bookbashuk Chapter 425 War Preparations of the Star Kingdom
Chapter 425 War Preparations of the Star Kingdom
The towering walls of Konoha were easily torn open, leaving a jagged gap tens of meters long, like fragile building blocks, amidst several earth-shattering explosions.
Gravel, wood chips, and twisted metal shot out in all directions, while smoke and flames rose into the sky, turning it grayish-yellow.
The guard towers on the wall were also reduced to dust like paper by the violent explosion.
Before the smoke of battle had cleared, accompanied by sharp whistles and murderous shouts, dozens of Sound Ninja surged in through the breach in the wall!
They wore uniform dark combat uniforms, their faces were either covered with masks or painted with face paint, and their foreheads were bound with Sound Ninja headbands. Their eyes were cold and their movements were swift, clearly indicating that they were well-trained elites.
Leading the charge were several ninjas with exceptionally fierce auras and piercing eyes. Many of them had once been ninjas of Konoha!
"Spread out! Proceed according to plan! Create chaos! Kill all resistance fighters! Don't disappoint Lord Orochimaru!" A Sound Ninja squad leader with a centipede-shaped scar on his face roared, his voice filled with twisted pleasure and hatred.
He was the first to throw several kunai with explosive tags attached, which accurately hit the base of a watchtower near the breach.
boom!
The watchtower tilted and collapsed in the explosion, smashing the roof of a house below, filling the air with smoke and dust, and causing screams to erupt.
Under the cover and leadership of this vanguard, more Sound Ninja swarmed into the breach like locusts, quickly splitting into several groups and penetrating deeper along different streets.
They were clearly familiar with Konoha's plans and had a clear objective.
Important transportation hubs, supply depots, civilian gathering areas, and areas where garrison troops may be stationed.
Explosions, the roar of ninjutsu, the clanging of metal, and the terrified screams and cries of civilians instantly echoed throughout the once peaceful streets of Konoha.
And providing cover for them was that purple three-headed giant serpent that was like a moving natural disaster!
Its massive body twisted at the gap, its three ferocious snake heads raised high, its cold vertical pupils sweeping over the Konoha villagers below who were fleeing in panic like ants.
With a casual flick of its tail, it can sweep away a row of houses; the purple poisonous mist it spews from its huge mouth withers vegetation and corrodes rocks wherever it passes; and when it occasionally slams its head down, it causes the earth to shake violently.
Ordinary villagers and genin were powerless against such a monster and could only flee in despair.
"Enemy attack! It's the Sound Ninja!"
"Protect civilians! Evacuate! Evacuate towards the shelters!"
"Follow me! Stop that group of Sound Ninja!"
"Where are the medical ninjas?! We need backup!"
After a brief period of chaos, Konoha's well-trained emergency response mechanism was activated.
Patrol squads closer to the breach, ninjas on duty nearby, and Konoha ninjas who rushed from their homes or mission sites upon hearing the news quickly and spontaneously organized themselves. While doing their best to guide and cover the evacuation of civilians, they engaged in fierce encounters with the Sound Ninja forces that had broken in, in various locations such as streets, rooftops, and squares.
Kunai and shuriken clashed in the air, the flames of ninjutsu flashed through the streets, and roars and screams filled the air.
The peaceful neighborhood was instantly transformed into a bloody battlefield.
However, the Sound Ninja's surprise attack was well-prepared, outnumbered, and mostly composed of Konoha rogue ninja and elites, with rich combat experience and ruthless methods.
Konoha was caught off guard and had to be distracted by protecting civilians. As a result, they were suppressed and forced to retreat, with their defensive line being continuously compressed inward.
"Don't panic! Move closer to me! Form a defensive line!"
Just then, a steady, powerful, and authoritative voice rang out from a high rooftop on the edge of the battlefield.
Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, and Yamanaka Inoichi, the three current clan leaders of the Ino-Shika-Cho triad, led more than ten elite ninjas of their clans, appearing like pillars of strength at the forefront.
They clearly assembled and arrived at the scene immediately upon receiving the alarm.
