Forging Through

As the following two months passed, Tetsuma's responsibilities grew heavier. His position as the Anbu Battalion Commander required him not only to manage his current forces but also to expand the ranks of the Anbu, ensuring that the organization could handle the impending threats. The calm that had descended upon Konoha was deceiving, and Tetsuma knew better than to trust it.

He set out on a mission to recruit from every clan—big or small, influential or hidden in the shadows. His first stop was the Uchiha clan, hoping to persuade them to lend their talents to the Anbu. The Uchihas were among the most gifted shinobi in the village, their Sharingan unmatched in its potential. If the Anbu could secure their participation, Tetsuma believed it would give them a significant edge in the battles to come.

But as he arrived at the Uchiha compound and made his pitch, Tetsuma was met with a cold reception. Uchiha Tenjo, the patriarch of the Uchiha clan, listened to his offer but did not respond with the enthusiasm Tetsuma had hoped for. The Uchiha clan, although loyal to Konoha, valued their independence highly, and Tenjo was protective of his clan's identity and traditions.

When Tetsuma pressed further, Tenjo held firm, his eyes steady with quiet authority.

"The Anbu has its place, Tetsuma," Tenjo said with a tone that suggested no room for negotiation. "But the Uchiha will not be molded into tools for your organization. We fight for Konoha on our terms."

It was a painful blow for Tetsuma, who had believed that the power of the Uchiha clan could be a critical asset in the upcoming war. However, the respect he held for the patriarch's wisdom prevented him from pushing further, understanding that the Uchiha's pride and self-sufficiency were things to be respected.

As Tetsuma left the Uchiha compound, his mind was heavy, but he knew better than to argue. The Uchiha clan would remain independent in their decisions, as always.

Though his recruitment efforts had been temporarily stymied with the Uchihas, Tetsuma managed to secure promising recruits from the Nara, Akimichi, and Inuzuka clans, and even a few from smaller, less powerful families. The Anbu was growing, and Tetsuma took pride in knowing that his efforts would prepare the organization for what was to come.

In between the long recruitment process, Tetsuma was also keeping up with his own training and missions. He continued to sharpen his skills in both Earth Release and Lightning Release, pushing himself to new heights. Each week, he took on S-rank missions, venturing into enemy territory or dealing with rogue shinobi, all while working alongside his newly inducted Anbu Battalion Commanders.

The newly appointed battalion commanders had been chosen from among the elite of the Anbu reserves, individuals who had shown extraordinary potential in the field. Tetsuma had carefully selected them not only for their skills but for their loyalty to the mission and the village. The team was strong, and as they carried out these high-risk missions, Tetsuma began to notice a growing camaraderie between them, something that could be crucial in the months to come.

On one such mission, the squad was dispatched to the Land of Water, where a rogue ninja faction had been kidnapping villagers for ransom. Tetsuma and his team tracked the rogue group to a remote island, where they engaged in a series of lightning-fast skirmishes. His lightning mastery played a key role in disabling enemy forces, while his Earth techniques provided an impenetrable defense against any traps or ambushes they encountered.

With each mission, Tetsuma's influence within the Anbu grew, but so did the pressure on his shoulders. Each success built upon the last, but he knew that every mission could bring them closer to the looming war. His growing army of Anbu operatives would be tested in ways they had yet to imagine, and he couldn't afford to falter. He had to be prepared for everything, even if it meant sacrificing his own well-being to ensure the village's survival.

Back in Konoha, there were whispers of his success in expanding the Anbu. The other leaders in the village began to see the value of having a stronger, more diverse force in place, though some remained wary of Tetsuma's growing influence. But his actions spoke louder than any rumors could, and as the preparations continued, Tetsuma found himself more entrenched in the web of village politics, particularly with the Hokage and his faction.

Despite his successes, there was an ever-present shadow on the horizon. Hashirama, the God of Shinobi, was still alive but gravely ill, and every passing day brought with it more uncertainty. Tetsuma knew his time was running out to make the necessary changes before the inevitable happened.

But as the days grew shorter, Tetsuma could feel the weight of the future pressing down on him. The storm was approaching. And when it finally hit, he would need to be ready—not just as a commander of the Anbu, but as a protector of the Senju clan and all of Konoha. The decisions he made now would define the future of the village, and he couldn't afford to make a single mistake.

With his battalion commanders at his side and his heart set on the path ahead, Tetsuma prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead. The next phase of the village's survival was now in his hands, and he would do whatever it took to see it through.