Kapitel 82: The Konoha's Wartime General Staff Formation

Hiruzen, fully aware of the tension and stakes involved as they moved to discuss the command structure, took a deep, silent breath before addressing the assembly with resolve.

"To begin, we must first define the role and participants of our General Staff. This team will primarily operate from within the village, serving as a strategic reserve command unit.",

He explained, "They'll be our fallback if any division leaders face unexpected circumstances, ensuring continuity in leadership and decision-making.", Thus, he set the foundational strategy for wartime operations.

"This general staff will have access to comprehensive data from all fronts, allowing them to analyze and integrate information from our various divisions. This will be crucial in shaping our overall strategy and directing the village's efforts efficiently.",

"Furthermore, all intelligence gathered by our networks will funnel through this group, ensuring we have a unified understanding of the battlefield situation.",

Hiruzen continued, "They will also oversee logistical operations and communications, facilitating seamless interaction between divisions and ensuring that support flows effectively from the village to the fronts and vice versa. This setup is designed to maximize our strategic flexibility and responsiveness to the evolving situation.",

By framing the general staff's role in this manner, Hiruzen aimed to create a centralized hub of command and control that could adapt to the dynamic nature of wartime conditions.

His proposal sought to balance the need for authoritative leadership with the requirement for comprehensive oversight and coordination among Konoha's diverse military and intelligence assets.

The leaders of the Anti-Hokage faction exchanged brief, thoughtful glances as Hiruzen outlined his proposal for the general staff's role. Given the context of impending global warfare, the Hokage's suggestion did not raise immediate concerns.

It was a standard approach to establishing a central command unit, a strategy that recognized the complexities and demands of large-scale conflict management.

Recognizing the necessity of such a structure for efficient coordination and strategic planning and finding no fault with the logic or intention behind Hiruzen's proposal, the faction leaders collectively nodded their agreement.

This silent consensus indicated an understanding of the importance of a unified command system, especially in times of war when quick, cohesive decision-making could mean the difference between victory and defeat.

"Seeing this unanimous agreement on the concept of a general staff, I will take the position of Chief of the General Staff, as in the last world war...", Hiruzen stated, confident in the role he was about to resume,

"I also name Shikaku Nara for his undeniable strategic prowess and contributions in recent years, high intellect, and fresh perspective from the younger generation, alongside Koharu Utanane and Homura Mitokado for their extensive wisdom and experience, having served since the First Shinobi World War and leading Konoha victorious through the second one alongside me.",

He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in among the assembly, "Does anyone have any other suggestions?", Hiruzen finished, his gaze sweeping across the room, inviting input.

"Hokage-sama, given my role as the Jonin Commander during peacetime and my current position as the Supreme Military Commander of Konoha's standard shinobi forces during wartime, I believe it would be appropriate for me to also hold a position within the General Staff...",

Sakumo interjected, his voice calm yet firm, breaking his silence in the later parts of the meeting.

His statement caught many in the large venue off guard, leading to a ripple of surprised murmurs throughout the room.

Hiruzen turned to Sakumo, maintaining an expression of understanding and composure, yet he was taken aback by the request internally.

He had anticipated that Sakumo would leverage this meeting to secure a more active role on the battlefield, potentially to amass military merits that could serve as a foundation for a future challenge to the Hokage's position.

The idea of Sakumo seeking a seemingly more passive role within the General Staff and doing so with such confidence was unexpected.

However, Hiruzen quickly pieced together Sakumo's rationale, understanding the strategic depth behind the request.

It dawned on him that the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, possibly in consultation with Sakumo, or maybe Sakumo himself, had devised a plan to keep their most powerful individual, and the only one who could go one-on-one against him, and perhaps even win, from their faction within the village at all times.

By having Sakumo stay, they essentially ensured a safeguard against any potential threats that he might pose to their families, assets, and clan compounds/residences while their main forces were deployed to fight.

Sakumo's presence in the village acted as a deterrent, a powerful counterbalance to Hiruzen's strength. It ensured the safety of the coalition's interests, essentially making sure that he wouldn't be able to "stab them in the back."

This realization struck Hiruzen with a mix of respect for the strategy and a pang of sadness for the divisions within the village.

