Chapter 288: Letting the Wolf In

"After the previous attacks on the Tailed Beasts, the other villages had already begun softening their positions."

"They all responded that they were willing to come to Konoha and discuss a joint defense in detail. Kumogakure was the only village that suppressed the news and refused to provide a clear answer."

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes and waited for Minato to continue.

Minato tapped the confidential letter he had pushed forward.

"The situation has now changed completely. The Eight-Tails was forcibly taken by the mysterious enemy directly before the Fourth Raikage."

"The Raikage can no longer remain still. By the time this letter was sent, he had already left with Kumogakure's delegation and was traveling toward Konoha."

Hiruzen understood and swept his gaze around the table.

"Then the joint defense among the Five Great Ninja Villages has finally been settled."

"Those arrogant fellows who normally look down on everyone will all be crowding toward Konoha now."

Minato nodded.

Given the current developments, they needed to bind the military strength of every village onto the same war chariot.

Koharu, who had remained silent until now, spoke in an exceptionally serious tone.

"There is no issue with the general direction of joining forces against an external enemy."

"But the practical problem before us is extremely difficult. The elite combat forces of four Great Nations will number thousands, perhaps tens of thousands."

"Where will we house them if they all flood into Konoha? We certainly can't place them inside the heart of the village."

Homura immediately continued.

"Koharu's concern strikes the core of the problem. Allowing another village's military forces into one's own headquarters is a fundamental strategic taboo."

"Only a few years ago, these people were fighting us to the death at the borders. Whose hands aren't stained with the other's blood?"

"If someone takes advantage of the chaos to start trouble or secretly investigates our barriers and defensive routes, we'll be opening the door and inviting a wolf inside."

"Foreign shinobi absolutely cannot stay inside the village."

Hiruzen fully agreed with his old companions' concerns.

"You're both right. They must be stationed outside the barrier."

"But we can't sacrifice either security or response speed."

"If battle begins and reinforcements arrive too slowly, the front line will collapse."

No one answered.

The senior officials silently calculated the problem.

A large encampment for thousands of people needed to defend against external attacks while remaining close enough to provide rapid support.

It would be extremely difficult to build.

Kaede leaned against his chair.

He tilted his head slightly and listened to the old folks debate back and forth.

He suddenly remembered Yamato using Wood Release to landscape areas and construct buildings in the original story.

Even Yamato's incomplete Wood Release could effortlessly create rows of connected villas.

With Kaede's current enormous chakra reserves, producing several encampments capable of housing thousands would only require him to expend a little more chakra.

In the past, he had hidden because he feared that revealing Wood Release would draw Danzo and Black Zetsu's schemes.

Things were different now.

He sat at the table of Konoha's highest council.

Danzo had long since been dealt with, and Black Zetsu had already revealed its hand and begun open conflict.

A great war was on the verge of erupting across the Shinobi World.

It was time to reveal the card of Wood Release.

"This is easy to solve," Kaede said.

Every voice instantly stopped. Several gazes turned toward him together.

Minato looked over.

"Explain your idea."

Kaede traced an imaginary circle across the defensive map on the table.

"I considered this possibility when I first proposed a joint defense network."

His finger touched four positions around Konoha's outer perimeter.

"We can divide the other villages' forces among four locations outside Konoha's barrier."

"Their encampments won't interfere with each other, preventing unnecessary friction."

"At the same time, they'll form Konoha's first outer defensive line."

Homura stared at the four circles and repeatedly shook his head.

"The locations are sound, and the tactical arrangement is reasonable."

"But where will the buildings come from? Four enormous encampments need to support thousands of people's daily lives."

"Even if we gathered every Earth Style user in Konoha right now to level the ground and construct buildings, it would still require at least half a month."

"The Raikage and the others are already on their way. Where would we find the time?"

Kaede met Homura's openly doubtful expression.

"I can do it."

Homura and Koharu exchanged looks.

Koharu's face immediately darkened.

The survival of the entire village was at stake. How could he make such an outrageous promise?

Several encampments for thousands of people, completed by one person in a few days?

She opened her mouth to rebuke him.

Minato raised a hand and stopped her before a single word emerged.

He looked at Kaede.

Over the years, whether rescuing people or resolving crises, anything Kaede promised to accomplish had never gone wrong.

"All right."

Minato made the decision without hesitation.

"I'll place you in full charge of the matter."

"Come to my office after the meeting. We'll finalize the specific details."

Once Minato declared his position, the tension in Hiruzen's expression relaxed.

"Since the encampments are settled, send replies to every village immediately. Urge them to come to Konoha and hold the meeting as soon as possible."

"Now that they've lost their Tailed Beasts, those people are undoubtedly more anxious than we are."

Minato nodded and looked toward Mei.

"Representative Terumi, please send a message to Genji-dono. Ask Kirigakure to dispatch as many elite forces as possible to assist with the defense."

Mei responded immediately.

"I'll arrange for a messenger as soon as this meeting ends."

Minato rose and placed both hands on the table.

"Then we'll end today's discussion here."

He signaled that everyone could leave.

Chairs scraped one after another as the senior officials headed for the door.

Mei remained seated.

She looked toward Kaede opposite her, intending to use the departing crowd as cover to approach and speak with him.

She had already prepared an excuse.

She stood and took half a step forward.

Minato had already circled around from the head of the table.

"Kaede, come with me."

He called out and headed directly through the door.

Kaede turned and followed.

Mei stopped.

The foot she had extended returned stiffly to the floor.

She watched Kaede's retreating back and considered waiting in the corridor until his discussion ended, then intercepting him outside.

Reason suppressed the impulse.

The Shinobi World was in complete chaos.

As Kirigakure's plenipotentiary representative, she didn't have endless time to spend worrying over personal gains and losses.

Mei bit her lower lip and quickly left the conference room.

...

Inside the Hokage's Office, Minato closed the door and lowered the blinds.

He turned toward Kaede.

"Kaede, there are no outsiders here now."

His demeanor changed, and the authority he had carried as Hokage inside the conference room disappeared.

"Tell me honestly."

"What method are you planning to use to produce encampments for thousands of people within a few days?"

Kaede answered directly.

"I can use Wood Release. I'll create the encampments myself."

The room fell completely silent.

Minato stared at him without immediately responding.

Kaede raised his right hand.

A potted plant stood in the corner of the office. Its already green branches suddenly grew taller, and several new leaves emerged.

They radiated vigorous life.

Minato remained still, his breathing becoming heavier.

He quickly walked to the wall and touched the plant.

The fine veins across the leaves were clearly visible.

This was genuine Wood Release.

The First Hokage's power had truly appeared in this young man.

Minato turned and looked at Kaede.

He didn't ask how Kaede had obtained Wood Release.

He didn't ask why Kaede had hidden it until now.

Minato trusted him. That was enough.

He stepped forward and patted Kaede's shoulder twice with considerable force.

"Good."

A smile appeared on his face, his voice filled with complete trust.

"I'll leave it to you. Do whatever you need to do."