Inside a remote Six Paths temple hidden deep in some barren wilderness.
It was already late at night.
How many groups had arrived?
Four groups.
These four were the Kage of the four great ninja villages aside from Konoha.
First Kazekage: Reto.
First Raikage: A. (Every generation of Raikage was called A.)
Second Mizukage: Gengetsu Hozuki.
Second Tsuchikage: Mu.
"Everyone saw it today. Uchiha Madara was arrogant beyond measure, and Konoha has finally stopped pretending. Konoha is nothing more than a hegemonic nation!", Mu spoke first, directly defining Konoha's nature.
The others nodded one after another in agreement.
They always claimed Konoha was open-minded and tolerant, that it disliked war and opposed hegemony.
But today, they had openly threatened them during the conference. Was that supposed to be peace?
Wasn't that outright domination?
"Sigh... the era of the first Hokage, Arisu, is already gone. The Konoha of today is no longer the Konoha it used to be.", Reto spoke sorrowfully.
He still remembered the days when the First Hokage had been Arisu. Back then, Konoha truly had been the beacon of the ninja world.
They had even helped the other villages establish themselves without taking advantage of their weakness.
"Today, if you people hadn't stopped me during the meeting, I would've fought Uchiha Madara to the death right there!", The First Raikage said while drinking beer.
Gengetsu Hozuki crossed his arms and pointed at the First Raikage.
"This guy's completely drunk. Besides, none of us stopped you. You were obviously the one who got scared stiff."
"Enough. Let's discuss what to do next. This was probably just a test from Konoha, probing our bottom line. If we continue acting weak, then I'm afraid..."
Mu deliberately left the sentence hanging.
The First Raikage clenched his fist beside him.
"Hmph! I don't give a damn about them anyway. If they've got the guts, then come fight head-on!"
"Our Kumogakure has plenty of people. Even if we have to drag it out, we'll wear Uchiha Madara down to death!"
Mu smiled faintly at the sight.
"Everyone, allow me to ask something. Have you all prepared for war?", Mu stood up as he spoke.
Everyone's expressions shifted slightly.
They had definitely prepared.
But if the question was whether they were ready to launch a war against Konoha, then deep down, none of them had any confidence.
"Evil cannot triumph over justice! I firmly believe that if Konoha attacks us, we will absolutely fight back, and Konoha will inevitably lose."
After saying that, Reto put on his Kazekage hat.
"Everyone, we should establish a communication channel. If any intelligence comes up, we can share it. Right now, we have a common enemy, and that enemy is Konoha.", Mu proposed.
The others nodded in unison.
———
[Konoha]
Madara and Tobirama discussed matters throughout the entire night.
This night would decide the course of history.
Afterward, Izuna was summoned inside.
Izuna looked confused, unable to understand why he had been called over in the middle of the night.
"Izuna, there's something Tobirama and I have already decided to do.", Uchiha Madara spoke.
Izuna's brows furrowed. A bad feeling suddenly rose in his heart.
"What are the two of you planning?", he asked with a frown.
"Unify. The. Ninja. World.", Uchiha Madara slowly spoke those four words.
Uchiha Izuna was shocked.
"Big Brother, no! Didn't I already say this? The people of Konoha don't like war!"
"That's because they haven't tasted the benefits that war brings. If you want to guarantee peace forever, then there is only one path, unification. Only under my rule can the ninja world achieve peace."
Madara's eyes were serious. He clearly understood one thing.
If he died in the future, the ninja world would never remain peaceful.
"Relax. It'll happen quickly. I estimate that within a year, we can sweep across the entire ninja world.", Madara spoke.
Izuna looked helpless. He had been happily developing agriculture this whole time, yet his older brother insisted on going to war.
As far as he was concerned, they only needed to manage the current generation properly.
There was no need to worry so much about the distant future.
"Big Brother, but your eyes!"
Izuna couldn't help shouting.
Madara, however, didn't care at all.
"I won't even need to overuse them to win this war."
Concern filled Izuna's face.
"My mind is made up. There's no need to persuade me further. Tobirama and I have already discussed everything.", Madara spoke calmly.
"Does the Second Hokage know?", Izuna let out a slight sigh as he asked.
"There's no need to tell my elder brother. Once the war begins, he'll naturally find out.", Tobirama spoke from the side.
Seeing that both of them had already made up their minds, Izuna, as one of the higher-ups, knew he shouldn't continue arguing.
The leadership had already reached a decision. As part of that leadership, he needed to stay aligned with them.
"Then what's the plan?", Izuna asked.
"Tobirama and I intend to use blitzkrieg tactics to deal with Iwagakure first. Once Iwagakure falls, the other three great ninja villages will become afraid of Konoha. Some may surrender, while others will fall into defeatism."
"After that, we'll head south against Sunagakure... then immediately move on Kumogakure... and finally, together with the Land of Whirlpools, eliminate Kirigakure, isolated overseas."
———
One month later, Konoha began carrying out secret mobilizations.
North.
Izuna stared thoughtfully at the map.
According to the arrangements made by his elder brother and Tobirama, he needed to remain stationed in the north to guard against a possible surprise attack from Kumogakure.
Because Konoha's first target would be Iwagakure.
Madara had originally wanted to wage war on multiple fronts, but Senju Tobirama had rejected the idea, believing the pressure would be too great.
"Who should guard the Valley of the End...", Izuna muttered while thinking.
This place was extremely important. It was both the gateway leading into Konoha and the spearhead for northern conquest.
Suddenly, Izuna thought of one of his disciples.
Shimura Danzo.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo were the two disciples he favored the most.
"Bring Danzo here.", Izuna ordered.
Very quickly, a young man in his teens walked in.
At this point, Danzo had already matured considerably.
But he was still only eighteen or nineteen years old.
"Teacher, you were looking for me?", Danzo asked.
Izuna smiled and beckoned him closer.
"Danzo, do you know about the Valley of the End?"
Danzo immediately nodded, "Yes. The name was personally given by the First Hokage back then. Its geographical position is extremely important, connecting Konoha to the north."
Izuna smiled and nodded, "That's right. I plan to dispatch a force to station at the Valley of the End to prevent sneak attacks from Kumogakure."
"What? Kumogakure dares attack our Konoha!?" Danzo asked in disbelief.
Izuna did not tell Danzo about the upper leadership's plans for a great ninja war.
Because it was top secret. Only a handful of senior officials knew.
"We're preparing for possibilities. Of course... there's another layer to this as well.", Izuna spoke.
Danzo frowned, sensing something unusual.
'Could it be... the higher-ups had already decided to start a war?'
"The Valley of the End is the spearhead of Konoha's northern campaign. Danzo, are you willing to take the position of captain?"
Izuna smiled faintly, stood up, and extended his hand.
Danzo's entire body trembled violently upon hearing that. His pupils shook intensely.
'Nor... northern campaign!?'
'Th-This!!'
'Teacher had already made it clear!'
'A northern campaign!'
Excitement exploded inside Danzo's heart. He was overjoyed.
'Finally!!'
'War was coming!!!'
'Gentlemen! I love war!!!'
'At last, I, Danzo, can fully display my abilities on the battlefield!!'
"Teacher! Even if Kumogakure sends a hundred thousand troops, I shall crush them with Wind Release!!!", Danzo spoke excitedly as he dropped to one knee.