"Is Lord Hokage really your brother-in-law?"
Standing next to Hanabi, Amaru asked curiously.
Amaru was a student once under Shinno's tutelage.
But after realizing Shinno's true nature and being brought to Konoha, she enrolled in the ninja academy.
As for Shinno, he was currently stationed at Konoha Fortress, former Ancor Vantian, where he served as a living generator, supplying chakra like a human power bank.
"Of course!"
Hanabi's eyes lit up with a smile. "If not this year, then next year, he'll marry my sister."
"Your sister is amazing," Amaru remarked with admiration, "I've heard that many women want to marry Lord Hokage."
"Obviously, she's my sister after all!!"
Hanabi spoke with pride.
She knew well that Shinho was highly sought after.
He had everything, strength, status, and looks.
How could anyone not admire him?
Even the girls at the ninja academy fantasized about him.
Besides Shinho's exceptional qualities, there was also the fact that he was incredibly young and not even twenty yet.
It was entirely possible he could remain unmarried for another five or six years.
This had led to quite a peculiar situation.
However, whenever such discussions arose, Hanabi would proudly proclaim to everyone that Shinho was destined to be her brother-in-law!
"Hanabi," Amaru suddenly whispered with a grin, "have you ever thought about...?"
"Of course not!"
Hanabi laughed, cutting her off, "What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Sorry."
Amaru looked a little embarrassed.
"It's nothing."
Hanabi waved her hand dismissively.
Children in the ninja world matured quickly.
Relationships weren't uncommon among academy students.
Questions like Amaru's weren't unusual.
Hanabi raised her head and looked at Shinho.
Under the sunlight, his handsome figure seemed to shine brilliantly.
Her heartbeat quickened for a moment.
Amaru's earlier question involuntarily echoed in her mind.
An hour later, the opening ceremony concluded.
The students below the stage returned to their respective classrooms in an orderly fashion.
Seeing this, Shinho decided not to approach his sister-in-law.
After all, there was no reason to seek her out.
"Lord Hokage."
Konan stepped forward and spoke softly, "We've received updates on Akatsuki's movements."
"Oh?"
Shinho wasn't surprised, in fact, he was somewhat anticipating it.
The anti-Konoha alliance had been formed three months ago, so there should have been some action by now.
Moreover, Konoha had been fully prepared.
The Summoning Corps had been the first to be established and perfected.
It consisted of only one hundred ninja, requiring nothing more than signing the contract scrolls for Ryuchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest.
Next was the Aburame Corps, which was slightly more challenging to assemble.
But it wasn't too difficult, as the true operators were the Parasitic Insects.
Once the parasitic insects were nurtured properly, the Aburame ninja could enter Sage Mode.
Finally, there was the Curse Mark Corps.
Out of the three specialized divisions, they were the most troublesome and time-consuming to form.
In addition to receiving the curse marks, the members had to familiarize themselves with the immense power boost brought by their transformations.
"This is the detailed intel."
Konan handed over a scroll.
Shinho casually unrolled it.
His brow lifted slightly.
He had expected something resembling the original timeline's Shinobi Alliance, but instead, they had split their forces into four units.
Kumogakure's forces were approaching from the northeast.
Kirigakure's forces advanced from the west.
Iwagakure's forces moved in from the northwest.
Finally, a smaller army composed of ninja from various minor villages was under Obito's command.
With Zetsu's cover, Konoha's ANBU had lost track of their position.
Shinho was deep in thought.
Under normal circumstances, forming a united front would provide the best chance of success.
Unless...
They had no confidence in defeating him outright.
The only strategy left would be to create multiple battlefields and force him to stretch himself thin.
Wait a minute.
Did Obito and Zetsu even care about winning the war?
No.
Their goal wasn't to defeat Konoha, it was to execute the Eye of the Moon Plan, meaning they aimed to retrieve the Rinnegan.
Were they planning to exploit the chaos?
He had to admit, with Obito's Kamui, such a plan was indeed feasible.
"How should we respond?"
Konan couldn't help but ask.
She no longer wished for Konoha to be destroyed.
Shinho glanced at her and smiled.
Her shift in attitude was obvious.
His methods had proven effective after all.
After experiencing peace, Konan naturally wanted to protect it.
"It's simple."
Shinho's tone was casual. "No matter how many come, we'll defeat them all."
Konan was taken aback.
He was that confident?
"Konan-nee."
Shinho fixed his gaze on her and asked, "Will you help?"
"Yes."
Konan averted her eyes slightly, feeling uncomfortable under his direct stare. After a pause, she added, "I'm the Hokage's secretary."
"And after that?"
Shinho pressed further.
"..."
Konan's lips tightened as she struggled to find an answer.
Her feelings toward Konoha had undeniably changed.
But what about Nagato?
If he still refused to acknowledge this peace, whose side would she stand on?
