Ninja Alliance Conference Room.
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, with his diminutive stature, became the supreme commander of the hundred thousand strong Ninja Alliance Army, but no one dared to underestimate this old man.
"Everyone, the future of the ninja world rests in our hands. I need not elaborate on the consequences of failure. If Uchiha Yoru unifies the ninja world, our ninja villages will cease to exist."
At this moment, Onoki looked around at everyone and said in a hoarse, firm voice: "However, rest assured, although Uchiha Yoru's power is comparable to that of the once 'God of the Ninja World', the First Hokage Hashirama, we are not without chances of victory."
Upon hearing this, one of the attendees frowned and voiced his opinion.
"Lord Tsuchikage, no offense, but Uchiha Yoru, with just two actions, has already shocked the ninja world. His power far surpasses that of the former 'God of the Ninja World'."
"Indeed, we are not afraid of a great ninja war, but someone must withstand Uchiha Yoru's power."
"Exactly, are we talking about the combined force of the seven Tailed Beasts?"
The discussion among the attendees grew, but Tsuchikage Onoki remained calm, raising his hand to silence everyone.
"Everyone, our ally Uchiha Obito controls the forbidden jutsu Edo Tensei. I believe you are all aware of this, but I can attest that the previous instances of Reanimation did not allow the resurrected to exhibit their full strength."
"This time, our ally Uchiha Obito has been studying this jutsu and needs some time. Eventually, we can bring back the First Hokage, the 'God of the Ninja World', Hashirama, and the 'Demon of the Ninja World', Uchiha Madara, in their prime."
As he said this, the Third Tsuchikage Onoki paused, surveying the crowd with a confident smile.
"So, our enemy is the ninja army under Uchiha Yoru's command. You can all rest easy."
Upon hearing these reassuring words, the attendees in the conference room breathed a sigh of relief. The pressure from Uchiha Yoru was immense, and they wouldn't have chosen to join forces if it wasn't absolutely necessary.
"However, I must clarify one thing!"
At this moment, the Fourth Raikage, A, became a striking figure in the conference room, albeit a bit rough around the edges.
"I believe you all understand Daimyo's intentions. In this great war, all can be forgiven except for Konoha! Eradicate all the bloodline families of Konoha."
As the Fourth Raikage A's voice fell, various leaders dressed differently from ordinary ninjas stood up one after another.
"The Daimyo have joined forces and made a decision. Anyone who dares to plunder Konoha's bloodline ninjas during the war will be executed without mercy!"
These fiercely determined ninja leaders all hailed from the domains of various Daimyos.
They included samurai, ninjas, and each had their own unique style. Some dressed like nobles, others wore masks with a stern look of a martyr, some were dressed like wandering monks, and others in garb similar to the monks of the Fire Temple.
This force, occupying nearly half the strength in the conference room, may not have the numbers, but in terms of elite forces, they were not far behind the Five Great Villages.
After all, the Daimyo domains have existed for over a thousand years, bolstered by immense wealth. These forces, loyal to the Daimyo domains, were all elites.
This was also the reason the Daimyo domains could restrain the ninja villages.
It was also because all the Daimyos of the ninja world joined forces and dispatched their elites that a hundred thousand strong Ninja Alliance Army was formed.
"Indeed, I am the first to agree with the Daimyo's decision."
Ōnoki was the first to step forward and nod in agreement, but inwardly he sneered. He was not like the others; his many years in politics had changed him.
"Right, those who break the rules of the Ninja world must be severely punished."
"We must win this battle!"
One by one, the ninja leaders shouted out. Perhaps they were ambitious, or perhaps they sought a future, but most of their vision was limited to their own circles.
To the Daimyo, the nobility was entrenched in their minds as superior beings. Overthrowing the Daimyo's rule was seen as heretical.
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, seemed resolute, but his heart was filled with contemplation.
Initially, he never harbored such thoughts. In fact, when Uchiha Yoru first did this, he was furious, seeing it as a provocation to the entire ninja world.
However, his thoughts changed over time.
Three years after the Chunin Exams, Uchiha Yoru audaciously placed the Daimyo under house arrest, effectively using the Daimyo to command the world.
Later, it was revealed that Uchiha Yoru had long been cultivating a group of officials to replace those in the Daimyo's government.
