The news spread like wildfire.
With Kakashi's deliberate arrangement, the shocking announcement that the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had defected from Konoha quickly reached every corner of the shinobi world.
In the beginning, people thought it was just a rumor. After all, how could a man known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu," the very God of Shinobi of his generation, abandon his own village? But as multiple confirmations poured in, the truth became undeniable.
The entire shinobi world was in an uproar.
Whispers filled every tavern and market: What happened inside Konoha? Why would the Hokage himself abandon the Will of Fire? What kind of storm is brewing in the Leaf?
The once-stable balance of the Five Great Nations trembled.
---
Spies on the Move
From the hidden stone valleys of Iwagakure, to the mist-shrouded waterways of Kirigakure, to the thunder plains of Kumogakure, orders were dispatched in haste. Each great village sent their best spies to sneak into Konoha and uncover the truth.
Even the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, upon hearing the news, immediately wrote a letter demanding clarification.
Meanwhile, from the desert winds of Sunagakure, an envoy—Baki—hurried toward Konoha, bearing words of condolence and alliance.
Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, handled the waves calmly. He instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive the daimyo's representatives and Sand's envoy with the utmost respect.
As for the hidden enemy spies creeping into the village?
That was entrusted to Kakashi.
Under his direction, Anbu operatives disguised themselves as civilians, spreading just enough truth to mislead. The spies drank in the information they wanted and, believing their missions complete, slipped away as quickly as they had come, rushing back to their villages to report.
Every piece of news they carried was precisely what Minato intended them to hear.
---
The Stone's Response
Earth Country – Iwagakure – Tsuchikage's Office
Inside the stony fortress of Iwagakure, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki of Both Scales, listened with narrowed eyes as a Rock Shinobi delivered the report.
"Master Tsuchikage, after repeated confirmation by our spies, it is true: the Third Hokage of Konoha has defected. Not only that—every clan tied to him, the Sarutobi, Shimura, Utane, and Mito families, has been imprisoned by Konoha's Guards. Their sentences are life imprisonment."
Ōnoki's pipe almost slipped from his fingers.
"What?" His gravelly voice cracked with disbelief. "All arrested?!"
His eyes darkened. As Sarutobi Hiruzen's long-time rival, he knew better than anyone how formidable the clans backing him were. The Sarutobi in particular had roots deep in history—since the Warring States period, they had been a force to be reckoned with.
Yet now, within less than a single year of taking office, Minato Namikaze had purged them all, even driving the Third Hokage himself into defection.
Ōnoki exhaled heavily, his old back hunched a little deeper.
"So, the Yellow Flash… Not only terrifying on the battlefield, but a master in politics as well."
He frowned. "What on earth was that old monkey Hiruzen thinking? A hero of the last war, forced into exile by a boy young enough to be his son… It's pathetic."
For a rare moment, genuine sorrow flickered in the old Tsuchikage's eyes.
Then he straightened, face hardening. "Listen well. Do not spread this news among our villagers. Instead, have the Academy organize a lecture on the Will of Stone. Remind the people of the strength of endurance. And… send Anbu to keep a close eye on those clans who have been restless or aloof. We must be sure no one is emboldened by Konoha's example."
The defection of a Kage—this was unprecedented in the shinobi world. If word spread unchecked, it could ignite dangerous ambitions among his own subordinates.
After all, Ōnoki had held the seat of Tsuchikage for decades. There were already factions within the village quietly wishing for new leadership.
Now, with Konoha's example before them, he had to take every precaution.
"Yes, Lord Tsuchikage!" the shinobi responded firmly.
---
The Cloud's Thunder
In Kumogakure, the Fourth Raikage, Ay, received the same report.
When he first heard it, he slammed a massive hand on the table and laughed. "Hah! So Konoha has lost their Third Hokage. One less Kage-level opponent to face in battle."
But when his laughter faded, his expression grew grim.
That man Minato… to so swiftly uproot Sarutobi's entire faction? His ability is beyond frightening. If even Hiruzen was cornered into betrayal, what chance will I have to one day avenge Father?
He clenched his fists, thunderous chakra crackling faintly around him. The thought of revenge burned in his chest, but the shadow of the Yellow Flash loomed larger than ever.
