Konoha — Hokage Office
The darkest hour before dawn pressed heavily upon the land.
Awakened in the middle of the night by an urgent ANBU report, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat silently inside his illuminated office.
Outside, everything was still.
Only the faint red glow of his pipe flickered between his fingers, casting light across the deep lines etched into his brow.
Several battle reports lay spread across the desk, delivered one after another by the ANBU.
The Land of Fire was ablaze on all fronts, leaving Hiruzen overwhelmed.
It wasn't that he had never experienced a ninja war before.
But—
The first time, Tobirama Senju had stood at the front lines, shielding everything.
The second time, the enemies were merely Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and the small village of Amegakure.
After nearly twenty years of recovery following the First War, Konoha had flourished with powerful heroes.
Among them, the greatest stars—Sakumo Hatake and the Three Legendary Sannin—had risen to prominence.
Those were glorious days.
"But why… has it come to this now?"
Smoke drifted through the office as Hiruzen muttered to himself.
His eyes were filled with exhaustion and confusion.
He had devoted his entire life to Konoha.
Maintaining balance.
Maintaining strength.
And yet now—
The village faced enemies on all sides.
For the first time, he doubted his path.
Perhaps I should never have allowed Danzo to push Sakumo Hatake into that corner…
And the destruction of the Uzumaki clan…
He paused.
No.
The Uzumaki situation couldn't be helped.
A ninja clan ruling a nation would have disrupted the balance.
At least Kushina was saved.
Hiruzen inhaled deeply from his pipe.
The sharp smoke pulled him back into reality.
First—
Sunagakure.
Rasa had been defeated.
The One-Tail had disappeared.
Their forces were nearly destroyed.
That threat was mostly gone.
Leaving Orochimaru with two thousand ninja at the southwest border should be enough to suppress any Sand counterattack.
Then—
Jiraiya and Shinnosuke could lead the remaining two thousand elite troops north.
They would reinforce the northwest border against Iwagakure.
And also deal with Kumogakure, whose forces had mysteriously appeared near the Land of Taki.
Hiruzen then picked up the report sent by Danzo Shimura.
From the lines written by his old comrade, he saw only four words.
"Hiruzen, save me."
Hiruzen's reply was simple.
"Danzo."
"You, who dream of the Hokage seat."
"Can you not face the Third Raikage alone?"
"Danzo, will you repeat your mistake?"
"Will you retreat again before Kumogakure out of fear?"
"Where is the Will of Fire that Tobirama-sensei taught you?"
Hiruzen believed Danzo would understand.
And he would also understand Konoha's current predicament.
The village simply had no strength left to spare.
Finally—
The eastern front.
The first ray of sunlight broke across the horizon.
Golden light flowed into the Hokage's office, clearing away the last shadows.
It illuminated Hiruzen's tired face.
The sunlight landed on his shoulder.
Cold and bright.
He raised his gaze slowly.
It fell upon the symbol above the office door.
The Konoha emblem.
The spiral crest of the Uzumaki clan.
Like a deep whirlpool drawing thoughts inward.
How many glories and sacrifices lay buried beneath the roots of this village?
And how many cracks?
Hiruzen shook his head.
"Inform Koharu Utatane."
"Visit every ninja clan immediately."
"Convene a Konoha Ninja Council."
"We must decide how to deal with the eastern front."
The eastern army must be saved.
But how to save them—
That would be decided by everyone.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The ANBU vanished into the rising sunlight.
Hiruzen walked to the window.
His gaze fell upon the towering Ginza building in the center of the village.
It shone brilliantly.
The destruction of the eastern army was nearly certain.
But what were the Uchiha Red Guards doing right now?
Were they preparing to fight Kirigakure?
Or withdrawing to wait for a better moment?
"One hundred million in supplies…"
"Such wealth."
The Third Hokage sighed quietly.
Former Konoha Eastern Camp
Now the Kirigakure Headquarters
Inside the command tent, distant explosions shook the air.
Wind slipped through the canvas, causing the lantern to flicker.
Two massive silhouettes stretched across the tent walls like crouching beasts.
Fuguki Suikazan, Samehada strapped to his back, jabbed a thick finger onto the map.
The location circled in red—
Infinite City.
"The Uchiha openly piled up one hundred million ryo in supplies in Infinite City…"
His voice was deep and greedy.
"They're provoking us."
"They think we'll stay trapped here with Konoha's remnants."
Jūzō Biwa leaned against his Executioner's Blade.
"Reports say the Uchiha Red Guard only has two hundred soldiers."
"That's barely enough for our three thousand Mist ninja to divide."
"But are we sure the Red Guard are the only forces inside Infinite City?"
Fuguki interrupted.
"With Uchiha pride, if they had the strength they'd come fight us directly."
"My guess?"
"They're hiding behind the nobles."
"Infinite City is full of aristocrats protected by the daimyo."
Even in the Bloody Mist, nobles still stood above ninja.
Fuguki slammed his fist on the map.
"The eastern Konoha remnants are trapped."
