"Hayato, have you compiled the latest intelligence?"
Tsunade sat in the main seat, looking extremely tired.
It was no wonder she was fatigued, as she'd gone straight to the operating table upon arriving at the camp.
However, having successfully saved the lives of several Konoha Ninjas, Tsunade had no complaints.
"Sunagakure currently shows no signs of movement, but they seem to have received strong support from that stingy Land of Wind Daimyō."
"The Iwagakure ninjas are at the border of the Land of Birds, and the Third Tsuchikage is about to arrive."
Hayato remained professional, clearly stating the movements of the two major countries.
"We should retreat."
Kawaki proposed the retreat without any hesitation, with a serious look on his face, clearly not joking.
"We've lost a huge number of our people..."
"Do you want to stay here too?"
Kawaki firmly interrupted the Konoha Ninja.
Meeting Kawaki's gaze, the ninja didn't dare to speak further.
"I know you're not willing to give up, and neither am I."
"Right now, Iwagakure is coming at us full - force. Do you think our small number can handle them?"
"Sunagakure has regrouped, and they have a perfect Jinchūriki."
"If we get caught in a pincer attack here, how many of us can make it back?"
"Use your thick skulls and think it over properly."
Kawaki scanned the faces of every Konoha Ninja, not caring about stealing the spotlight from Tsunade.
Everyone in Konoha knew who was the most powerful.
Moreover, everyone was aware that Tsunade and Kawaki were practically a married couple, just lacking the wedding.
"We have many injured, and we need to consider them."
Sakumo, afraid that Kawaki had spoken too harshly, added a conciliatory remark.
He agreed with Kawaki that this battle couldn't be fought like this.
Going into danger when you know it's there isn't the act of a wise man.
"Are we really going to retreat like this?"
The spiky - haired ninja still had a grudge and couldn't hold back his words.
"Don't worry, the teacher won't stand by and do nothing."
"We're just retreating temporarily; it doesn't mean we've lost."
Seeing that everyone had calmed down, Tsunade also spoke up to comfort them.
Admittedly, she was reluctant to retreat, considering so many had died.
But if they didn't retreat and continued fighting, how many of the remaining would survive?
"We need to leave quickly. Iwagakure won't let us go easily."
"With the injured, we can't move fast."
Hayato Yamanaka was seriously analyzing the retreat.
"Hayato makes a good point."
"Immediately arrange for the injured to evacuate."
"We'll stay behind to cover."
Without much thought, Tsunade took on her responsibility.
"Yes, Lord Tsunade."
Shinryu Yūhi still used the respectful title in public and left after standing up.
"Keep an eye on the movements of the Iwagakure ninjas in the Land of Birds."
"The Third Tsuchikage is a tough opponent."
Kawaki said this to Hayato.
In the original plot, the most tenacious Kage is the old man Ōnoki.
He is a direct disciple of the First and Second Tsuchikages. Like Hiruzen Sarutobi, he is a Kage - level powerhouse who emerged from the First Shinobi World War.
He is not only proficient in Earth Release[b]Earth Release[/b] Ninjutsu but could also use the Dust Release[b]Dust Release[/b], a Kekkei Tōta[b]Kekkei Tōta[/b] that surpasses the Kekkei Genkai[b]Kekkei Genkai[/b].
Known as "Ōnoki of the Two - Scales," he is also one of the few flying ninjas among the Five Great Nations.
"Don't worry. There are always people keeping an eye on him."
Hayato Yamanaka still had this much sensitivity. The Third Hokage was rated as the highest in terms of intelligence risk.
"Alright then. Go down and make preparations."
"We'll evacuate after the injured leave."
Tsunade made the final decision.
After a while, all the ninjas in the room left, leaving only a few people including Kawaki Hatake.
"Has there been any news from the village?"
Tsunade only knew that the news had been sent back, but there had been no reply so far.
"Not yet."
Hayato Yamanaka wasn't surprised at all. The village always had to hold meetings and have discussions before making any decisions.
If the news came back so quickly, he'd think something was wrong.
Other Kages are out fighting, while our Kage is having meetings at home. That's amazing!
If you think about it from another perspective, Konoha is really strong. In the original plot, even without the Hokage on the battlefield, Konoha still won the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars.
"Let's go back to the Land of Fire first."
"If nothing unexpected happens, the Land of Rain will become our battlefield again."
Kawaki didn't expect the Third Hokage to fight personally. As long as he doesn't act like Tanzō and hinder the progress of the battle.
Sometimes he couldn't even imagine what the outcome of this war would be if he hadn't killed Tanzō.
"That's the only option."
Sakumo didn't have a better solution either. They could only retreat to the Land of Fire and wait for reinforcements from the village.
Otherwise, the few remaining people wouldn't be enough for a battle.
"I hope the teacher can send reinforcements quickly."
Tsunade knew that this battle wouldn't end easily. If the reinforcements came too slowly, even the Land of Fire would be at risk of being attacked.
Her concerns were also taken into account by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
At this moment, a meeting was being held in the combat meeting room of the Hokage Building in Konoha.
The hard - working Third Hokage - sama stood on the stage, holding a pipe in his hand, his eyes bright.
"I believe you all know the battle reports from the front line."
"Kawaki and Tsunade bravely defeated the Third Kazekage, but his last counter - attack caused heavy losses to our Konoha."
"Now Iwagakure has also gotten involved, and that Ōnoki guy personally led his men to the front line."
"Now not only does Tsunade's team urgently need support, but we also need to guard the border of the Land of Fire."
Here, Hiruzen Sarutobi paused and took a puff of his pipe.
He exhaled a long stream of smoke before continuing.
"After discussions between me, the two advisors, and all the higher - ups."
"We've decided to send the Uchiha clan and the elites of each clan to provide support."
"In this battle, we not only need to defend the Land of Fire but also show the might of our Konoha."
"Do you have any objections?"
After he finished speaking, the ninjas below started whispering to each other.
Fugaku Uchiha stood in the crowd, grumbling in his heart.
Higher - ups? A meeting without my Uchiha Uncle can hardly be called a high - level meeting!
They only think of our Uchiha clan when they're short of people.
Although he didn't have a good impression of the Third Hokage, he still wanted to defend his village.
He had no objections to this support operation, but he was just unhappy.
Why can't our Uchiha clan enter the core of Konoha? Why can't we have our due rights and interests?
"Cough, cough~"
Homura Mitokado gave a light cough and stepped forward after receiving a signal from Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.
"Everyone, be quiet and speak your minds directly."
"If there are no objections, then this matter is settled."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't want this to seem like his one - man show, so Homura Mitokado's voice was extremely appropriate.
It suddenly became quiet below the stage.
What other objections could there be? No sensible person would stick their neck out at this moment.
I'm afraid only if Tanzō were still alive would he dare to come out and oppose the Uchiha clan's deployment.
He was well - aware of the secret behind those eyes.
As long as the enemy didn't reach the village gates, he wouldn't agree to the Uchiha going out to awaken their Sharingan.
In his view, the stronger the Uchiha clan got, the greater an obstacle they posed to the unity and harmony of Konoha.
"Since everyone has no objections, let's disperse."
"Set off as soon as possible. Time is pressing."
Hiruzen Sarutobi made the final decision and left gracefully. Konoha's support was thus confirmed.
This was probably one of the perks of Tanzō's death; the meeting efficiency had improved significantly.
This speed also exceeded Hayato Yamanaka's expectations.
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