Akimichi Torifu let out a sigh.
Still yawning, he pulled on his combat gear and took the chance to have someone summon the trio led by Shikaku.
"Torifu-senpai, what is… this?"
At that moment, Nara Shikaku looked utterly bewildered.
Clearly.
The Akimichi messenger who'd fetched him hadn't known the details—only that the three of them should come quickly—so Shikaku, having rolled out of bed yawning, froze at the sight of Torifu in full battle dress.
"Shikaku, you're here!"
"I never thought, at my age, that Uchiha Jin kid would drag me out in the middle of the night for unpaid overtime."
"Get ready—we're heading to the front!"
"Objective: besiege Old Konoha!"
Hearing this, Nara Shikaku stood rooted to the spot.
However.
Quick-witted as ever, he instantly realized something unexpected must have happened up front; otherwise they wouldn't have been called in.
Not long after.
Once Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Chōza arrived, Torifu rose at once. "Move out!"
With that, he took the lead and left.
The three members of the previous Ino–Shika–Chō naturally followed. On the way, Shikaku briefed his two companions.
"Hard to believe!"
"The three of us, the old Ino–Shika–Chō, actually get to fight as a unit again—and against the former Village higher-ups?"
"Thinking about it, it's downright ironic."
Yamanaka Inoichi's face was full of shock; he couldn't help sighing.
As for that.
Shikaku also sighed, but after shaking his head he couldn't be bothered to say more.
Akimichi Chōza, on the other hand, was only startled for a moment, then regained his calm.
Obviously.
He'd never had much goodwill toward the former top brass.
Half an hour later.
After the four reached the frontline command camp, Torifu produced the Hokage token and took direct command.
Torifu sat at the head, with the Ino–Shika–Chō trio flanking him.
As the camp's key officers filed in, Torifu spoke at once: "Who'll brief me on the defense layout?"
"I will."
A Jonin stepped forward. "I'm the deputy head of Intelligence and the frontline vice-commander."
Immediately.
After stating his rank, he summarized Kakashi's arrangements for everyone present.
When Torifu finished listening, he asked, "Shikaku, anything to add?"
"None." Shikaku slowly shook his head. "Kakashi's setup is solid."
"It's just to keep the Four Sarutobi Clans from lashing out like cornered dogs. We've enough strength for that. Hasty redeployment would leave gaps the enemy could exploit."
"So leave it as is."
His tone was calm; after a flicker in his eyes he gave his verdict.
To that.
No one else objected; they trusted Shikaku.
After all, compared with frontline commander Kakashi, Shikaku had served in the Third Great Ninja War under Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Minato Namikaze, even taking personal command when the commander was absent.
If he said it was fine, there was nothing more to say.
Right then.
An Anbu entered, dropped to one knee, and reported, "Lord Torifu, the Tsunade and Mitokado clans are forcing their way through our North-9 outpost."
"Too many of them; we need reinforcements urgently!"
At these words the room's atmosphere tensed.
Torifu sighed softly.
The very thing he'd hoped to avoid was happening.
Tsunade, Mitokado.
He truly didn't want to face those old friends, yet since Ino–Shika–Chō had chosen its side—and two years in New Konoha had shown him life there was indeed better—
—for his clan, for Ino–Shika–Chō, for New Konoha!
Torifu rose at once. "Commit every mobile unit. I'll meet those two clans myself. Shikaku, Inoichi, Chōza—with me."
With that.
He strode out without hesitation.
The rest stared, stunned.
Commit everything?
The Shimura and Sarutobi Clans hadn't even moved yet; if they tried to break out, there'd be no reserves left.
Still.
However puzzled they were, Torifu was the commander and held the Hokage token, so nobody dared object.
Ten minutes later.
All the Ninja charged out of camp, heading straight for Outpost-9 under Torifu's lead.
Along the way.
Shikaku couldn't help asking, "Torifu-senpai, committing everything…"
Unfortunately.
Before he could finish, Torifu cut him off. "I know those fellows better than you. The Shimura clan is a handful of cats—Danzo doesn't treat his own as kin; at best he doesn't oppress them."
"That madman cares only for Root; he has no interest in the Shimura clan, so they basically follow the Sarutobi."
"As for the Sarutobi!"
"They won't leave Konoha. Hiruzen knows the entire Ninja World has no place for them."
"Their clan holds too many of Konoha's secrets, and after years of feuds with the Uchiha, their only chance is a last stand using the Village's resources."
"Running? That's suicide."
Shikaku was taken aback.
Though he had served as Jonin commander and Advisor, he didn't know the Village's higher-ups as well as Torifu did.
After all… the man had been Hiruzen's teammate!
Still.
Since Torifu said Sarutobi and Shimura wouldn't flee, Shikaku relaxed a bit; he'd feared their ancestor might let Hiruzen's group off out of old friendship.
If that happened… Ino–Shika–Chō would lose the Uchiha's trust in New Konoha forever.
Yet after some thought he couldn't help asking, "Old Konoha still has hidden assets? Lord Torifu, do you know something?"
"Of course it has assets!" Torifu murmured. "Don't underestimate Konoha."
"The monkey's been a disgrace, but Old Konoha carries the whole Senju Clan—First and Second were absolute powerhouses."
"A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. What I fear most is Orochimaru—and the Edo Tensei!"