Shikaku stood at the forefront, his hands rapidly forming hand seals. His shadow, like a black tide, quickly spread out from beneath his feet, precisely entangling several Sound Ninja who rushed too far forward, pinning them to the spot, and then they were killed by a concentrated attack from the Konoha ninja.
"Shikaku!" Yamanaka Inoichi rushed to his side, his face so solemn it was almost dripping with anger. He looked around at the increasing number of Sound Ninja and the terrifying three-headed serpent in the distance, his voice filled with rage.
"It's the Hidden Sound Village! Have they gone mad? How dare they openly attack Konoha! And judging by the scale... it's clearly been planned for a long time!"
Akimichi Choza's massive body stood like a mountain on their flanks. He gripped an iron rod in one hand, his chakra surging, and his body began to swell slightly, ready to enter a state of partial multiplication at any moment.
But instead of immediately joining the battle, he glanced worriedly at the area behind the Hokage Rock, towards the finals venue where explosions and chaos were constantly erupting. His voice was low and anxious: "Over there at the venue... the explosions are getting more frequent! The Hokage-sama..."
"Choza!" Shikaku interrupted his companion's worries without turning around. His gaze swept across the battlefield like a hawk's, his brain rapidly calculating the enemy's and his own situation, civilian evacuation routes, and possible counterattack strategies.
"Now is not the time to worry about the venue! The Third Hokage is a 'Ninja Hero'! He not only has elite Anbu members by his side, but also veteran Jonin like Kakashi, Asuma, and Guy at the venue, who can support the Third Hokage at any time."
"Our top priority now is to drive these Sound Ninja scum who have invaded the village out! Seal the breach! Stop them from further causing destruction, creating greater panic and casualties! Otherwise, the losses to Konoha will be incalculable!"
His analysis was calm and insightful, instantly pinpointing the most critical crisis at hand.
The competition venue is the core of this incident, but it houses many of Konoha's top combatants. The invaders in front of us are the real threat.
Under Shikaku's command, the Konoha ninjas who had been somewhat scattered and fighting independently seemed to have found their leader and began to consciously move closer to and gather around the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
Wounded comrades were dragged to the rear and given simple first aid, while those still able to fight quickly formed new combat teams.
With the strong support of Shikaku, Choza, and Inoichi, the defensive line gradually became more solid and began to effectively block and push back the Sound Ninja's advance.
"Lord Shikaku is right!"
"Let's join the adults of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio and drive these bastards out!"
"For Konoha!"
The morale of the Konoha ninja was boosted.
More and more ninjas came from all over the village to join them, including many Jonin and core members of various clans.
The Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist masters traversed rooftops, using their Byakugan to discern enemy movements and strike pressure points to subdue them; the Inuzuka clan's ninjas, working in tandem with their ninja dogs, pursued their prey through the streets and alleys; the Aburame clan's insect users unleashed swarms of dark insects, interfering with and devouring the Sound Ninja's chakra...
Konoha's profound heritage and talent pool, as one of the five oldest ninja villages, began to shine during the crisis.
The battle escalated rapidly, becoming increasingly bloody and intense.
However, after Shikaku and the others appeared, Konoha gradually stabilized its situation and even began to organize an effective counterattack, gradually pushing back the Sound Ninja's offensive.
However, everyone knows that the real test may not be with these Sound Ninja grunts in front of them.
At the same time, the "Konoha Crush Plan" began.
Thousands of miles away, in the Star Kingdom to the northwest of the Land of Fire.
Star City, a magnificent metropolis that rose from the ground in just ten years, blending classical architectural aesthetics with modern technology, shines brightly in the morning sunlight.
The towering buildings, wide and clean streets, orderly traffic and pedestrian flow, and the vibrant energy permeating the air all formed a stark and glaring contrast with Konoha, which was now engulfed in war and chaos.
Located on the top floor of the Star Kingdom's main administrative building, the tallest building in the city's central administrative district, in a huge office with an excellent view.