---
The Mist's Silence
Far across the seas, in the mist-drenched Kirigakure, the Elder Yuanshi took the news without expression.
He gave a single order: "Seal the village. Cut communication with the outside world."
Mist was already on the brink. Their forces shattered, their Mizukage not yet chosen, and enemies watching from every side—they could endure no more upheaval.
Yuanshi's face was stone, but deep within, his heart trembled.
A storm is coming, and we are too weak to weather it.
---
The Sand's Admiration
In the golden deserts of Sunagakure, the young Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, read the report carefully.
His lips curved into a small smile. "As expected of Brother Minato. Even when we first met, I knew he was extraordinary."
Rasa recalled their earlier encounters. The Third War had only just ended when Minato took the Hokage's seat. In less than a year, he had already accomplished what most would never dare dream: cleansing corruption from within and forcing even his former master into exile.
"As a fellow young Kage," Rasa thought, "I understand that pain… to be restrained by elders, to feel your every action watched and hindered. If I were in his shoes, I doubt I could have been so decisive."
He sighed in quiet relief.
Fortunately for him, the mysterious disappearance of the Third Kazekage and the retirement of Elder Chiyo had left his path clear. Without their shadows looming over him, he was free to shape Sunagakure as he wished.
What a pity he had no time to visit Konoha, to speak with Minato face to face. Two young leaders carving their names into history—surely, their conversations would shake the world.
---
The Rain's God
In the Land of Rain, storms poured endlessly upon the metallic skeleton of Amegakure.
From the highest tower, the lavender rings of the Rinnegan surveyed the world below without emotion.
This was Pain—the self-proclaimed god of Akatsuki.
It had been only three months since he slew Hanzō of the Salamander, once hailed as the Demi-God of the Shinobi World. With that single act, Pain had come to fully believe the words of the masked man who called himself Uchiha Madara: You are the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths.
From that moment onward, he had accepted it as truth. He was no longer Nagato. He was God.
And to God, the world would bend.
Anyone who resisted would be annihilated. Peace would be imposed through absolute power.
His gaze sharpened as he felt a familiar chakra signature approaching.
A graceful figure descended through the rain, white paper wings unfurling behind her. Her light blue hair framed a face both delicate and stern, ascetic beauty wrapped in the crimson-and-black cloak of Akatsuki.
The villagers below looked upon her with reverence, whispering prayers, some even kneeling. She was their angel—the companion of God, the one who had brought them a fragile peace.
But she paid them no heed, landing silently behind Pain.
Moments later, within a hidden chamber, countless sheets of paper swirled through the air, folding themselves into the form of Konan, the White Tiger of Akatsuki.
Beside her, seated in a wheelchair, was the true body of Pain—Nagato. His thin frame and lifeless legs painted a stark contrast to the godly might of his Rinnegan avatars.
Konan spoke softly, her voice laced with concern. "Nagato, the intelligence I've gathered confirms it. The Third Hokage has defected. Konoha has officially issued a red warrant for him."
Her eyes flickered with pain as they drifted to Nagato's crippled body. The guilt never left her heart. If only I hadn't been captured… Yahiko would still be alive. Nagato wouldn't be like this…
Nagato's voice was firm but tinged with awkward tenderness. "Konan, leave this kind of task to the White Zetsu. You don't need to tire yourself."
Only before her did his mask of godhood waver, revealing the man within. To him, Konan was not only a comrade but the woman he swore to protect, no matter the cost.
Konan shook her head gently. "It's all right. I want to help you too."
Then her tone shifted. "Nagato… why not recruit the Third Hokage into Akatsuki? A man once revered, now cast out by his village. Surely his heart burns with hatred toward Konoha. Wouldn't such a man be a powerful ally?"
Nagato's Rinnegan gleamed, considering. By bloodline of mentorship, Hiruzen was like a great-grandmaster to him—Jiraiya's teacher. To twist such a bond into a weapon against Konoha…
A slow, cold smile touched his lips.
"Very well. Let the White Zetsu watch him for now. If his defection proves genuine, then I—God—will speak to him myself. If he refuses…"
The air in the chamber thickened with killing intent.
"…then I shall personally deliver him to death."
Konan bowed her head in acknowledgment. Between them, an unspoken vow lingered: for Yahiko, for their dream, and for the future they would seize—no matter the cost.
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