Chapter 91: The Third Shinobi World War Begins
Hokage's Office, Konoha
A group of ninjas in full combat gear stood with grave expressions, their eyes fixed on Yūhi Makoto as he spoke.
"I do not agree to allowing those below the rank of Chunin to participate."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, placed his Hokage hat on the table, gently shaking the pipe emitting wisps of white smoke with his right hand. "Do any of you have objections to this proposal?"
After a moment of silence, Sarutobi stood slowly. "In that case, Yūhi's proposal is approved."
Months earlier, ten thousand Iwagakure shinobi had surrounded and exhausted to death the Third Raikage of Kumogakure. Since then, the war between Kumo and Iwa had officially escalated to a fever pitch, drawing in most of the shinobi world.
A few days ago, Konoha ninja in the Land of Grass discovered a significant number of Iwa-nin quietly moving toward the Fire Country border.
"Now it's not just the Land of Grass. Even the Land of Rain has become a primary battlefield." Sarutobi's voice was grim as he began assigning teams.
Standing at the end of the line in his Special Jonin capacity, Liumu quietly contemplated the events about to unfold. A year ago, Obito and his classmates had successfully passed the Chunin Exams. Yūhi Makoto's proposal had been timed perfectly to meet the deployment needs for the Third War.
But…
"Liumu, you will lead a logistics unit as part of the supply line, responsible for resource support for our forces in the Land of Rain."
"No."
The moment Sarutobi gave the order, Liumu refused him outright in front of all the assembled Konoha Jonin.
Sarutobi's expression cooled. A rare, stern chill appeared on his aged face. In peaceful times, he might have indulged Liumu's willfulness, but now was wartime—a time for absolute decisiveness.
Seeing Liumu's thoughtful expression suddenly sharpen, the young ninja looked up and declared, "I'm going to the Land of Grass. I will accompany Team Minato to intercept the Iwagakure forces."
Seeing Liumu's resolute stance, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned and demanded coldly, "I need a reason."
Under the collective, questioning gaze of the room, Liumu stated without hesitation, "It's simple. The Iwa-nin are taking a detour through the Land of Grass to infiltrate Konoha precisely because they've observed this period. Konoha's main forces are spread across various fronts, leaving our rear vulnerable and undefended."
"Therefore, compared to the Kirigakure forces in the Land of Rain, our most immediate threat is Iwagakure in the Land of Grass."
"To maintain the balance of power among the major nations in the Land of Rain, Iwa won't allocate excessive combat strength to the Grass. If it's just a sneak attack force, they're likely a ragtag group."
"An army marches on its stomach. Supplies are vital, but once we deal with the threat in the Land of Grass, the supply line will naturally be secure. Therefore, I am confident in my ability to assist Senior Brother Minato and complete the mission in the Land of Grass."
Liumu's analysis stunned everyone present. His inference about Iwa's detour strategy immediately made them reconsider the situation. As they digested his words, their expressions grew solemn, acknowledging both Liumu's insight and the insidiousness of Iwa's tactics.
In a prolonged war, villages would continuously push their front lines. At that point, victory wouldn't depend solely on raw combat power. If supply lines were cut, even the strongest forces would be rendered useless.
All eyes turned to Sarutobi, awaiting his final decision.
As expected, Liumu's reasoning had struck a chord. Hiruzen's stern expression softened slightly. After a long moment of contemplation, he addressed Minato and Liumu. "Very well. Since Liumu has considered this so thoroughly, I grant his request. However, the supply line cannot be neglected. We still need someone to take Liumu's original post."
"I will handle it!" Yūhi Makoto stepped forward, offering Sarutobi a firm salute. "Leave the Rain Country supply line to me and my Third Squad. I guarantee it will not be interrupted." He then turned to Minato and Liumu with a wry smile. "Our safety is in your hands."
With that, all battlefield assignments were finalized. The Uchiha clan would guard the outskirts of Konoha. The forces led by Minato and Liumu would head to the Land of Grass to intercept the invading Iwa-nin. The situation in the Land of Rain was the most severe—the main battlefield where the bulk of Konoha's combat power would be deployed to contain the enemy.
"Dismissed!"
At the Third's command, the assembled ninja vanished in flashes of movement.
The Third Great Shinobi War would be the stage for many tragedies. Might Dai would die, leaving Guy an orphan. Iwagakure would invade the Kannabi Bridge, pushing the front lines to Konoha's very doorstep.
Beyond the reasons stated in the Hokage's office, Liumu had another, more crucial motive for joining Team Minato: Rin.
In the original timeline, during the Third War, Rin would be turned into a "Three-Tails bomb" and sent toward Konoha. Obito would be "killed in action," only to be reborn as the masked man. Kakashi would inherit Obito's eye, earning the title "Copy Ninja."
These were outcomes Liumu was determined to prevent. By joining Team 7, he could protect its three members while helping eradicate the Iwa threat.
However, before departing Konoha, Liumu returned home.
Haku held no official position in Konoha and thus wasn't required to participate in the war. Watching her instruct Shisui, who had just entered the Ninja Academy, Liumu offered a faint smile.
He discreetly created several Shadow Clones outside—some imbued with the Saitama template, others with the Kizaru template.
"I'm heading to the Land of Grass. These clones will stay here. Don't let anyone know." He made a gesture of departure.
Seeing his serious expression, Haku grabbed his arm, her voice soft but firm. "Take care of yourself."
In the past, Haku hadn't known how to express such sentiments. After all these years, she still struggled. But her words now, simple as they were, carried the warmth of home to Liumu.
With a slight nod, Liumu's body dissolved into a puff of white smoke.
"Sister Haku, where did Brother Liumu go?" Shisui set down his textbook, looking concerned.
Hearing this, Haku managed a gentle smile. "Brother Liumu went to fight the bad guys. He'll be back soon."
Whoosh!
Whoosh-whoosh!
A series of dark shadows flickered through the forest, startling flocks of crows. The atmosphere was tense, silent but for the swift, rhythmic sounds of movement. Every face was set in grim determination.
"Remember, this mission is critical. None of you are to act impulsively." Minato's instruction to Team 7 was stern, especially in these perilous times where any mistake could be fatal.
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