Orochimaru recalled the Shinigami he had seen in the Soul Society Court and said solemnly, "I don't know the exact number, but it is definitely far greater than when they invaded the Land of Water!"
"However, it seems their Captains have all gone out on missions. Currently, only four Captains remain in the Uzushigakure."
"Of course, I can't guarantee that the Uzushigakure isn't intentionally keeping the other Captains hidden."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes lit up; only four Captains was good news for Konoha.
Currently, Konoha's forces were only tied up by the Sunagakure, but its high-end combat power was considerable.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the strongest hokage!
Danzo Shimura, the darkness of konoha!
The combination of his Konoha Elder Council, Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado.
Plus the Clan Chiefs of several Konoha Families.
The Uchiha, Hyuga, Ino–Shika–Chō... Moreover, there was the wife of the First Hokage-sama, Uzumaki Mito, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of the strongest Biju!
In terms of high-level combat power, Sarutobi Hiruzen was confident they were no weaker than the Uzushigakure!
Perhaps even superior!
However, the mid-level combat power was somewhat lacking by comparison.
But perhaps Konoha could resolve the situation with the Uzushigakure without losing a single soldier?
After all, Mito-sama was on Konoha's side!
Even if you are the ruler of the Uzushigakure, Lord Soul King.
As a junior member of the Uzumaki Clan, surely he wouldn't refuse to give Mito-sama Face?
With confidence swelling in his heart, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression gradually returned to normal.
"Good, I understand the situation in the Uzushigakure. Since the Uzushigakure insists on a confrontation, then my Konoha will play along with them!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen pushed off the table with both hands, his eyes shining brightly, truly displaying the demeanor of the Ninja Hero at this moment.
With a grand wave of his hand, he declared spiritedly, "Notify all registered Shinobi within the Village to prepare for Level Three Combat Readiness and welcome the arrival of our allied nation!!"
At midnight, the meeting room in the Hokage Building finally dimmed.
Orochimaru walked out, physically and mentally exhausted.
A meeting is just a meeting, but he even delivered a long, drawn-out pre-war motivational speech.
Sarutobi-sensei has truly grown fond of giving speeches ever since he became the principal.
After walking out, a familiar figure appeared faintly beneath a nearby street lamp.
Orochimaru's Face twitched, "Tsunade?"
Could Tsunade have waited for him since he returned until now?
Seeing that Orochimaru had finally come out, Tsunade finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Several times, she had almost burst through the door to demand what kind of meeting could last from seven in the evening until midnight!
Fortunately, she managed to restrain herself fiercely!
Tsunade's Face was grim. She grabbed Orochimaru's shoulder and asked in a low voice, "Did you see Nawaki?"
Feeling his shoulder about to be crushed, Orochimaru dared not move or speak, only nodding helplessly.
Tsunade's beautiful eyes widened as she asked incredulously, "Really? Are you sure? It wasn't just someone who looked like Nawaki?"
Orochimaru nodded again.
Tsunade's hand suddenly relaxed, and her expression became somewhat dazed.
---Requesting flowers--- In truth, she hadn't truly believed Nawaki was alive; she just held onto the hope after suddenly encountering someone who resembled him.
But Orochimaru suddenly told her that it was genuinely Nawaki?!
Now that it was confirmed, she suddenly found herself unable to believe it.
After all, how could someone who had already died reappear?
She murmured, "How is this possible? How can Nawaki still be alive? If he were alive, why wouldn't he return to Konoha, or to the Senju Clan?"
"No! I must confirm it with my own eyes!"
Orochimaru stopped her and said, "In three days, people from the Uzushigakure will come to take Uzumaki Kushina back. Why don't you ask them then?"
Tsunade's expression fluctuated, and she gritted her teeth, "Alright! Then I'll wait three more days!"
The next day.
Uzushigakure, Seireitei.
Looking at the System panel, after a night, the prestige value had increased again by a small amount.
Chihiro understood that Orochimaru had conveyed what he had seen and heard in the Uzushigakure to the Konoha higher-ups.
Coupled with the Hollows still causing trouble in the Land of Lightning.
With both factors combined, the prestige value, which had just been depleted, once again reached over one hundred thousand.
"Ding! Congratulations, host, for accumulating two million prestige value. New function unlocked: Troop Type Upgrade!"
"Troop Type Upgrade?"
Chihiro checked the function and then realized, "It allows me to use prestige value to increase the Rank of Troop Types, but those with insufficient potential don't meet the upgrade conditions?"
In short, some Troop Types have Captain-level potential but only Lieutenant-level strength.
Chihiro can use prestige value to accelerate the growth of such Troop Types, allowing them to skip the Cultivate process and directly reach Captain-level strength...
However, the prestige value required to upgrade Troop Types also corresponds to each Rank.
For example, for Elite Troop Types to be promoted to Heroic Troop Types, a minimum of one hundred thousand prestige value is required.
In fact, it's not much different from recruiting Heroic Troop Types.
It just depends on Chihiro's choice.
He glanced at the prestige value on the System panel.
He decisively called Rukia in.
His little secretary, who had been with him for so long, absolutely deserved a hefty reward.
With Rukia's bewildered expression, Chihiro poured all of his prestige value into Rukia.
As golden specks flickered slightly around Rukia, a snow-white figure shimmered faintly on her body.
After the golden specks disappeared, Rukia looked confused for a moment, then knelt on one knee, bowing her head respectfully, "Thank you, Lord Soul King, for your grace!"
Just now, she had suddenly gained some experience as if she had been immersed in it for a long time.
Zankenshō had all received a significant boost, and she was now capable of Bankai!
The sudden change made her realize that all of this was a gift from Lord Soul King!
Chihiro waved his hand.
As a Troop Type recruited in earlier chapters, who even meticulously took care of his daily life.
Rukia, who was thorough in everything, deserved his generous reward.
Gin, far away in the Third Division barracks, teaching Senju Nawaki: "..."
Chihiro suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, how is Nawaki's Cultivate progress?"
Rukia replied, "Reportedly, after Captain Ichimaru's training, he has successfully achieved Shikai!"
"Training"... that word is used quite subtly.
"Do you know what type of Zanpakuto it is?"
"Reportedly, it's Wood-type?"
Wood-type?
Chihiro narrowed his eyes. Is it indeed related to his experiences in his previous life?
Because of his Senju Clan Bloodline in his previous life, and being a direct descendant of Senju Hashirama, he was able to Awaken a Wood-type Zanpakuto?
If that's the case, then he should bring Nawaki along when they go to Konoha.
As the sole heir of the Senju Clan, now that he has achieved something, how can he not visit his old home in Konoha?
And while he's at it, give Konoha a small Konoha-style shock!
As a Senju Clan heir who has Awakened Wood Release, yet ends up drawing his sword against Konoha.
That scene must be very exciting, right?
Hiss... Qi
This good show must be enjoyed carefully.
"Rukia, have the Technical Development Bureau send over a monitor!"
"Yes!"
After the Technical Development Bureau delivered and installed the monitor, Chihiro had them adjust the screen to show the sky above Konoha.
Now, he just needed to quietly wait for that moment to arrive.
Since Chihiro said he'd give Konoha three days, he would wait three days.
One must be true to their word.
Of course, he didn't believe Konoha would honestly send Uzumaki Kushina over.
Two days later.
The entire day, Konoha was peaceful, and just when everyone thought the Uzushigakure might not come?
Until near dusk.
The space above Konoha suddenly vibrated, creating ripples.
A Barrier Squad Shinobi's eyes widened, and he shouted, "Something is forcefully tearing through space!"
Orochimaru's pupils suddenly dilated!
This time!
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