Inside Konoha Village, Senju Mori had just walked out of the Hokage Office when he saw his disciples waiting outside the door.
The moment Senju Mori stepped out of the Hokage Office, the slightly chilly night wind rushed in from the window, but faster than the wind were the few youthful figures already waiting outside the door.
"Teacher! The Village has mobilized urgently. Are we going to start a new great war with another Village?"
Tsunade rushed forward in a single bound, her golden ponytail bouncing behind her head, and her brown eyes sparkling under the light. There was no sign of sleepiness, only anticipation and eagerness.
"We are all Chunin now, let us participate in the battle too."
She was full of excitement, and as she spoke, she didn't forget to wave her tightly clenched small fists.
Although Orochimaru and Sakumo Hatake did not speak, they silently stepped forward to stand beside Tsunade, their faces also showing a strong desire to participate in this war.
At this time, Orochimaru still had shoulder-length black hair, but to avoid hindering his movements, he had tied the ends with a hair rope. Below his ears, he wore two comma-shaped earrings.
Compared to before, his cold aura hadn't increased much; he actually looked more refined and endearing.
Meanwhile, Sakumo Hatake's personality was also much more cheerful, though it was unclear if this was a good thing or not—
After all, given the samurai education Hatake Shuuichi had previously instilled in him, which prioritized obedience to orders, it was highly unlikely he would follow Tsunade to do something like this today.
Just as Tsunade said, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Sakumo Hatake were all now thirteen years old and had successfully passed the Chunin Exams, raising their Ninja rank to Chunin.
Furthermore, under the diligent guidance of Senju Mori, the strength and perspective of these few far surpassed that of ordinary Konoha Chunin, and their fighting styles were more diverse.
Even Uchiha Fugaku, who was noticeably much younger than the others, being only eight years old this year.
He also successfully passed the Chunin Exams not long ago, relying on the single tomoe Sharingan in his eyes and his extraordinary talent, earning the resounding title of "Uchiha's Number One Genius" within the Village.
At this moment, he was also standing quietly behind his seniors, his young face displaying a composure that belied his age.
Hiruko, looking utterly exhausted, was also among them. He showed no sign of excitement on his face, leaning against the wall behind them, looking as if he might fall asleep at any moment.
He had only just lain down after Senju Mori ordered him to rest, when the commotion in the Village woke him up again, causing him to appear here with his pale face and two large dark circles under his eyes.
Senju Mori couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the sight; his disciples' request to join the battle was somewhat unexpected.
Although, in fairness, even Fugaku, the youngest among them, had already met the standards for combat participation in terms of personal strength, being an official Chunin of the Village.
However, as their teacher, he could not accept any of them suffering a mishap or even meeting misfortune in this battle.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Senju Mori first looked at Uchiha Fugaku.
"Fugaku, although you have become a Chunin, you are too young, and your physical condition and Chakra reserves are lacking. As your teacher, I must be responsible for your safety."
Fugaku, still a young boy, was quite obedient. Hearing this, he nodded silently and honestly retreated to the side, not shouting about wanting to go to the battlefield like Tsunade.
Immediately, Senju Mori turned to look at Hiruko. Seeing the boy's deeply sunken eyes, he couldn't help but frown and scold, "What are you doing here, kid? If you keep staying up like this, you'll die suddenly on the battlefield before you even see the enemy! Hurry up and go back to sleep! This is the Hokage's order!"
"Understood, Teacher."
Hiruko had likely been dragged along forcibly in the first place. Hearing the command, he shrank his neck and slipped away without looking back, abandoning the others.
"As for the three of you—"
Senju Mori's gaze slowly swept across them, finally resting on his three original disciples.
Compared to their former unique attire, tonight the three of them were not only wearing Konoha Ninja headbands but also standard blue Ninja uniforms and the uniform Chunin vests issued by the Village.
At first glance, they certainly lacked much of their former childishness, instead possessing the aura of formal Ninja.
Senju Mori understood in his heart that flowers in a greenhouse must eventually endure the wind and rain outside, otherwise even the most talented youth could not grow into true elite Ninja.
Moreover, even if he refused right now, given the temperaments of these little ones, especially the most restless among them, Tsunade, they would probably find a way to secretly follow the team.
Rather than letting them take risks outside of his control, it was safer to place them under the command of clan members he trusted.
Under their expectant gazes, Senju Mori finally relented. He nodded slightly and said, "Since you are insistent on participating in the battle, I will assign you to the First Combat Unit. Now, go assemble under Senju Sōji Jonin."
Before the three could excitedly run off, Senju Mori called them back again and instructed, "Since you are participating in the fighting, you must obey all arrangements made by Soji Jonin. During combat, the squad leader's orders are absolute, even if you are the Hokage's disciples."
"Yes!"
The three disciples responded loudly, then immediately pushed open the window and leaped down toward the plaza below.
Soon, Senju Mori also arrived at the plaza outside the Hokage Building. Although it was the middle of the night, the area was illuminated like daylight by countless lamps. Over two thousand Konoha Ninja stood in silent formation, a dense, dark mass, like a silent forest.
They were well-equipped, their eyes sharp, and their headbands reflected a cold light under the illumination.
The cold night wind was biting, yet it could not disperse the towering killing intent rising from the plaza before him.
Senju Mori's gaze swept across the entire assembly. Every Ninja whose eyes met his involuntarily straightened their backs.
The next moment, his clear and steady voice precisely entered the ears of every Ninja: "Hidden Mist has declared war without warning, directing its military might straight at Konoha's most crucial ally—the Uzu no Kuni!"
"The Uzumaki Clan is Konoha's ally since the Village's founding, blood brothers personally established by Shodai(1st)-sama. Protecting them means protecting Konoha's eastern barrier, and even more, protecting our inviolable will!"
"Swish—!"
His response was the sound of two thousand Ninja marching in perfect unison, shaking the ground, and the immense fighting spirit soaring into the sky!
Senju Mori spoke no further; wartime mobilization valued brevity. His gaze was like lightning, instantly locking onto the core Jonin standing at the front of the crowd.
"Now, heed my command!"
"Form ranks immediately, using six hundred individuals as one combat unit!"
The Ninja immediately moved like precision instruments, quickly and orderly dividing into three main battle formations and one smaller, yet exceptionally imposing, elite squad.
"Senju Sōji!"
A Senju Clan Jonin with a resolute face responded loudly.
"You will lead the First Combat Unit and serve as the main force for this operation."
"Yes!"
Senju Sōji's gaze swept over his troops, and he happened to spot Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Sakumo Hatake, who had been assigned to the unit. As his eyes met Senju Mori's, he gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
"Uchiha Isshin!"
The Uchiha Clan Head stepped forward from the crowd and responded resolutely.
"Here."
"You will lead the Second Combat Unit and provide flanking support!"
"Understood."
Uchiha Isshin's gaze was steady, and the Uchiha Sharingan lit up with a crimson glow in the darkness.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
"Here!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was usually counted among the Advisors, had now changed into combat attire and stood solemnly among the Ninja.
"You will serve as Deputy Commander, lead the Third Combat Unit, and temporarily take command of the entire army."
"Understood!"
Finally, Senju Mori's gaze fell upon the most elite squad of two hundred individuals.
This unit gathered Anbu elites and most of the Jonin in the Village; it was the true vanguard force.
"The rest of you, move out with me immediately and rush to the Uzu no Kuni."
"Move out!"