Inside the Hokage's office in Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the window, gazing out at the somewhat deserted streets of the village. Though many civilians still went about their lives, ninjas were a rare sight. The vast majority of their forces had been mobilized to two distinct battlefields.
One front was held against Sunagakure, and the other against Iwagakure.
On the front against Sunagakure, Konoha's defense had stabilized. Thanks to the exceptional performance of many outstanding ninjas, Konoha had even managed to secure a slight advantage.
The situation on the Iwagakure front was also looking positive. There had been no collapse, and Tianyuan had performed remarkably well there. Fighting single-handedly, he had routed the Stone ninjas and even shot through and exploded the Four-Tails, Son Goku, with a single arrow.
However, according to the intelligence reports, Hiruzen knew that the Third Tsuchikage had arrived on that battlefield personally, yet he remained curiously inactive.
Knowing the Third Tsuchikage as he did, Hiruzen was certain the old man was plotting something. Onoki was not the type to sit idly by while Konoha held the upper hand. As for fearing Tianyuan—with Onoki's legendary stubbornness, he wasn't likely to feel fear toward an enemy he hadn't personally faced yet.
"Perhaps I need to redeploy some ninjas from the other front," Hiruzen mused.
The high-end combat power on the Iwagakure front was still inferior to that of the Sunagakure front. At the latter, two of the Legendary Sannin Jiraiya and Orochimaru were stationed.
"And yet, I still have lingering concerns," Hiruzen's eyes betrayed his anxiety.
The Third Raikage was not exactly a peace-loving man. Kumogakure had not joined the war yet, but did that truly mean they had no designs on the Land of Fire?
Hiruzen couldn't say for sure. That was the root of his worry, and it was the reason some power still remained within the village. Most of the strength of the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan, along with regular ninja forces, were kept back. In the most dangerous of times, one had to prioritize the village's ultimate security.
"I hope I'm just overthinking it," Hiruzen sighed. The current state of the war was already dire for Konoha. Two major ninja villages were already attacking; the final outcome remained a mystery.
The war had already dragged on for several months.
"It will be Konoha Year 47 soon," Hiruzen noted, taking a draw from his pipe while staring into the distance.
Knock, knock.
The sound of rapping on the door broke his reverie.
"Enter," Hiruzen said, his expression returning to its usual stoic mask.
"Lord Hokage, an urgent report!" a ninja wearing an Anbu mask announced hurriedly.
"Give it to me," Hiruzen said, a knot of unease tightening in his chest.
"Yes, Lord Hokage." The Anbu ninja immediately handed the scroll to Hiruzen.
"You may leave." Hiruzen waved him off.
"Yes, sir." The Anbu ninja vanished from the office instantly.
Hiruzen used a specialized technique to unseal the letter. As he scanned the contents, his face grew increasingly dark, and his gaze turned icy.
Thump!
Hiruzen slammed his hand onto the desk. "I didn't expect Kumogakure to finally move. They've already crossed the Land of the Moon and entered the Land of Hot Water. They'll be in the Land of Fire any moment."
"Do they really think they can reap the spoils while we are exhausted?" Hiruzen took a deep breath. "Show yourself."
"Yes, Lord Hokage." An Anbu ninja materialized slowly in the room.
"Notify all Konoha Jonin and the heads of every clan. We are holding a council, effective immediately," Hiruzen commanded coldly. "If anyone has 'urgent' business, tell them to drop it and get here now."
"Understood!" Seeing Hiruzen's expression, the Anbu knew something catastrophic had happened. He dared not delay and departed immediately.
A short while later...
The Hokage's office was packed with Jonin. These were the most vital ninjas currently remaining within the village.
"I have received news," Hiruzen began, his voice grim. "News that puts Konoha in an incredibly disadvantageous position."
The gathered ninjas shifted, their eyes narrowing. Konoha was already in a precarious state in the Shinobi World. If Hiruzen called it "incredibly disadvantageous," then...
"Kumogakure, led by the Third Raikage, is marching toward the Land of Fire. They will reach our borders in a matter of days," Hiruzen announced.
A collective cold breath filled the room. No one had expected Kumogakure to join the fray now.
This meant three ninja villages were now attacking Konoha simultaneously. The realization was a gut-punch to everyone present. Konoha had become a choice piece of meat that every other village wanted a bite of.
"Therefore, I have summoned you to move out as quickly as possible to intercept Kumogakure," Hiruzen declared. "We cannot allow them to ravage our country. Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyuga..."
One by one, Hiruzen handed out assignments. Konoha had to race against the clock. Between receiving the intelligence and mobilizing to set up a defense, they had a window of at most one day.
"By your command, Lord Hokage!" Fugaku and the others responded in unison. This was Konoha's darkest hour, and they had to give everything. They were, after all, ninjas of the Leaf.
Before long, a large contingent of ninjas departed from the village. The sight filled the ordinary villagers with a sense of dread. They wondered what had happened to cause such a mass exodus.
It seemed the war was only growing more brutal. There was nothing the civilians could do but pray for Konoha's victory. If the village were defeated by the other nations, their fate would be grim indeed.
"I hope everything goes smoothly," Hiruzen whispered, his gaze complex as he watched the ninjas leave.
No one had imagined Konoha would ever find itself in such a desperate situation. This crisis was proving to be even more dangerous and more tragic than the Second Shinobi World War.
At the border of the Land of Earth, on the battlefield between Konoha and Iwagakure.
The Stone ninjas had been probing Konoha's defenses with increasing frequency, and their small-unit skirmishes were becoming more aggressive. It was clear to everyone that with the Third Tsuchikage on the field, a major move was imminent.
Konoha's ninjas were conducting constant reconnaissance, desperate to uncover the enemy's plan.
In the Konoha encampment.
Suddenly, an anxious-looking Konoha ninja arrived. Guided by his comrades, he rushed directly into the command tent.
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