A figure stood quietly in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
He stood tall and straight, dressed in a blue casual outfit with a white imperial robe over it, the hem of which fluttered even without wind.
Her short, golden hair shimmered softly in the sunlight streaming through the glass.
However, his young, handsome face, which always wore a warm smile, was now shrouded in a gloom that was hard to dispel.
Those gray eyes were gazing towards the southeast.
That's the Land of Fire, in the direction of Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village).
"Judging by the time... it's about time to begin," Minato muttered to himself.
Just as he finished speaking, a pair of slender arms gently wrapped around his waist from behind.
A familiar, gentle scent approached, and Kushina gently pressed her cheek against his broad back.
At this moment, Kushina's face no longer held its usual liveliness; only worry for Minato remained.
She was the one who understood Minato the most, understanding his deep-seated sense of responsibility and love for Konoha, as well as the inner conflict and torment he was experiencing at that moment.
"Minato..." Kushina's voice was muffled, filled with heartache.
She knew how much her husband was suffering at that moment.
As the former Fourth Hokage of Konoha, the Yellow Flash, a hero and guardian of Konoha, he now stands on the side of an "enemy country," watching helplessly as the village he once risked his life to protect is plunged into war and collapse, aided by his son's planning and the forces he now serves.
Furthermore, the Land of Stars intends to seize this opportunity to take away the Uchiha clan's secret techniques from within Konoha, further weakening the village.
For Shuimen, this was tantamount to being slowly tortured to death.
Minato sensed his wife's worry and comfort.
He didn't turn around, but simply raised his hand and gently covered Kushina's hands that were wrapped around his waist, patting the back of her hand gently with his calloused fingers.
This subtle gesture was both to comfort her and to calm the turmoil churning within himself.
"I'm fine, Kushina." Minato's voice returned to its usual gentleness, but beneath that gentleness, one could still hear a trace of sadness that was difficult to completely conceal.
"It's just... I feel a little sad for the Third Generation Lord."
He paused, his gaze still fixed on the southeast, as if he could see that old but still upright figure engaged in a life-or-death battle with his former prized student.
"The tide of the new era has finally arrived with unstoppable force."
"The collapse of Konoha may be a necessary growing pain to break the old deadlock and promote change."
"The Third Hokage... although he made many choices that I consider foolish, compromising, and even wrong over the years, he was ultimately the Hokage of Konoha, dedicating his life to this village. To end his life in this way..."
Minato didn't say anything more, but let out a long and heavy sigh.
In that sigh, there was regret, pity, and perhaps a touch of desolation.
Kushina raised her head from behind and pressed her face against Minato's back.
"Hmph." She snorted lightly, her tone tinged with resentment: "If he had used the Reaper Death Seal to seal the Nine-Tails on the night of its rampage, perhaps... none of this trouble would have happened! Naruto and Menma wouldn't have..."
"Kushina." Minato raised his voice slightly, interrupting his wife's somewhat agitated words.
He turned around, gently cupped Kushina's face in his hands, and looked into her somewhat excited gray eyes with a tender yet firm gaze.
"It's pointless to speculate or dwell on the past."
"The three generations of officials had their own considerations and their own difficulties at the time."
Minato's tone was calm. Thirteen years ago, on that bloody night, that tragedy that changed everything, Hiruzen Sarutobi's belated reinforcements left Minato with no other choice.
But as time went by, as he learned more of the truth after his "resurrection," and as Menma revealed to him the vast picture of the future of the ninja world and the threat of the Otsutsuki, the sting of this thorn seemed to be covered and dissolved by a heavier sense of mission.
"As Menma said, the old era is about to end, and a new era must be born."
"The Fourth Shinobi World War will be a painful transition and baptism between the old and new orders. The 'Konoha Crush Plan' is the fuse for this war."
Minato turned his gaze back to the window, looking at the bustling streets of Star City and then at the vast territory of Star Country in the distance.
"But... Konoha is, after all, my hometown that nurtured me, the place where Naruto, Menma, and I were born and grew up. Seeing it engulfed in war, my heart... cannot remain unmoved."
