Chapter 296: Announce Your Existence to the Ninja World
Elder Genji naturally believed what Kaito said.
Ever since he witnessed Kaito suppressing the tailed beast with his own eyes that day, Elder Genji was convinced that this child would bring unprecedented glory to the Kirigakure Village.
In Kaito, Elder Genji seemed to see the shadows of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, two men who dominated the ninja world and created the era of ninja villages.
Looking at the elder Genji who suddenly became full of fighting spirit, Kaito scratched his head in confusion and continued to work.
Two days later.
Kaito and Ao, who was carrying the "great sword Samehada" on his back, led the last large group to set out and stood at the gate of the Kirigakure Village.
That's right, Ao, who became the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, successfully gained the recognition of 'Great Sword: Samehada' and joined the ranks of Ninja Swordsmen.
Although Ao himself is not very proficient in swordsmanship, now is the time when combat power is needed, and the village cannot allow this powerful ninja sword to remain idle.
As a professional jonin, basic sword techniques such as chopping, swinging and smashing are not difficult for Ao at all.
As long as the chakra amount and strength are sufficient, "Great Sword: Samehada" can provide Ao with a certain combat power bonus.
As for improving melee skills and the like, Ao can only practice hard on his own to achieve it.
The Kirigakure Village attaches great importance to this operation, not only on equipment.
The elder Genji and the 'Third Mizukage' personally saw everyone off.
Judging from the number of people participating in the battle, the Kirigakure Village can be said to have mobilized all its forces.
In addition to the necessary defensive forces and the minimum number of ninjas to ensure daily tasks, even the various ninja clans, led by the three major clans in the village, continued to send people to the expeditionary force.
In the end, it even got to the point where Kaito and Elder Genji had to come out to talk and limit the number of people participating in the battle.
But in contrast, the logistical supplies prepared by the Kirigakure Village troops were not many.
It's not that Kirigakure, one of the five largest villages, can't afford so many supplies.
But what this battle is all about is, one battle to decide the outcome!
They must use their absolute numerical advantage to defeat Konohagakure in one fell swoop while minimizing their own casualties.
After the war, most of the participating ninjas will rest on the spot and then return to the village to resume their daily lives. Only a small number of ninjas will remain on the front line waiting for the final peace talks.
If this group of people is huge and cannot be concealed, it may lead to Konohagakure sending more troops to the front line, which may benefit the Kumogakure and Iwagakure fronts, but it doesn't matter anymore.
Elder Genji looked at the dark mass of ninjas and slowly took a step forward.
And see this situation.
As the nominal supreme commander of this unit, or in other words, of this operation, Ao took a step back, leaving Kaito alone at the front of the troops.
Elder Genji clenched the cane tightly in his hand, suppressed the surging emotions in his heart, stepped forward and personally straightened the collar of Kaito, then slowly spoke.
"Go! Go announce your presence to the ninja world!"
Upon hearing this, Kaito showed an unprecedented sunny smile on his face.
He raised his right fist, looking at both the Elder Genji and the Kirigakure Village behind him, and shouted without hesitation.
"We will win this battle!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the expeditionary troops behind Kaito immediately gave out deafening cheers.
"We will win this battle!"
"We will win this battle!"
When Elder Genji saw these screaming and howling ninjas, a long-lost smile appeared on his face.
Although in the shouts of these ninjas, besides the belief that they would win, there was also obviously a hint of ruthless bloodthirstiness and madness.
But, isn't this the Kirigakure Ninja?
"Set off!"
After the crowd calmed down a little, Kaito gave an order and took the lead.
Thousands of ninja troops responded and followed closely behind.
Inside the Kirigakure Village, among the crowd that came to watch the excitement, a few white-haired and red-haired kids had stars in their eyes and were gazing at Kaito, who was leading the team in the front, with admiration on their faces.
The elder Genji also stood at the entrance of the village, seeing the troops off with his eyes. He was reluctant to leave until all the ninjas who were going out had disappeared from his sight.
The 'Third Mizukage' at the side advised.
"Elder Genji, please go back."
The elder Genji glanced indifferently at Gonbei, who was disguised as the Third Mizukage, but did not say much. He turned around and returned to the Mizukage building with his accompanying guards.
This war, which will inevitably determine the future direction of the Kirigakure Village, is extremely dangerous for the ninjas on the front lines. But similarly, it will also be a tormenting wait for those who stay in the village.
The other side.
Thousands of ninjas set out on the journey, which meant they couldn't move very fast.
It took everyone five full days to finally reach the front-line camp.
At this time, the Land of Whirlpool camp was already filled with a solemn atmosphere.
Since there was no time and no need to expand the camp, a large number of temporary tents were scattered in circles around the camp.
The large group that just arrived is exhausted from the journey and needs to rest and recover in time.
But core members like Kaito and Ao have no time to rest.
As soon as he arrived, he immediately led a group of key leading ninjas to the command tent of the front-line camp.
Before everyone entered the tent, Kaito asked Harusame directly.
"Captain Harusame, how much intelligence have we collected about Konohagakure?"
Harusame arrived at the front line more than a week earlier than everyone else. His main job these days was to investigate the latest situation on the eastern front of Konohagakure.
After hearing Kaito's question, he did not hesitate at all and directly took out a huge map scroll and spread it on the table.
"The number of combat ninjas Konoha has deployed to the eastern front of the Land of Fire is roughly between 4,000 and 4,500. Since the day before yesterday, no new reinforcements have arrived. This should be the final number of participants."
All the frontline senior officials present breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
The Kirigakure army dispatched this time had more than 6,000 ninjas. At least in terms of numbers, they had a huge advantage.
However, considering that this Great Ninja War has lasted for nearly three years, Konoha, which has fought countless battles with the four ninja villages, was able to mobilize so many ninjas to fight against the attack of Kirigakure.
This shows how profound the heritage of Konohagakure Village is.
However, when Kaito heard this number, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"So Konoha still has nearly 7,000 people left in the northern battlefield? This seems to be looking down on us!"
According to previous intelligence, Konoha has deployed nearly 10,000 troops in the northern battlefield of the Land of Fire to fight against the Lightning and Earth Alliance.
As for the eastern side of the Land of Fire, as the country had already entered the stage of peace talks, Konohagakure, like Kirigakure, had withdrawn most of its troops, and there were estimated to be less than a thousand troops in the camp.
Although the war there has slowed down now, it seems that Konohagakure still attaches more importance to the outcome of the northern battlefield.
But in fact, this is understandable. From Konohagalure's perspective, the northern battlefield is still being fought on the home ground of the Land of Fire, and the primary goal is naturally to regain lost territory.
On the other hand, on the eastern side, due to the previous withdrawal of the Kirigakure Village, Konohagakure's camp was pushed back to the coastline of the Land of Fire.
Of course, regardless of whether Konohagakure underestimated the Kirigakure Village, having an advantage in military strength is definitely a good thing.
Kaito did not continue to dwell on this matter, but continued to ask.
"Who is the commander of Konohagakure's Eastern Side now? Is it still Orochimaru? How many top fighters have arrived?"
Upon hearing this, Harusame's expression became more serious and he spoke in a heavy tone.
"According to our investigation, the highest commander of the Konohagakure camp this time is the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen!"
(End of this chapter)