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"It seems the pace of the war will slow down for a while."
Snowfall didn't significantly hinder ninja's movements, but the transport of large quantities of supplies would be restricted.
Unless the villages transporting the supplies were willing to use a large number of sealing scrolls.
Using sealing scrolls to transport supplies was undoubtedly a luxurious act.
There was a risk that the value of the transported supplies might not even exceed the cost of the sealing scrolls themselves.
It was like using a sports car to haul sacks of rice.
One day later, Kazuki arrived at the front-line camp. When he reached the refugee resettlement area, his eyelid couldn't help but twitch.
Good grief!!
Was this resettling refugees, or was it setting up a pen to keep livestock?
Due to the excessive number of war refugees flooding into the Land of Fire from the Land of Waterfalls battlefield, and with the inability to easily mobilize the camp's ninja, the Third Hokage could only dispatch a small group of people to select a plot of land, erect fencing, and herd everyone inside.
It looked like a flock of sheep being penned. As far as the eye could see, densely packed heads were squeezed together.
With the bitter cold and the ground already covered in a thick layer of snow, these refugees huddled together for warmth.
After confirming the issues at the refugee concentration point, Kazuki headed straight for the main camp with his entourage.
In the camp, the Third Hokage had already received news of his arrival.
"Lord Advisor."
As Kazuki entered the camp, the ninja inside quickly cleared a path, bowing respectfully.
"Mhm."
Nodding in acknowledgment to everyone, Kazuki said nothing more and headed directly for the camp's command headquarters to meet the Third Hokage.
He felt it was necessary to let the Third Hokage return to the village for a peaceful New Year's celebration. Otherwise, keeping the Third Hokage at the camp, where they'd be constantly running into each other, would only make everyone uncomfortable.
Kazuki planned to lay his cards on the table with the Third Hokage, asking him to return to the village for a rest.
As for the garrison duty, they could discuss it again after the New Year—perhaps by then, he wouldn't have the opportunity anymore.
In the command headquarters, the Third Hokage awaited Kazuki's arrival. All personnel in the camp qualified to attend the command meeting were also present.
"Lord Advisor."
As Kazuki entered the command center, everyone except the Third Hokage stood up.
"Everyone, please take a seat."
Kazuki's gaze swept across the room, noting that the commander's seat at the head of the table was empty. The Third Hokage sat to the right of it.
Kazuki walked directly to the head seat and sat down, gesturing for everyone to be seated and begin.
Once everyone was settled, Kazuki addressed the Third Hokage first.
"Third Hokage-sama, I will take over all camp operations from now on. You, sir, may return to the village first to celebrate the New Year in peace."
"??"
The Third Hokage couldn't help but startle slightly. The others also looked at Kazuki with some surprise.
No one had expected Kazuki, upon just arriving at the command center, to immediately tell the Third Hokage to retire from active duty, return to the village to rest, and focus on enjoying the New Year.
After a delay of a few seconds, the Third Hokage slowly nodded.
"Since you are prepared to take over the camp's responsibilities, then this old man will return to the village to rest later. Getting old, can't keep up anymore."
The Third Hokage was very self-aware.
Since Kazuki had come personally and told him to return and rest, he would simply go back to the village. There was no need to stay and cause friction.
If they found each other's presence uncomfortable, why force themselves to stay together?
Moreover, with Kazuki's arrival and his takeover of all frontline camp operations, it meant the authority in his hands was being taken away.
Staying would leave him with nothing to do anyway, so it was better to return to the village directly.
"I will now proceed to arrange some camp operations. Aside from the personnel originally stationed here, the remaining ninja will operate in platoon-sized units. First, separate the refugees currently being held in that enclosure. Men and women on separate sides. The men will assist in cutting timber and constructing shelters. The women will help with childcare and miscellaneous tasks."
The Land of Fire would accept these refugees, but that didn't mean they had nothing to do. They still had to contribute labor.
And it would be unpaid labor.
As long as they participated in the work and their identities checked out, they could stay in the Land of Fire to settle, eventually becoming full-fledged citizens.
"Kazuki, directly mobilizing a large number of ninja to help these refugees build villages... What about Iwagakure's side..."
As soon as Kazuki's arrangements were announced, everyone present was shocked. The Third Hokage, reacting most strongly, even stood up in surprise.
The reason so many ninja were stationed at this camp was precisely to guard against Iwagakure.
The Third Hokage didn't dare act rashly precisely because he feared that if he mobilized a portion of the camp's ninja, Iwagakure might seize the opportunity to launch a large-scale attack.
Theoretically, Iwagakure couldn't possibly attack the Land of Fire at this time, but what if?
No one could guarantee what desperate moves a cornered Iwagakure might make.
The Land of Waterfalls did tie down some of Iwagakure's forces, but the number of troops Iwagakure had committed to that battlefield wasn't massive. Judging by Iwagakure's overall military strength, they were fully capable of launching another large-scale assault.
"Everyone's concerns, and the Third Hokage's worries, are reasonable. However, Iwagakure's current focus is not on us. Ōnoki would not risk dispatching large forces to invade the Land of Fire. You can rest assured on that point. I left the village and personally came to the front line to oversee this camp precisely to guard against Iwagakure potentially attacking us while the village is busy resettling refugees."
But doing so still carried significant risks.
The Third Hokage hesitated, opening his mouth several times but unable to voice the worries in his heart.
Because he knew, even if he spoke, Kazuki might not listen to him.
Moreover, his authority had been stripped. As someone about to leave the camp and return to the village to rest, there was no need for him to say these things.
A slight misstep could lead to a major incident of high-level officials within the border camp questioning each other and clashing.
Sigh~~~
After several attempts to speak, the Third Hokage finally sighed inwardly, sat back in his chair, and said nothing more.
"Does anyone else have any opinions?"
With the Third Hokage choosing silence, it meant Kazuki's words would become the camp's highest command. Even if those present had their own thoughts, they could only keep them bottled up.
Surveying the room and seeing everyone looking down without speaking, Kazuki gave a slight nod.
"In that case, let's move into action. The weather is worsening, and a new round of heavy snow will fall soon. I hope we can construct adequate shelters in the shortest time possible. Everyone also need not worry excessively. The village is currently organizing sufficient ninja teams. Once these teams arrive, they will take over your current tasks. As for the consumption of various supplies, the capital will bear the costs. The Hokage and I have already coordinated. After some time, we will transport a batch of abundant supplies to the front lines, ensuring that everyone stationed far from the village, safeguarding the Land of Fire's security on the border, can have a prosperous New Year's celebration."
"Lord Advisor, is this true?"
With those final words, everyone in the command center revealed expressions of pleasant surprise.