Mayuri Kurotsuchi Card Game, starting from Naruto

Chapter 65 War Conference

"The situation at the front is critical. According to the latest intelligence, both Iwagakure and Kirigakure have taken steps to participate in the war."

At the Jonin meeting held in the Hokage Building, Nara Shikayoshi, who was presiding over the meeting, said: "It seems that Iwagakure and Sunagakure have formed an alliance. According to the information passed back by the spy, the Jonin of Iwagakure recently appeared in Sunagakure and met with Chiyo of Sunagakure."

Their target should be Kumogakure.

None of the Jonin present made a sound.

Danzo Shimura sat to the Hokage's left, his one eye narrowed, his face expressionless.

The information Nara Shikakichi provided was mostly obtained by Root's spies; he was the first to handle even more detailed information.

"Kumakure is finished." Nara Shikakichi's shocking words drew the attention of all the Jonin present.

"Compared to Sunagakure, who are fighting on their home turf, and Iwagakure, who have been preparing for a long time, Kumogakure, who have come from afar, are showing signs of fatigue more and more clearly."

The Raikage of Kumogakure believed that Sunagakure was leaderless and powerless without anyone to resist him after losing its Kage. Therefore, he planned to lead an elite force, along with Jinchuriki, to conquer Sunagakure with a swift and decisive attack, forcing it to surrender.

However, their objective of raiding Sunagakure was not achieved. Instead, they were blocked at the border of the Land of Wind by Rasa and Pakura of Sunagakure, and could not advance any further.

At this stage, both sides have suffered increasing losses without realizing it, and are now in a difficult situation. The intervention of any external force at this point could drastically change the tense battle.

Ultimately, this affected the outcome of the battle between the two ninja villages.

Iwagakure is the troublemaker.

I believe that if Iwagakure joins the battle, Kumogakure is destined to lose. However, judging from Iwagakure's past actions, once they start, they won't easily back down.

After the Cloud Village falls, they certainly won't stop there; instead, they'll turn their attention to other ninja villages.

I believe that this target is most likely us.

"So, in other words, we also need to prepare for the upcoming war, right?" Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in the Hokage robes, placed his hat with the character for fire on it on the table and asked, his fingers crossed.

"Yes." Nara Shikakichi nodded affirmatively. Once the Fourth Shinobi World War begins, Konoha and the Land of Fire, being located in the heart of the four war zones and being wealthy, will certainly not be ignored, let alone remain on the sidelines.

"Where are the enemies? Iwagakure, and Sunagakure, which is suspected to be allied with Iwagakure? Or should we add Kirigakure, which is also stirring up trouble?" The Third Hokage frowned deeply.

He didn't mention Kumogakure, which currently has the most friction with Konoha and engages in the most frequent battles. After suffering blows from Iwagakure and Sunagakure, the best thing Kumogakure should do is go back to lick its wounds, recuperate for a while, and then decide whether to rejoin the war based on the changing situation.

Therefore, once the Hidden Cloud Village is forced to withdraw, its threat can be temporarily eliminated.

"Until the Sand Village produces its Fourth Kazekage and secures its position, it is unlikely to launch another war. Although they withstood the Cloud Village's offensive and tied down the Cloud Village's ninja army this time, the Sand Village also suffered heavy losses." Nara Shikakichi excluded the Sand Village from the list.

"So, the worst-case scenario in the short term is that we'll have to face both Iwagakure and Kirigakure at the same time?" the Third Hokage concluded.

Although there was pressure, this result seemed barely acceptable. After all, Konoha had far more enemies in the previous two Shinobi World Wars.

"Then let's begin full preparations for war. The stockpiling of war supplies and the mobilization of ninjas will now enter a state of war." The Third Hokage issued the order.

The Jonin present had no objections to the Hokage's decision. A large-scale war was inevitable; the earlier the preparations, the more composed they would be when the war truly began.

Next, the Jonin began to discuss and negotiate on the war's deployment and the coordination between various departments.

Behind every Jonin, there is often one, or even several, ninja squads. The members of these ninja squads are mostly middle-ranking members of a ninja village.

"Where is the Technology Development Department?" The Third Hokage turned his gaze to his disciple, Orochimaru.

The Jonin who had been discussing the matter fell silent for a moment, their eyes fixed intently on Orochimaru sitting in front of them.

In recent years, the technology development department has become a well-known institution in the village. In some people's minds, it is even comparable to the medical department.

The medical department can save your life and heal your wounds.

The technology development department can help you discover your potential and enhance your skills!

In this precarious world, no one understands the importance of power more deeply than those present here. Therefore, many of them are eager to obtain methods and technologies from the Technology Development Department to increase their power.

In particular, during the previous meetings, the Third Hokage allocated a lot of money and resources to the Technology Development Department, hoping that Orochimaru could produce some technological achievements that could be used in the war as soon as possible.

"The creation of the Tail Seal is complete. It can be used by simply infusing it with the appropriate chakra attribute as needed. Therefore, I need to make a backup list of the ninjas who need it," Orochimaru calmly replied.

"The tail seal? What are the effects?" The Third Hokage's eyes lit up with joy, and Danzo Shimura and the two advisors beside him also perked up.

"It can enhance a ninja's strength, but it requires a certain amount of willpower and delicate control over chakra."

"According to Shikane, the First Hokage's techniques had the most significant effect on Jonin who lacked chakra," Orochimaru replied.

This technique is currently of little use to Orochimaru; it can only be used in a desperate last-ditch effort when his chakra is completely depleted.

However, the advanced research derived from this technology greatly interested Orochimaru. Bloodline transplantation, or rather, bloodline control.

By using an outer garment, a ninja without a bloodline limit can master the corresponding bloodline ninjutsu. Of course, different levels of bloodline limit strength present different challenges to overcome.

There are also bloodline fusion and so on.

In the research on ninja bloodline limits, it seems that Rokune is already ahead of him.

"Very good." The Third Hokage nodded. The importance of Jonin in a war is self-evident. It can be said that the stronger a person is, the more they can influence the outcome of a war once they appear on the battlefield.

In war, genin are at best cannon fodder; to put it more cruelly, they are expendable supplies used to deplete the enemy's strength.

……

As Orochimaru was leaving the building after the meeting adjourned, someone called out to him.

"Orochimaru-senpai, I would like to ask you and Shikagure for a favor." Minato Namikaze stood in front of Orochimaru and made a sincere request.

(End of this chapter)