"Honored sirs, the Hokage has summoned you."
Just as everyone was still intrigued by the changes in Uchiha Kaien's Sharingan, an Anbu appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
"Lord Sakumo, Lord Orochimaru, Lord Jiraiya, and Lady Tsunade."
The Anbu squad captain bowed respectfully to the four. He had no choice but to be humble—one of them was his direct superior, and the other three were all students of the Third Hokage. Not people you could afford to offend.
Fortunately, none of them were the type to throw their weight around.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi was calling them in, something major was definitely happening.
"Looks like that's it for today. We might be busy again real soon."
Hatake Sakumo gave a gentle smile, shaking his head with a hint of weariness.
So much for the break.
After giving Kaien a few words of advice, Orochimaru turned and headed straight for the Hokage's office without another word. For the Anbu to personally deliver the message—it clearly wasn't anything trivial.
Before long, only Uchiha Kaien and Namikaze Minato were left.
Kushina and Nawaki had been busy training in fuinjutsu under Uzumaki Mito lately and didn't have many chances to come out.
"Looks like it's just us now. Minato, how about a quick spar?"
Kaien rubbed his hands together eagerly.
With the system's boost, his growth was firing on all cylinders. While an all-rounded fighter might not shine too brightly early on, they always showed their value later.
The stronger a ninja becomes, the fewer weaknesses they have—true strength comes from covering every flaw. And when someone at a high level goes back to study the fundamentals of other disciplines, the results can be astonishing.
"A-again?"
Minato smiled awkwardly. Now that Kaien's kekkei illness had been fully suppressed, he could go all out without restraint.
And judging by the glint in his eye, Minato could already tell—he was going to be the punching bag today.
Kaien's moods were as fickle as a cat's. Usually laid-back and disinterested in everything, but once something caught his attention, there was no shaking him off.
Minato was already planning to send a shadow clone to class tomorrow. He had a feeling his real body might end up laid out all day...
...
At that moment, the Hokage's office was thick with smoke.
When Tsunade and the others pushed the door open, they saw Hiruzen Sarutobi already seated with the three elders, looking calm and composed.
"Geez, old man, this smoke's about to count as a jutsu."
Jiraiya exaggerated as he stepped inside. Judging by how much the Hokage had been smoking, it was obvious something big was brewing.
Tsunade, already frowning at the smell, waved it all away with a Wind Release technique.
"Cough cough... Alright. I called you here for something important."
"Hidden Rain has declared war—on both Konoha and Sunagakure."
"According to the intel Danzo collected, Sunagakure is massing troops at the border. Most likely, they're preparing to move against Konoha."
Hiruzen tapped his finger against the table, drawing everyone's focus.
"What?!"
"Hmm?!"
The reactions around the room varied, but no one could understand it. Why would Amegakure declare war on two of the Great Villages? Even going up against just one would be a near-hopeless gamble.
"Of course, it's only a declaration for now. Salamander Hanzo is probably planning to use the Land of Rain as the main battlefield, where his abilities will give him the biggest advantage."
"The man who's said to stand at the very peak of the shinobi world? He's got guts, I'll give him that."
"Hmph. He's just hiding behind his summoned beast and home turf."
Danzo snorted with disdain.
Still, even he had to admit—under the right conditions, Hanzo's abilities were a terrifying weapon, especially against lower-level ninja.
"The shinobi world has been calm for twenty years... but it looks like the storm's coming again."
Hiruzen let out a tired sigh.
In those two decades, every nation's economy had made significant progress—but none more so than Konoha's. The Land of Fire's rich resources only widened the gap between it and other villages.
And as that economic disparity grew, so did calls for 'balance'—with violence. The more militant factions began pushing to expand by force, especially in Sunagakure and Amegakure.
The Land of Wind was mostly desert, with little to offer in terms of resources. Its leaders had long coveted the fertile territory of the Land of Fire.
Meanwhile, Amegakure's ambition had swelled—they wanted to become the sixth Great Ninja Village.
And that was the dilemma Sunagakure now faced—should they attack Konoha, or stop Amegakure from rising?
The Five Great Villages would never tolerate the rise of a sixth. That was an unspoken rule.
By declaring war on both Konoha and Sunagakure, Hanzo had stepped into the eye of the storm. All eyes would now be on the so-called "Demi-God of the Shinobi World."
"I propose forming a medical unit. Every squad should have at least one medical ninja."
"Without them, Hanzo's poison gas will kill everyone it touches—no survivors."
Tsunade's words hit like a hammer. Around the room, people exchanged uneasy glances. Even her own teammates, Orochimaru and Jiraiya, seemed unconvinced.
It wasn't that they doubted her reasoning—just the cost. A full-scale medical corps was a massive investment. Most of the council wasn't optimistic.
Seeing their reactions, Tsunade gave a cold snort, her beautiful face darkened by frustration.
Hiruzen quickly stepped in to mediate.
"Alright, Tsunade. The upcoming Jonin Council can vote on your proposal."
"For now, I've gathered you here to assign roles for the coming conflict."
"I want the three of you to head for the Land of Rain."
His gaze swept over Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru. His prized students. He had full faith in their abilities.
As for Hanzo… frankly, he was overrated. Sure, he commanded some respect in the Land of Rain, but if he stepped outside his comfort zone, Hiruzen was confident he could defeat him.
At best, Hanzo was on Danzo's level. All that talk about him being at the top of the ninja world? To someone who had seen true power, it wasn't all that impressive. It might fool the low-level shinobi—but not the ones who truly mattered.
"Hmph."
Tsunade still didn't look pleased, but she didn't argue. She knew her presence could increase their survival rate by at least twenty percent. Without her, the other two had no healing abilities at all. Against Hanzo, that would be a death sentence.
"And Sakumo—I'll need you on the Sunagakure border. If necessary, eliminate their field commanders."
"Understood, Lord Hokage."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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