Chapter 206: The Eastern Front Conflict Rekindles

207. Chapter 203: The Eastern Front Conflict Rekindles

"Water Country, Rain Country, what are they trying to do?"

Shisui, who had received the intelligence, rubbed his head in bewilderment; these two hapless brothers, instead of staying home to tend their wounds, actually jumped out again to cause trouble.

Putting aside the Water Country for now, after all it is one of the Five Great Nations; perhaps the daimyo of Water Country is straining his mind to help Kiri recover its vitality.

But the Rain Country was chosen as a battlefield in the Second Ninja World War; the entire Rain Country was shattered, and it hasn't been long—there's no way it could recover, yet now it is causing trouble again.

"Our spy only knows the outcome, not the cause."

Nara Suzaku said helplessly; he, too, was headache‑stricken, wondering why, after finally enjoying a period of stability, trouble would arise again.

"Isn't it fine for everyone to live peacefully?" "Send people to monitor closely, and also raise the alert of the ninja troops stationed on both fronts; the Village must prepare in advance, and if the situation worsens, we must reinforce the front at any time."

"Yes!"

"Wait!"

Nara Suzaku was about to leave when Shisui's eyes lit up; he suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said, "Send a letter to the daimyo in my name, stating that enemy ninja have gathered at the border, requesting a border blockade and a trade ban to prevent enemy ninja infiltration."

Nara Suzaku's eyes widened slightly, looking at Shisui in surprise; after processing, he nodded repeatedly, "Yes!"

Although the Water Country and Rain Country matters surprised him, Shisui did not dwell on them; he did not think that the Mizukage and Hanzo would fight the Leaf so irrationally.

Even though Leaf's strength has not yet recovered, it is still more than sufficient to deal with those two.

Nevertheless, he still consulted Sima Yi for his opinion.

"The incident was sudden and indeed odd; ordinarily the two nations shouldn't act so recklessly, so we should proceed cautiously."

Regarding the Water Country, Sima Yi had already witnessed their abstract behavior and could not give a good assessment.

But the Rain Country's actions were overly sudden; a small nation rashly amassing troops at the border is a very serious provocation.

If it were the Wind Country acting like a destitute rogue, it might be due to internal problems forcing them to strike elsewhere, but the Rain Country's steel resources are abundant and it is not poor, making this behavior puzzling.

"Listening to Grandfather say that, it does indeed seem off."

Sima Yi's suspicion made Shisui feel a bit uneasy; he immediately ordered the ANBU to relay a message to Nara Suzaku, urging him to speed up and instructing the border‑stationed ninja to stay on guard at all times.

However, the course of events always proves unpredictable.

In the fifty‑second year, June, of Leaf, the daimyo rejected Shisui's proposal, citing that abruptly closing trade would easily provoke other nations' discontent.

Shisui was contemplating whether to seize the chance to send more ninja to rob the rich and aid the poor when urgent news arrived simultaneously from the Whirl Country's front line and the Wave Country's coast.

"Just five days ago, Kiri's main army launched a night assault on both the Whirl Country front line and the Wave Country coast; the ninja troops left on the Wave Country front were almost entirely wiped out, and although the Whirl Country front held, it suffered heavy losses as well, and seven pleas for aid arrived within a single night."

In the office, Shisui, having learned the news, convened the senior ninja of each division for discussion.

Tuan Zang and Mizuto Monen knelt on either side of Shisui, silently listening as Nara Suzaku spoke.

After hearing the intelligence, everyone's expression was bewildered; they couldn't understand why the Water Country would do this—its war with the Water Country ended less than three years ago, how much can it recover?

"That's the situation. Though we don't know why Kiri wants to start a war, the current circumstances are as perilous as the original Cloud Hide war. If we fall behind, the nations that have finally settled will start stirring, so this time we must not only defeat Kiri but do it swiftly and ruthlessly!"

Shisui's expression was solemn, his tone heavy; a faint aura of killing intent caused everyone to pause.

"Lord Hokage, please give the order!"

The crowd shouted together; everyone had gathered at the doorstep, and they had no further comments—only the battle remained.

"I have already had the senior‑ninja squad select the team leaders; any senior ninja who receives the order will depart immediately, without delay."

"Yes!"

"Additionally, Hyuga Higashi‑hiko will serve as interim commander, leading two thousand ninja troops to reinforce the Eastern Front first; Hyuga Hibiashi will be the overall commander of the Eastern Front; Sarutobi Heian and Uchiha Kyohei will act as deputy commanders, leading five thousand ninja troops to set out on a chosen day. All other arrangements will be communicated by the senior‑ninja squad. This battle concerns Leaf's future; I ask you all to work together with one heart to overcome the difficulty!"

