The oppressive atmosphere in the room vanished in an instant.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe slipped from his fingers, clattering softly against the desk as disbelief spread across his face.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura froze as well, three pairs of eyes locking onto the ANBU operative kneeling before them.
"What… did you just say?" Koharu whispered.
The ANBU did not hesitate.
"The intelligence is confirmed. Kirigakure has formally declared war on Konohagakure."
"That's impossible!"
Homura's voice rose sharply. Not long ago, Hiruzen had stated with absolute certainty that the Hidden Mist would never dare declare war on Konoha.
And yet—here it was.
The slap of reality came fast and hard.
"The report is accurate," the ANBU continued calmly. "Not only that—the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura of the Blood Mist, is personally leading the invasion. Over four thousand Kirigakure shinobi have already crossed the sea routes and reached the border of the Land of Fire."
Silence.
Hiruzen's eyes widened.
They were already at the border.
That meant there was no room for negotiation left.
"Ahem—!"
Homura suddenly cleared his throat loudly and stood up.
"Well then… since this is a military matter, Koharu and I should return first. There are still… important affairs to attend to."
"Y-Yes, quite important," Koharu added immediately. "We won't interfere further."
Without waiting for permission, the two elders turned and left the Hokage's office at an almost impressive speed.
War?
Let the Hokage handle that.
Being an elder in Konoha was far safer.
"…Those two cowards," Hiruzen muttered under his breath, his gaze darkening slightly as he watched them leave.
Still, he didn't dwell on it.
After decades together, he knew them well enough.
Greedy. Afraid of death.
Turning back to the ANBU, Hiruzen asked quietly,
"How many shinobi do we currently have available in the village?"
"Report, Hokage-sama. Approximately one thousand."
"…."
One thousand.
Against four thousand elite shinobi of the Bloody Mist.
Even Hiruzen felt his chest tighten.
Just as the weight of the situation settled in—
The door opened.
"Hokage-sama."
Uchiha Fugaku stepped inside.
"I heard Kirigakure has declared war on Konoha."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So the Uchiha already received the news…"
Their intelligence network was fast.
Faster than the Hokage's official channels.
Fugaku ignored the unspoken implication and continued seriously,
"The enemy is menacing. The Uchiha clan is willing to fight under your command, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen didn't answer immediately.
The title of Professor and God of Shinobi sounded impressive, but deep down, Hiruzen knew the truth.
During the First Great Ninja War, he had fought under Tobirama Senju.
During the Second and Third, he had remained in the village—issuing orders, handling paperwork.
He had not stood on a battlefield in decades.
And now, facing the Fourth Mizukage himself…
Fear stirred quietly in his heart.
Still.
He sighed.
"There's no other choice."
Hiruzen straightened.
"Gather all available shinobi. The Uchiha clan included. Prepare for war."
"Yes!"
Fugaku's eyes shone.
Without another word, he turned and left the Hokage Tower, already preparing to mobilize the clan.
The news spread like wildfire.
Kirigakure had declared war.
And now...
Konohagakure stood opposed by Sunagakure, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure simultaneously.
Even as the strongest of the Five Great Villages, doubts spread throughout the ninja world.
Could Konoha truly withstand four great villages at once?
Deep underground, in the shadows.
"So… Kirigakure has moved as well."
Uchiha Madara sat upon his stone throne, eyes half-lidded as Black Zetsu delivered the report.
"Yes," Black Zetsu replied. "Sarutobi Hiruzen is personally leading Konoha's forces this time."
"Hmph."
Madara sneered.
"The Sarutobi clan? A third-rate family."
When Konoha was founded, clans like Sarutobi and Shimura were insignificant—barely worth noting compared to Uchiha and Senju.
Black Zetsu smiled faintly.
"True. But he is a direct disciple of Tobirama Senju."
Crack.
The stone armrest shattered under Madara's grip.
"…Tobirama."
Hashirama was a rival.
Tobirama was hatred.
Madara's brother had died to the Flying Thunder God.
That debt was carved into his soul.
"Hmph," Madara said coldly. "Then let me test how much of Tobirama's strength he inherited."
He glanced at Black Zetsu.
"Have you located the Fourth Mizukage?"
"Already done, Madara-sama."
Madara nodded in satisfaction.
"With this body, I won't waste my lifespan on the battlefield," he said calmly. "But controlling a puppet…"
His lips curved.
"…is trivial."
Far away, the Fourth Mizukage Yagura—soon to face Hiruzen Sarutobi—had already been marked.
Several days later.
Hiruzen led over a thousand Konoha shinobi—including the Uchiha clan—toward the battlefield.
News of his appearance spread quickly.
"Hah! That old man finally left the Hokage Tower."
Shiki laughed openly as he received the report.
"So you didn't want to go to war, huh? Let's see what you do now."
His eyes gleamed with interest.
A Hokage who spent decades buried in paperwork—
"How much strength do you really have left, Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
"Lord Shiki—"
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