"I'll leave 1,500 troops here to maintain the siege."
"I'll personally lead 1,500 elites to attack Infinite City."
"We seize the supplies and withdraw."
"And if we're lucky…"
"We wipe out the Uchiha too."
"Those Sharingan will make excellent trophies."
"One hundred million ryo."
"And Uchiha heads."
"That kind of victory will silence even the Mizukage."
"And remind the world how sharp the Mist blades are!"
Jūzō remained silent for a moment.
He wasn't fully convinced.
The Uchiha were dangerous.
Infinite City felt suspicious.
But he also knew what one hundred million ryo meant for an overseas campaign.
"Our problem," Jūzō finally said,
"is that the Uchiha might burn the supplies."
Fuguki grinned.
"Then we burn the entire city."
"Take what we can."
"Burn the rest."
"And blame it all on the Uchiha."
"After all, maybe we'll even play the role of heroes who tried to save the city."
Fuguki stood up.
"Jūzō, you handle the siege here."
"If the Konoha dogs try anything…"
"Kill them all."
Jūzō lifted his Executioner's Blade.
"I'll maintain the blockade."
"But end your mission quickly."
Fuguki grabbed Samehada.
Its chakra pressure filled the tent.
"In absolute power…"
"All schemes are meaningless."
"Prepare the troops!"
"Our target—"
Infinite City!
Uchiha Red Guard Camp
Morning mist lingered in the forest.
The Uchiha Red Guard mobilized instantly after receiving orders.
No shouting.
Only the low metallic sounds of armor and weapons.
Like beasts sharpening claws before the hunt.
Two hundred figures stood in formation.
Each wore crimson armor.
The Uchiha fan crest gleamed on their backs.
They silently checked weapons, explosive tags, and tools.
After two days of waiting—
They were eager for battle.
"The objective—Infinite City."
The General's order was short.
The Red Guard moved immediately.
A crimson current flowing through the forest.
Birds and animals fled before them.
Sunlight pierced the thinning mist.
It reflected off their armor with cold brilliance.
At the front—
Uchiha Anlan walked while holding the Digimon Egg.
He glanced at Uchiha Mikoto, whose high ponytail made her look even more heroic.
"Based on Mist movement speed…"
"They'll reach Infinite City by noon."
"In daylight they likely won't attack directly."
"The city is full of nobles under the daimyo's protection."
"They'll gather intelligence first."
"Locate the supplies."
"So when they arrive…"
"They must see exactly what they expect."
"The real assault will likely happen at night."
"But no one should relax."
"Use this time to map the city."
"Every street, alley, tunnel, high point, and defensive position."
"And coordinate with the merchant guild's security forces."
"Let's avoid friendly fire."
"Understood."
Mikoto nodded and moved off to deliver orders.
Soon—
The entire Red Guard transformed with Transformation Jutsu.
Merchants.
Travelers.
Samurai.
They entered Infinite City in small groups.
Beneath the Ginza Merchant Guild Headquarters
Cold stone air filled the underground chamber.
After passing several sealed doors and descending spiral stairs—
A hidden room appeared.
The walls glowed faintly with luminous stone.
In the center—
Chains stretched from the ceiling and floor.
Binding a woman's wrists and ankles.
Suspended in midair.
Golden hair fell like a waterfall.
The green jacket she wore still displayed the bold character—
"Gamble."
It was none other than—
Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin.
The chains weren't ordinary.
Sealing patterns suppressed her chakra.
Her head hung low.
But her breathing proved she was alive.
The once-famous kunoichi now hung in humiliating captivity.
Opposite her—
Shizune sat curled on the cold floor.
She wasn't chained.
But her eyes were red from crying.
In front of her sat an elegant food box.
Inside—
Rice.
Soup.
Grilled fish.
Vegetables.
Even a plate of sakura mochi.
The food was still warm.
Shizune didn't touch it.
Her body trembled.
In her mind—
This feast meant only one thing.
A final meal.
"…No wonder Lady Tsunade always said bad things about the Uchiha…"
She whispered through tears.
"We didn't even steal any money…"
"And they're going to execute us?"
"Konoha prisons aren't like this…"
"The Uchiha… are so cruel!"
Just then—
"Cough… cough…"
A weak voice echoed.
Shizune looked up.
Tsunade had moved.
Her eyes slowly opened.
The confusion vanished instantly.
Replaced by sharp awareness.
Her gaze scanned the chains.
The room.
Finally—
It stopped on Shizune.
And the food.
Silence lingered.
Then Tsunade spoke calmly.
"Shizune…"
"That grilled fish will taste awful if it gets cold."
"Eh?"
Shizune blinked.
"And the miso soup…"
"The steam is gone."
"If it sits longer, a film will form."
Tsunade sounded as if she were casually discussing dinner.
"Those Uchiha bastards tied me well…"
"They even suppressed my chakra."
She smiled faintly.
"But don't waste food."
Looking at the stunned girl, she said gently—
"You'll need strength to fight back."
"Right?"