The thought that Konoha's clans felt the need to protect themselves from the possibility of internal strife to this extent was a far cry from the unity and brotherhood envisioned by the village's founders, his sensei, and his brother.

'Has it reached this point already...', Hiruzen reflected, contemplating the diverging paths between the ideals laid down by his predecessors and the complex web of alliances and tensions that characterized the village's current state.

Nevertheless, despite these reflections, Hiruzen quickly regained his composure, "Very well...", Hiruzen consented, acknowledging Sakumo's request to be part of the General Staff.

Having Sakumo take on a stationary role within the village rather than accumulating merits on the battlefield also presented a strategic advantage for Hiruzen himself, so he agreed easily.

With both of them remaining in Konoha, neither would gain additional battlefield accolades that could shift the balance of potential contention for the Hokage position after the war.

In this way, Sakumo's decision to assume a position in the General Staff, effectively sidelining him from active combat roles, inadvertently leveled the playing field between the two fully.

This development, therefore, was subtly favorable for Hiruzen, ensuring that both he and his most formidable challenger remained in similar positions of influence without further tilting the dynamics of power.

He then glanced around the room, seeking any further contributions or suggestions: "Is there anyone else with recommendations, candidatures, or requests regarding the structure of our General Staff?"

In an interesting turn of events, the Uchiha Great Elder Setsuna and Hyuga Patriarch Hirayoshi Hyuga also stood up, at this time, volunteering themselves for roles within the General Staff at the same time.

This again raised some murmurs within the venue. Everyone waited to see how Hiruzen would respond this time.

Hiruzen looked at Setsuna and Hyuga thoughtfully. These two were not only the leaders of their respective clans but also the oldest members present, decades older than himself.

Just as Danzo, who was close by, seemed ready to interject with his own thoughts, Hiruzen decided to address the matter himself,

"Your esteemed status and the depth of experience you both bring, as the most senior individuals here, undeniably qualify you for a position on the General Staff, so it is only fitting that you join and contribute to Konoha as well...", Hiruzen began, his tone respectful yet firm,

"However, I must emphasize that the composition of the General Staff as it stands is now complete, with you two joining as the last members, as it is already quite extensive. Adding any more members could potentially hinder its functionality. Hence, I believe our General Staff, with you two, is now complete.",

Hiruzen continued, addressing the entire room, "Additionally, it's important to note that major decisions, as outlined in the documents provided, will be determined by a majority vote within this body.",

His statement, while diplomatic, left an unspoken implication hanging in the air — with the current composition, Hiruzen's faction would hold a 4 to 3 advantage in any major vote, subtly ensuring that his faction retained a slight edge in decision-making.

The anti-Hokage coalition leaders were not disheartened by that fact. They were keenly aware that, despite this apparent imbalance, the practical dynamics of wartime governance and military command were far more complex.

The village's foundational statutes gave Sakumo, the Supreme Military Commander, significant powers that often overlapped with those of the General Staff.

Recognizing this, the coalition leaders understood that for any major wartime decisions to be effectively implemented, there would need to be a tangible collaboration between the General Staff and Sakumo.

This requirement for compromise inherently meant that power was more evenly distributed for them than the simple arithmetic of General Staff votes might have suggested.

The strategic importance of Sakumo's role provided the coalition with leverage to influence key decisions, ensuring their interests could not be easily sidelined. This scenario unfolded precisely as they had anticipated and what they considered to be their best-case scenario.

This equilibrium of power within the highest echelons of the command structure represented a significant improvement for the anti-Hokage coalition, especially when contrasted with the dynamics of the last Shinobi World War.

During that period, the Hokage's faction held sway over the Jonin Council, and the Uchiha clan, lacking allies and sufficient influence, was unable to effectively challenge the prevailing power structure and its decisions.

The Hyuga clan, for its part, remained unassuming and largely detached from these power struggles. The current situation, however, marked a stark departure from those days, with the Hyuga and Uchiha clans now presenting a united front alongside Sakumo Hatake.

This shift towards a more balanced distribution of power was not without its detractors. Danzo, in particular, found this development frustrating. His clenched fists and the grim expression that briefly crossed his face as he glanced at Sakumo, Hirayoshi, and Setsuna were telltale signs of his displeasure.

