This puppeteer is a bit... well...

Chapter 234 Strategic Deployment

The crowd was buzzing with discussion.

However, those present were either village leaders, their guards, or assistants, all of whom were agile and had amazing eyesight. They quickly discovered the cracks on Hashirama and Tobirama's bodies.

No, it was actually discovered a long time ago.

However, they were all too shocked by the sudden appearance of these two legendary figures to pay any attention.

As the discussions began, the initial shock gradually subsided, and I naturally noticed this detail.

"This is what they look like after being resurrected through Edo Tensei. Could these two be resurrected dead?"

Ohnoki was the oldest among them and, being knowledgeable and experienced, quickly recognized him.

However, he wasn't sure either.

The strength of those resurrected through the Impure World Reincarnation technique is vastly different from their strength in life; it was a method the Second Hokage used for testing and suicidal attacks. But the chakra of these two... even without leakage, Onoki could sense the immense power contained within their bodies, far beyond what the resurrected dead could match.

"Let me introduce myself!"

Seeing that everyone was still arguing, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "These two are our Konoha ancestors, the First Hokage Hashirama Senju and the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju. They were both temporarily resurrected using the Second Hokage's forbidden technique, 'Impure World Reincarnation'."

"It really is the Impure World Reincarnation technique!?"

Onoki's eyes widened in disbelief. "I've seen the Second Hokage use this technique before. The resurrected dead are nowhere near as strong as they were in life. It's only useful for suicidal attacks and has no practical effect in combat. But why are you... were you two so powerful in life that you still possess such strength after being resurrected?"

"That's impossible!" Tobirama said calmly. "Even the eldest brother has his limits. The reason we are like this is because a junior in Konoha has perfected this technique, so that the summoned dead have about 70% of their original strength."

"I see~"

Onoki couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

While having 70% chakra is astonishing, Onoki had personally witnessed Madara Uchiha and the First Hokage in action, so he had some idea of ​​the extent of their power.

but……

"The Impure World Reincarnation technique has been perfected!?"

Ohnoki suddenly realized something and cried out again, while the others had already fallen into deep thought.

If a dead person can be summoned with about 70% of their former strength, and also possesses immortality and unlimited chakra... wouldn't Konoha, which has mastered this technique, be invincible?

"Don't worry, everyone!"

Seemingly aware of what the others were thinking, Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed and said, "The Impure World Reincarnation technique is an extremely difficult technique to master, and it requires a living person as a sacrifice to be performed. It is truly against the natural order. If we in Konoha were not facing a life-or-death situation, we would never use it."

The implication is that it will be used when faced with a life-or-death situation, or rather, whenever a critical moment arises.

For example, right now.

Even so, everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief.

After all, Konoha had never launched an attack on other ninja villages in all the years since its founding, so they were quite convinced by what Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

The Raikage spoke up, "Since the First Hokage was able to withstand the risk of the floating continent crashing, let's continue discussing the subsequent strategic arrangements!"

"Um!"

Shikaku glanced at the Raikage, then at the expressions of the others. Seeing that none of them objected, he nodded and said, "Then let's continue with our previous topic. Although the First Hokage has taken the risk of the floating continent falling, war is unpredictable, and no one knows what the situation will be like then. Therefore, I still insist on forming an elite team to infiltrate the katakara Castle and seize control to prevent the floating continent from falling. The specific candidates will be selected from the various ninja villages. If any of you have good candidates, please recommend them."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his mustache and said, "I recommend Obito Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake."

"Those two..." Shikaku pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Obito's abilities are best suited for infiltration, and Kakashi's intellect and adaptability are sufficient to lead the team. So we're still short two people. Does anyone have any recommendations?"

As he spoke, Shikaku looked at the other ninja from the other villages.

"I recommend Nakayoshi from Kirigakure. He is a sensory ninja with few equal abilities in the ninja world, and he is also skilled in group concealment ninjutsu, making him very suitable for this operation."

"I recommend Hikari from Iwagakure. He is skilled in stealth ninjutsu and has outstanding talents in all aspects, making him very suitable for this operation."

Yagura and Onoki each recommended suitable candidates from their respective villages.

Hearing this, Shikaku nodded, "Then let them gather together and familiarize themselves with their own abilities first!"

"Um!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Yagura Karatachi, and Onoki each gave an order to the people behind them, and then someone immediately went to carry it out.

Seeing this, Shikaku continued, "To prevent ninjas from different villages from banding together in battle and shirking dangerous missions, I will reorganize the original 50,000-strong force. Furthermore, considering the location of the floating continent and the mechanical castle, 50,000 people crammed together wouldn't be able to utilize their numerical advantage. I will divide them into five large teams. Does anyone have any objections?"

"no."

"This is a very reasonable arrangement."

"Only in this way can people feel at ease."

"..."

Seeing that no one objected, Shikaku nodded and continued, "Then next is to appoint the captains of each squad. The first squad will be led by the Raikage, the second by the Tsuchikage, the third by the Mizukage, the fourth by Minato Namikaze, and the fifth squad is the medical unit, led by Tsunade."

Although Shikaku believed that this battle would likely be a decisive one, he was unsure how long it would take to deliver that final blow, so the establishment of a medical unit was still very necessary.

"Finally..." Shikaku looked at everyone and said, "I want to form a vanguard team."

"Wait, the 50,000 men have already been divided into five battalions. Where are the troops left to form a vanguard?"

The leader of a medium-sized ninja village expressed his doubts, as did most of the others.

But some clever people had already figured something out, and their eyes gleamed with a strange light.

"Of course, it's the Edo Tensei army led by the First Hokage!" Shikaku glanced at the First and Second Hokage, and seeing that they showed no sign of anything amiss, continued, "The resurrected dead are all immortal and possess unlimited chakra, making them the ideal vanguard members. Therefore, I need you to provide the personal belongings of outstanding ninjas who have died in the history of your respective villages. Although it may seem a bit unfair to the deceased, I sincerely hope they can help us weaken the enemy."

These words immediately sparked a heated discussion on the platform.

Using the dead as a vanguard... in a desperate situation, I doubt anyone would say anything.

This time, however, the ninja world has united and has an absolute advantage in military strength. They do not want to add any burden to their minds or morals.

"Any objections?" Tobirama Senju shouted, interrupting the crowd's discussion.

Seeing that everyone was looking over, Tobirama Senju said, "If it's for the future of our descendants, they will understand even if their slumber is disturbed, so don't feel burdened. If you still can't make up your mind, you might as well summon them first and ask for their opinions before making a decision."

After these words were spoken, no one had any further objections.

After all, even the person in question doesn't care, so why are you worrying about it?

Although some people worried that handing over the relics of their village's powerful ninjas to Konoha might lead to the village using them against them in the future, they didn't care about such things when faced with a formidable enemy.

"Since everyone agrees, let's go and prepare. Once our respective squads are formed, we'll discuss the attack formation. This time, the allied forces will surely win."

"Victory is certain!"

"Victory is certain!"

"Victory is certain!"

Shikaku's voice carried in all directions, and deafening cheers echoed from the four sky cities, startling the birds passing by and causing them to flee in panic.

(End of this chapter)