Chapter 412: Transfer of Five Hundred People

"Well, it's good to be back!" Jiraiya exclaimed, his trademark grin stretching across his face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward, his calm and collected demeanor softened by a faint smile. Placing a hand on Jiraiya's shoulder, he said, "You've returned just in time."

Jiraiya looked slightly disheveled, his attire marked with dust and grime from hurried travel. It was evident that he had rushed back upon hearing the news of the escalating war.

Tsunade, standing nearby with her arms crossed, let out a soft murmur. "This guy," she muttered, shaking her head but unable to suppress the faint smile in her eyes.

The atmosphere in the room shifted noticeably. With Jiraiya's return, the three legendary Sannin of Konoha were once again united. A sense of calm seemed to settle over the room, easing the tension that had gripped everyone since the war's outbreak. Even Danzo, ever stoic and calculating, appeared somewhat reassured.

Hiruzen wasted no time. He quickly summarized the critical intelligence for Jiraiya and then clasped his shoulder firmly. "I'm assigning the Iwagakure troops to you," the Hokage declared.

Jiraiya's lips curled into a smirk, his fists meeting with a soft crack. "Onoki's son, huh? This could be fun," he remarked, a gleam of anticipation lighting up his eyes.

While the forces from Kirigakure and Kumogakure were formidable, their distance meant they posed no immediate threat to Konoha. Even Iwagakure, busy establishing supply lines at the border of the Land of Grass, appeared to be biding its time. However, the same could not be said for Sunagakure's forces, which had already reached the border of the River Country.

It was clear that the first battle of the Third Ninja World War was fast approaching, and Konoha needed to act decisively.

Hiruzen turned his sharp gaze to Minato Namikaze, the rising star of Konoha. "The first battle is yours, Minato," he said firmly.

There was no surprise among those gathered. Minato's name had already become a beacon of hope for Konoha. His past achievements against Sunagakure—defeating Ryuki's Iron Puppet and securing victory for Konoha—had cemented his reputation as a prodigy.

Minato rose slowly, his calm and measured demeanor unshaken. His deep blue eyes, usually serene, now burned with a cold, unyielding determination. "I'll take care of it," he said, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of ferocity. "I will make it clear to all who dare threaten Konoha what the consequences of their actions will be."

A ripple of unease passed through the room. The intensity in Minato's gaze was almost unnerving, his words laced with a quiet menace that hinted at his resolve.

Nawaki, Tsunade's younger brother, stood abruptly. "Hokage-sama, let me go with Minato!" he implored.

Nawaki's confidence was not misplaced. His strength had grown considerably, and he was eager to prove himself. Together with Minato, he believed they could crush Sunagakure's forces decisively.

But Hiruzen shook his head firmly. "No," he said, leaving no room for argument.

"Why not?" Nawaki protested, his expression betraying both confusion and frustration.

Hiruzen's decision puzzled others in the room as well. Why not concentrate their forces and secure a swift victory against Sunagakure? Wouldn't such a move relieve some of the immense pressure on Konoha?

Minato, however, seemed to understand. "Because we still have another, unseen threat to consider," he said, his eyes narrowing.

The room fell silent as everyone turned their attention to him.

"The Rain Village," Minato continued. "Its leader, Hanzo the Salamander, is no less formidable than the Hokage himself. While the Rain Village hasn't yet taken a stance, we cannot afford to ignore the possibility of their involvement."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room. "With Konoha's forces stretched thin, Hanzo could easily become a significant threat. If the Rain Village joins the fray, the consequences could be catastrophic."

The realization dawned on the gathered leaders. Minato was right. Even if Sunagakure's forces were defeated, Konoha would still face potential danger from the Rain Village.

Hiruzen nodded in agreement. "That's why we must station a considerable portion of our forces along the Rain Country's borders. As long as the situation remains uncertain, we cannot withdraw them. This is why Minato must secure a swift and decisive victory against Sunagakure."

Minato inclined his head. "Understood, Hokage-sama. I believe I have a plan that will allow us to defeat Sunagakure's forces within a single day."

The room fell into stunned silence.

"Explain," Hiruzen prompted, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Minato's eyes gleamed with confidence. "Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, I can transport our forces directly to the battlefield near the border of the River Country. This will allow us to engage the enemy without delay."

A murmur of disbelief swept through the room. The Flying Thunder God Technique was renowned for its instantaneous movement, but Minato's suggestion seemed almost impossible.

"You can't seriously intend to fight the entire Sunagakure force—including the Fourth Kazekage—by yourself," Koharu Utatane interjected.

Minato raised a hand to placate her. "Of course not," he said. "I plan to take five hundred of our elite shinobi with me. With their strength and my support, we can overwhelm Sunagakure's forces and force a retreat."

"Five hundred?" Koharu's brow furrowed. "Do you truly believe you can transport so many troops at once using the Flying Thunder God Technique?"

Hiruzen, however, looked thoughtful. "It's ambitious," he admitted, "but not impossible."

Minato nodded. "After the battle, I can use the same technique to redeploy these elites to other fronts, bolstering our defenses and maintaining balance across the battlefield."

Jiraiya frowned. "Even if you succeed in transporting them, a three-to-one disadvantage is no small obstacle. Unless you can neutralize the Fourth Kazekage quickly, our forces will suffer heavy losses."

Minato met Jiraiya's gaze unflinchingly. "I will defeat Rasa," he said simply, his voice unwavering.

Hiruzen's lips curved into a rare smile. "Let him proceed," he said, silencing further objections.

The confidence in Hiruzen's tone quelled the doubts of the others. No one truly knew the extent of Minato's power—not even the Hokage himself. But Hiruzen was certain of one thing: if anyone could accomplish the impossible, it was Minato Namikaze.

"Thank you for placing your trust in me," Minato said, bowing deeply.

When he straightened, his eyes burned with a fierce determination, a glimmer of madness that sent a chill through the room.

==============================================

Support me at p@treon.com/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.

=============================================