"Third Hokage, are you still going to persist?"
Uchiha Touhuan and Sarutobi Hiruzen watched the scene unfolding within the crystal ball. Uchiha Itachi, together with the Fifteenth generation of the Ino–Shika–Cho trio, was advancing toward the front lines of the Konoha Military Police Force. The image carried a faint sense of tragedy.
Uchiha Touhuan once again placed the arrest warrant before Sarutobi Hiruzen and said calmly,
"Because of your insistence, the village is about to lose its greatest strategist and one of its most capable intelligence operatives."
Touhuan understood Shikaku and the others very well. They were simply repaying the bond they had sworn long ago—the Sacred Warrior's Oath, witnessed by their generation of Ino–Shika–Cho, even if it meant facing death together.
Kakashi, too, intended to personally grant their resolve. But once they clashed with him, even if their physical lives survived, their political lives would be completely over.
"Or perhaps, Third Hokage," Touhuan continued, a faint smile appearing on his lips,
"you're planning to bring something else into the open?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart tightened.
He did still possess a force capable of overturning the situation—the Sarutobi clan's hidden private army: nearly fifty jōnin, over a hundred special jōnin, and several hundred chūnin.
But… could he truly deploy it?
He didn't know how Touhuan had learned of this secret, but the warning was unmistakable.
If he conceded now and signed the document, he could retire with dignity.
But if those matters were dragged into the light, defeat would mean utter disgrace.
Some things, after all, seem weightless—until they are placed on the scales.
Hiruzen sighed deeply and looked up at Touhuan.
"Touhuan… you're only seventeen. Why are you in such a hurry? With your strength and ability, becoming the Sixth Hokage is only a matter of time."
"Do you even believe what you're saying, Third Hokage?" Touhuan asked quietly.
Hiruzen fell silent and turned his gaze back to the crystal ball.
At the intersection leading to the Military Police headquarters, Itachi and the Fifteenth Ino–Shika–Cho arrived with fewer than twenty men.
Waiting for them were Kakashi Hatake, Uchiha Shisui, and a squad of Uchiha shinobi.
When Kakashi's figure appeared in the crystal ball, Hiruzen froze for a moment before looking back at Touhuan.
"Why is Kakashi inside the village?"
"That's not all," Touhuan said evenly.
"Third Hokage, you can check Genma Shiranui and the others' chakra signatures. They'll arrive shortly."
Hiruzen immediately adjusted the crystal ball's chakra flow. Soon, Genma Shiranui and two other elite shinobi appeared—followed by a force of nearly fifteen hundred ninja.
"Kakashi recalled the border troops?" Hiruzen said in disbelief.
"Aren't you afraid Kirigakure will invade while our forces are pulled back?"
"Relax," Touhuan laughed softly.
"Kirigakure won't dare."
"And you're certain of that?"
"Of course," Touhuan replied.
"I earned that guarantee myself—blade against blade, on the battlefield."
Land of Fire Coastline
Kakashi's large-scale mobilization naturally did not escape the eyes of Kirigakure's spies—or White Zetsu lurking along the border.
The Kirigakure elders immediately urged the Mizukage to send troops to probe the situation.
Obito Uchiha, who secretly controlled Kirigakure, manipulated Yagura Karatachi into approving the mission without hesitation.
Yet when the Mist's warship reached the Fire Country coastline, it stopped dead.
A single ninja blade was embedded in the shoreline.
Before leaving, Kakashi had planted his Raikiri (Lightning Blade) there, infusing it with chakra.
Now, as lightning crackled along the blade's edge, not a single Kirigakure shinobi dared step forward.
Kirigakure revered ninja swords almost obsessively.
The Seven Ninja Swords were the dreams of every Mist child—and the symbols of their village.
But during the Third Shinobi World War, there was another blade that carved terror into their memories.
The sword now stuck in the shore—known among the Mist as the Azure Bloodless Blade: Raikiri.
For this generation of Kirigakure ninja, it was an unavoidable nightmare.
On another coastline, Kirigakure forces encountered a similar fate.
There was no Jiraiya here.
Instead, a man stood atop a seaside cliff, calmly performing handstand push-ups in rhythm with the crashing waves. Moonlight revealed his appearance clearly:
A green bodysuit…
and hair shining brilliantly in the night.
"Retreat," the Mist commander said hoarsely.
He would never forget the Third Shinobi World War—when the Seven Ninja Swordsmen invaded the Land of Fire, and only three returned
Back at the Police Headquarters Intersection
The crystal ball shifted back.
Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi were already locked in battle, while Kakashi fought the Ino–Shika–Cho trio alone.
The moment Shisui and Itachi drew their blades, steel rang out. Their three-tomoe Sharingan spun violently as scorched earth erupted beneath their feet. Twin torrents of fire dragons clashed, shaking the battlefield.
Itachi seized the opening and unleashed a barrage of shuriken—only for them to be deflected instantly.
Seven Shisui figures surrounded him.
"Itachi," they spoke in unison,
"you practiced your shuriken with me."
"Why, Shisui?" Itachi demanded.
"Why betray the Will of Fire?!"
Shisui's blade flashed.
"The Third Hokage, the advisors, even Danzō… none of them represent the Will of Fire."
The illusion vanished—another strike came from behind.
Though pressured from all sides, Shisui deliberately avoided Itachi's vital points.
"Third Hokage," Touhuan finally said, watching the battle reach its conclusion,
"isn't it time to sign? The village's fire shouldn't burn in such a meaningless place."
Hiruzen stared at the crystal ball and understood.
It was over.
Even revealing every hidden card he had wouldn't change the outcome now.
With a heavy sigh, Sarutobi Hiruzen signed the document.
"That's better," Touhuan said calmly, sealing it away.
"After all, the Will of Fire shouldn't only exist when you're winning."
But suddenly—the crystal ball's image twisted.
A masked man appeared, wielding a chained scythe, forcing back Shisui's illusions. Explosive tags erupted across the battlefield.
Shisui activated Susanoo, but cracks rapidly spread across its surface.
Moments later, it shattered.
Shisui collapsed into Kakashi's arms.
"It seems you're in trouble, junior," the masked man said, turning toward Itachi.
"But as promised… I'll lend you my hand when you need it."
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(End of Chapter)