
At first, some of them were unconvinced. They were all classmates—why should Uchiha Kagami be the one to take charge alone?
But when they witnessed the overwhelming power of the Gold and Silver Brothers, as well as the terrifying combat prowess Kagami unleashed, they all obediently shut their mouths.
"The enemy has us surrounded but isn't attacking—there must be a scheme. With dangers lurking everywhere outside, using the Flying Thunder God to teleport back is the wisest move!" Danzō spoke with a sinister tone, his words dripping with undisguised malice. "Kagami, could it be that you're not capable enough to transport all of us?"
"Address me as Commander."
Kagami shot him a glance. 'As shinobi, we must be prepared to die. Besides, I never asked you to charge into battle. Given your elite jonin abilities, if you can't even make it back to base, you'd truly be letting down all the years of our teacher's training.'
'Kagami, what we're worried about is—what are you planning to do?' Koharu pushed Danzō aside, shooting him an annoyed glare before turning back to Kagami. 'You're the commander now. Every move you make affects all our lives.'
'Don't worry, I'm strong enough to protect myself. I just want to test whether I can infiltrate the enemy's headquarters and carry out a decapitation strike,' Kagami said slowly, enunciating each word. 'But if I have to bring you all back, it'll consume too much chakra, and then the decapitation strike won't be possible...'
"What if something happens to you?" Hiruzen frowned. "Let me go with you so we can watch each other's backs."
"What?" Danzō immediately looked at him as if he were an idiot. "Hiruzen, have you lost your mind? What kind of strength do you have? You'd just be a burden..."
Hiruzen's voice carried a hint of anger. "I just want to do my part for the village. You can't pile all the pressure on him alone!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the group exchanged bewildered glances. Danzō still wanted to say something, but the words died on his lips, swallowed back unspoken.
'I know my abilities don't measure up to Kagami's, but at the very least, I have the resolve to sacrifice myself at any moment!' Hiruzen declared firmly. 'This is my duty as the Hokage's disciple!'
'Enough. I will carry out the Decapitation Strike. The rest of you return to base immediately—that's an order from your commander!'
Kagami's voice lowered with a stern command, and as he channeled his chakra, his aura abruptly shifted, instantly dousing the team's emotions like a cold splash of water.
Then, he turned to Hiruzen, his tone softening. 'Don't worry. With my Flying Thunder God Technique and ocular abilities, we can retreat at any time.'
After just a mere month on the battlefield, his demeanor had undergone a dramatic transformation—no longer the meek and humble figure from before. His eyes now carried a chilling, steely resolve.
Intimidated by his imposing presence, they could only nod helplessly and set off back to the Kikyō Mountain stronghold.
Kagami, however, walked alone in the opposite direction.
...
At noon, a piece of news reached Konoha, leaving all the higher-ups in silence.
In the Hokage Building's conference room, you could hear a pin drop. Everyone, including Tobirama Senju, stared at the letter on the table with complex expressions, frowning in silence.
The atmosphere dropped to freezing point, yet no one dared to break the silence. As time ticked by, the Konoha higher-ups slowly sank deeper into the unbearable quagmire.
The message read: 'The Cloud Ninja's surprise attack force invaded the Land of Fire by sea route, capturing the eastern border in just half a day. Commanding this unit was none other than the newly appointed Second Raikage of Kumogakure!'
"So..."
Tobirama spoke, his voice suddenly hoarse, making a final plea, "Send Hyuga Haruka. What do you all think?"
"Uh... well..." The elder of the Shimura clan raised his hand, looking troubled. "The Hyuga clan leader's strength is indeed a match for the Second Raikage of Kumogakure, but if he leaves, who else can defend the village? What if..."
"What if the enemy launches a surprise attack? We'd be doomed." The leader of the Aburame clan adjusted his sunglasses and added.
Tobirama silently clenched his fist, his knuckles turning as pale as his bloodless face.
Faced with the sighs and groans of his colleagues, he took several deep breaths, as if steeling himself, his gaze shifting several times before he finally made up his mind.
"I'm sorry, if only I..."
"Bang!"
The door was pushed open, like breaking the clay seal of a pottery jar, letting in a cool breeze.
Tobirama abruptly looked up, his gaze joining everyone else's as they turned toward the entrance.
Uzumaki Mito stood at the doorway with a sword at her hip, sunlight refracting dazzlingly off her armor. She swept her eyes over the assembled high-ranking officials in the meeting room before striding in with an air of effortless grace.
The current matriarch of Konoha still carried herself with grace and poise, yet she had shed her usual loose casual attire, now clad in a fully armored crimson layered battle dress.
Her vibrant, waterfall-like red hair was tied into a practical high ponytail, while her faintly shadowed elongated eyes resembled scarlet blades.
'Leave the Cloud's surprise attack force, including the Second Raikage and all other enemies, to me,' she declared calmly, as if assigning a trivial task.
"This..."
"As the widow of the First Hokage and the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki, sending you alone to face the enemy would be highly inappropriate..."
Uzumaki Mito patiently waited for them to finish before standing beside Tobirama and stating, "I understand everyone's concerns. But I too am part of Konoha. To me, this village isn't just my husband's life's work—it's the embodiment of generations' longing for peace. I absolutely cannot allow it to be destroyed by war!"
Her voice rang with metallic determination despite her femininity. "Moreover, in terms of both capability and status, there's no one more suitable than me for this task!"
Under her insistence, the higher-ups ceased their dissuasion. Soon, she would lead a unit to intercept the enemy and face the Second Raikage in battle.
The meeting concluded, and the attendees departed one after another. The vast conference room was left with only Tobirama and Mito.
"Tobirama, the times are completely different now. Never apologize to them, no matter what," Mito whispered softly.
"I..."
'Even if you were truly at fault, there's no need to apologize—because you are the Hokage now!' Mito said. 'Morale is fragile; it could shake the very foundation.'
Tobirama let out a long breath and nodded slightly. 'I understand.'
'And above all, never attempt to use that jutsu which summons the dead.'
Mito's eyes revealed a trace of sorrow. "Hashirama has fulfilled his wishes, his life was complete. Let him rest peacefully in the Pure Land. I... don't want to see the disappointment in his eyes."
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