The answer, once certain, now filled her with doubt.
"Let's head back."
Shinho didn't press the issue further.
Her hesitant expression had already revealed her answer.
Still...
This was already a significant improvement.
The old Konan wouldn't have stayed in Konoha at all.
"Gather the jōnin for a meeting."
Shinho spoke as he walked.
Since the anti-Konoha alliance was mobilizing, they would reach the Land of Fire's borders in no more than two days.
Konoha couldn't afford to be slow.
Especially with the infrastructure the Land of Fire had recently built, such as railroads.
Shinho had no intention of letting a battle destroy everything, only to rebuild it all again.
That would be a waste of time and resources.
His plan was to fight outside the Land of Fire's borders.
In fact, this was a shared sentiment among the Five Great Nations.
On the ninja world map, none of the Five Great Nations shared direct borders. Between them were buffer states.
Between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning were the Lands of Frost, Rice Fields, and Hot Water.
Between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth were the Lands of Waterfall and Grass.
As for the Land of Water, there wasn't a neighbouring country, but rather a vast ocean.
…
Hokage Tower's Conference Room;
Shinho sat at the head of the table, waiting.
Before long, the jōnin began arriving one after another.
"Lord Hiashi."
Shinho gestured toward an empty seat. "Leave that one open."
Hiashi Hyuga was momentarily stunned.
That seat was always his and it was the highest-ranking seat after the Hokage's.
Even the Hokage's assistants wouldn't dare compete for it.
But today, it was left vacant?
Could it be... Hiashi's heart stirred as he thought of two individuals.
Without asking further, he quietly moved to a different chair.
"Shinho!"
The door burst open as Jiraiya entered, complaining. "What's the big deal? Do you know how painful it is to leave a hot spring halfway through?"
He had stayed in Konoha after Akatsuki's defeat. But just when he was about to leave after Nagato's failure, the anti-Konoha alliance emerged, forcing him to stay.
Shinho was about to speak when another familiar figure strode in.
It was Tsunade.
She wore her signature tea-green coat and walked in briskly.
"Tsunade?"
Jiraiya immediately noticed her and blurted out, "Is the war starting already?"
Tsunade froze for a moment before realizing the situation.
A normal jōnin meeting wouldn't require her or Jiraiya's presence unless it involved something significant like the anti-Konoha alliance.
"The ANBU received intel that Kumogakure and the other villages have deployed their forces."
Shinho wasted no time getting to the point.
As his words settled, the room fell silent.
The jōnin exchanged glances, their reactions varied.
Though they had anticipated this war, its arrival still stirred complex emotions.
After all, war meant casualties.
Even for elite shinobi, the battlefield was unpredictable, as plenty of former Kage-level figures had fallen in past wars.
"So it's finally here?"
Jiraiya let out a long sigh.
"Kid."
Tsunade's expression grew serious, "What's the accurate situation right now?"
"We'll finalize everything once everyone is here."
Shinho gave her a reassuring glance.
Tsunade's tense expression softened as she nodded slightly.
She knew there was no need to worry.
She was well aware of Konoha's recent preparations.
Having participated in two of the previous Great Ninja Wars, Tsunade understood that the outcome of war often hinged on powerful individuals.
And right now, Konoha wasn't short of such individuals.
"Sensei, you can sit next to me."
Shinho smiled.
Traditionally, the seat beside the Hokage was reserved for advisors.
But since the position was currently vacant, Tsunade was more than qualified to take the spot.
A few minutes later, the conference room door was shut.
Konan stood behind Shinho and reported, "All jōnin available on Konoha are present here."
Tsunade couldn't help but glance at Konan twice.
She was noticeably different from when she had invaded Konoha as one of the Six Paths of Pain.
What did this kid do?
Tsunade gritted her teeth.
Knowing Shinho as she did, she was certain he had ulterior motives for appointing Konan as his secretary.
"The meeting will begin now."
Shinho clapped his hands, and the room grew completely silent.
"First, I'll go over Akatsuki's and Kumogakure's movements."
Shinho repeated the information from Konan's scroll.
Tsunade was surprised.
They've split into four forces?
After a brief contemplation, she grasped the reason.
They're afraid of encountering Shinho directly.
As expected of my man!
A smug smile tugged at Tsunade's lips.
"Among the three major villages, Kumogakure is the strongest. And I'll be handling them personally," Shinho declared after some thought.
No one objected.
It was the logical choice.
"Iwagakure is next in strength, though not to be underestimated, especially with Onoki leading them."
Shinho turned to Tsunade. "Sensei, you'll lead this front."
"Understood."
Tsunade nodded firmly.
"And finally, Kirigakure."
Shinho was about to continue when Jiraiya interrupted.
"I'll take care of Kirigakure."
He pounded his chest confidently.
"Very well."
Shinho nodded in agreement.
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