The moment the order was given, the Senju Clan ninja immediately launched a fierce assault on the Sarutobi Clan territory, which was in the midst of celebration.
"Kill!"
Countless dark figures instantly pounced on the Sarutobi Clan. The sudden appearance of these uninvited guests caught the Sarutobi members completely off guard, freezing them in place.
This was Konoha, the strongest ninja village in the Ninja World. The Sarutobi Clan had never imagined they would be attacked—after all, who would dare strike a family under the Hokage's protection?
"Who are you?"
"You weren't invited to the celebration, were you?"
"Could this be a special mission?"
"The Second Hokage is still in the village."
Just as everyone was filled with confusion and curiosity, the intruders raised their gleaming ninja swords.
Swish! Swish!
In an instant, several lives were extinguished on the spot, blood splattering everywhere. The Sarutobi Clan members stared in shock, their breath seemingly caught in their throats.
The ground was soon stained crimson with blood droplets, and panic spread like wildfire among the Sarutobi Clan.
"Damn it! They're enemies!"
"We're under attack! Call for help!"
"What is the Uchiha Clan doing? How did so many enemies infiltrate Konoha?"
"Hurry and report to the Second Hokage!"
Faced with the sudden onslaught, every Sarutobi Clan member turned pale with fear. To make matters worse, the clan was holding a celebration, and many were heavily intoxicated, their reactions slowed. And they were up against the elite ninja of the Senju Clan.
After several exchanges, not a single member of the Sarutobi Clan survived; the entire clan was completely wiped out.
Outside the Sarutobi territory, several Senju ninja maintaining the barrier nodded to the Second Hokage standing beside them. Senju Tobirama, who had been waiting for news, gave a faint nod in return, his expression still unreadable. This iron-fisted Hokage would never show mercy to those who would one day bring about the downfall of the Senju Clan.
Once the battlefield was cleared, Tobirama led his men toward the Shimura Clan territory, where the Shimura Clan would meet the exact same fate as the Sarutobi Clan.
Meanwhile, on the road to Kumogakure.
"Everyone, pick up the pace!"
"The sooner we sign the treaty, the sooner we can return to the village!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen led the way, urging everyone to hurry without a moment's rest. To avoid delaying the journey, they all consumed Military Ration Pills to maintain their stamina, striving to reach the location of the alliance ceremony as quickly as possible.
He was single-mindedly focused on returning to the village to officially assume the position of Hokage, but the Shimura Clan ninja, especially Danzo, were visibly reluctant.
"Hiruzen! This pace is unsustainable!"
"Let's rest for a while!"
"A slight delay won't matter; the team is about to collapse!"
Hearing Danzo's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned deeply. His pleasant expectations interrupted, he shot Danzo a displeased glance. "Have you forgotten the teacher's instructions? We must arrive as quickly as possible to demonstrate Konoha's sincerity! What kind of impression would we make if we were late in front of the Second Raikage?"
But Danzo simply wouldn't listen, and Hiruzen knew his old comrade's thoughts all too well. The words sounded reasonable, but in reality, they were just Danzo's excuse. Danzo understood clearly that Hiruzen only wanted to return to the village quickly and take the Hokage's seat.
The more Hiruzen urged, the stronger Danzo's resentment grew: Why should you become Hokage? In what way am I inferior to you?
"Then take the Sarutobi clan members and go ahead. I am a member of the Shimura Clan, and today, we must rest!"
With that, Danzo completely ignored Hiruzen and stopped in his tracks. The ninja of the Shimura Clan followed suit and halted as well.
In an instant, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had just been appointed as the Third Hokage, was utterly humiliated. Feeling the gaze of the Sarutobi clan members behind him, a surge of anger welled up from the depths of his heart.
"Danzo, what are you trying to do?"
"I am the leader of this team! And I am the Third Hokage, personally appointed by our teacher!"
"If you have any grievances, you can appeal to our teacher after the mission is over! But now, in the name of the Third Hokage, I order you to continue the march!"
He glared at Danzo, no longer caring about their past friendship. He was the Hokage about to take charge of Konoha, and Danzo had to obey.
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly take a firm stance and suppress him with his authority as Hokage, Danzo's eyes were filled with unwillingness. After a tense standoff, he finally lowered his head first. In a ninja march, orders were absolute. Even if he was unwilling, he could not disobey.
Sarutobi Hiruzen expressionlessly ordered the team to continue moving forward. Though filled with reluctance, Danzo could only follow resentfully.
Soon, under Hiruzen's leadership, the team moved at full speed and arrived at the location of the alliance ceremony ahead of schedule. However, the scene before them made everyone's hearts sink—the place was eerily silent. The arrangements for the alliance were all in place, but there was no one in sight.
Seeing this, a strong sense of unease surged within Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Danzo beside him instantly grew vigilant.
"Hiruzen, something's wrong!"
"I know!"
Having fought alongside the Second Hokage for many years, the two had long honed their sharp instincts. Something was definitely amiss here. Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately ordered the team to enter the highest state of alert.
But before they could react, several figures swiftly surrounded them, trapping their team.
"Tch, I thought the Second Hokage would come personally."
"Brother, this kid is wearing the Hokage Hat. He must be the newly appointed Hokage of Konoha, right?"
The ones approaching were none other than Kumogakure's Gold and Silver Brothers, followed by a group of elite troops.
Seeing the appearance of Kinkaku and Ginkaku, Hiruzen's instincts told him that something terrible was about to happen—these two madmen were capable of anything.
Suppressing the panic in his heart, he spoke up to identify himself: "I am Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage of Konoha, here to fulfill the alliance agreement! What is the meaning of this, Kumogakure? Where is the Second Raikage?"
Faced with Hiruzen's questioning, Kinkaku and Ginkaku exchanged glances, their lips curling into mocking smiles, their faces full of disdain.
"Alliance?"
"Are you joking? Who would form an alliance with Konoha?"
"As for the Second Raikage, soon, we brothers will send you to meet him!"
Before the words had fully faded, the surrounding Kumogakure ninja launched a fierce assault on Hiruzen's team. Kinkaku and Ginkaku charged straight at Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo, and a great battle erupted instantly.