Naruto: The Senju Patriarch

AN: We hit 200 Power Stones! Thanks for all your support, and as promised, a BONUS chapter will be posted - however, unfortunately I've been very busy recently (got a flight in a couple hours), so it'll likely come out at some point tomorrow.

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Thanks for your patience, and hope you enjoy the chapter!

"There is also movement from all the other great villages nearing our borders! Kirigakure is showing particular aggression."

The news confirmed what they all had been dearly hoping wouldn't happen. The third Shinobi war had begun. Katsuro nodded to the news, causing the Anbu to hesitate and look towards Hiruzen who was holding his shoulder in a strange position, as if it was stiff.

But he still dismissed himself shortly after with the Hokage in his own thoughts. Katsuro continued speaking once again taking charge, and for those who voted for him, it was only natural. "We cannot let this go unanswered, they spat on our good will and treaty. We need to figure out how best to deploy our forces. Since Sunagakure is the most urgent matter, we will begin with them."

Katsuro nodded to Nara Shikaku, who had taken over as Jonin Commander from Sakumo and held the trust of everyone as a strategist. He spoke with the usual lazy tone of the Nara clan, but was slightly more serious considering the situation. "As of now, Konoha has a total of around 17,000 including our Anbu division. We must consider the threat other villages hold and cannot afford to over invest against Sunagakure. Luckily Suna still has wounds from the last war and will struggle to put up a force of even 4000 Shinobi without being concerned about leaving themselves completely open. But we must also consider their puppet division, tailored for this very problem."

As Shikaku finished speaking, Katsuro nodded gratefully. Clearly, the two had spoken beforehand. "I suggest we send 3000 Shinobi." Everyone was somewhat surprised at such a low number, but were knowledgeable enough to wait for him to continue. "We have shown clearly that numbers are often not an issue for our Shinobi, but more importantly we need to conserve our forces when other stronger villages act. Since the Kazekage has gone missing, that leaves Lady Chiyo and the new 4th Kazekage Rasa as their main combat powers. This means that Tsunade must certainly go."

As they continued to discuss the arrangements, the issue of the commander was brought up by Fugaku. "All that is left is to decide who the commander will be."

Instinctively almost everyone thought of or turned to a certain white haired man, but considering his recent absence from Shinobi work due to the betrayal he had suffered, they could not ask him to fight for the village once again.

But just then, like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day, Sakumo spoke. "I will lead the Suna front again. There is no one better for this position than me, I fought against them for the entirety of the last war." His words inspired wide smiles and nods from those around him.

Katsuro too had a small smirk on his face. Typical, no matter what, your honour and duty are in your flesh. "Then it's settled. Sensei will command the 3000 that fight against Sunagakure. Tsunade will be deputy commander, the Aburame clan alongside contributions from every clan will be deployed at the Suna front."

The Aburame clan leader, as silent as members of his clan usually, nodded with quiet determination.

"Then we'll move on to the second most pressing issue, Kirigakure. We have already determined that forces need to be ready and prepared to act if any of the other great villages make a move, and Konoha can afford to conserve our power for now."

The Hokage, who had been largely quiet thus far, occasionally offering his opinion, spoke after Katsuro. "I believe the Uchiha should take the forefront here."

Of course his 2 sidekicks known as the elders jumped in, half-heartedly praising the Uchiha's strength. But the situation was not how it was before, their words no longer carried weight. Their schemes no longer worked.

"No." Katsuro said firmly, "Kiri specialise in Water Style Jutsu and their Hiding in the Mist technique is effective against Sharingan. The Uchiha are in their worst environment there."

His words made the participants look at Hiruzen, questioning if it was malice or incompetence. And strangely, they hoped it was malice, because their Hokage not knowing even these basics yet being praised as the 'Professor' was abysmal.

"I will take this front, and my clan will join me. I believe alongside the Hyuga clan, whose Byakugan will be perfect, we will swiftly bring an end to their invasion."

The details were hashed out, with a force of 4000 Shinobi to be deployed almost immediately. Normally, it would have been even more but the strength of Katsuro, the Senju and the Hyuga meant they could afford to send less.

As discussions continued, contingencies were made in the case of attacks by other villages. Orochimaru was decided as the commander to defend against attacks from Kumo, but Katsuro also suggested that Minato Namikaze also lead there. Many of the veterans were skeptical since both commanders were very young, even geniuses. But Katsuro defended the decision he had made with Shikaku.

"The strength and intellect of Orochimaru as one of the Sannin is unquestionable. He co-led the Iwa front in our last war for a period of time, and I can assure you that if they weren't before, those 3 are now truly worthy of that title." Katsuro said as he glanced at the diamond marking on Tsunade's forehead. "And Minato Namikaze is a man I have personally taught. I am sure you are aware of his genius, becoming a Jonin at just 15, but you should know his strength is already at Kage levels." That revelation sent shock through the room especially when the person delivering it was reliable. The barrier to Kage level strength was a huge one, and most Shinobi couldn't even dream of touching it in their lives. To hear that such a young boy, even if a genius had already exceeded it even when veterans like Hiashi or Hizashi were stuck at Half-step Kage levels, caused envy but also relief. "Kumo has both Raikage A and his son A, both of whom use the Lightning Style Chakra Mode and are known for their speed. Minato will be invaluable there - after all, his speed is second only to mine."

Katsuro's revelations and assurance convinced those who doubted, and brought excitement even when the war had already begun. Konoha seemed to be entering its golden age, and with their geniuses blooming it seemed they could win this war comfortably. Thus it was decided, Minato and Orochimaru would lead most of the Inuzuka, Shimura and Sarutobi with the exact number of Shinboi to be decided according to the situation. Of course the Hokage tried to place his clan away from such a dangerous battlefield which could contain the Raikage and Katsuro's main rival for the strongest, but his wallowing influence and understanding that the battleforce was necessary meant even with the help of his loyal elders, he failed. Katsuro had done this deliberately, the size of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans was immense considering how comfortably they had been living, and the fire power of the Sarutobi particularly couldn't be denied. With the Inzuka acting as scouts and joining the combat power with the core of the Shimura and Sarutobi, they would be able to at least hold on against the Cloud. Of course, Katsuro considered that they would be much more likely to follow orders under Orochimaru as a disciple of Hiruzen, even if Minato seemed to be drifting away from him recently.

When the final village, Iwa, was addressed it had been decided that Jiraiya, the Ino-Shiko-Cho clans and Uchiha would make up the bulk of the force. But Katsuro also suggested something towards the end out of the blue - that the Hokage head the Iwa front. It had gone over everyone's head, as they assumed the Hokage would do what he normally had done, stay at the village in the name of unexpected situations. But Katsuro's suggestion made sense, Hiruzen had proven he could take on Onoki if he were to deploy and it would ensure that any attack by Iwagakure would fail. To everyone it made perfect sense, a strategic use of available resources. But to Katsuro it was something else - a chance for Hiruzen to have an honorable death.

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