"Yes!"

The others responded swiftly, while Tuan Zang, who had been sitting aside, looked at Shisui's decisive demeanor with some surprise.

"Two advisors, is there anything else to add?"

"Since it's unavoidable, we have no choice but to fight; let the Hokage make the arrangements."

Mizuto Monen naturally voiced support, while Tuan Zang merely gave a slight nod without further comment.

As the plans proceeded, the Hokage Tower began issuing war orders; with the Hokage's permission, the senior‑ninja squad also started mobilizing ninja.

Moreover, Shisui, citing the arrival of war, bypassed the daimyo and issued an order to seal the border.

Within just one morning, the entire Leaf's atmosphere grew somewhat oppressive, and the ninja's frequent movements made the battle‑hardened Leaf villagers realize something.

In the following days, every household walked to the streets to buy ingredients, intending to prepare a lavish lunch for family members who might depart.

Pedestrians on the road lowered their voices; some could not bear the anguish and began to cry.

"Why is this happening? Peace was just a short while ago, why must we go to war again, sob sob sob~"

"Can't Lord Hokage stop the war? Must my child inevitably die on the battlefield?"

Despondent words and anti‑war sentiment spread to every corner of Leaf.

This scene made Shisui, who had just left the Hokage Tower, feel uneasy; he and Hui Uchiha returned silently to their clan lands.

"Grandfather, the villagers don't want war, I don't want to fight either, but this war is now unavoidable; the villagers' mood may affect the front line."

Shisui frowned, his tone a bit helpless, thinking of those people's tears, feeling a vague ache in his heart.

"Since ancient times, wars require a justified cause; however, this time Leaf is the defender. You need not do much—just make the villagers understand why they are fighting."

Sima Yi also had no good solution; ninja differ from soldiers of previous eras—their lives do not depend on military pay, and their formidable strength allows them to live well even after leaving Leaf.

As for the future, strength is the basic requirement for a ninja's promotion, and Leaf is merely a military town with an imperfect system; even if they make significant contributions, there is no way to grant them higher positions.

Only family, emotions, and bonds can control them.

"Why fight?"

Shisui understood Sima Yi's meaning, then he thought of the third generation, recalled his school speech, and his eyes lit up; the next day he brought people to the Ninja Academy.

He abruptly gave a lecture on protecting family, protecting friends, protecting the Village, telling all teachers and students why they become ninja and what ninja have been fighting for up to now.

Besides the Hokage Tower, the Ninja Academy is arguably the place most watched by villagers; Shisui's speech quickly spread throughout Leaf.

As for the effect, Shisui couldn't say; but the army's departure was inevitable, and fortunately Leaf currently isn't short of money, so all supplies were gathered quickly. "Lord Hokage."

At the village training ground, Ri Xiang Dongyan arrived at Shisui's side under the protection of several branch‑family Hyuga ninja.

"I'll temporarily hand the Eastern Front over to you; make sure the situation stays stable before the main army arrives."

"Understood!"

Besides Ri Xiang Dongyan, Shisui also assigned Uchiha Tie Huo and Nara Qianyu as his deputies.

Shisui looked at the few of them, felt something in his heart, then bowed slowly and said, "The future of Konoha is now in everyone's hands!"

The group half‑kneeling all answered in unison, "Yes."

As the army set out, among the crowd—son, father, husband, unknown to whom—people remained silent, their hearts heavy, and once again rushed toward the battlefield.

"Grandfather, when will this war end?"

"Warrior, cease the weapons; only war can end war. Let Konoha grow strong."

Does war ever have an end?

Sima Yi was uncertain and could not give a definitive answer, but he knew that even if Shisui achieved unification, the war would not cease. He would not tell Shisui this—at least not himself—so he could only offer encouragement.

"Let Konoha become strong."

When a person has a goal, they have motivation; a brief moment of disappointment did not drown Shisui, and he quickly rallied himself.

"Grandfather, how is the matter of the group's ninja techniques?"

"The ninja techniques have already been issued, but I am unaware of the village ninja's cultivation status, and they have never been performed collectively; I cannot confirm the specifics."

Although Konoha is a military town, beyond the borders there are hardly any professional soldiers detached from duty.

Realizing this, Sima Yi suggested, "To cope with future wars, Konoha's system needs some changes."

