Naruto: The Teaching System - 174 (Patreon)

Chapter 174: Morality? Fists Are Morality!

As the exercise forces moved toward the border, the ninja world became noisy again after ten years of peace.

At Konoha's command center, Hiruzen had been waiting for a long time, with Yamanaka Clan ninjas and intelligence personnel all busy at work.

After observing the busy ninjas for a while, Hiruzen turned to Shikaku beside him.

"Shikaku, what's the current situation?"

Hearing this question, Shikaku put down the intelligence he had just received and stood up.

He came before Hiruzen, bowed slightly, then turned and pointed to a location on the sandbox placed in front of Hiruzen.

"Third-sama, the main exercise force has almost reached the designated location."

As Shikaku spoke, he drew a line at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Frost.

This line was located at Moon Ring Canyon, in the eastern part of the Land of Fire, a canyon area bordering the Land of Frost.

This place was less than 200 kilometers in a straight line from Kumogakure, making it the strategic location closest to the Land of Lightning from the Land of Fire.

Hiruzen nodded. The reason for choosing this location was that the canyon terrain was easy to defend but hard to attack, allowing Konoha's exercise forces to occupy the high ground.

Moreover, it could exert pressure from above on the neutral buffer nation, the Land of Frost.

This could prevent Kumogakure from entering the Land of Frost, and even if Kumogakure did enter, they would immediately detect it.

Most importantly, it didn't directly touch the Land of Lightning's territory, avoiding giving others excuses.

Seeing that Hiruzen understood, Shikaku raised his hand again, pointing to another location, and said, "As for the flanking support forces, word just came that Asuma has already led the Inuzuka squad and Hyuga Clan squad to their respective positions."

"Once the main performance force begins action, they will immediately launch counter-infiltration operations."

Hiruzen held his pipe in his mouth, looking through the narrow passage at the border between the northern Land of Fire and the Land of Rice Fields that Shikaku pointed to, toward another place in the Land of Rice Fields.

Orochimaru...

I hope you understand why I sent Asuma to lead teams to this place.

This isn't just a warning to Kumogakure's eastern outposts and stationed forces, but also a warning to you.

Hiruzen slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and paid no more attention. He had already given instructions to Asuma.

And Shisui had already led his ANBU squad to guard in the shadows.

"What about the reserve forces?"

Shikaku nodded and said, "Choza has already set up camp on the plains north of Platycodon Castle."

"Once the assembly signal comes from Moon Ring Canyon, he can immediately provide support."

Speaking of this, Shikaku couldn't help but tap a plain on the sandbox and say, "I think Kumogakure's reconnaissance teams should have already noticed the supply force tents scattered across Tanzaku Plains."

Hearing this, Hiruzen also laughed.

"Shikaku, you're becoming more and more seasoned."

Shikaku shook his head and said, "This is all thanks to Third-sama's guidance."

Hiruzen waved his hand, turned and sat in his position, then said slowly, "Have the main force arrive as soon as possible, and notify Fugaku that if any situation arises at the borders of various countries, he should inform the village immediately."

"Yes, Third-sama!" Shikaku straightened and nodded in response.

At Moon Ring Canyon, Sawada, wearing a haori outer garment, stood at the highest point of the canyon, gazing down at the plain below.

Whoosh!

Kakashi and Might Guy instantly appeared at Sawada's position.

"Two senpai, is there any news from the village?"

Sawada curiously turned and asked. This time Kakashi was the captain, and he and Might Guy only needed to obey Kakashi.

"Ah, word just came that the other two locations are in position. We're the only ones left."

Kakashi said lazily.

This kind of exercise was indeed somewhat childish for someone who had participated in battles.

Sawada nodded. Their position was at the front, so being slower was normal.

However, now they were ready and just waiting for Sensei's notification.

Might Guy stood on a nearby sharp rock and asked, "Kakashi, when do we start?"

His tone carried eager excitement, making Sawada beside him turn his head.

"No need to rush. Intimidation cannot be without an audience."

As Kakashi spoke, he glanced at the people coming up from below, then instantly moved away. The reconnaissance team had returned.

BOOM!

From the majestic peaks shrouded in mist came deafening thunder, but it was overshadowed by a loud crash.

At the top of Kumogakure's Raikage building, with its circular exterior and glass curtain wall design, Fourth Raikage A directly smashed his desk with one punch. His massive body erupted with enormous Lightning Release chakra, instantly losing control and shattering all the office windows.

His roar echoed throughout the entire Kumogakure office building, causing all the busy personnel inside to stop what they were doing.

"I'll have to buy another new desk."

A woman with fair skin, obviously different from others' dark complexions, brushed her short hair back and muttered helplessly.

Then, while rubbing her shoulder, she walked toward the Raikage's office.

"Ah, my shoulder is so sore."

"That damn old monkey from Konoha!"

"Notify Darui; have him immediately take the training forces to the border of the Land of Frost! I want to blast their training forces back with thunderstorms!"

In the office, Fourth Raikage A roared at his secretary Mabui beside him.

Outside the office, Samui, who was rubbing her shoulder while approaching, saw the office door broken by the desk collision and couldn't help but gasp.

Samui shrugged, stepped over the shattered remains of the desk, and entered the office.

"Raikage-sama, Konoha's exercises are all within the Land of Fire's territory. If we cross the border to retaliate... morally speaking, we would be seen as aggressors."

"Tch..."

Fourth Raikage A pointed at the shattered map on the ground, sneered, and clenched his fist. "Morality? Fists are morality!"

"That old monkey from Konoha! Has already pressed the knife tip to my vital points!"

Samui walked in, shrugged, and took out an intelligence document.

"Raikage-sama, intelligence shows that on the plains of Platycodon Castle, Konoha has stationed no fewer forces than our current exercise troops."

"Moreover, supplies are being continuously transported. Intelligence personnel estimate these supplies are sufficient to sustain war for half a year."

"There are also troops stationed at Duanyun Pass, reportedly led by Konoha's Third Hokage's son, the former Guardian Ninja and one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja of the Land of Fire, Asuma Sarutobi."

"Based on the above intelligence, my judgment is... If conflict really breaks out, our eastern outposts and stationed forces will be dragged by Asuma Sarutobi to die on mountain roads."

After saying this string of words, Samui handed the documents to Mabui, then reached up to rub her shoulder again.

So painful...