Chapter 335

Northern Theater, border of the Frost Country.

To coordinate with the overall relocation of the Hidden Mist, Hidden Sand, and Hidden Cloud villages, Tsunade had already moved nearly all of the Northern Theater’s core forces here.

Ninja from the three hidden villages, their families, and civilians were all mixed and reorganized into successive migration units, beginning their fastest possible movement toward the Land of Fire under the “protection” of the Hidden Leaf Ninja Army.

Tsunade’s original pace was already swift, but after receiving Uchiha Jin’s notification last night that Jiraiya and the Toad Sanctuary might interfere, she accelerated the relocation even further and with greater urgency starting today.

The three hidden villages are cooperating fully!

Though they do not fully understand why the Hidden Leaf is in such a hurry, since they have already made up their minds, they do not believe any force in the current ninja world could rival the Hidden Leaf…

So.

Though the Kage of the three hidden villages are puzzled, they harbor no hidden agendas; though they still nominally hold the title of Kage, they now regard themselves as Tsunade’s subordinates.

This mindset is understandable.

After all, having decided to join the Hidden Leaf, their former statuses have been erased to zero, and while they may receive many privileges in the future within the Hidden Leaf, they must now offer unconditional cooperation.

Especially since Tsunade’s position is so unique—they must treat her with caution!

Otherwise,

Once they truly join the Hidden Leaf, everyone there will secretly shun them for their poor attitude toward Tsunade.

Therefore, for their own future, they must show sincerity!

Afternoon, five o’clock.

As the sun neared the horizon, Uchiha Jin arrived at the Northern Theater’s frontline with his squad; seeing the migration units marching toward the Land of Fire, Lin Mo’s lips curled into a faint smile.

His grand unification plan had finally begun to show signs of success.

Almost there…

Once he deals with Jiraiya and the Toad Sanctuary, he can fully activate his divine advantage—the Hongmeng Tower!

“Hokage!”

As Uchiha Jin lost himself in thought, numerous Hidden Leaf ninja spotted him and immediately greeted him without hesitation.

Every face was filled with fervor.

This was normal.

After all, the Hidden Leaf’s former peak was only during its founding era, under Hashirama Senju’s First Hokage.

Later…

With Tobirama Senju’s ascension, the Hidden Leaf began its decline.

Then, during Hiruzen Sarutobi’s tenure, the village was plunged completely into ruin.

Minato Namikaze was decent.

But his reign was far too short—barely a fleeting bloom; he died just ten months after taking office during the Nine-Tails Attack.

Only—Uchiha Jin!

Under his leadership, the Hidden Leaf not only restored its former peak strength but is now on the verge of unifying the entire ninja world.

How could they not be moved by such a Hokage?

And yet,

Uchiha Jin’s face also wore a faint smile; after briefly greeting and exchanging pleasantries with the crowd, he was led directly by Tsunade, who had come out to meet him, into the command tent.

“Enough pleasantries. Let’s get to business.”

“Tsunade, Tobirama, Minato—stay. Everyone else, leave.”

Uchiha Jin sat in the main seat and wasted no time, immediately issuing orders.

And yet,

Those present had no objections—after all, Uchiha Jin was the Hokage, and the most intimidating one in history.

Moments later,

Once everyone else had left, Uchiha Jin spoke with solemnity.

“Though we exchanged messages last night, many details could not be clarified.”

“So now—”

“While we still have time, I will explain the full context so Itachi all can mentally prepare.”

Then,

He repeated to the three present the same words he had spoken to Hashirama Senju the previous night.

After speaking, Uchiha Jin’s brow was serious, yet no trace of worry showed on his face.

“That’s roughly it!”

“Therefore, the enemy we face next may appear to be Jiraiya and the Toad Sanctuary, but the true hidden enemy is—the Sage of Six Paths!”

“According to the Slug Sage of the Wetland, this Sage of Six Paths is unlikely to intervene personally, but we must still prepare for the worst.”

“Given the enemy’s strength, I’ll give Itachi all some reassurance.”

“Itachi all know my goal is ninja world unification, but none of Itachi know why I pursue it.”

“Now I can tell Itachi: I am not as great as Hashirama or Tobirama.”

“They truly wished to end war, genuinely possessed great compassion—but I, Uchiha Jin, am not like them.”

“Itachi may simply understand that I possess a unique cultivation method.”

“Only when the ninja world is fully unified will I gain the power to rival the Sage of Six Paths!”

“So the coming battles will largely fall to Itachi—all of Itachi. I will only intervene when the danger becomes extreme.”

“Because what I must guard against is the Sage of Six Paths himself!”

“Also, Tsunade…”

“After hearing this, Itachi must understand the gravity of your responsibility.”

“From now on, at all costs, dismantle and scatter the three hidden villages, integrating their people fully into the Land of Fire.”

“The sooner this task is completed, the greater my chance of victory in the coming battle.”

“By the way, one more thing!”

“Daimyo, Rōshi, and Terumi Mei—all powerful figures from the three hidden villages—Minato, Itachi and Tobirama, use the Flying Thunder God technique to bring them back to the Hidden Leaf battlefield as soon as possible.”

“With these ‘hostages’ scattered across the Land of Fire, I won’t fear them holding back in the coming battle!”

“As for the truth about the Sage of Six Paths and the Otsutsuki, it may only circulate among the former Hidden Leaf Kage-level ninja—no one may casually reveal it.”

“As for why? Itachi don’t need me to explain, do Itachi?”

Uchiha Jin spoke calmly and clearly.

He laid out his complete battle plan, plainly and without concealment, to everyone present.

After hearing it, the faces of those present turned grim and pale.

Clearly,

They had never imagined the enemy they would soon face was the legendary being—the Sage of Six Paths!

Yet,

After truly understanding what the Sage of Six Paths and the Otsutsuki were, though their hearts felt as if crushed under a boulder, not a single one considered retreating.

There was no choice!

The Otsutsuki, including the Sage of Six Paths, never regarded ninja as people—they treated them merely as crops!

Kaguya was no good, but was Hagoromo any better?