Chapter 50 - We are cursed!

– Today the land of Fire declares war on the land of Earth, Rain and Wind. The Daimyo gave the green light to this," Hiruzen said in an extremely serious tone.

There was silence in the room again.

Most of those present frowned, pondering the recent words of the village head.

In the end, no one expected that the peace-loving Sarutobi Hiruzen would declare war on three countries.

The only ones who did not react to these words were the advisers and Danzo.

But the silence didn't last long.

Tetsuya, raising an eyebrow in surprise, asked – Sensei, is there a reason for war? –

- Yes. – Hokage nodded – Stone, Rain and Wind demanded fertile territories from us. –

– Even so…–

- Yes. –

– We cannot afford to give away our fertile lands. – Danzo spoke, looking around at everyone in the room – Yes, it's true that we "bathe" in food while other countries try not to starve. All this is true, but we cannot and will not give them our lands. Just because it will strengthen them. Becoming stronger, they will demand even more and so on until there is nothing left of the land of Fire. –

– Did you offer them to buy food from us? Orochi asked.

– Yes, we offered them to buy food from us, at almost the same price as Uzushio, our ally, buys from us, but… –

– But they refused. – finished for Hiruzen, Danzo.

Jiraya, making a slightly pitiful face, asked – Teacher, is there really no other way out? –

– I'm sorry, Jiraya, but there is no other way out, I've already delayed this decision until the last. Stone, Rain and Sand are already trying to drag the country of Water and Lightning into this war. Sarutobi said wearily, smiling sadly.

– I see... – Jiraya breathed out disappointingly.

– Cheer up. Jiraya. – said Tsuna – Konoha did everything she could for the sake of peace. We cannot maintain peace by sacrificing our own well-being. The Land of Fire and its inhabitants believe in us, and we cannot let them down. –

– I understand, it's just... eh. Jiraya shook his head.

There was silence for a few seconds, and then it was broken by the Hokage.

– OK, let's move on to what you're all here for ... – said Hiruzen getting up from his seat. – We are opening two fronts in two neighboring countries. One in the land of Rain, the other in the land of rivers. The first will restrain the onslaught of Willow and the Rain itself, the second will hold the Suna. Hiruzen spoke slowly, in an extremely serious manner.

Many people saw such a serious Hokage for the first time.

Pacing along the table, Sarutobi continued – As it is already clear, we are not going to attack them, no, we are only going to defend ourselves. I want the whole world to see us not as invaders, but as people defending their native country. –

Stopping, Hiruzen turned his whole body to the people in the room – Orochimaru is appointed commander of the First Front, in the land of Rain. Tsunade and Jiraya will be his deputies. The second front, in the land of Rivers, will be headed by Sakumo, and his deputies are appointed Fugaku and Hiashi. –

Everyone in the room looked at Sakumo and Orochi at once.

And if they looked at Orochimaru more or less calmly, then at Sakumo, no.

And all because so many heads of large clans gathered here, and Hiruzen gave such an important position, you can say without a clan Shinobi. Yes. Sakumo was strong, no one disputes that, but many still believed that Sakumo was supposed to be a deputy, but not a commander.

And yes, Orochimaru is also "thin-born", but Orochi, in addition to his genius and strength, had the Hokage teachers and friends of the local "Shinobi God".

So only Sakumo got the sharp looks, although the man didn't care, because he was not used to this.

Now there are no legends about him as a White Fang of Konoha, but after the war, during which he will show his abilities in all its glory, people who cast sharp glances at him will bite their elbows.

Hiruzen, continuing to speak, interrupted the season of sharp looks.

"Mito, I want you to go on a diplomatic mission to Uzushio. If other countries get involved in this war, we will need an ally. –

– Hmm. In my opinion, it's better to send Tetsuya there, because he's almost a god for them," the woman shrugged.

What she said was true, Uzushio was very grateful to the hero for that feat and constantly invited him to stay.

