"Finally, I'm done... really."
In the Mizukage's office, Mei Terumi put down the documents in her hands and stretched, allowing herself a moment of relief.
Unfortunately, there was no one around to appreciate the sight.
Not long ago, Mei had overthrown Yagura Karatachi, the tragic Fourth Mizukage, and taken his place as the Fifth Mizukage. Ever since, she had worked tirelessly to stabilize the Hidden Mist Village.
Now, with her workload finally easing, she had been looking forward to a well-deserved break—perhaps even enjoying some tea while contemplating her ever-elusive search for a husband.
But just as she was about to relax, a voice rang from outside the door.
"Seriously? You young ones these days have no perseverance. How long have you even been on guard duty?"
"No... Lord Ao... huh—"
"Quick, deliver this scroll to the Mizukage-sama!"
"It's a message from Konoha. Something big is happening!"
Hearing this, Ao's expression turned serious.
"Alright, leave it to me. You head back before you're missed."
"Yes, sir!"
Meanwhile, Mei's face darkened as she muttered to herself.
"A wedding date... I've already missed the best age for marriage..."
A thin layer of cold sweat formed on her brow.
At that moment, Ao entered, presenting the scroll with a respectful bow.
"Mizukage-sama, this is a message from Konoha."
Mei didn't immediately reach for it, keeping her head lowered with an unreadable expression.
"The Hidden Mist Village has only just begun to stabilize..."
Before Ao could respond, she lifted her gaze, a seductive smile curling on her lips.
"Shut up and get out. Or I'll kill you."
Ao's eyes widened, his pupils contracting.
"Y-Yes!"
He turned on his heel and swiftly exited, cold sweat trickling down his back.
Once alone, Mei finally picked up the scroll, her face turning grim as she read its contents.
The Third Hokage, Konoha's two advisors, and Shimura Danzo have all stepped down.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she continued reading.
Tsunade of the Legendary Sannin has been appointed as the Fifth Hokage.
The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, have returned and will personally execute Shimura Danzo.
Mei tapped her fingers against the table, deep in thought.
"Just as the Hidden Mist finally stabilizes, Konoha undergoes a complete upheaval..."
Together, we shall discuss peace... together, we shall shape the shinobi world... Uzumaki Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Setting the scroll down, she picked up another one, this one filled with intelligence gathered by Kirigakure's own network.
After scanning its contents, she licked her lips with interest.
"Uzumaki Naruto... The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox... He fought off the Hokage and even Konoha's Anbu couldn't suppress him."
She chuckled. "If he won't stay in Konoha, will he sail across the sea to Hidden Mist and shake up my village too? What a bold claim."
A soft rustle caught her attention. A photograph had slipped out of the Konoha scroll and onto the desk.
On the back, an inscription read:
The four seas rage with storm and tide. The five continents tremble with wind and thunder.
We must eliminate all who threaten humanity and remain invincible!
Mei flipped the photo over and, upon seeing the face in the image, her hand trembled slightly, causing it to slip from her grasp.
Silence filled the room. Hidden Mist was in no position to act rashly; their priority was recovery, not unnecessary conflict.
A knock on the door broke her reverie.
"Mizukage-sama, the Intelligence Division has relayed new information about Konoha."
"Enter."
As Ao handed her another report, she massaged her temples and sighed.
"So it's true. The Third Hokage and Danzo have both been ousted."
She exhaled sharply. "More than that... the First and Second Hokage have been resurrected."
She glanced at Ao. "And... the one who delivered this message was Zabuza."
Ao stiffened, his eyes narrowing. Zabuza's name still held weight in Hidden Mist.
"We need to think carefully about our next steps," Mei declared. "Call for a meeting. Also, have the Intelligence Division gather more details about Konoha."
"Understood."
Without further discussion, Ao left to carry out her orders.
Mei picked up the photograph again and walked toward the window, gazing outside.
"Such audacious words... I suppose the other villages have received the same message."
She smirked. "I didn't expect them to investigate so thoroughly."
With a flick of her wrist, she tossed the photograph back onto her desk.
"He's handsome, but too young to be husband material."
She chuckled. "Wait for me in front of the Hidden Mist Village in a week? And come pick me up personally?"
Her expression turned amused. "If I don't go... will you really have the guts to call me out?"
Before she could dwell on it further, an Anbu operative arrived.
"Mizukage-sama, the meeting is ready. All the officials have gathered."
