I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 82 Beware of those who offer extra effort, as they may harm your interests.

"Hiruzen, are you sure you want to do this?"

In the Senju clan's encampment, facing Hiruzen Sarutobi who had come to discuss matters, Mito Uzumaki sighed and asked.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said, "Sunagakure has broken the rules. If I, as the Hokage, do not retaliate strongly, what will become of Konoha's dignity?"

Moreover, if I am unwilling to start a war, the various ninja clans within the village, led by the Hyuga, will likely become disloyal to the village because of this. Konoha must fight this war, and it is Konoha that must decide when to start and when to end it!

"What about manpower? The people Tsunade and Orochimaru brought can't support a war."

Mito Uzumaki asked again, and Hiruzen Sarutobi replied without hesitation, "Rima and Tetsuma have already volunteered for battle, and Hyuga Hide is also willing to lead his clansmen to the battlefield."

In addition, young Jonin such as Kōdō Moku, Shūku Yūhi, and Ikkaku Umino immediately expressed their support for the village's decision. Danzo also dispatched Root ninjas to carry out infiltration and stealth missions.

If the Kazekage of Sunagakure insists on participating in the war, then I am willing to go to the battlefield as well.

Upon hearing the names announced by Hiruzen Sarutobi, Mito Uzumaki closed her eyes helplessly, especially the first two names, which represented the few remaining elite members of the Senju clan.

The origin of this battle lies in the Land of Whirlpools, and Tsunade was in command before the battle. The Senju clan was probably eager to go to the battlefield, but the battlefield is never a gentle place.

"If this is your decision, then I will support you."

In the end, Mito Uzumaki agreed. She looked past the spirited Hiruzen Sarutobi and towards the door, saying, "This village is a legacy left to everyone by Hashirama and Tobirama. You should cherish it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't quite understand what Mito Uzumaki meant, but he nodded solemnly and said, "I will, Lady Mito."

"Alright, go ahead. I won't show myself. If any family disagrees, let them come to me."

Mito Uzumaki waved her hand, indicating she didn't want to continue the conversation. Hiruzen Sarutobi bowed to Mito Uzumaki, then slowly withdrew from the hall, disappearing into smoke only after leaving.

Inside a conference room in the Hokage Building, the heads of various ninja clans from the village, some village elites, and the Hokage's advisors were all present.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was sitting in the main seat, suddenly closed his eyes, and the others stopped their discussion. After a while, Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his eyes, stood up, and said:

"There's no need to discuss whether to declare war anymore. Let's talk about how to respond to Sunagakure!"

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, those who had initially opposed him immediately frowned. Just moments before, Hiruzen Sarutobi had maintained an open attitude and was willing to listen to their opinions.

But in just a short while, Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to declare war, and not after listening to the opinions of both sides and making a judgment, but by directly deciding to go to war with Sunagakure.

This means that Hiruzen Sarutobi has obtained the trump card to gain the consent of all the clans to start a war, and the only person in the village who can play a key role is the First Hokage's wife, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Mito Uzumaki.

For a moment, those who held opposing views didn't know how to express their opinions. Koharu Utatane and Homura Mito exchanged a glance, both seeing embarrassment on each other's faces.

Although they were the opposition and, as advisors to the Hokage, should have stood on Hiruzen Sarutobi's side, they still opposed starting a war.

On the contrary, Danzo Shimura, who had previously been at odds with Hiruzen Sarutobi, directly and firmly expressed his intention to start a war, and had already stated that he would "act first and ask questions later" by sending all the Root ninjas to Sunagakure.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at those who had just refused to fight and were now silent, but instead of deliberately provoking them, he looked at Hyuga Hide, the head of the Hyuga clan, and said:

"Ying, this time I hope you can personally lead the Hyuga clan's forces to provide support, is that alright?"

Hyuga Ying immediately accepted the order and said, "Lord Hokage, I am already extremely grateful that you have agreed to let us go to the battlefield and have a chance to avenge our clan. The Hyuga clan will definitely do our best."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Rima and Tetsuma, two ninjas who, although attending as individual ninjas, were sufficient to represent the Senju clan, and said:

"Rima and Tetsu, the pressure on the front lines is the greatest. Before you set off, prepare a list of names, the more the better, to ensure that the front lines are not breached."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!" *2

The two nodded excitedly. Hiruzen Sarutobi then looked at the Ino-Shika-Cho trio's seats and said, "Shika-Yuan, you are in charge of the declaration of war documents, and at the same time, coordinate logistics to ensure the front line is safe."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Nara Shikahara already had a draft in mind; he just needed to polish it a bit when he got back. A challenge letter was a very simple thing; it was just a matter of first occupying the moral high ground and then condemning Sunagakure.

He then expressed his anger at Sunagakure's actions for the sake of the ninja world and for peace, and resolved to stop them with war. Finally, he advised Sunagakure to repent and surrender as soon as possible.

Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to know that this was too easy for him, so he also assigned him the job of logistics supervisor, which was not something that could be solved by simply writing.

Suddenly, Lu Yuan felt a strong urge to help his son, who was still in school, become successful so he could take over his position.

Just as Lu Yuan's thoughts were drifting, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already made arrangements. After suppressing his excitement, Hiruzen asked, "Everyone, are there any other questions?"

As he spoke, he gave Lu Yuan a meaningful look, and Lu Yuan quickly came to his senses and said, "Lord Hokage, there's a small problem regarding logistical supplies."

"explain."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, and Shikagami nodded, saying, "In recent years, due to the covetousness of the Land of Whirlpools by the four nations of Lightning, Earth, Water, and Wind, and their various inhumane actions, not only was the Land of Whirlpools destroyed, but also..."

At this point, Lu Yuan shook his head slightly and said with some heartache, "It has also affected the entire commercial operation of the ninja world. In recent years, the prices of a large number of commodities and raw materials have risen sharply."

Prices for everything from grains and cooking oil to minerals like coal and iron have increased far too much compared to the past. The village's war preparedness funds are insufficient to cope with the war against the Land of Wind.

After listening to Lu Yuan's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, tapped his finger lightly on the table, and then said seriously, "I will personally write to the daimyo to request an increase in war funding, but this will take some time."

"Alright then, in the name of the Sarutobi clan chief, I will donate thirty million taels to the village to secure the first batch of logistical supplies. We cannot delay the war."

Upon hearing this, the ninja clan leaders exchanged bewildered glances, especially those ninja clans that hadn't been called upon to contribute. Their faces were now extremely awkward, as Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude was likely to be either to contribute manpower or money, and they had to choose one.

Just as most of the ninja clan leaders remained silent, intending to play dumb and get away with it, a middle-aged man with flowing black hair slammed his fist on the table and said, "My Uchiha clan also donates 30 million ryo and sends its elite troops to participate in the war, hoping to share the burden for the village!"

If all goes as expected, it will open this Friday!

By the way, I'd like to recommend a book.

(End of this chapter)