The conquest of Kiri, was an event that would be marked forever in the history of the Shinobi nations. Yet it also marked the move of Konoha's rivals.
In Kumo, increased activity along its southern borders, indicating their raising of defenses. In Iwa the decrease of high ranking missions, indicating that they were calling back all of their high level ninja in preparation for an all out war. In Suna, civil unrest was erupting throughout the entire village which could quickly lead to downright pandemonium.
However, one group was not so subtle in their movements. Barely two weeks after the news of Kiri's conquest spread, an army gathers to the west, and without any warning, launches a vicious assault on one of Konoha's western border guard bases, the border garrison is destroyed, letting this army enter freely into Konoha territory.
"I see." Naruto spoke as the scout finished delivering the report to him, it was around midnight. The doctors and nurses soon led him away to recuperate. Naruto turned to another of his chuunin messengers. "Tell Anbu squads five and eight that they are to go and investigate this army, what village are they from and who's leading them, also bring me Morino Ibiki, Mitarishi Anko, Jiraiya of the Sannin, Maito Gai and the sound team. I want them in my office within the hour."
The man bowed and immediately rushed off to complete his assigned duties.
Naruto began mentally counting off the list of possible enemies. 'That area is accessible only to Iwa, and Suna if they cross the Ijuo river...Kusa and Ame are also near that area with Taki being just a bit further west. Kumo would have to cross through Iwa in order to get to that pass so it it highly unlikely that they would attack from that direction, Snow would also have to pass through Iwa. So that only leaves Iwa and Suna that can gather an army the size of that man's report.'
With that thought in mind, Naruto left the hospital and began making his way to the tower.
Sure enough, exactly one hour later Naruto found himself facing the Toad hermit, the two top ninja in the Torture and interrogation department, Konoha's green beast and the five sound ninja.
The eight ninja kept their silence even Tayuya who had sobered up considerably on the way there.
Naruto leaned back in his seat as he pulled back his hood, revealing his blond hair to everyone currently in the room. "I will get right down to business yesterday at 3:00 am one of our border garrisons was destroyed by an unknown army. Judging by the size of this force, and the difficult supply routes they need to secure, I would say they are possibly one week away at most." At this news the air in the room grew heavy with tension as they processed the implications if this news.
"Now…your assignments are simple. Ibiki, Anko. I realize that it has been some time since you have seen active duty, you more than Anko Ibiki. However, we are somewhat shorthanded at the moment. Therefore, you three along with you five…" He said gesturing to the sound five. "Will lead our forces."
Everyone was taken aback by that statement and looked at each other questioningly. Ibiki was the one to break the silence. "But…Naruto-sama…isn't it the Hokage supposed to lead the army? And unless I am mistaken, last time I checked, you were the leader of the village, thus the Hokage." The scarred man stated calmly yet still somewhat incredulously.
Naruto nodded. "That is true and I will be leading the army, however, the eight of you, will each be leading squads, I will lead you."
Ibiki then looked to the sound five. "Lord…no offense meant to the former sound ninja, but…aren't there stronger, more experienced individuals that you could give the post as important as squad commander?"
Tayuya growled rounding on the scarred man. "You got something to say you Scar-faced piece a shit?" She snarled.
Jirobu and Kidomaru leaned in and began whispering to eachother. "What happened to the "I love you guys" thing?"
Kidomaru shrugged. "I don know."
Before Tayuya could keep running her mouth off Kimimaru broke in. "Tayuya silence." He cut in stopping her tirade mid sentence. "He is right, compared to many Shinobi we are considerably weaker than them, even with our curse seals." Tayuya was about to go off again when Naruto held up his hand for silence.
He then calmly passed his eyes over the people infront of him. "While he is right, there are stronger individuals I can give the post to, you five will lead the squad for another reason entirely.
Ibiki suddenly had a look of realization dawn on his face. "Ahh I see…you wish to lower the tension between the Konoha ninja and the newly recruited ninja from Oto."
Naruto nodded. 'Precisely…there is a clear division between the ranks…it is unacceptable…having five ninja from Oto assist in this upcoming battle will help to bridge that gap, and will prove fortuitous in the long run."
Jiraiya spoke up next. "So why am I here?" He questioned as he straightened, crossing his arms for emphasis
Naruto locked gazes with the toad hermit. "My attention will be on this strange army, you must contact your spy network and keep a close eye on all of the major villages, Kumo, Suna and Iwa…if the army we are facing turns out to be from one of those villages then disregard spying on that particular village and instead focus on Kiri…I wish to make sure the situation there is stable. Regardless of who is leading the enemy however, you are to send a message requesting a relief force to Kiri. Tell them they are to send men, immediately I also wish for you to keep up the search for your old teammate.. Understod?"
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