"Please speak, Grandfather."

Shisui instantly focused his spirit and listened attentively.

Sima Yi immediately began with the pre‑Qin military system, then described the Han military structure, clarified the concept of demobilized troops, introduced the merit‑based reward system, and further explained it in light of the Daimyo's subordinate forces.

Shisui had heard fragments of this in other stories but had never listened to Sima Yi's detailed exposition; at this moment, he couldn't help but nod repeatedly.

"However, ninja strength is crucial, so these measures don't fully apply to ninja and need further adjustments,"

After speaking, Sima Yi added a reminder, lest Shisui copy everything outright.

Shisui naturally understood, nodded repeatedly, and said, "I understand, Grandfather. I will consider it carefully."

Just as Konoha dispatched a great army to resist the Mizukage, Yan Shifan, far away in Kyoto, also received the news.

Bang~ "These bastards, you've ruined me!"

Yan Shifan swept the items off the desk in one motion, and his sudden action left Shi Liu Ye staring blankly.

"Elder, it's only the Mizukage, not a big deal; why are you so angry?"

Yan Shifan sighed; it concerned his points, how could he not be angry?

If the situation worsened, Sima Yi would certainly lead troops away from Konoha; with no strategist stationed beside Shisui, Sima Yi would inevitably advise Shisui to summon another, and the points meant to strengthen him this year would be wasted, wouldn't they?

"No, absolutely not; we must accelerate our actions."

Yan Shifan muttered to himself while meeting Shi Liu Ye's bewildered gaze, then turned to Shi Liu Ye and asked, "How are those ninja progressing?"

Yan Shifan's purpose in establishing a gambling arena was not merely profit; he also sought to recruit more ninja for his use.

"They all agreed, but some had the wrong identities; after interrogating them with illusion techniques, I have already dealt with them."

"No problem; I have almost infiltrated the Daimyo's mansion, but the Daimyo's guard ninja are too many, even the Sarutobi clan's young master arrived. What does San Dai intend?"

"Shall we lure them out, and then…" Shi Liu Ye harbored no goodwill toward San Dai, and likewise held little regard for the Sarutobi clan, never hesitating to act harshly.

"Never mind, if he could come it must have been with Shisui's consent; San Dai is now the sole remaining seed, better not provoke him."

The last time we acted was for military authority, and striking Sarutobi Asuma yields no benefit and might anger Shisui—unnecessary.

"What's our next move?"

"Hehe, since time waits for no one, we can only charge forward. Order the people of the East Mountain Path and West Mountain Path to prepare."

Additionally, spread rumors in the city that the Daimyo is unvirtuous, a false Daimyo, while De Chuan Sa of the West Mountain Path is noble and a descendant of the gods, thus the true Daimyo.

Shi Liu Ye scratched his head; though he didn't understand Yan Shifan's plan, he quickly complied.

Meanwhile, the Daimyo also learned of Shisui's border blockade.

He was not angry; in fact, the border trade profits went to the nobles, not him. Shisui's actions would only increase those nobles' resentment toward Konoha, and once ninja across the lands achieve results, they could balance Konoha against him.

As for the war with the Water Country, it was outside his considerations; it is a conflict between two ninja villages, and neither the Water Country's Daimyo nor he would be affected.

"Lord Daimyo, trouble! Lady Yao Xiang slipped and is now unwell, muttering your name; please go see her quickly!"

While pondering, a maid suddenly shouted from outside. The Daimyo, who had been wearing a solemn expression, changed color at the words, hurried to his feet, and said with concern, "Oh dear, what's happening? You can't even protect a single person. If something happens to Yao Xiang, watch your heads!"

The Daimyo said this and rushed away, leaving several complaining nobles to stare at each other.

"This"

"What do we do now? Without the Daimyo, can the Hokage retract the orders?"

"What else can we do? How many ninja do you have? Can you openly defy the Hokage? Let's discuss after the Daimyo's matters are settled."

"Ah, this Lady Yao Xiang really is…"

"Watch your words!"

The few were helpless; Lady Yao Xiang was presented by a minor noble from the capital, her body exuding a unique fragrance, delicate and elegant, and even from ten steps away one could smell it. Upon entering the Daimyo's mansion she was dearly favored, and the minor noble who presented her also gained the Daimyo's patronage, frequently visiting the mansion.

Even the Daimyo's wife could do nothing about her; the others dared not speak further, exchanged a few words and left in haste. (End of Chapter)