- Yes. – Hiruzen nodded – The best solution would be to send Tetsuya there, but I need him here in Konoha. That's why you're going there. –

Squinting a little displeased, Mito folded her arms on her chest – Well, it's time to visit relatives, after so many years. –

– That's it. What I wanted to say, I said. Commanders, come to my secretary, he will give you the papers you need with the distribution of troops and the first orders. Everyone, everyone is free... and I will ask you, Tetsuya, to stay. Hiruzen added, seeing how the hero pricked up his skis towards the exit.

After a few seconds, the office was empty.

More precisely, only Tetsuya, Hiruzen, and ANBU remained in it under the ceiling.

– Why didn't you send me to the front? Tetsuya asked with narrowed eyes.

– You will stay to protect Konoha, because there will be a minimum of guards in it. –

– It's stupid. Uzumaki shook his head.

– No, not stupid. – said Hokage and reached into the locker that was nearby.

Taking out a scroll from there, he put it in the middle of the table and said, "I want you to learn how to use this technique. –

Intrigued, Tetsuya took the scroll and opened it, after which he calmly said with a slight smirk – Hiraishin…–

– Yes, with this technique, I expect that you will be able to protect Konoha and at the same time help Orochimaru and Sakumo… How do you like this arrangement? Hiruzen finished with a smile.

– Great, I can do it… Is that all? Tetsuya said.

It was obvious from his face that he was impatient to start studying the technique.

– Yes, I'm free. – Hokage finished with a kind smile, reaching for his favorite pipe.

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The next day.

Class 1-A

All the students, holding their breath, looked at the ticking clock.

Today they have an exam for genin, or rather there are five minutes left before it, and they still don't know who will even be their examiner.

– A ~ a, I think I'm going to go crazy from the tension ... – one girl moaned, clutching her head.

– Indeed. A bespectacled friend chimed in.

– Come on. – Kushina said with a smile – We were prepared by a man whose name is on the lips of all Shinobi. We will definitely manage. –

– It's easy for you to say, Kushina. You always took first place and certainly never scrubbed the academy or the aviaries with the others... and I've almost lived in these aviaries for the last two years. – a classmate shook her head – I can already determine the sex, age and breed of the dog by the smell of feces. – she grabbed her head at the end.

– Well ~ u. Kushina drawled awkwardly with a wry smile.

"She's right, Kushina. – said a classmate with glasses – You are the best in the class, you have nothing to worry about, because even if something happens, Sensei will stand up for you, but not for us. After all, you're his kin. –

– Ahem, you are completely unglued. Just remember what we've been through. Remember and understand that even the weakest of our class can easily pile on the best students from another class. Kushina made full use of her eloquence.

"She's right. – added Minato, sitting next to him, – We will manage. he smiled encouragingly.

This speech and Minato's dazzling smile, all this combined really had a great effect.

Both girls, and even the neighbors at other desks, cheered up.

– Really! We have trained so much that other students are no match for us, the main thing is that our exam should be taken by anyone except ... – the girl did not have time to finish, as Tetsuya suddenly appeared.

With the widest grin, the hero stood near the teacher's desk and said loudly – Were you bored? I have arranged with Hokage to take your exam personally, so..." he said, and then slowly bowed with a grin, "I, Tetsuya Uzumaki, will be your examiner. –

"Anyone but our teacher. – the little girl finished, with despair in her voice, penetrating to the depths of her soul.

But she wasn't the only one in this state.

Boy, girl, whatever.

Everyone listened to Tetsuya's speech with fear and despair.

Even the chairs under the students creaked more plaintively than usual.

– And yes, I'm sorry for being late, I just chose the site for our exam, but none of them came up. – the hero shrugged his shoulders comically – Even the "Forest of Death" seemed to me like some kind of playground, and therefore, I personally, with my own hands, created for you, my dear students, a platform for this exam. In general, I am waiting for you near the forest of death, do not linger. –

After his speech, Tetsuya instantly disappeared.

A deathly silence walked through the classroom, intensifying the desperate atmosphere.

Now many were afraid not to fail the exam, but to get out of it feet first.

Finally, a classmate with glasses could not stand it and exclaimed – We're all going to die! –

– Why do we need this! –

– Kami! Forgive me! –

– We are cursed! –