After that, it seemed the Daimyo was not as untouchable as previously thought, and could be overthrown.
Uchiha Yoru's status not only overshadowed the Daimyo, but plunged them into an abyss.
The idea of being equal with the Kage was nonsense. The Daimyos of the Fire, Wind, and Water countries were already imprisoned in Konoha, devoid of any power. Even their former subordinates were infiltrated and replaced.
Uchiha Yoru had indeed started a new era, one that pushed the Daimyo off the stage of history.
All of this made Ōnoki realize that the world might be better off without the Daimyo, with ninja as the leaders.
Had Uchiha Yoru not been an enemy this time, and had they not needed the power of the Daimyo, Ōnoki would have secretly groomed successors to replace the Daimyo's administration.
Unfortunately, he didn't have much time left, and if Uchiha Yoru failed, the Daimyo would surely target the ninja next.
At the very least, they would not allow the ninja to amass such power again.
The Daimyo would likely strengthen their hold, and more ninja villages might emerge.
"We have reliable intelligence that Uchiha Yoru, although he has awakened the Rinnegan with Wood Release cells, is also suffering from the backlash of those cells."
The Fourth Raikage, A, had no interest in the Daimyo's status. He wanted to kill Uchiha Yoru and shatter his arrogant ambition of unifying the ninja world.
He shared the information about Uchiha Yoru with everyone, causing shock. He sneered, "Many must have heard about the Rinnegan by now, but I will explain the relationship between the Sharingan and the Rinnegan later."
"But for now, Uchiha Yoru can only hide in Konoha and heal due to the backlash of the Wood Release cells. This is our chance to attack. If we miss it, we'll face an even stronger Uchiha Yoru on the battlefield."
"What!"
Many were shocked, but as the ninja from the Cloud Village presented report after report, everyone was astounded.
Sharingan, Mangekyō Sharingan, Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, and now the Rinnegan - this was too much.
This was like cheating with bloodline limits.
Relying on the normal Sharingan's tomoe state, it had already made a name for itself as one of the three great dojutsu in the ninja world, and now they were told that the legendary Rinnegan of the Sage of Six Paths was the ultimate evolution of the Sharingan.
Many were envious, filled with jealousy and greed, which turned into deep wariness. The ninja world could not allow such a powerful person to exist.
Everyone wanted the Rinnegan, but no one wanted such an abnormal bloodline limit as the Uchiha's to exist.
It was imaginable that after this battle, the Daimyo would secretly instigate a movement to destroy bloodline limits.
…
Today, the Ninja Alliance Army is holed up in the desert rocky areas near the Hot Water and Frost Village, right next to the sea.
In the Konoha Ninja's main camp, Hatake Kakashi, as the supreme commander of the front line, calmly gathered the ninjas.
This time, even Jiraiya himself rushed to the front line, but he did not take on the role of the supreme commander; instead, he served as an action commander.
It's not that Jiraiya lacks the ability, but he considered that he hasn't been in the village for years and is not very familiar with the newly joined Sand and Mist ninjas.
In this case, having him in command would not play to his strengths. If it were just the Konoha, he could still handle it.
Kakashi, on the other hand, is different. Over the years, as the right-hand man of Uchiha Yoru, his integration of the Mist and Sand ninjas with his wisdom and humor played a key role.
Thus, when Kakashi was entrusted with a heavy responsibility by the Hokage, Kazekage, and Mizukage, the ninjas of the three great villages almost had no objections.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the latest intelligence we have. The Ninja Alliance Army is preparing to launch the first attack."
After the intelligence was passed down, Kakashi, as the commander, spoke calmly to everyone, his demeanor no longer as laid-back as before.
"Captain Kakashi, since the Ninja Alliance is preparing to launch the first attack, what are we waiting for?"
"Exactly, the Ninja Alliance may be numerous, but we are not vegetarians either."
"Haha, with the three great ninja villages joining hands, what is there to fear?"
Inside the tent, the ninjas showed excitement.
This Ninja World War is the largest in scale, and they, as the ones to establish a new era, were eager to make a significant mark in history.
Ninjas are humans too, with their own pursuits. The previous Ninja World Wars, by comparison, seem meaningless compared to the excitement of this one.
