C125(2)

Fortunately, it was a time of war, and Kushina's improvement in strength was good news for Konoha. If Sarutobi Hiruzen had heard this in peacetime, he might not even have been able to sleep soundly.

However, defense was still needed. After thinking it over, Sarutobi Hiruzen called Danzo over and forcefully transferred all the seal personnel from Root. He also allowed him to recruit more from the Konoha Shinobi clan and the ninja school to add to Root.

After a while, Sarutobi Hiruzen was handling matters in the Hokage's office. Many Rock Shinobi had already appeared in the Land of Grass. 

Without an increase in manpower, the border defense line between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass was likely to be raided by the Rock Shinobi.

"It is necessary to send troops to deal with this. Let Jiraiya take command. The deputy commander should be from the Nara family to assist Jiraiya, and the Uchiha family also needs to send some ninjas."

Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly devised a reinforcement plan, but a Jōnin meeting was required to inform them. Jōnin meetings might not happen once a month or two in peacetime, but in wartime, they could happen every day.

"There's also Sakumo. Oh, let's go together. I hope you can make a contribution to the battlefield in the Land of Grass."

But before Sarutobi Hiruzen could add Hatake Sakumo's name to the battle list, Anbu came to report. Hatake Sakumo and the propaganda minister, Kain, were together and had come to see him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression changed slightly, and he felt some unease in his heart, but he still allowed them to enter.

After seeing Hatake Sakumo, Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe and said with a kind smile, "Sakumo, and Kain-san, what brings you here?"

"Hokage-Sama, I have something to ask of you."

Hatake Sakumo said, having thought long and hard at home and consulted with Kakashi before finally making this decision.

"Because in the last mission, my personal mistakes caused great losses to Konoha and even the Land of Fire. Even if Hokage-sama forgives my mistakes, I am deeply ashamed. So, I want to apply to become one of the guardian ninjas to make up for the loss to Konoha."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was quite shocked by what Hatake said, and it took him a few seconds to react.

"Sakumo, there is a time limit for the rotation of the guardian ninjas, and there is no substitute right now. If you truly want to make up for Konoha's loss, now—"

Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could finish speaking, Kain interrupted with a smile, saying, "Third Hokage, this is a letter from the Daimyo of the Fire Nation. I think you should read the contents first. Coincidentally, I've been in touch with the Daimyo for a while, and I happened to discuss this matter with him last time."

After he finished speaking, an Anbu stepped forward, took the scroll from Kain's hand, and placed it on Sarutobi Hiruzen's desk.

When Sarutobi Hiruzen opened the scroll and read the contents, his face became tense.

The letter promised the greatest support during the war and doubled the funding, which made Sarutobi Hiruzen excited. Due to insufficient funds, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu had been irritable every day. 

Currently, they were only supporting the logistics materials for the two battlefields, and the money from the Ministry of Finance in Konoha was nearly depleted.

Is it worth it to use Hatake Sakumo as a guardian ninja in exchange for the support of the daimyo's funds?

If Hatake Sakumo stays in Konoha, he would be the sharpest blade piercing the enemy's rear, capable of disrupting the direction of the battlefield.

But if Hatake Sakumo is made a guardian ninja, he would still be a Konoha Shinobi, and Konoha would receive sufficient financial support and supplies. Even if Cloud Shinobi plots against Konoha, Konoha would still be capable of dealing with it.

Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly made his decision. On this point, he didn't even need to discuss it with Danzo, Mitokado Homura, or Utatane Koharu; it was just a little uncomfortable. As Hokage, he was forced by outsiders to exchange his subordinates for financial support from the daimyo.

Although it was Danzo's doing, the fact that Hatake Sakumo wanted to become a Guardian Shinobi was definitely related to Kain, which Sarutobi Hiruzen was sure of.

After pretending to think for a while, Sarutobi Hiruzen forced a smile and said to Hatake Sakumo and Kain: "I see. If it is Sakumo's wish, then I agree to this matter. You will be notified."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama, for your permission."

After Hatake Sakumo finished speaking, he left the Hokage building with Kain. Once outside, he suddenly felt much lighter, as if he had been freed from a burden. He no longer had to face the difficult decisions that plagued him every day.

"Thank you for your help, Kain-san."

While walking, Hatake Sakumo suddenly spoke solemnly to Kain. If it hadn't been for him, Sakumo would have seriously considered committing suicide to prove that his choice wasn't wrong.

"It's just a small matter. The guardian ninja's schedule should be decided in the next few days. If Hatake-san has time, why not give some advice to Kushina? She needs experience fighting against strong opponents. With your strength, you should be able to teach her a lot."

Kain smiled and said to Hatake Sakumo. Last time, Kushina mentioned it to him, and fortunately, Sakumo was about to leave Konoha. This timing worked out perfectly for her training.

"Kushina? Uzumaki Kushina?"

For this girl, who is protected by Anbu, Hatake Sakumo could vaguely guess her identity. Ordinary members of the sealing class wouldn't receive such treatment. 

In Konoha, only the highest-ranking individuals or those with an extremely confidential status, like the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, could enjoy Anbu's secret protection.

Though the higher-ups had kept this news secret, Hatake Sakumo, who had met the First Hokage, had naturally heard of the previous Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

"I understand. While I'm away in the next few days, I will teach Uzumaki Kushina some of my experience in dealing with the enemy."

Hatake Sakumo nodded and agreed. He had been invited to teach a ninja from the Common Sealing Class. Unless Anbu intervened, he wouldn't know anything about Kushina being the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

Seeing that Hatake Sakumo agreed, Kain immediately said, "She should be at the training ground behind the Senju clan now. Let's go there now."

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