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the heavy office door, which then slid open silently.
Two figures walked in, one after the other, with steady steps.
Walking in front was Uchiha Hikari, who wore a dark blue high-necked clan robe with the Uchiha clan's flame fan crest embroidered on the back. Her long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and she wore a simple gold headband on her forehead.
Following closely behind was a gentle and slightly older woman named Whirlpool Vanilla.
She was dressed in a red casual outfit that allowed her to move around easily, and her long red hair was styled into an elegant bun at the back of her head. She wore a gentle yet capable smile on her face.
The two stopped a few steps in front of Minato and Kushina, and bowed slightly in a respectful manner.
"Lord Minato, Lady Kushina," the two said in unison.
Minato released his hands from Kushina's face, turned to face them, and revealed a gentle smile that was as warm as a spring breeze. However, deep within that smile, there was still a trace of weariness and heaviness.
Kushina also composed herself, stood beside Minato, and nodded to Hikari and Vanilla.
"Hikari, Vanilla, you've arrived." Minato's voice regained its composure as a leader.
"How is the situation?"
Uchiha Hikaru stepped forward and reported first: "Lord Minato, the Supreme Command entered Level 1 combat readiness twelve hours ago as planned. All personnel on leave have been recalled, all standing units have entered their designated combat readiness areas, and the supply and distribution channels are open."
She paused slightly, as if reviewing data from her memory, before continuing, "As of now, the total active-duty strength of the Star Country's ninja army is 34,500."
"Among them, the first, second and fifth main forces have completed pre-war mobilization and material distribution, and have been deployed to the western border of the land of rivers, the northern border of the land of earth, and strategic locations along the eastern coast, respectively."
"The Third and Fourth Armies serve as reserves, stationed in key domestic areas."
"The Star Kingdom's police force has 12,000 active-duty armed police officers who have taken full control of security and defense work in major cities, transportation hubs, strategic facilities and border checkpoints across the country, and have entered a state of wartime coordination, ready to support the front lines or respond to internal emergencies at any time."
"In addition, the third echelon, the national reserve force, established based on the Star Nation Defense Mobilization Law and the conscription system, currently has a registered and mobilizable size of 33,500 people."
"They have completed basic military training, are equipped with the necessary individual equipment, and can complete assembly within 72 hours of receiving orders, and be deployed to front-line troops or perform second-line defense and logistical tasks."
After Guang finished his report, he nodded slightly and took half a step back.
Her report was concise, accurate, and data-rich, demonstrating her thorough understanding of the military situation.
Minato listened quietly, quickly assessing the situation in his mind.
The armed forces structure of the Star Kingdom is a "trinity" system meticulously designed and built by Menma.
The first echelon of regular ninja forces is the absolute core and sharpest weapon. It consists of professional ninjas who have undergone rigorous selection and systematic training, as well as some elites absorbed and reorganized from the original Sunagakure. They are the best equipped and the most rigorously trained, and are responsible for the main frontal battlefield, assault, mobile warfare and strategic missions.
The second tier of police forces serves as a shield for maintaining domestic stability, handling daily security, border control, and responding to low-intensity conflicts.
Its core members are also ninjas. Although most members are required to have ninja qualifications, they focus more on law enforcement, patrol, reconnaissance and rapid response. Their equipment mainly consists of standardized scientific ninja tools and light equipment.
In wartime, they can be quickly transformed into an important auxiliary military force to replenish the losses of the regular ninja army on the front lines.
The third echelon of national reserves is the true embodiment of the Star Kingdom's war potential and a product of Menma's ideology of "everyone is a soldier, and soldiers are integrated into the people."
Through a mandatory conscription system and periodic military training, all eligible young adults in the country with the talent for chakra refinement are incorporated into the national defense system.
In peacetime, they are farmers, workers, merchants, and students. Once war requires them, after a short period of intensive training and arming, they can quickly form a sizable reserve force with a certain combat capability.
