Chapter 62 - March to the Mist Ninja Battlefield
Chapter 62 - March to the Mist Ninja Battlefield
Morning – Konoha's Main Gate
The sun had barely risen, yet the gates of Konoha were already bustling with activity.
Standing at the forefront, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, was dressed in his ceremonial Hokage robes, exuding a commanding presence.
Before him stood a regiment of over 2,000 shinobi, lined up in formation, ready to march toward the battlefield.
At the head of this force stood Kazane Hatake, flanked by Hizashi Hyūga and Jonin Commander Sasaki Akira, the designated vice-commander of the expedition force.
Hiruzen took a deep breath and raised his voice, his tone filled with solemnity.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns eternal…"
"The flame will guide us… and you, the brave shinobi of Konoha, are the hope of this village."
"You are about to march into battle—to defend your home, your loved ones, and the very future of this land…"
The speech continued for quite some time, the Hokage's words ringing with passion and determination.
Kazane, however, struggled to maintain his focus.
He stifled a yawn, feeling mentally drained from the prolonged address.
After nearly half an hour, Hiruzen finally concluded his speech.
He stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Kazane's shoulder.
"Kazane " he said in a gruff but earnest tone, "I am entrusting these shinobi to you. Bring them back alive."
"The safety of Konoha rests in your hands."
Kazane smile confidently.
"Don't worry, Hokage-sama. This war will end in Konoha's victory."
However, as he turned to face his army, a different thought crossed his mind:
'Once we leave this village, these shinobi will no longer fight for Konoha. They'll fight for me.'
He exhaled slowly.
"Alright, everyone! Take one last look at the village—because from this moment on, we fight to protect everything we hold dear!"
His voice boomed across the gathered troops, sending a wave of resolve through them.
"Tell me—do you have the will to drive the Mist Ninja from our land?!"
A few hesitant voices responded.
"Yes…!" 200 voices
Kazane raised an eyebrow, cupping his hand to his ear.
"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"
"DO YOU HAVE THE WILL TO FIGHT?!"
"YES!!" 2000+ voices thundered in unison.
The sheer force of their cry shook the very ground, echoing beyond the village walls.
Kazane's smile widened.
"Their morale is strong. This will be easy."
He thrust his arm forward.
"MOVE OUT!"
With a single motion, over two thousand shinobi vanished into the trees, moving in disciplined formation toward the battlefield.
Kazane glanced over his shoulder at Hiruzen, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Hokage-sama, I'll see you again when the war is over."
Then, with a final smirk, he too disappeared into the forest.
---
Danzo's Encampment – Mist Frontline
Meanwhile, deep within Fire Country's border, Danzo Shimura sat within his command tent, pouring over reports brought by his spies.
His expression darkened as he skimmed through the latest intelligence from Konoha.
"Hiruzen… you fool."
"You handed full command of the reinforcements to a mere child? You will regret this."
Danzo had long prepared himself for a strategic retreat, believing the Mist's invasion to be an unavoidable disaster.
Yet now, he had received orders from the Hokage himself, informing him that reinforcements were arriving soon.
What Danzo didn't know, however, was that Hiruzen had also given full battlefield authority to Kazane .
His network of spies was extensive, but not omnipotent—he had no way of eavesdropping on the private conversation between the Hokage and Kazane .
Suddenly, a masked Root shinobi entered the tent.
"Danzo-sama," he reported.
"The Mist forces have overrun another outpost."
Danzo's frown deepened.
"Have Squad J-3 deploy a counter-raid. Also, have J-2 begin constructing a new stronghold in its place."
The Root ninja bowed.
"Understood."
Then, just as swiftly as he appeared, he vanished into the shadows.
Danzo sat back, gripping the edge of his desk tightly.
"Hiruzen… Your sentimental choices will lead this village to ruin. And when they do… I will be the one to save it."
Marching Through the Forest
Hours passed.
The shinobi battalion moved swiftly through the dense woodland, covering vast distances at an incredible pace.
Sasaki Akira, the vice-commander, suddenly dashed forward to report.
"Kazane-dono! We're ten kilometers from the designated encampment. Do you have any new orders?"
Kazane tapped his chin, then nodded.
"Good. Inform all units—we rest for ten minutes."
Sasaki blinked.
"...Ten minutes, sir?"
Kazane smirked.
"We'll arrive at our best, not exhausted."
Sasaki nodded, then swiftly relayed the command.
Within moments, the entire army halted, shinobi taking a moment to catch their breath, stretch, and prepare for arrival.
Ten minutes passed quickly.
As the forces prepared to move out again, Kazane turned to Sasaki.
"When we reach the encampment, I want our army lined up in a perfect formation."
"We'll march in with the presence of a true force—not like a ragtag group of mercenaries."
Sasaki hesitated.
"...Understood, Kazane-dono."
Though it seemed unnecessary, he still executed the order.
At the Mist frontlines, Danzo stood at the entrance of his camp, awaiting the reinforcements.
One of his Root agents materialized beside him.
"Danzo-sama, we've confirmed their approach."
"They will arrive in ten minutes."
Danzo merely nodded.
And then—he saw them.
From the depths of the forest, a regiment of shinobi emerged.
Unlike the chaotic, haphazard groups Danzo was used to, this force marched in perfect formation.
They moved like a professional army—disciplined, orderly, and exuding a formidable presence.
At the head of the column stood three figures:
Kazane Hatake.
Hizashi Hyūga.
Sasaki Akira.
Danzo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"An army… led by a single boy?"
As they reached the gates, Kazane raised a single hand.
Immediately, the entire battalion stopped in perfect synchronization.
Danzo's frown deepened.
"What kind of military discipline is this?"
Kazane stepped forward, his usual smile in place.
"Danzo-sama," he greeted casually.
"I suppose this is our first official meeting… and what better place than the battlefield?"
Danzo's gaze darkened.
"Hokage-sama must have lost his mind… entrusting a force of this size to a mere child. Thank goodness I'm here, Kazane, you will follow my orders from now on."
Kazane simply smiled.
Without a word, he reached into his cloak and handed Danzo a sealed scroll.
"A letter from Hokage-sama?" he asked lightly, confused.
"You may want to read it carefully." Said kazane.
Danzo's fingers tightened around the scroll.
A foreboding feeling crept into his chest.
Something wasn't right.