Chapter 350

Following the declaration of war by both sides, the World Alliance began to take action.

They advanced toward the Land of Fire, intending to split their forces after reaching a location near Konoha and launch an attack on the village from four directions.

At the same time, Konoha had begun its war mobilization.

On the vast plains outside the village, Konoha's army had already assembled.

Their total number of shinobi was not particularly large, only around 16,000.

However, compared to the other villages in the ninja world, such a force was akin to a behemoth.

After all, even the "Four Great Ninja Villages" each had only about 10,000 shinobi at most.

Moreover, among those 10,000, there were numerous genin, including many pulled straight from ninja academies to make up the numbers.

As for the smaller villages, their situation was even more pitiful.

Take Amegakure, for example, they had 2,000 shinobi and were already recognized as the so-called "Sixth Great Ninja Village."

Other minor villages often only had 1,000 shinobi, with most ranging in the hundreds, 200 at best.

And their forces were similarly packed with low-ranking genin.

However, among Konoha's 16,000 shinobi, there was not a single genin.

The weakest among them were equivalent to a chūnin from another village!

In Konoha, genin-level shinobi were not even qualified to set foot on the battlefield.

If this wasn't a behemoth of a force, what was?

Yet, compared to the World Alliance's sheer numbers, Konoha's 16,000 still seemed insignificant.

After all, the total strength of the World Alliance numbered 600,000.

Of these, 70,000 were shinobi from various villages. Among them, 43,000 were chūnin or higher, and 27,000 were genin.

The remaining 530,000 were regular soldiers.

Within that 530,000, around 10,000 were samurai, each possessing combat strength comparable to a chūnin.

16,000 versus 600,000.

More than 35 fold difference in number

Such was the stark contrast in manpower between the two sides.

However, despite facing such overwhelming odds, the 16,000 Konoha shinobi showed no signs of fear or panic.

Their eyes were filled with reverence and fervor as they looked up at the figure in the sky.

Because that was their Kage. Because that was their god.

The Third Hokage of Konoha, Mochizuki Hui!

In the sky, Mochizuki Hui stood clad in his Divine Mantle, looking down at the shinobi of Konoha with a slight smile.

Then, he spoke:

"Thirty-nine years ago, the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and the leader of the Uchiha clan at the time, Uchiha Madara, founded Konoha.

"In that era, Konoha was the strongest in the ninja worldn and one dared to challenge its might.

"Two legendary shinobi dominated that age.

"Even after Uchiha Madara left Konoha, the First Hokage, Lord Senju Hashirama, single-handedly maintained peace and stability across the ninja world, ensuring no one dared to act recklessly.

"That was the ninja world's first era of lasting peace.

"But with the passing of Lord Hashirama, the ninja world lost the sword hanging over its head, it lost its fear and began to act without restraint.

"Thus, the First Great Ninja War erupted.

"That war lasted for many years. Under the leadership of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, Konoha, despite being surrounded by four enemies, emerged victorious.

"Thus began another ten years of peace, the ninja world's second era of lasting peace.

"However, war broke out once again.

"The four great ninja villages formed an alliance and launched an offensive against Konoha.

"This was the Second Great Ninja War, a brutal conflict.

"And yet again, Konoha triumphed, achieving victory in that war.

"What followed was thirteen years of peace.

"This marked the ninja world's third era of lasting peace.

"But now, war has returned once more.

"This time, Konoha does not face just the four great ninja villages.

"Nor merely the entire ninja world.

"But the entire world.

"We only have 16,000 soldiers, and what we face is the 600,000-strong World Alliance Army!

"This is an extremely overwhelming difference in numbers.

"Facing an enemy thirty-five times our size, tell me with all your might, are you afraid?"

Hui's voice echoed through the sky. With the aid of a sound-amplification technique, his voice clearly spread across the entire plain, reaching the ears of every single person.

"No! No! No!!!"

A deafening chorus erupted from the 16,000 below.

They were fervent. They were fearless.

Hui gently lowered his hand, and the crowd quieted down.

He continued speaking:

"That's right, we're not afraid.

"Because even if we face the entire world, so what? Konoha has never lost!

"This time, we are destined to win this war, just as we did in the previous wars!"

"Victory! Victory! Victory!!!"

The fervent cheers erupted once more as the Konoha shinobi below raised their arms. Their gazes were fixed on the figure in the sky, their faith, their source of confidence.

"Winning this war means creating a new era!

"Perhaps this is the very reason I was born.

"And it is also the mission of every ninja in Konoha.

"We seek to build a world without oppression, a world where everyone is treated fairly and respected by all.

"We seek to create a world without war, a world where no one will ever again experience the pain of war, where there will be no more broken families, no more homes destroyed.

"We seek to create a beautiful world, a world like Konoha today, a future Konoha that is prosperous, democratic, civilized, harmonious, free, equal, just, and resilient!

"In this world, the elderly will be cared for, children will be nurtured, the sick will be treated, everyone will live like nobles.

"This will be the most beautiful world!

"It will be a world that people have dreamed of for generations!

"Creating such a world is my mission.

"It is also the mission of all of you standing here!

"Let us come together and create the future for the world!

"Let us become the light of the world!

"So, let us win this war, this war of justice and light, a war that carries our mission!

"Konoha will prevail!"

Hui's voice rang out powerfully, igniting the emotions of every shinobi present. Their blood boiled, and the energy within them was fully unleashed!

"Konoha will prevail! Konoha will prevail! Konoha will prevail!!!"

At that moment, the rallying cry of Konoha resounded through the heavens and echoed across the skies.

"Now, I issue my orders.

"Senju Tobirama, former Hokage of Konoha, you will lead the Second Division.

"Sakumo Hatake my sworn brother, you will lead the Third Division.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, Minister of Konoha's General Affairs, you will lead the Fourth Division.

"As for me, I will personally lead the First Division.

"Let us end the old world and usher in a new era!"

"End the old world, usher in a new era!

"End the old world, usher in a new era!

"End the old world, usher in a new era!"

Following this rousing pre-battle speech, Konoha's four divisions marched toward the four divisions of the World Alliance Army.

Each Konoha division had 4,000 members, totaling 16,000.

Each Konoha unit of 4,000 was tasked with facing 150,000 from the World Alliance.

4,000 against 150,000.

In a normal war, such odds would mean certain defeat for Konoha.

After all, the sheer disparity in numbers was overwhelming and the World Alliance could simply use their overwhelming numbers to crush Konoha's 4,000.

But Hui would not have chosen this strategy if he didn't have a plan.

The First Division, led by Hui himself, was guaranteed to hold its line. With him on the battlefield, defeat was not an option.

The Second Division, led by Senju Tobirama, had been reinforced with Nawaki, known as the strongest beneath the six path-level. Defeat was impossible for them as well.

As for the Third Division under Hatake Sakumo, Hui had arranged for Uchiha Madara to secretly join the battle. He would reappear at a critical moment, returning to Konoha as a hero.

This was part of Hui's grand plan, since the world would soon become unified, there was no need for a hidden figure guarding the village.

And as for the Fourth Division, led by Sarutobi Hiruzen, it was supported by Otsutsuki Kaguya herself.

With the progenitor of chakra at their side, how could that battlefront possibly falter?

In other words, the outcome of this war had already been decided long ago.

Three six paths-level beings, plus one who was the strongest beneath the six paths-level.

Their opponents? Merely shinobi who had yet to even reach the level of six-paths.

With such an overwhelming lineup, tell me, how could they lose?

It was simply impossible!

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