Chapter 104: Protect
The next few days were extremely hectic in the Village Hidden in The Leaves.
The civilians became aware of the possibility of war, as many shinobi were being assigned to the battlefields in which they would participate.
A somber and depressing atmosphere became noticeable in the Village as everyone began to collectively realize that many of their loved ones would be fighting, and some would likely lose their lives.
As this was going on, 3 individuals sat on the cliff that overlooks the entirety of Konohagakure.
"So... do you guys think the Village will be ok? I mean I get we're the strongest Village, but will we be able to defeat multiple other Villages simultaneously?" A young man wind long white hair and red marks on his face asked.
"Of course, and it'll be up to us to ensure that we do. Otherwise, we wouldn't deserve to live in this Village that the First and Second Hokages established." A man on the opposite side of him responded, with him having a slightly feminine appearance and long black hair.
He then continued as he turned to the girl with blonde hair in the middle.
"Tsuna, I noticed you didn't have anything to say at the meeting yesterday when they were announcing you to lead the battlefields. Did you not wish to lead?" The man, whom we now know is Orochimaru, asked Tsunade.
"I'm not willing to get involved in the political games that the higher echelons like to play. They simply stroke their own egos by thinking that having more control over every outcome in the Village will help them with what their shallow goals are." Tsunade scoffed while still staring at the beautiful sight of the Village.
"You know, you guys could show a little more concern, seeing that our Village and way of life is in complete danger." Jiraiya said with a tick mark on his head.
"We have to be brave. For if the leaders were to show fear, then the morale of the entire army will fall." A man with silver hair said as he sat down and joined the trio on the cliff.
"Sakumo is right. We will be facing an obscene challenge in the coming days. One that will push us to our boundaries on multiple occasions. If we're not able to persevere, everything we stand for will fall." Orochimaru added.
"I think we'll win. None of the Patriarchs have even been called to battle yet. That already lets us know that even if we fail, we will have great reinforcements coming to help us." A boy with deep, black hair said as he also joined the group.
"Yeah, but just think about the major players that we might have to go up against. On the Sand's battlefield, you would have to fight the Puppet Master Chiyo, the Great Wind Ebizo, and the strongest Kazekage in history. On the Lightning side, we may have to face the Raikage, that Blue B guy, and the Jinchuriki of the 2 Tails, not to mention their powerful Jonin corps. And then we have it the hardest, from facing not only the literal Demigod, but we may also face the forces in Iwa, which includes the Tsuchikage, who can literally ERASE THINGS FROM EXISTANCE!!" Jiraiya said, with him yelling dramatically at the end causing everyone to chuckle.
"So you think we all didn't grow strong enough to fight against that kind of threat?" Tsunade asked as she finally took her eyes off the Village ahead of her to look at Jiraiya.
"Well, I don't know about you guys, but the Great Jiraiya is the strongest in the Village!!" Jiraiya responded with his chest puffed out.
Tsunade simply patted Jiraiya on the back, though her strength knocked him off the cliff, leaving him to fall from the top.
"He'll be fine." Tsunade said as everyone stared at her before they all began to laugh at their antics.
They all once again looked over the Village, with each silently vowing to protect it with their lives.
Meanwhile an injured Jiraiya thought differently as everyone looked at him as if he were a fool as he stayed slumped on the ground while the civilians walked by.
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