The Konoha army moved like thunder.
Before dawn, under the pretext of protecting an ally, Konoha stationed its forces inside the Land of Grass.
Mu immediately sent a message demanding an explanation, "You claim to stand for peace, yet your armies are massing at the border. What exactly are you expecting us to do?"
Uchiha Madara responded, "My troops are merely passing through..."
———
[Iwagakure]
Mu stared at the intelligence report sent from the border, his brows tightly furrowed.
"Th-This... Konoha can't really be planning to start a Great Ninja War, can they?", Mu muttered uneasily.
Black Zetsu was also staring at the report. Suddenly, he seemed to realize something.
His expression changed immediately.
"Mu! Quick! Mobilize the troops! Uchiha Madara intends to make a move!"
Mu quickly nodded, "I also feel something's wrong. I'll personally head to the front line."
Just as Mu was about to stand up, Black Zetsu immediately stopped him.
"No! You cannot go to the front lines. Someone has to remain in Iwagakure. What you don't know is that Senju Tobirama possesses a space-time ninjutsu that can instantly transport people. If they strike directly at our village, we're finished.", Black Zetsu hurriedly explained.
Mu's heart shook, "There's such a thing? I had no idea."
Black Zetsu narrowed his eyes slightly.
After all, he knew Konoha's methods inside and out.
"Then Sage Black Zetsu, what do you suggest?", Mu asked humbly.
"My suggestion is this, stay in Iwagakure and do not move. Send trusted subordinates to guard the border. At the same time, immediately notify the other three great villages and inform them that Konoha intends to act."
"Iwagakure must enter a state of emergency right now. Quickly. Because we have no idea when Konoha will strike."
Black Zetsu analyzed the situation calmly and rapidly.
"What if I send Onoki to guard the border?", Mu said after thinking for several seconds.
Black Zetsu pondered for a moment before nodding.
"That child... he'll do. Tell him not to engage in battle. Holding the line is enough."
"Understood!"
Mu immediately rose to issue orders.
———
Meanwhile, on Konoha's side, preparations for the coming war were in full swing.
Inside Ichiraku Ramen, the shop was somewhat deserted today.
Kakuzu frowned while reading the newspaper, then looked up at Arisu nearby.
"Old man, flour prices have gone up again lately. And I've got a feeling the international atmosphere's getting pretty tense too..."
Kakuzu said while holding the paper.
"Mmm... war is coming..."
Arisu narrowed his eyes slightly. He had also received intelligence from the White Zetsu, informing him that Uchiha Madara and Senju Tobirama intended to launch a war.
"Old man, for ordinary business folk like us, what are we supposed to do?", Kakuzu asked with a "worried" look on his face.
The corner of Arisu's mouth twitched, "With me around, what are you afraid of?"
Then Arisu looked out the window.
"Mu... can you really withstand Madara and Tobirama's blitzkrieg..."
———
[Inside The Senju Clan Compound]
A festive atmosphere filled every corner.
Laughter and cheerful voices echoed endlessly through the courtyards, with crowds gathered everywhere.
The reason for all this celebration was that Senju Hashirama had just welcomed his biological granddaughter.
Several years earlier, Hashirama's son had married the Daimyo's daughter, and the occasion had already been considered a grand event within the clan.
Now, the newlyweds had given birth to a child.
A little princess carrying both the glory of the Senju clan and the noble bloodline of the Daimyo's household.
Her birth had plunged the entire Senju compound into celebration.
The Senju clan was naturally delighted.
Senju Hashirama was a former Hokage, and afterward the clan had also formed ties with the Daimyo.
The current Senju clan was unquestionably Konoha's number one noble family!
Even the Uchiha clan could no longer compare to the Senju.
"Congratulations, Clan Leader. Truly joyous news. Your granddaughter is unbelievably adorable. Just looking at her makes people happy."
Senju Toka stepped forward with a smile in her eyes as she softly offered her congratulations.
Senju Hashirama carefully held the swaddled Tsunade in his arms, grinning from ear to ear.
"Hahaha! Tsunade's all chubby like this. She's practically the spitting image of her grandmother!"
Uzumaki Mito stood nearby, gazing at the infant in his arms and the joy written across Hashirama's face.
"I never imagined that you and I would already become grandparents. Time truly passes in the blink of an eye..."
"Yeah..."
Hearing those words, Hashirama revealed a nostalgic expression and gently nodded at Mito.
But in the very next moment, Hashirama subconsciously looked around, his gaze sweeping through the crowd as though searching for familiar figures.
Confusion soon appeared on his face.
"Huh? Why didn't Tobirama and Madara come?"
Hashirama scratched the back of his head, utterly puzzled.
In previous years, whenever there were birthday feasts, holiday celebrations, or major family occasions like his son's first birthday, Tobirama, Madara, and Izuna would always arrive immediately to congratulate them. Not once had they ever been absent.
But now, despite something as important as the birth of his granddaughter, Madara, Tobirama, and Izuna were nowhere to be seen.
It was far too strange.
"I know Izuna went north earlier on a mission, but what exactly are Madara and Tobirama busy with?"
"How could they miss something this important?", Hashirama muttered to himself, his face full of confusion.
Watching his hopelessly oblivious expression, Mito helplessly rolled her eyes at him.
"Madara and Tobirama are both overwhelmed with work these days. They're busy enough to barely touch the ground."
"Unlike you, who spends all day either gambling or lazing around beside me enjoying life."
"Haha."
Hashirama showed no embarrassment whatsoever. Instead, he laughed heartily and casually wrapped an arm around Uzumaki Mito.
"I, Senju Hashirama, fought wars my whole life. Can't I enjoy myself a little now?"
Looking at Mito, whose appearance remained youthful because of the Strength of a Hundred Seal, Hashirama couldn't help saying, "This Strength of a Hundred Seal is amazing. I've gotta learn this thing..."
———
[Kirigakure]
Gengetsu Hozuki abruptly stood up after reading the intelligence Mu had sent over, shock filling his heart.
"Great Sage Fukasaku, take a look quickly! Do you think this is real or fake?"
Gengetsu hurriedly handed over the report.
After reading it, Fukasaku's expression changed slightly. Then he calmly stroked his white beard.
"Don't panic. This is definitely real."
Hearing that, Gengetsu nodded, then immediately said in irritation, "I already knew those brothers from District Four were all bad news."
"Especially that Senju Hashirama. Looking righteous while being deeply cunning, pretending sincerity while hiding deceit. He's the number one hypocrite in the ninja world!", Gengetsu grumbled.
"Haha... sometimes people have their own difficulties.", Fukasaku smiled faintly. As someone who recorded history, he naturally understood whether Senju Hashirama was genuine or not.
"Then Sage, what do you think we should do?", Gengetsu asked.
Fukasaku thought briefly before speaking, "I don't think Iwagakure can be allowed to fall. If necessary, we should assist them. We can interfere with Konoha along the coastal regions."
"And besides, the bloodline limits of Kirigakure are no weaker than Konoha's..."