Mei nodded, taking the scroll with her as she made her way out.
Meanwhile, similar messages had arrived at Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
"Lord Raikage, we need to verify this information!"
The burly Kage gritted his teeth. "Konoha lost the Third Hokage and Danzo. Now they're trying to use the First and Second Hokage's names to keep themselves safe? There's no such thing as resurrection."
A low chuckle rumbled from him. "Looks like Konoha is out of options. The Third Hokage once called himself the 'God of Shinobi.' Did it ever help him?"
He turned to his subordinates. "Summon Bee and Yugito. In a week, we'll see what Konoha is really plotting."
His expression hardened. "Prepare our forces. War is coming!"
Inside Iwagakure, Onoki set down the scroll, deep in thought.
"Old man, was the First Hokage really that powerful?"
Onoki fell silent before responding. "His power was beyond anything your generation can comprehend."
A younger shinobi smirked. "Then when are you going to retire, old man?"
Onoki's eye twitched. "..."
Hōki remained silent.
What could he do?
If he spoke, the old man might scold him, and his daughter might look at him with disgust.
"Send someone to pick us up in a week... Kurotsuchi, go notify everyone and call a meeting."
"Go yourself."
"You... Hōki, you go."
"Uh... okay."
Aside from the three major ninja villages, smaller nations and hidden villages also received summons.
Konoha's stance was clear: Not coming? I can come to you...
It was as if the God of Shinobi himself would show up at your doorstep with a colossal wooden construct, ready to "reason" with you.
And if reasoning failed? Well, at least the God of Shinobi knew a thing or two about combat.
One Week Later
Iwagakure
One kilometer from the village entrance, Ōnoki, Kurotsuchi, and Huang Tu stood waiting. All three remained on high alert.
Hidden Cloud Village
The Fourth Raikage, A, stood alongside Killer Bee, Yugito Nii, and his trusted guards.
Hidden Mist Village
Mei Terumi, the Fifth Mizukage, had come alone.
"They're here!"
A, Ōnoki, and Mei Terumi narrowed their eyes simultaneously.
Whoosh!
A blur of yellow streaked past.
A youthful, handsome face appeared before them.
"Such speed...! The Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze?!" A and Killer Bee exclaimed.
"Minato Namikaze?" Ōnoki blinked in confusion.
"Uzumaki Naruto?" Mei Terumi, however, immediately recognized him based on intelligence reports.
"Am I late?" Naruto asked with a grin.
"Naruto, your Flying Thunder God is even faster than mine," Minato commented, standing beside him.
"Two… Yellow Flashes?!" A and Ōnoki were both stunned.
Mei Terumi's eyes gleamed as she unconsciously licked her lips.
"The intel was accurate. If the Fourth Hokage has returned, then it's only natural the First and Second Hokage would be as well."
Killer Bee, still in shock at seeing Minato, began rapping: "Yo~ Yellow Flash, you—"
Before he could finish, A punched him away.
Frowning, A turned to Minato. "Since you're here, that must mean the boy next to you is your son, Uzumaki Naruto."
"That's right, A. Long time no see," Minato replied with his signature gentle smile.
"Hah… so you came in person. I see how it is."
A shook his head and glanced at Darui. Understanding the silent command, Darui nodded and left.
"We of the Hidden Cloud Village do not fear war. I trust Konoha won't resort to deception this time," A warned, his expression grave.
Minato's presence confirmed the intel: Hashirama and Tobirama Senju were truly back.
"We'll arrive in Konoha within a day."
On the other side, as Ōnoki was about to speak, Kurotsuchi cut in.
"So, you're the infamous Yellow Flash of Konoha, and the rumored Uzumaki Naruto who's been causing such a stir lately?"
This girl would one day lead Iwagakure, but for now, her boldness earned her the nickname "Leg Shadow."
"Kurotsuchi," Ōnoki coughed.
Then, turning to Minato and Naruto, he sighed.
"So it's true. I didn't expect the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō to actually step down."
He paused before nodding. "I will attend this summit personally. Expect me in Konoha by tomorrow."
"Eitai-nee... So the reports were true, the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō are really—"
"Yes, the Third Hokage and Danzō are still sweeping the streets and cleaning toilets."
"Hahaha~"
"True or not, we have to go to Konoha and see for ourselves, hahaha~"
How could an old fox like Ōnoki refuse?
