January 10th, Year 20 of Konoha.
The night was cool as water, the moon hanging high and bright over the village. Shadows danced lightly across the rooftops, but inside the Hokage Building, the atmosphere was stagnant and heavy, as though the very walls themselves were suffocating.
In the Hokage Office, Senju Tobirama sat rigidly behind his desk. His mind churned with frustration and disbelief. Not long ago, he had received the news that the reorganized Eastern Army—already battered once—had been annihilated again. Sarutobi Sasuke, who had been entrusted with command, had perished in battle almost immediately. The ten Jonin from Uzushiogakure, who had arrived to provide assistance, had fled at the first sign of trouble.
Worse still, the reports from the few retreating Eastern Army Ninjas had been harrowing. Uchiha Su—now openly leading Hidden Mist forces—possessed not only the feared Mangekyo Sharingan but could also manifest Susanoo. Another unidentified Mangekyo user was said to be assisting him, their combined strength leaving the Konoha forces staggered.
Following the passing of Uchiha Madara, two Mangekyo users had emerged in succession within the Uchiha. This cruel twist left Senju Tobirama feeling utterly powerless, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him like a mountain. He had spent years trying to maintain order in Konoha after his elder brother's death, yet now the defected Uchiha thrived, challenging his authority and undermining Konoha's stability.
"How could the heavens be so cruel?" he muttered, his voice tinged with the bitterness of a woman scorned.
After a moment of lament, he shook off his frustration and began meticulously recording the abilities attributed to Uchiha Su's Mangekyo Sharingan.
"One ability," he noted, "can force Sarutobi Sasuke, even when submerged underground, to reveal himself. The other summons massive bolts of lightning from the sky to annihilate targets."
He sealed his records carefully, aware that such information could prove critical if the young Uchiha's power was unleashed again.
Then, with a deep breath, he turned to the gathered council. "Alright. Speak clearly. How should we handle the current situation in the eastern Land of Fire?"
The room was tense. Present were a handful of figures: Uchiha Shū, the newly promoted Hokage Assistant whom Tobirama had appointed to honor his late brother's wishes; Hyuga Ran, head of the Hyuga Clan and a peak Ninja in his prime; and several elders, now largely ceremonial, stripped of real influence, present only for appearance's sake.
Senju Tobirama's gaze fell on Uchiha Shū and Hyuga Ran, seeking practical counsel rather than flattery or complaints.
Hyuga Ran glanced at Uchiha Shū, who sat with downcast eyes, appearing nearly useless. "Hokage-sama," she said finally, "we cannot allow the eastern Land of Fire to decay. We must continue deploying troops led by capable Ninjas. Even if we cannot immediately expel the Hidden Mist, we cannot allow them to act unchecked."
She continued, her tone measured: "This defeat has severely damaged Konoha's prestige. The volume of recent missions has declined sharply, largely due to the repeated failures in the East."
The words were reasonable, but meaningless. Hyuga Ran offered no real solution, only observations. Tobirama felt a surge of nausea. Even the cleverest strategist cannot fight without resources, and Konoha was hollowed out. The remaining forces were committed to the west, engaged in ongoing battles with Sunagakure. They could not be withdrawn.
"You all understand Konoha's situation," Tobirama said, his voice heavy. "Currently, no army can be deployed east. Those remaining are essential for maintaining operations here in Konoha—they cannot be sent to the front."
He paused, emphasizing the gravity of their limitations. "And yet, we must consider Hidden Mist's growing power. I have learned that Uchiha Su, acting as the successor to the Mizukage, has united the Kekkei Genkai families, major Ninja Clans, and even the merchant class. He has created a formidable force. One or two thousand well-chosen Ninjas are more than sufficient."
Both Hyuga Ran and Uchiha Shū immediately understood the implication.
Shū spoke first, his voice faint: "Hokage-sama, you know the Uchiha Clan's current state better than anyone. We have few clansmen left. After the Clan Head departed with half the clan, only a handful remain. We simply cannot afford to send more."
Tobirama's eyes narrowed at the mention of the "Clan Head." Normally, he would be appeasing the Konoha Uchiha at this point, but nearly a year after Madara's defection, no new Clan Head had been appointed. Worse, the remaining Uchiha continued to refer to Madara as Clan Head—not as a traitor.
It was a subtle but clear declaration of dissent. The Uchiha in Konoha were divided, harboring rebellious thoughts and quietly undermining Tobirama's authority. Dissatisfaction with the Hokage had become dissatisfaction with the village itself.
"I understand the Uchiha's situation," Tobirama said, masking his rising anger, "but surely we can still draw out at least a hundred capable clansmen?"
Shū's voice remained steady. "If Hokage-sama insists, the Uchiha have no objection and are willing to send a hundred clansmen. However…" He paused, weighing his words carefully. "…once these clansmen reach the east and encounter the Young Lord, there is a high risk they will surrender to him."
The smile froze on Tobirama's face. Harsh though the truth was, he could not deny it. The Uchiha in Konoha were split between radicals, who wished to join Uchiha Su, and conservatives, who remained loyal to Konoha and scorned the defectors. No one held the authority to unify both factions.
"And the Hyuga Clan?" Tobirama asked next, turning to Hyuga Ran.
"We can only spare a hundred clansmen, none from the Main House," she replied firmly. "Our Byakugan is a strategic asset of extreme value; it cannot be risked in open combat. Any loss would severely compromise Konoha's defense."
Her words were righteous, veiled in the Will of Fire, yet Tobirama recognized the subtle challenge within them. Every clan guarded its own interests carefully, and none were easily swayed.
For a moment, he felt defeated. Even if he wanted to enforce his authority, Konoha's hollowed forces left him powerless.
"Perhaps," an elder finally spoke, breaking the silence, "we can send newly graduated students from the Ninja Academy, led by Chunin, to the east. At the very least, they can serve as temporary resistance—consumables for Exploding Tags, fodder for Fire Release…"
The room went quiet again. Tobirama's jaw tightened. He knew this suggestion was grimly practical, but it underscored the desperation of Konoha's situation.
No veteran Ninjas could be spared. The Eastern Army had been shattered, Sarutobi Sasuke lost, and Hidden Mist forces, now bolstered by defectors like Uchiha Su, grew stronger with each passing day. Every move the Hokage considered now was a gamble against a seemingly unstoppable force.
He closed his eyes briefly, inhaling deeply. This war, this village… Konoha is burning while the leaves dance above. How much longer can I hold everything together?
Senju Tobirama's thoughts returned to the larger picture: Uchiha Su's cunning, the Mangekyo Sharingan, the Susanoo, and the loyalty of defected Ninjas. The eastern Land of Fire was slipping from Konoha's grasp. If even a hundred clansmen sent east could not hold the line, what hope remained?
Yet the Will of Fire—the very spirit of Konoha—demanded action, however desperate. The next decisions would determine not only the fate of the eastern lands but the survival of the village itself.
Tobirama opened his eyes. His expression was grim but resolute. "Prepare the hundred clansmen. Mobilize the Hyuga forces. Send scouts to monitor Uchiha Su's movements. We may not have the strength for victory, but we will not give him the eastern Land of Fire without a fight."
The room fell silent, heavy with tension. Outside, the night continued its quiet vigil, the moonlight illuminating the walls of the Hokage Office. Inside, the fires of strategy and desperation burned fiercely, matching the turmoil of Konoha itself.
The world was changing. The leaves danced, but the fire in Konoha still burned—and Tobirama would not allow it to die without a fight.
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