Konoha — Hokage Tower
Afternoon sunlight streamed through the wide windows, filling the office with a warm golden glow. Dust motes drifted lazily through the light.
Yet the warmth did nothing to ease the chill spreading from the intelligence reports piled high across the desk.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat upright in his chair, his posture rigid.
His gaze—hard as amber—was fixed on the scroll that had just been delivered by the Uchiha.
The scroll was exquisitely crafted, its edges embroidered with the faint fan emblem of the Uchiha clan.
Its handwriting was neat.
But every line—
Cut like a blade.
"Respectfully submitted to the Hokage:
Eastern Front Battle Report:
A Konoha relief delegation traveling along the eastern relay route was ambushed by remnants of Kirigakure. Advisor Koharu Utatane tragically fell in battle, sacrificing her life in service to the village. Approximately two hundred Hidden Mist remnants are currently roaming the western border of the eastern region of the Land of Fire, engaging in arson, looting, and civilian massacres.
The Uchiha Red Guard Army is in full pursuit. We will ensure these criminals are eradicated before they spread further chaos within the homeland. Please rest assured, Hokage-sama—the eastern defense line will not yield a single inch.
Additionally, the Hidden Mist eastern vanguard force (under Biwa Jūzō) has already been intercepted along the coast by our Volcano Army and Wind Forest Army, and has been completely annihilated with significant results.
—Respectfully submitted,
Command Headquarters of the Uchiha Red Guard Army."
Sunlight fell across the scroll.
Yet those clean, orderly characters seemed to twist into silent mockery.
Hiruzen's fingers tightened around his pipe until his knuckles turned white.
Slowly—
Very slowly—
He closed his eyes.
The office fell into absolute silence.
From outside, faint sounds of celebration drifted in—
Voices praising the Uchiha's victory.
Then—
His eyes snapped open.
The warmth within them was gone.
In its place—
Burning fury.
And icy humiliation.
"BANG—!!!"
His palm slammed down onto the desk.
The heavy wood trembled violently.
A teacup jumped—tea splashing across the surface.
A crack spread beneath his hand.
ANBU guards instantly appeared at the doorway.
"Hokage-sama?!"
"Get out."
His voice was quiet.
But it scraped like ice against bone.
The ANBU froze.
"…Yes!"
They withdrew immediately.
The door shut.
Silence returned.
Only the fractured desk remained beneath the sunlight.
Hiruzen slowly rose, one hand braced against the table.
His shadow stretched long across the room.
His gaze bore into the scroll—
As if trying to pierce through it—
To the mind behind it.
The Uchiha…
Uchiha…
How dare you…
Veins pulsed at his temples.
Do you take me for a fool?
Koharu's death—
Was it truly an accident?
A desperate act by fleeing Kirigakure remnants?
No.
Hiruzen didn't believe a word of it.
The timing.
The location.
The direction of the fleeing enemies—
Toward noble territories hostile to the Uchiha.
And the Uchiha's "perfectly timed" pursuit.
It was too clean.
Too precise.
This wasn't coincidence.
It was design.
A trap.
Using Kirigakure as a blade—
They removed Koharu.
A senior advisor.
A political counterbalance.
One of his oldest allies.
Then—
Under the pretext of "hunting enemies,"
They redirected military force—
Toward their internal political opponents.
And finally—
They presented this flawless victory report.
Claiming justice.
Claiming protection.
Claiming righteousness.
One move.
Three gains.
Ruthless.
Precise.
Arrogant.
Fury surged within him.
At being manipulated.
At losing control.
At losing a friend.
And beneath it all—
A deeper fear.
The Uchiha had grown strong enough—
To openly challenge the Hokage.
Hiruzen inhaled deeply.
Forcing himself to calm down.
Anger would change nothing.
The move had already been made.
Now—
He had to respond.
At the very least—
The Uchiha could not be allowed to expand further in the east.
But Kirigakure would retaliate soon.
That alone would restrain them—for now.
As for the so-called "Petition of the People"—
With Homura Mitokado present—
It would never pass easily.
And the Daimyō—
Would never allow chaos to spread unchecked.
Powerful rulers were not fools.
They had advisors.
After organizing his thoughts—
Hiruzen turned to the large map on the wall.
The war map.
It had hung there since the conflict began.
