Konoha Village.
Inside the Hokage Building.
Because of the ongoing war, Konoha's senior officials and the heads of the major clans gathered here almost every day. The purpose was simple—to respond to the battlefield as quickly and efficiently as possible.
In wartime, every second could decide victory or defeat.
"This is the latest intelligence."
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised the scroll in his hand, his expression grave.
"At this moment, Iwagakure is mobilizing its forces on a large scale. It seems Ōnoki has no intention of falling behind."
He hadn't expected Iwagakure to act so decisively. News of the war had only spread a day ago, yet they had already committed to assembling their troops.
"Are the Rock shinobi targeting us, or Sunagakure?"
Utatane Koharu turned toward Hiruzen and asked in a low voice.
The others followed her gaze, focusing on the Third Hokage. Only the head of the Nara clan shook his head slightly, his expression thoughtful.
"The exact target is still unclear," Hiruzen replied solemnly. "But in all likelihood… Konoha will be their first choice."
Between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire, the contrast was obvious. One was harsh and barren, the other rich in resources. There was hardly any need to guess where Iwagakure would turn its attention.
The Land of Fire was an irresistible prize.
That was why Hiruzen had always pursued peace whenever possible. The Land of Fire lay at the center of the continent and possessed the greatest wealth of resources. Whenever war broke out, it inevitably became the focus of multiple enemies.
Every conflict forced Konoha to fight on several fronts at once.
And each time, Konoha paid the highest price.
"Report from Kikyo Castle!"
"Lord Third Hokage—good news!"
While the discussion about Iwagakure continued, a shinobi burst into the meeting room, unable to hide his excitement. He hurried forward and presented a scroll to the Third Hokage with both hands.
"A victory at Kikyo Castle?"
"At this point in time, Orochimaru and his unit should have only just arrived there…"
Hearing the report, the gathered officials and clan heads turned their attention to the scroll in Hiruzen's hands.
Curiosity flickered in the Third Hokage's eyes as he opened it.
"…Hahaha!"
For a moment, he stared in stunned silence. Then he suddenly burst into laughter.
"This is a tremendous victory!"
"The thousand-man Sunagakure brigade attacked Kikyo Castle and failed. Six hundred and fifty of their forces were cut down—and Ebizō, the Sand shinobi commander, has been captured alive!"
The meeting room fell completely silent.
The officials exchanged looks of disbelief.
If Orochimaru's reinforcements had only just reached the castle, then this victory could only belong to the original defenders.
One hundred shinobi… against a force of a thousand.
How had they managed to kill six hundred and fifty enemies?
"Did the defenders prepare some kind of large-scale trap?" the Nara clan head asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
The others fixed their eyes on Hiruzen as well.
Such an overwhelming difference in numbers could only suggest an ambush.
"No, no—this wasn't the result of tricks or traps," Hiruzen said, clearly enjoying the moment. "This was a true, head-on battle."
In his good mood, he even took his time lighting his pipe. His slow, deliberate movements only heightened everyone's anticipation.
"A head-on battle?"
"That's impossible."
"A hundred against a thousand… and six hundred and fifty casualties in a frontal clash?"
Murmurs of shock filled the room.
"Sarutobi, don't keep us in suspense. Tell us already," Mitokado Homura said with a helpless shake of his head.
"Hahaha, all right, all right."
Seeing every gaze fixed on him, Hiruzen finally began to explain the details recorded in the report.
"Who exactly is this Yagami?!"
"One man with a blade… fighting inside a Sand shinobi encirclement for an entire afternoon!?"
"He killed six hundred enemies by himself!?"
The clan heads and senior officials were stunned.
Just yesterday, they had been shocked to hear that Yagami had slain one hundred and sixty enemy shinobi. No one had imagined that only a day later he would surpass that feat so dramatically.
Armed with nothing but a sword, he had carved his way through the Sand forces and emerged alive.
Gasps and exclamations echoed throughout the conference room. Yagami's record left everyone reeling.
Until recently, he had been completely unknown.
Now he had burst onto the stage like a thunderclap.
His achievements were so dazzling they felt almost unreal.
Mikoto, who had accompanied her grandfather to the meeting, felt her heart swell with pride as she listened to the leaders marvel at Yagami's strength.
"Hahaha, excellent… truly excellent!"
Seated among the Uchiha representatives, her grandfather's wrinkled face creased into a wide grin.
"He's exactly the grandson-in-law I had my eye on."
After Yagami's performance in this battle, no one would dare mock the Uchiha clan again.
Whatever past setbacks they had suffered no longer mattered.
Yagami's strength spoke for itself.
"Grandfather…"
Hearing him openly declare her connection to Yagami in front of everyone, Mikoto's cheeks flushed a deep red, her embarrassment painfully obvious, yet it only made her look even more charming.
If Yagami were here to see it, he might not have been able to resist stealing a kiss.
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