Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 461 Gathering

Everyone's eyes followed the unrolling of the reel.

The writing on the scroll is sparse, yet it is full of resolute force that penetrates the paper.

That was the unique handwriting of a ruthless and desperate hero like Hanzo the Salamander, imbued with an air of iron-bloodedness and recklessness.

The content is shockingly concise.

First, when the main force of Konoha launches a general offensive against the command system of the three villages' alliance, he will personally lead all the elite troops of Amegakure to strike directly behind the alliance.

Second, after the war, Konoha must publicly recognize Amegakure's independent sovereignty and both sides must sign a non-aggression pact.

Third, Konoha will open three trade routes located on the border of the Land of Fire to Amegakure and provide technical support.

There was no unnecessary chatter, no insincere pleasantries.

Each one was a naked transaction, a high-stakes gamble that risked Amegakure and his entire fortune.

"Ugh... what a hassle..."

Nara Shikaku was the first to break the silence. He scratched his signature pineapple-shaped haircut, complaining as he did so, but his usually sleepy eyes were surprisingly bright at that moment.

"This guy has tied his own neck and the future of Amegakure to our war machine. If we win, he can go from being a pawn of a great power to becoming an independent player. If we lose, he will be torn to pieces by Iwagakure and Sunagakure."

Yamanaka Inoichi calmly replied, "The risk is extremely high, but the reward is equally enormous. Although Hanzo's Rain Ninja forces are few in number, each one is forged in years of war. If they can really launch a surprise attack from behind, it will be nothing less than a dagger plunged into the enemy's heart for us."

"Hmph, just a gambler driven to the brink."

Fugaku Uchiha commented indifferently, but his slightly raised eyebrows revealed his approval of Hanzo's decision. "However, this decisiveness is worthy of the title of demigod."

Hiashi Hyuga didn't speak, but he nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with the assessment.

Their gazes eventually settled on Minato Namikaze.

To accept or to refuse?

The final decision needs to be made by the commander-in-chief.

As Minato Namikaze looked at the scroll, at the words that seemed to be coated with poison and determination, what came to mind was Yahiko's expression when he described the peaceful scene of Konoha in the rain.

He remembered the demigod who stood alone atop the tower, watching over the endless rain.

A ruthless warlord who tied everything to the village, yet protected it in the most extreme way, ultimately lost in power and suspicion.

"No,"

Minato spoke softly, his voice not loud, but it silenced everyone. "He's more than just a gambler."

"He was a loser who, after seeing new possibilities, tried to climb out of the grave he had dug himself."

Minato raised his head, his gaze passing over the crowd and landing on Yahiko.

"Yahiko, you did more than just bring back an alliance."

His voice became serious.

"You have allowed someone who had lost all hope to see a glimpse of their youth again, to see a path other than war and plunder. This is more powerful than any S-rank ninjutsu."

boom!

Something seemed to explode in Yahiko's mind.

He looked at Minato, at the genuine approval and praise in his eyes, and a surge of heat rushed from his chest to his nostrils.

They did not disappoint Jiraiya's teachings, the Hokage's expectations, or the Commander-in-Chief's trust!

Nagato stood quietly at the back, looking at his companions, at these powerful and reliable seniors in the tent. A sense of belonging took deep root in his heart.

"alright,"

Minato stepped forward and gently patted Yahiko's shoulder. The pat wasn't forceful, but it was full of reassuring power. "The stage from now on is in our hands, your seniors. Your mission is perfectly completed. Go and rest for a while and have something hot to eat."

He turned to Hiashi Hyuga: "Hiashi, arrange for someone to take them to the medical station for a check-up, and then prepare the best food and rest tents."

"Yes."

Riji responded succinctly.

Yahiko looked up, wiped his face haphazardly with his sleeve, and tried to make his smile look as energetic as usual.

"yes!!"

The three bowed respectfully to Minato, then, following a member of the Hyuga clan, turned and left the command tent.

As they left, the warmth and encouragement inside the tent seemed to be shut out by an invisible barrier.

All that remains is the cold, desolate chill of war.

Minato Namikaze turned around and walked straight toward the huge military map.

His steps were steady and powerful, each step seemingly on the beat of a war drum.

In that instant, his entire demeanor changed.

The gentle smile vanished, and those azure eyes, now as deep as a frozen pool, reflected the crisscrossing mountains and rivers on the map, as well as the enemy and friend markers representing countless lives.

"Shikahisa, Fujitsu, Inoichi, Hiashi".

He didn't turn around, but called out everyone's names in a tone devoid of any emotion.

The four of them immediately stepped forward and gathered around the huge map.

"Hanzo's involvement has introduced the greatest uncertainty to our plan, but also given us the highest chance of success."

Minato's finger slowly traced across the map, from the stone tower of the Land of Rain, through the defensive lines of Iwagakure and Sunagakure.

"The enemy's command system is more decentralized than we expected. Onoki and Retsumon, those two old foxes, don't completely trust each other. Their command centers are located in two separate places, supporting each other."

Nara Shikaku immediately pointed out the problem: "If we attack two places at the same time, our forces will be scattered. If we only attack one place, the other place will immediately provide support, or even turn around and encircle us."

"That's right."

Minato's finger finally landed heavily between the two command centers, in an area marked as a deep valley.

"So, our goal is..."

Minato's gaze swept over everyone present.

"Reorganize and assemble the entire army. Head first to the main force camp on the front lines of the Cloud Village battlefield to rendezvous with them."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire tent was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The only sounds were the crackling of the campfire and the increasingly rapid heartbeats of the group.

After a long while, Fugaku Uchiha's voice, tinged with suppressed excitement, rang out:

"When do we depart?"

Minato withdrew his finger, turned around, and there was no trace of gentleness on his handsome face.

"One hour later."

……

at the same time.

In Konoha Village, a thousand miles from the front lines, in the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was sitting leisurely behind his desk, holding a steaming cup of tea in his hands.

The tea was a specialty brought back by Shinnosuke. It is said to have grown under specific sea breezes and climates, with a slightly salty and savory flavor, a mellow taste, and a sweet aftertaste.

Before him were not mountains of documents, but only an open drawing of some kind of complex mechanical structure, along with several recent reports from Orochimaru's research department and Danzo's construction department.

The village is developing very well.

Sakumo Hatake is leading his agricultural team to research how to utilize the soil improved by the First Hokage to cultivate higher-yield Hokage-grade special rice.

Danzo, along with Tobirama and Orochimaru, is working to overcome the challenges of a new generation of hydroelectric generators, aiming to provide clean electricity to over 80% of the village's residents by next summer.

Everything was thriving, so beautiful it seemed unreal.

Just then, a silver, oddly shaped metal cube on his table suddenly began to flash a soft blue light and emit a soft beeping sound.

This is an ultra-long-distance single-line communication device developed by Orochimaru based on some research manuscripts of the Second Hokage. Currently, only he and the frontline commander Minato Namikaze possess it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly put down his teacup, extended a finger, and gently tapped the top of the metal cube.

"drop."

As the light stabilized, Minato Namikaze's clear and steady voice rang out.

"Hokage-sama, it is I, Minato."

"Okay, go ahead and say it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, his tone calm.

"The Akatsuki squad has successfully completed their mission and has reached an alliance with Hanzo the Salamander. He will launch a surprise attack on the Allied forces from behind when we launch our final offensive."

"Our troops have completed their assembly and are preparing to join forces with the Cloud Hidden Forces."