---
However, before all the civilians could reach the shelters, a terrifying barrage of explosions began to rain down across the village.
"Ahh!"
"My leg!"
"Save my child!"
"Mama!"
A baby, cradled in its mother's arms, wailed loudly, pressing its tiny hands against her cold, lifeless face.
The Konoha shinobi escorting the civilians were powerless to stop the indiscriminate detonations.
The explosive tags had been hidden in buildings throughout the village—like a spiderweb—ensnaring all of Konoha in destruction. There was no way to anticipate them, let alone disable them in time.
They managed to save only a few. The rest were either blown apart on the spot or crushed beneath falling debris. Blood and cries filled the air.
Despite Konoha's quick initiation of its emergency evacuation protocols, the civilian population was still plummeting by the minute. The explosions were relentless, as if they would only cease once the village had been reduced to ashes.
---
In one of Konoha's secure briefing rooms, a shinobi burst in with an urgent report.
"Lord Danzō! There's been a large-scale bombing throughout the village. The evacuation is still ongoing, but we're suffering heavy losses!"
Shimura Danzō's expression darkened.
"Those damned Suna shinobi…"
He clenched his fists in frustration. Konoha, the most powerful of the Five Great Nations, shouldn't have been caught off-guard like this—not even with Sunagakure and Otogakure working together.
In their original strategy, the idea was to stall the enemy forces until the civilians were safely evacuated. Then, Konoha would counterattack with full force.
But this sudden wave of explosions had shattered that plan and caused massive chaos during the evacuation.
Danzō's heart was bleeding with fury. The heavier the casualties, the more likely it was that Sarutobi Hiruzen would be blamed and fall from power. Normally, that would have suited Danzō just fine. But this? This level of destruction… it was far beyond acceptable.
"This is a disaster," he muttered. "Konoha's recovery after this will take years."
He turned sharply to the shinobi.
"Relay this order—immediately! All available ninja in the village are to assist in the evacuation efforts. That includes every unit—no exceptions. Lives come first!"
Konoha had resources and funding; the Fire Daimyō would support their rebuilding. But without people—without their citizens—none of that would matter. The priority now was survival.
---
Within the Four Violet Flames Formation, the battle between the Sandaime Hokage and Orochimaru raged on.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood opposite the reanimated First and Second Hokage—Hashirama and Tobirama Senju—both controlled by Orochimaru through the forbidden Edo Tensei jutsu.
As he listened to the distant cries of his people and saw the stoic, unfeeling expressions on the faces of his predecessors, tears welled in Sarutobi's eyes.
He couldn't bear to meet their gaze.
The village they had built with their own hands… had been reduced to a battlefield under his leadership. He had failed them. Failed Konoha.
Orochimaru sneered.
"What's wrong, sensei? Are you regretting your old age now? This world has no room for regrets."
He raised his arms like a mad conductor.
"Today, you'll vanish—along with your beloved village!"
Orochimaru laughed maniacally, but deep inside, unease festered.
This scale of destruction—the carpet bombing, the indiscriminate detonations—none of it had been part of his original plan. He hadn't planted those explosive tags.
Someone else was operating behind the scenes. Someone powerful. And now, Orochimaru was left to take the blame. Konoha would hunt him down even more ruthlessly after this.
It was a bitter taste—like swallowing glass.
But he wouldn't explain himself. He knew it wouldn't matter. Konoha had already judged him.
---
"One squad, two squads… thirty-three."
Elsewhere in the village, amidst the confusion and crumbling buildings, Ye Dou moved silently through the smoke-filled streets toward the Hokage Tower.
Though the village was in chaos, Konoha still maintained its most elite defenses. Three full ANBU squads had been assigned to guard the tower. Thirty-three masked shinobi, highly trained and alert.
But Ye Dou didn't hesitate.
"There's no more time. I can't wait any longer," he muttered.
He drew the ninja sword from his back and tapped the ground lightly. Channeling his Kenbunshoku Haki—Observation Haki—he locked onto his first target.
Then, he struck.
A clean flash of silver.
Boom!
One of the nearby buildings exploded, creating a distraction. Several ANBU turned toward the noise—just enough time.
"Who—?"
Too late.
The silver light carved through one ANBU's neck before he could even react. His head tumbled, eyes still wide in disbelief. Only as he saw his own headless body collapse did he realize he was dead.
"Suna shinobi?!" another shouted.
But Ye Dou's blade didn't pause. He stepped forward, expression cold.
"It's a pity… I'm not from Sunagakure."
His sword moved again—swift and merciless.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions continued to erupt across the village, the smoke and fire casting an apocalyptic glow over Konoha. The detonations stretched for miles, leaving the air heavy with dust, blood, and ash.
"Stay sharp!" barked the ANBU squad leader. "We don't know how many explosive tags the Sand ninja managed to plant, or where!"
But deep down, many of them were beginning to suspect something even worse:
This wasn't just the Sand or the Sound anymore.
Someone else had declared war on Konoha—and they weren't playing by any known rules.
---
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