The real challenge, however, was Terumi Mei.
"The Hidden Mist suffered under the tyranny of the Bloody Mist for years... Right now, peace is our highest priority."
"After deliberation, our leadership was the first to accept Konoha's offer of peace."
"Besides... I am the Fifth Mizukage, and I came here alone. If that doesn't show our sincerity, I don't know what does."
"The Hidden Mist will arrive in Konoha by tomorrow."
As she spoke, Terumi Mei cast a glance at Namikaze Minato.
"Konoha's Eitai-nii, you can go back first."
Clearly, the real obstacle wasn't the Hidden Mist, but Terumi Mei herself.
"Then we will await your arrival in Konoha."
"I only ask that once you're there, you refrain from causing unnecessary trouble."
With that, Minato's shadow clone vanished in a puff of smoke.
Ōnoki frowned. This was not the Konoha he remembered. Their attitude was far more unyielding than before.
"That old monkey... I almost miss him."
"Hmph. Same here," A muttered, his stance different, but his words eerily similar. … "Out of the way!"
"You dare come to a tavern without money?"
"Please, sir... I have ten ryō on me... Just one bottle... No, even just a sip of sake...!"
Bang!
The frail man was kicked out into the rain.
The sky over the Hidden Rain Village was eternally shrouded in dark clouds, the streets drenched in relentless downpour.
Thunder rumbled.
Lightning illuminated a pair of striking blue eyes.
Naruto looked down at the man sprawled at his feet.
Raindrops dripped from his chin, merging with the countless puddles forming at his feet.
The streets bustled with pedestrians, some clad in straw raincoats, others shielding themselves with umbrellas.
Naruto lifted his gaze to a nearby building. A group of women stood near a balcony, clad in revealing outfits, their eyes dull as they watched passersby.
He stepped over the fallen man and continued walking.
Compared to Konoha—no, even compared to the Land of Waves—this place was suffocatingly bleak.
The constant rain, the village trapped between the Land of Earth, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Wind—forever a battleground for other nations' wars.
When Yahiko had been alive, the people of Amegakure had not suffered like this.
After his death, Nagato had turned inward, focused only on his warpath. The civilians became an afterthought.
Any rebellion was swiftly crushed.
And yet, thanks to Konan's unwavering voice, faith still lingered in the hearts of many.
But not all.
Naruto's steps halted outside a small restaurant.
A woman in fine, elegant clothing placed a steamed bun in a child's bowl.
"I don't want this! It tastes awful!"
The child flung the bun away.
Whoosh!
Plop!
The bun hit the ground, instantly soaking up rainwater and filth.
"Mine!"
"Don't grab it!"
"Waah... Onii-chan, I'm so hungry..."
Naruto watched in silence as children scurried over, tearing the bun into small portions.
One particularly frail child clutched a tiny piece, but instead of eating, he pressed it close to his chest, his wary eyes darting about as he slipped away.
Inside the restaurant, a woman scolded her child while others laughed.
Naruto followed the thin boy from a distance, tracing his path to a dilapidated rooftop.
Beyond that lay a narrow alley, where a cluster of old men, women, and children crouched together, faces void of emotion.
The boy approached the group and gently pulled a little girl into his arms.
They noticed Naruto then.
Panic flickered in their eyes, but upon realizing he hadn't moved to block them, they hesitated.
Then, cautiously, they skirted around him, fleeing into the darkness.
Thunder rumbled.
Lightning tore through the sky, illuminating the rain-drenched village.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
A calm, gentle voice called from behind him.
Naruto did not turn.
Konan approached, her umbrella shielding her from the downpour.
The fabric muted the sound of rain.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly. "Last time I saw you, you were..."
Her words trailed off.
Her gaze lingered on his face—on the barely perceptible redness in his eyes.
Silence stretched between them.
Konan studied the boy who now stood at eye level with her.
Without thinking, she reached out, brushing rain from his cheek.
Naruto slowly lifted his head, his blue eyes locking onto hers.
The umbrella trembled slightly in Konan's grip. It was paper-thin, barely enough to shield them from the storm.
At that moment, in her world, time seemed to stop.
"The Hidden Rain Village..."
Naruto's lips curled into a faint smile.
Then, without another word, he stepped forward—toward the storm, toward the wind, the rain, and the mud.
"I'm here."
Konan watched as his figure faded into the mist and the downpour.
"I see," she murmured.
And then, she followed.