Hikari meticulously pondered the operational dynamics of the General Staff and its implications for both factions.

He was acutely aware that the flow of critical intelligence, especially high-impact information secured through Hiruzen's extensive networks, such as Jiraiya's spy network, ANBU, or Danzo's Root, was unlikely to be shared equitably with the opposition commanders.

The strategic advantage of possessing exclusive, actionable intelligence was too significant; thus, Hiruzen's faction would naturally prioritize their battlefield commanders with positive intelligence, potentially withholding detrimental intelligence to undermine the opposition's command reputation.

Conversely, Hikari recognized that the anti-Hokage coalition, despite having more modest intelligence-gathering capabilities, would likely adopt a similar stance.

Sharing top-level intelligence with the General Staff and, by extension, the rival faction would be carefully weighed against the potential benefits and risks.

The dissemination of such information would be highly strategic, aimed at preserving their own interests while navigating the complex interplay of shared and opposing objectives within the village's leadership.

Yet Hikari understood that this information-sharing calculus was not entirely one-sided. There would be instances where the overarching well-being of the village and the mutual interests of both factions necessitated transparency.

In scenarios where withholding information could result in catastrophic outcomes for Konoha or significantly harm both factions indirectly, the incentive to share intelligence through the General Staff became compelling.

This was not a simple zero-sum game; Konoha's survival and prosperity transcended factional rivalries to some extent. In such circumstances, the village's well-being would serve as a unifying force, encouraging a degree of cooperation and information sharing between the factions.

Therefore, in Hikari's assessment, the real value of the General Staff in the context of the upcoming war lay in its role in overseeing the management of supply chains and facilitating basic communication between the Konoha's two internally divided large, 'mega-factions'. These aspects were crucial for ensuring the village's preparedness and resilience in wartime.

Hikari identified the joint management of supply chains, in particular, as a critical function that would likely remain untainted by internal rivalries. This was because the allocation and distribution of resources were governed by transparent, quantifiable needs that could be easily verified.

Any attempt to skew resource distribution for factional advantage would not only be immediately noticeable but would also constitute a grave betrayal of the village's collective war effort.

Such actions would result in severe reputational damage and potentially disastrous operational failures on the battlefield.

Therefore, Hikari was confident that resources earmarked for both factions' commanders would be distributed as intended, ensuring that all combat units had what they needed to succeed.

Moreover, Hikari saw the General Staff as a crucial platform for maintaining open lines of communication between the factions.

Even minimal cooperation in this area could prove beneficial, facilitating the exchange of essential information and enabling coordinated efforts regarding village-wide interests.

While deep-seated mistrust might limit the depth of strategic sharing, the existence of a formal communication channel could avert misunderstandings and foster a minimum level of operational cohesion.

The documents provided also thoroughly outlined the logistics and operational details of the General Staff meetings overall.

Beneath this imposing structure of the Hokage's Rock, a secret chamber had also been designated exclusively for matters related to the General Staff. This space was intended to serve as a strategic hub, facilitating the coordination of Konoha's war efforts.

Given the palpable tensions and mutual distrust among the village's leading figures, it was impractical to expect key members like Hiruzen, his advisors, and the leaders of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, along with Sakumo, to coexist continuously in this space.

The likelihood of these individuals, many of whom harbored deep-seated animosities or rivalries, working side by side daily was slim. As a workaround, most would delegate their assistants to occupy the room permanently.

These representatives would effectively oversee the operations, ensuring that their respective leaders' interests were safeguarded and that duties were carried out faithfully.

The primary members would only then make some periodic visits to this underground hub, overseeing the broader strategic direction without the need for constant physical presence.

Observing these arrangements, Hikari surmised that Shikaku Nara would likely bear the brunt of the operational workload—and, indeed, the true leadership within the General Staff. Known for his exceptional strategic mind and organizational skills, Shikaku would be the linchpin holding the General Staff's efforts together.

Despite Hiruzen's nominal role as Chief of the General Staff, Shikaku orchestrated the day-to-day management of Konoha's wartime logistics and strategies.