This is also related to Uchiha Yoru's policies. Over the years, the founders of the three great ninja villages have appeared in the history books of the ninja schools for the first time, a first in the Ninja World.
This abnormal ninja world, which values strength, has nearly forgotten the glory of the establishment of the five great ninja villages and the deeds of the God of Ninjas who ended the Warring States period in less than a hundred years.
This shows the abnormality of the Ninja World.
According to the policies promoted by Uchiha Yoru, anyone who makes a significant contribution to the new era will be remembered in the history books, even a thousand years later.
This sudden emergence of unprecedented honor and glory has made countless ninjas envious. It's not just about fame and fortune in the present, but also about having their stories told even a thousand years after their deaths.
Such fame and fortune are too enticing.
Now that the three great ninja villages have merged, those who have made significant contributions are already in the history books. Uchiha Yoru has shown everyone with his actions that he is not just talk, but has taken concrete actions.
There's no need to mention the three Kages. For example, those who made significant contributions to the integration of the three great ninja villages.
People like Maki from the Sand Village, Gaara, Kisame from the Mist Village, Zabuza, and Konoha, Kakashi, Itachi, and Shisui.
"Captain Kakashi, what's our next move, defense or offense?"
The usually calm Hyuga Hizashi was also eager to make his mark in the new era.
Seeing the look in Hyuga Hizashi's eyes and those of the others, Kakashi nodded calmly.
"Everyone, the Ninja Alliance Army is now spreading the news that Lord Yoru has been afflicted by the backlash of the Wooden Release cells. I can tell you, it's true!"
As Kakashi's voice fell, numerous Jonin in the meeting room frowned, for Uchiha Yoru was indeed the strongest combat force.
However, there was no significant concern, as Konoha still had three Hokage of the Fifth Generation, especially Tsunade with her Wood Release, which was terrifyingly powerful and comparable to the First Hokage.
Kakashi, seeing that everyone remained relatively calm, nodded appreciatively.
"Similarly, it is true that Lord Yoru has awakened the Rinnegan. Now, we just need to hold the front lines steady, buying some time for Lord Yoru. Then, we will have no rivals in the entire ninja world."
"Of course, if the Allied ninja Forces face the reanimated First Hokage and Uchiha Madara, we have ways to counter them."
As Kakashi finished speaking, three elite Jonin - Shiranui Genma, Raido Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami - stepped forward.
Genma, holding a senbon in his mouth, said with a laugh, "Although we are preparing to return to the village, if there's an emergency in battle, the three Hokage can join the war at any time."
Then, the three exchanged glances and, under the puzzled looks of others, formed a triangle.
Flying Thunder God Technique
In an instant, their figures vanished from the tent, shocking Hyuga Hizashi, who exclaimed, "This! Is this the Flying Thunder God Technique?"
"Flying Thunder God!"
This space-time ninjutsu echoed in the tent, causing a wave of excitement. The technique's greatest strength was not in killing enemies or its elusiveness, but in being able to bring reinforcements to the battlefield at any moment.
Especially top-tier combat forces; this was almost like cheating.
Watching the morale of the people recover, Kakashi confidently said, "These are the latest reports from the village. Detailed information about the battle in the village involving Uchiha Obito, reanimated Uchiha Madara, and the First Hokage."
"Here, I can tell you that Lord Yoru is indeed suppressing the backlash of the Wood Release cells, but once successful, his strength will leap again. Also, rest assured."
"The Wood Release cells are being suppressed by Lady Tsunade and Orochimaru. Even if the front lines are tense, Lord Yoru can still use the Flying Thunder God Technique to come to the front lines for a temporary burst of power."
"So! We will set the battlefield here!"
At this moment, under Kakashi's wise gaze, he firmly placed his hand on the map, pointing to the desert and rocky area near the Hidden Valley and Frost Villages.
"Most Konoha ninja are skilled in Fire Release, and Sand ninja in Wind Release. So, this is also the most advantageous battlefield for us, and it is also far from populated areas, minimizing the destruction from ninjutsu. Although, people from these areas have almost all been relocated."
"This place is also not far from the coast, making it a paradise for those skilled in Water Release, especially the Mist ninja."
Kakashi looked calmly at the map, and everyone in the tent became more solemn.