Since the Hidden Leaf Village main force retreated to Kikyo Mountain, the Cloud Ninja's offensive had weakened considerably.
Perhaps it was due to Uchiha Kagami's capable leadership, or perhaps the enemy forces were retreating in the face of difficulty, but in any case, the enemy's Gold and Silver Brothers had set up camp outside Kikyo Mountain and begun a siege.
This siege lasted a week.
As the end of the year approached, Uchiha Kagami personally led a unit out of the city to scout. After careful reconnaissance, they discovered that the enemy had blocked all routes forward.
This meant that all of Hidden Leaf Village's positions north of Kikyo Mountain had fallen.
Uchiha Kagami frowned in thought. The tactic of dividing forces to outflank and recapture the positions was impossible. To reclaim the heartland, they could only break through the enemy lines with a desperate fight.
"Hiruzen, you and Danzo should return to the base first."
"What?" Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, puzzled. "What are you going to do?"
Just the other day, disciples under the Second Hokage, led by Hiruzen, had rushed to support the battlefield. All orders were to be based on Uchiha Kagami, the commander.
Initially, some of them were unconvinced. They were all from the same class, so why should Uchiha Kagami be able to stand alone?
But after witnessing the overwhelming strength of the Gold and Silver Brothers and the terrifying power that Uchiha Kagami unleashed, they all obediently shut their mouths.
"The enemy is only besieging and not attacking, there must be a conspiracy. It's very dangerous outside at this time, using the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport back is the best policy!" Danzo said gloomily, his words filled with undisguised malice. "Uchiha Kagami, could it be that you are not capable enough to lead us?"
"Call me Commander."
Uchiha Kagami glanced at him. "As a Ninja, you must be prepared to die. Besides, I didn't ask you to charge into battle. Considering your strength as elite Jonin, if you can't even return to the base, then you would really be letting down Master's training over the years."
"Uchiha Kagami, what we're worried about is, what are you going to do?" Torifu Akimichi pushed Danzo away, glared at him, and then turned to look at Uchiha Kagami. "You are the commander now, your every move concerns everyone's survival."
"Don't worry, I have no problem protecting myself. I just want to try to sneak into the enemy's main camp and carry out a 'Beheading Operation'." Uchiha Kagami said, word by word. "But if I take you back, it will consume a lot of Chakra, then the 'Beheading Operation' will not be possible..."
"What if something happens to you?" Hiruzen frowned. "Let me go with you, so we can take care of each other."
"What?" Danzo immediately looked over as if he were looking at an idiot. "Hiruzen, are you out of your mind? What is your strength? Going there would only be a burden..."
Hiruzen's voice carried a hint of anger. "I just want to do my part for the village, you can't put all the pressure on him alone!"
As soon as he said this, the others looked at each other. Danzo wanted to say something, but he swallowed the words back.
"I know my strength is not as good as Uchiha Kagami, but at least I have the awareness to sacrifice myself at any time!" Hiruzen said firmly. "This is my duty as a Hokage's disciple!"
"Alright, I will carry out the 'Beheading Operation', you guys return to the base immediately, this is the commander's order!"
Uchiha Kagami shouted in a deep voice. As his Chakra was mobilized, his aura suddenly changed, instantly extinguishing the emotions of the team.
Then, he looked at Hiruzen, his tone softening. "Don't worry, with my Flying Thunder God Technique and Eye Technique, I can retreat at any time."
In just one month of participating in the war, his temperament had undergone earth-shattering changes. He was no longer the gentle and humble person he once was, and his eyes were filled with a bit of coldness and iron blood.
The others were shocked by his aura and could only nod helplessly, setting off to return to the Kikyo Mountain base.
And Uchiha Kagami, alone, walked in the opposite direction.
...
At noon, a message was sent back to Hidden Leaf Village, plunging all the higher-ups into silence.
In the Hokage Building, the conference room was so quiet that a pin could be heard dropping. Including Tobirama Senju, everyone stared at the letter on the table with complex expressions, frowning and silent.
The atmosphere plummeted to freezing point, yet no one dared to break the silence. Time ticked by, and the Hidden Leaf Village's higher-ups slowly sank into this agonizing quagmire.
All because...
The news was: "A Cloud Ninja surprise attack force has invaded the Land of Fire by sea, seizing the eastern border in just half a day. Leading this force is none other than the Hidden Cloud Village's newly instated Second Raikage!"
"So..."
Tobirama spoke, his voice suddenly hoarse, making a final struggle, "Send Hyuga Harukaze, what do you all think?"
"Um... well..." An elder from the Shimura clan raised his hand, somewhat troubled, "The Hyuga Clan Head's strength is indeed comparable to the Hidden Cloud's Second Raikage, but if he leaves, who will defend the village? What if..."
"What if the enemy launches a surprise attack? We'll be doomed," the Aburame Clan Head added, adjusting his sunglasses.
Tobirama silently clenched his fists, his knuckles pale, as bloodless as his face.
Faced with the sighs of his colleagues, he took several deep breaths, as if mentally preparing himself. His eyes shifted several times before he finally made up his mind.
"I'm sorry, if I..."
"Bang!"
The door was pushed open, like removing the clay seal from a pottery jar, letting the cool wind seep in.
Tobirama abruptly looked up, along with everyone else.
Uzumaki Mito stood at the door, a sword at her hip. Sunlight reflected off her armor, creating a dazzling light. She surveyed the high-ranking officials in the conference room and strode in.
The current matriarch of the Hidden Leaf Village still carried herself with elegance and grace, but she had shed her usual loose-fitting clothes, replaced by a full set of crimson layered armor.
Her vibrant, waterfall-like red hair had been styled into a neat high ponytail. The corners of her eyes, lightly touched with eyeshadow, were slender, like scarlet blades.
"The Cloud Ninja surprise attack force, including all enemies, including the Second Raikage, leave them to me," she announced calmly, her tone as if she were ordering a trivial matter.
"This..."
"You are the widow of the First Lord and the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. It wouldn't be appropriate to let you face the enemy alone..."
Uzumaki Mito patiently waited for everyone to finish speaking, then stood beside Tobirama and said slowly, "I understand everyone's good intentions, but I am also a part of Hidden Leaf Village. To me, this is not only my husband's lifelong work, but also the dream of peace that we have carried for generations. I absolutely cannot allow the village to be destroyed by war like this!"
Her voice was firm, strong and powerful despite being a woman, "Moreover, whether in terms of ability or status, there is no one more suitable than me!"
With her insistence, the higher-ups stopped trying to dissuade her. Soon, she would lead a force to intercept the enemy and face the Second Raikage.
The meeting ended, and everyone left one after another. The huge conference room was left with only Tobirama and Mito.
"Tobirama, the situation is completely different from before. Never apologize to them at any time," Mito said softly.
"I..."
"Even if you are really wrong, you don't need to apologize, because you are the Hokage now!" Mito said, "A demoralized army will shake the foundations."
Tobirama let out a long breath and nodded slightly, "I understand."
"Also, never try to use that technique to summon the dead."
A trace of sadness appeared in Mito's eyes, "Hashirama has fulfilled his wish, and his life was complete. Let him rest in peace in the Pure Land. I... don't want to see the disappointment in his eyes."
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