Although their individual soldier quality and equipment cannot compare with those of regular troops, their large numbers, familiarity with the local terrain, and determination to defend their homeland make them a reliable force for attrition, defense, and logistical tasks.
In just a few years, from establishing a comprehensive education, scientific research, and industrial system, to reaping the development dividends after annexing the Land of Wind and Sunagakure, and then to implementing conscription, the Land of Stars has quietly incorporated about 80,000 qualified soldiers initially selected from its 50 million population into its war machine.
This doesn't even include the broader population who have also received basic militia training.
The war potential of the Star Country is enough to take on the entire ninja world single-handedly!
"Eighty thousand troops can be mobilized..." Minato repeated in a low voice, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"Based on Menma's previous calculations and the intelligence department's assessment, the maximum number of ninjas that the other four major ninja nations and other small ninja villages in the current ninja world can mobilize when facing a life-or-death threat is probably between 80,000 and 100,000."
"Moreover, they are plagued by internal conflicts, chaotic command, and supply difficulties. In terms of quality, our army possesses more advanced scientific ninjutsu, a more unified command system, more efficient supply capabilities, and..."
He glanced at Uchiha Hikaru beside him, and left without saying anything, but the meaning was self-evident.
The Land of Stars also possesses Kage-level combat power beyond the norm, such as Uchiha Hikaru and Uchiha Shisui, as well as a group of up-and-coming ninjas, including Otsutsuki Toneri, Kaguya Kimimaro, Haku, and Ida Suke.
Uchiha Hikaru stepped forward and added, "Lord Minato, 80,000 is the current total number of registered and trained soldiers. If the scale of the war expands further and we face immense pressure, requiring maximum mobilization, theoretically, we could expand the conscription to all citizens aged 15-40 with basic chakra within three months, rapidly increasing our total strength to 100,000, or even 150,000. But..."
She paused.
"Large-scale military expansion will not only affect the domestic people's livelihood and reduce industrial capacity, but will also lead to a sharp decline in the quality of new recruits, a serious lack of training time, a huge gap in equipment supply, and a significant reduction in combat effectiveness."
"This option is not recommended unless absolutely necessary."
"What Lord Guang has considered is absolutely right." At this moment, Vanilla Whirlpool also stepped forward and took over the conversation.
"Our Ministry of State Affairs has also made full preparations in accordance with the National Emergency Law and the Wartime Control Regulations. Once Lord Menma officially announces the start of the Fourth Shinobi World War, the national machinery of the Land of Stars will complete the full switch from peacetime to wartime within 12 hours."
Her voice was full of confidence and eagerness: "All industrial production will prioritize military supplies; strategic materials will be rationed; the transportation network will be under the unified command of the military; financial markets and prices will be temporarily controlled; propaganda will be entirely geared towards serving the war effort..."
"In short, every bit of human, material, and financial resource in the Land of Stars will operate efficiently for the ultimate goal of 'unifying the ninja world and ending the chaos'."
"We have the confidence and the capability to sustain a large-scale, protracted war."
"The Star Kingdom's ten years of accumulation were not for merely seeking refuge in a corner of the world, but for this very moment!"
Looking at the two outstanding female ninjas before him, who could be considered his right-hand women, Minato felt a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.
With their assistance, he was able to handle the vast affairs of the Star Kingdom relatively easily.
Although Menma often acts like a hands-off boss, he has a keen eye for people and talent. I don't know where he found these excellent ninjas under his command.
"Very good." Minato nodded, a smile of approval and relief on his face. "With you all here, I feel very reassured."
"The Kingdom of the Mahjong Stars has entrusted me with this task, and I must not let them down, nor can I let down the people who follow us and believe that we can end this thousand-year war."
He turned around again, facing the huge floor-to-ceiling window.
Outside the window, a bustling and thriving Star City was bathed in warm sunlight, completely different from any other country that Minato had ever seen in the first twenty years of his life!
This is a brand new era!
"Now—" Minato's voice was soft, his gaze heavy and expectant as he looked southeast.
"We're just waiting for news from Konoha."