March, Konoha Year 46.
Crimson cherry blossoms bloomed right on schedule, weighing down the branches. A gentle spring breeze blew, and sunlight filtered through the clustering clouds of flowers, casting warm, dappled light on the ground.
Inside the Hidden Leaf Village, everything painted a picture of absolute peace. Children laughed on newly built swings, merchants enthusiastically hawked their wares along freshly repaired streets, and the vigorous shouts of young shinobi training echoed from the practice grounds.
However, beneath this peaceful facade, dark undercurrents were already surging.
Inside the top-floor conference room of the Hokage building, the atmosphere was entirely at odds with the vibrant spring outside. The tension was so thick and heavy you could almost wring water from it.
Konoha's core leadership was gathered along the two sides of the long table.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat at the head. To his left sat his advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. Even Danzo Shimura—who rarely attended these routine meetings—sat silently in the shadows at the far end of the table.
Homura pushed up his glasses and was the first to speak. "According to compiled intelligence, the Hidden Cloud, Rock, Mist, and Sand have all significantly increased their procurement of strategic materials since the start of spring. Their movements are frequent and highly coordinated."
"What's especially noteworthy is the Sand Village. This month, without any prior warning, they approved the early graduation of a massive number of academy students, covering everyone from the fourth to the sixth years. Their intentions speak for themselves."
Koharu let out a cold snort. "Our good ally is truly living up to their usual style."
Hiruzen listened quietly without immediately offering his opinion. The only change was the slightly accelerated pace at which he puffed on his pipe. He turned his gaze to the far end of the table.
"Danzo, has Root picked up on any other movements?"
As the behemoths of the ninja world, it was impossible for the Five Great Ninja Villages to completely hide large-scale military movements from each other's spy networks. It was only ever a matter of when the intel arrived and how detailed it was.
What Hiruzen was truly wary of were the minor villages surviving in the cracks between the great powers. They seemed insignificant, but they could suddenly turn volatile as the geopolitical landscape shifted, potentially being used as the spark to ignite a powder keg.
Their overall strength couldn't compare to the Five Great Nations, but many possessed unique inheritances or fearsome leaders. Some of these figures acted without restraint and were incredibly difficult to predict.
For example, the Hidden Rain Village, led by the man known as a demigod—Hanzo of the Salamander.
Danzo slowly lifted his eyelids. "In the Hidden Rain, Hanzo has been very quiet. It seems his crushing defeat in the last war has ground down much of his expansionist ambition."
"According to my intelligence, he has focused his energy over the past few years on internal restructuring, purging the opposition, and restoring the Rain Country's devastated economy. He has very little desire to intervene in external affairs and is maintaining a strictly defensive posture."
"The Hidden Grass is still playing both sides, so they aren't a concern. The Hidden Waterfall is maintaining their usual stance of offending no one, with no abnormal activities reported. The Hidden Hot Water..."
Danzo went down the list, delivering the intel on the minor villages surrounding the Land of Fire one by one.
"As for the Hidden Artisan Village, they recently received a massive order for custom-made weapons and ninja tools. The quantity far exceeds their usual output. The client's identity was heavily obscured through multiple layers of proxies, making direct confirmation difficult. However, analyzing the logistics and raw material demands, the highest probability is that the buyer is the Sand Village."
Danzo paused, then spoke again, his voice low and cold. "Hiruzen, the situation is clear. When others have already started sharpening their knives, if Konoha remains intoxicated by this illusion of peace, we are merely digging our own graves! We must immediately initiate full-scale war preparations, mobilize every available resource, reinforce border defenses and intelligence networks, and rapidly expand our combat reserves."
Hearing this, Koharu and Homura turned their eyes to the head of the table, waiting for the Third Hokage's final decision.
Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe, letting the sharp smoke circulate through his lungs before slowly exhaling.
He swept his gaze over the faces in the room—some worried, some grim, all waiting. Finally, he spoke.
"Notify the logistics and equipment departments. Immediately activate the contingency plans for the procurement, stockpiling, and distribution of combat supplies. Homura, you will have full authority to coordinate and oversee this. Ensure our supply chains remain open and our stockpiles secure."
"Regarding the Department of Education and the Ninja Academy, Koharu, you will handle the coordination personally. Next month, as soon as the new term begins, immediately conduct a comprehensive evaluation. From the fourth to the sixth years, select a batch of students with excellent grades, mature temperaments, and genuine combat potential. Grant them early graduation."
"Complete their squad formations and training as quickly as possible to fill the gaps in our lower-ranking forces. Be mindful of your methods—avoid causing unnecessary panic."
Finally, his gaze landed on Danzo in the shadows, his eyes growing exceptionally profound. "Danzo, your intelligence network must operate at maximum capacity. If there are any abnormal signs, no matter how small, report them directly to me. You must ensure Konoha does not fall behind in the intelligence war."
Outside the window, the cherry blossoms were still blooming beautifully. But everyone in the conference room knew that this springtime peace was already on a countdown.
---
April arrived, and the new school term began right on schedule.
The Third Hokage, who always attended the opening ceremonies to offer earnest words of encouragement to the new students, was noticeably absent this year. Instead, a few high-ranking academy officials delivered standard, procedural speeches.
Shortly after the ceremony ended, a joint notice issued by the Department of Education and the Ninja Academy instantly ignited the campus—especially the upper-year classrooms.
The notice read: To motivate outstanding students and provide an earlier opportunity to apply what they have learned to contribute to the village, an Early Graduation Exam will be held in one week.
This is open to all students in their fourth, fifth, and sixth years. Those who pass the exam will immediately earn the rank of Genin and be officially assigned to active squads!
"Early Graduation!"
"Directly to Genin!"
These two phrases hit the campus like cold water splashing into boiling oil.
After a brief moment of shock, the overwhelming emotion that flooded the academy was a boiling, explosive excitement!
"Yes! Finally! I don't have to take those annoying culture classes or memorize stupid theory anymore!"
"Hey, did you hear?! We can become real shinobi right away! We can start taking missions!"
"I'm definitely passing this exam!"
"We only have a week! We need to start intense training right now!"
In the hallways, by the training grounds, inside the classrooms—everywhere you looked, you could see red-faced boys and girls arguing and cheering passionately.
For these hot-blooded students who had long grown impatient with dry theory and desperately craved to take on missions and show off their power like the heroes in the stories, this was a godsend!
Most of them didn't think deeply about the urgent, chilling signal hidden behind this early graduation. In their eyes, all they saw was the forehead protector and their brand-new shinobi careers waiting just an arm's reach away.
While the academy students were practically jumping for joy over the upcoming exams, Shinichi Higashino was engaged in a quiet farewell in between his missions.
Having just completed a mission debrief, Shinichi and Kosuke Maruboshi walked out of the Hokage building. Shinichi had just received a personnel transfer order.
"Senior, thank you for your guidance and care over the past year or so." Shinichi held the transfer order and bowed deeply and respectfully to the old man beside him, who was carrying his signature large pot and walking with a slight hunch.
"Stay safe in your new squad. Make sure to get along well with your new teammates and your new Jonin instructor. Your path is still long, Shinichi. Konoha needs more young people like you—those who not only have the strength but also understand why they fight."
Kosuke Maruboshi smiled warmly, looking as if he had anticipated this transfer order for a long time.