Southwest — Land of Wind
Orochimaru's defense line.
Stable.
But constantly harassed.
No reinforcements could be spared.
Northeast — Land of Lightning
Danzō Shimura.
Pinned down by the Third Raikage.
Barely holding.
Northwest — Main Front
Hiruzen's expression darkened.
The latest report—
Over four thousand ninja reduced—
To fewer than three thousand five hundred.
All due to Iwagakure's two Jinchūriki.
And now—
Kumogakure was advancing.
With the Two-Tails.
With the Eight-Tails.
His fingers tapped the desk.
Three fronts locked.
Two collapsing.
Only one stable.
And that—
Was Orochimaru's line.
"…Jinchūriki."
He murmured.
Iwagakure had turned the tide—
With theirs.
And Konoha?
Had the strongest of all.
The Nine-Tails.
Yet—
It remained unused.
"…We can't wait any longer."
Hiruzen stood slowly.
His expression changed once more.
The fury vanished.
Replaced by the familiar, gentle face the village knew.
He straightened his robes.
And walked toward the door.
He was going to see—
Kushina Uzumaki.
The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
Minato…
I may not be able to keep my promise.
But this… is for Konoha.
For the Will of Fire.
Meanwhile — Hyūga Clan Compound
Inside a quiet room filled with incense—
The Hyūga clan head sat in silence.
Before him—
A branch family ninja had just finished reporting.
Everything.
The Red Guard Army.
The Volcano and Wind Forest Armies.
And the truth behind the so-called "Police Force Notice."
Combined with today's victory report—
A conclusion formed.
The messenger bowed and left.
Silence returned.
Smoke curled upward.
Then—
The clan head spoke.
"Summon Hizashi."
Footsteps approached.
Hyūga Hiashi entered and bowed.
"You've heard the report."
"The Uchiha… have changed."
"They are no longer what they once were."
"What do you think?"
Hiashi thought briefly.
"Father…"
"They've abandoned passivity."
"They've taken the initiative."
"They seek both power and influence."
"If they survive the coming Kirigakure retaliation…"
"They will succeed."
He raised his head.
"Their release of our branch member—"
"Was an olive branch."
"They are gathering support within the village."
He paused.
"Should we remain neutral…"
"Or choose a side?"
The room grew still.
The clan head's gaze deepened.
"Hiruzen is old."
"He is trapped."
"The old system is already breaking."
"The Uchiha have torn it further…"
"But perhaps—"
"They have opened a path forward."
He stood.
His shadow stretched across the floor.
"Some matters…"
"Cannot be handled through intermediaries."
"It lacks sincerity."
He looked at Hiashi.
"You will manage the clan."
"I will go personally."
No ceremony.
No escort.
The Hyūga clan head walked through Konoha's streets.
Toward—
The Uchiha district.
The center of the storm.
His white robes were spotless.
Like drifting clouds.
Yet heavy enough—
To change the future.
By afternoon—
The news spread.
The Hyūga had sent members—
To join the Uchiha Red Guard Army.
The entire village was shaken.
Western Land of Fire
Inside a besieged noble estate—
The courtyard had become a slaughterhouse.
Samurai corpses floated in blood.
This house—
Once arrogant.
Now broken.
The hidden tunnel door—
Was sliced apart.
"Water Release: Severing Wave!"
The gate collapsed.
Biwa Jūzō stepped inside.
Blood-soaked.
Armor torn.
Behind him—
Hidden Mist survivors.
Eyes filled with madness.
The nobles trembled.
The old aristocrat raised a shaking blade.
"P-please…!"
"Take everything…"
"Just spare us—"
Jūzō smiled.
A hollow smile.
"I don't want your wealth."
"I want blood."
"Kill them."
The massacre began.
Blades fell.
Throats opened.
Blood filled the tunnel.
Screams ended quickly.
Jūzō walked out into the hall.
Looking at the corpses.
His rage eased.
But not completely.
He didn't know what he wanted anymore.
Only one thing remained—
Kill.
Kill.
Kill—
Until the rivers ran red.
Behind him—
Some Kirigakure ninja hesitated.
This wasn't escape.
This was madness.
But—
It felt good.
Those who doubted—
Had already left with Kisame.
Those who remained—
Were monsters.