252.Hiruzen Volunteers to Lead the Mission

A special thank you to all my patrons.

The List of My "Wandering Reader":

-[ ]

-Lord_Clamiral

-Cain

-Shahzaam

-Goha21

-Jacob Mooe

-Nathan king

-Mp Gaming

-Paul Panzer

-Austin Levy

You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.

P@TREON - p@treon.com/lessaservantofcosmos

(just replace the "@" with "a")

ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!

-------------------------------------------------------------

"The five great shinobi villages haven't dispatched too many forces. Konoha might have sent the most, but the majority of our people are responsible for transporting supplies. The main offensive against Amegakure and the Akatsuki will be led by the other four villages. Do we need to share this detailed intelligence with Nagato?" 

In a concealed underground space, Zetsu dutifully reported to Obito. 

"No need. Since he wants to play, let him. Nagato doesn't trust us anyway—letting him hit a wall might be good for him. Unless he smashes his head bloody, he won't learn to restrain himself. Besides, the allied forces of the five great villages might not even be able to defeat Nagato." 

If the five great villages had mobilized their full forces, Obito would have no doubt they could crush Amegakure and the Akatsuki's base. 

Even if Nagato was strong, he wouldn't be able to withstand a direct confrontation with all five villages at once. 

Let's be real—even with the Six Paths of Pain, the combined might of the five villages would wear him down through sheer numbers. 

But right now, the five villages had only sent a few hundred shinobi. While that might seem like a sizable force, it wouldn't be enough to guarantee victory over the Akatsuki. 

The Deva Path still sat atop the tower every day, gazing beyond the village. 

Over the past few days, orders had been issued one after another, and the people of Amegakure had come to realize that a new war was approaching. 

Every village was preparing. 

Konoha was no exception. 

This was too big of a matter for Tsunade to even consider concealing. 

The moment she returned to the village, she had summoned the Third Hokage, Homura Mitokado, and the other elders to the conference room. 

After reading the report on the table, everyone in the room was shocked. 

A war was coming? 

And they were only learning about it now? 

From the report, it seemed Konoha was playing a supporting role among the five great villages—sending 200 elite shinobi and a 500-man supply team. 

"I know you all have many questions," Tsunade said. "But based on my and Kazuki's assessment, the Akatsuki's strength isn't as simple as it appears on the surface. There's a good chance the allied forces will suffer a major setback. By having Konoha focus on logistics, we avoid the frontlines. I don't want the village to suffer heavy losses." 

After Tsunade's explanation, everyone understood why Konoha was taking on such a seemingly passive role in this war. 

It was to stay out of direct combat and minimize casualties. 

If that was the case, letting the other villages lead the charge wasn't such a bad deal. 

Even if they didn't gain much in terms of wartime benefits, at least they wouldn't suffer devastating losses. 

Assuming, of course, that the Akatsuki was as formidable as Tsunade claimed. 

"Lady Hokage, which unit will the village dispatch to Amegakure?" 

As the leader of the Jonin Commander Division, this was Shikaku's responsibility. 

During peacetime, the village didn't maintain a standing army. Most shinobi were mobilized only when war broke out. 

Before the main force could be assembled, border outposts could be temporarily reassigned. 

Shikaku wanted to know whether Tsunade planned to pull troops directly from the border or assemble a new unit from the village. 

If it was the latter, he would need to issue mobilization orders. 

If it was the former, they'd have to send replacements to guard the borders. 

"Why not pull from the border forces?" 

The Third Hokage suddenly spoke up. 

This year, the shinobi stationed near the Land of Rain were primarily from the Sarutobi, Shimura, and other affiliated clans. 

Their combat strength was slightly above average, making them a suitable elite force for the mission. 

"Old man, are you sure?" 

Tsunade and Kazuki hadn't considered mobilizing border troops, as they believed assembling a new unit from the village would be better. 

Directly pulling from the border could be seen as targeting the Sarutobi and Shimura clans. 

Under normal circumstances, political maneuvering was one thing, but dragging such tactics into war would only breed resentment among the clans. 

Danzo had made that mistake before, and Kazuki had no intention of repeating it. 

Yet now, the Third was the one suggesting it. 

War was unpredictable. 

In theory, Konoha wouldn't be on the frontlines. 

But what if they were ambushed? 

If casualties were heavy, it would be the Sarutobi and Shimura clans bearing the losses. 

"I'm certain. Moreover, I will personally lead the mission to the Land of Rain and command our clan's shinobi in battle for the village." 

The reputations of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans were currently in the gutter. They needed achievements to cleanse their names. 

Only then could they avoid further targeting. 

Beyond that, Hiruzen also wanted to see the Land of Rain for himself. 

The deaths of his two sons, as well as the sacrifice of Utatane, had deeply affected him. 

That was why he had decided to go. 

Damn. 

Kazuki and I didn't even want to mobilize the border troops to avoid accusations of targeting them, and now he's volunteering—even asking to go himself? 

For a moment, Tsunade was at a loss for words. 

Everyone in the room was staring at her and the Third Hokage. 

Deploying the border troops was undoubtedly the most efficient option. 

And since Hiruzen had volunteered, should she refuse? 

After a moment of hesitation, Tsunade ultimately agreed. 

"Very well. We'll mobilize the border troops. But old man… are you really sure about going to the Land of Rain?" 

Since it was the Third's own suggestion, it wasn't as if she was forcing him. The atmosphere had already shifted in that direction. 

But the idea of him personally going to Amegakure left her speechless. 

At his age, wouldn't it be better to stay in the village and retire peacefully? 

Why insist on throwing himself into a dangerous conflict zone? 

Did he really think the Akatsuki was made of clay? 

Lighting his pipe and taking a slow drag, the Third Hokage smiled confidently. 

"If Onoki can lead the allied forces as their commander, why should I lose to him?" 

"..." 

Fine. Whatever makes you happy. 

"Alright, I'll allow it. But once you're on the frontlines, you must follow Kazuki's orders. No reckless actions." 

Tsunade didn't want Hiruzen causing trouble and undermining Kazuki's authority. 

"Understood." 

The Third agreed without hesitation. 

"Shikaku, you'll accompany the old man to the Land of Rain and assist Kazuki with logistical matters." 

"Yes, Lady Hokage." 

With that, the meeting concluded, and the village began its preparations. 

As for why Konoha was shouldering the allied forces' supply burden—no one questioned it. The village had more than enough to spare. 

In the Land of Fire, food was the cheapest resource.