Konoha. The Hokage Tower.
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 in his lit office, lost in long silence.
Outside the window, the world lay still. Only the faint glow of his pipe ember flickered between his fingers, reflecting the deep lines etched across his brow.
Several battle reports had been placed across his desk, one after another, by the ANBU.
Fires had erupted across the Land of Fire.
The scale of it left him overwhelmed.
It wasn't that he lacked experience with great wars—
During the First, he stood behind his teacher, Tobirama Senju.
During the Second, the enemies had been limited to Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and a single Amegakure.
After nearly twenty years of recovery, Konoha had once flourished—heroes rising in succession, powerhouses gathering like clouds.
Figures like the White Fang and the Sannin had stepped onto the world stage.
What a glorious era it had been.
"…Why has it come to this?"
Smoke curled through the air as Hiruzen murmured to himself, exhaustion and confusion filling his eyes.
He had devoted his entire life to Konoha—maintaining balance, preserving strength.
Yet now, for the first time, he questioned his path.
Perhaps I should never have let Danzo act against Sakumo… and the Land of Whirlpools…
No… Uzushio was unavoidable. A ninja ruling a nation defies order itself. Keeping Kushina was already fortune…
He took a deep drag from his pipe. The sharp burn grounded him, forcing his thoughts back to reality.
Sunagakure…
Rasa had been defeated. The One-Tail was missing. Their main force was crippled.
That threat was, for now, largely neutralized.
Leaving Orochimaru with two thousand shinobi at the southwestern border would be enough to contain any resurgence.
Which meant Jiraiya and Sarutobi Shinnosuke could immediately lead two thousand fresh troops north—to reinforce the northwest against Iwagakure…
And the opportunistic raiders of Kumogakure, now probing near the Land of Waterfall.
Hiruzen picked up the report from Danzo Shimura.
From its contents, he saw only four words—
Hiruzen. Save me.
His reply had been simple.
"Danzo, is the Hokage seat not your lifelong ambition? Can you not face the Third Raikage alone?"
"Will you repeat your past mistakes—retreat again out of fear before Kumogakure?"
"The Will of Fire that Tobirama-sensei taught you… where is it now?"
Hiruzen believed Danzo would understand.
And that he would accept Konoha's current reality—stretched thin, unable to spare aid.
"…That leaves the east."
The first light of dawn broke across the horizon, spilling into the office like molten gold. Shadows retreated, revealing Hiruzen's weary face.
His gaze lifted slowly, settling on the emblem above the office door—
The spiral crest of the Uzumaki.
It turned like a silent vortex, pulling at his thoughts.
How much glory lay beneath Konoha's roots?
How much sacrifice?
And how many unseen cracks?
Hiruzen shook his head sharply.
"Notify Advisor Koharu Utatane. Have her summon the major clans. Convene a Konoha shinobi council… to decide the eastern situation."
The eastern army had to be saved.
But how—that would be decided together.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The ANBU vanished into the morning light.
Hiruzen stepped to the window, gazing toward the gleaming commercial district at the village center, his eyes dark with thought.
With the eastern forces collapsing…
What were the Uchiha doing?
Advancing without fear against Kirigakure?
Or withdrawing… waiting for the right moment?
"One hundred million ryo… truly extravagant."
The Third Hokage let out a quiet sigh.
—
Former Konoha eastern camp. Now a Kirigakure war camp.
Inside the main tent, the wind from distant explosions slipped through the seams, making the lamplight flicker.
Two towering shadows loomed across the canvas like beasts waiting to strike.
Fuguki Suikazan slammed a thick finger onto the map.
Marked in red—
"Infinite Castle."
"The Uchiha stacked one hundred million ryo in supplies there…"
His voice was low, thick with greed.
"This is a challenge. They think we're tied down by Konoha's remnants—afraid to take it?"
Beside him, Juzo Biwa rested the Executioner's Blade across his shoulder.
"Two hundred Uchiha at most. That's not even enough for our three thousand to split."
"But is that all?" Fuguki cut in, eyes gleaming. "Would the Uchiha stay silent if they had confidence?"
"They're afraid of being called cowards. So they dangle bait—nobles inside the city, forcing our hand."
He sneered.
"Leave fifteen hundred men to contain Konoha's remnants."
"I'll take fifteen hundred elites—strike fast, seize the supplies… maybe wipe out the Uchiha while we're at it."
"One hundred million ryo… and Sharingan as trophies."
His fist slammed the table.
"That's enough to silence the Mizukage—and show the world how sharp Kirigakure's blades are."
Juzo hesitated.
"This split is risky. The Uchiha aren't easy prey."
"They might burn everything before we get there."
"Then we burn the city," Fuguki grinned. "Take what we can. Destroy the rest. Blame it all on the Uchiha."
He rose, his massive frame casting a heavy shadow.
"Tenzo. You stay. Keep Konoha's dogs trapped."
"If needed—kill them all."
Juzo stood as well.
"I'll maintain the encirclement. But finish quickly."
"Relax."
Fuguki grabbed Samehada, chakra leaking into the air.
"Before absolute strength… strategy is meaningless."
"Move out."
"Target—Infinite Castle."
—
Morning mist still clung to the forest.
Within moments of receiving orders, the Uchiha Crimson Guard completed assembly.
No noise.
Only the low, unified sound of armor and steel.
Two hundred figures stood in formation, clad in red armor, fan crests stark against the dim forest light.
Silent.
Sharp.
Eager.
"Target—Infinite Castle."
The command fell.
The unit surged forward like a crimson current, vanishing into the trees.
At the front, Uchiha Ren carried a Digimon egg in one hand, turning slightly toward Mikoto Uchiha.
"Kirigakure will arrive by noon."
"They won't attack openly. Not in daylight—not with nobles inside."
"They'll gather intel first."
"So we show them exactly what they want to see."
"The real assault will come at night."
"No one relaxes."
"Map every street. Every alley. Every tunnel. Every vantage point."
"And coordinate with the merchant guards. No mistakes."
Mikoto nodded.
"Understood."
She vanished into the ranks.
Moments later, the entire force dispersed—transforming into civilians, merchants, samurai—blending seamlessly into the growing morning traffic entering the city.
—
Deep beneath the Ginza merchant headquarters—
A hidden chamber.
Chains extended from ceiling and floor, binding a figure in midair.
Blonde hair cascaded down.
A green haori marked with a bold "Gamble."
Tsunade.
Her chakra was sealed.
Her body hung suspended, weak and unmoving.
Across from her, Shizune sat curled on the cold floor.
Before her—
A lavish meal.
Rice. Soup. Grilled fish. Vegetables. Even sakura mochi.
Untouched.
Her lips trembled.
In her mind, there was only one meaning—
A final meal.
"…No wonder Lady Tsunade always said the Uchiha were bad…"
Tears welled up again.
"We didn't even steal anything… and we're going to be executed…"
"The Uchiha… are awful…"
Then—
A cough.
Tsunade stirred.
Her eyes snapped open, sharp despite her weakness.
They scanned the chains, the room… then settled on Shizune.
And the food.
"…Shizune."
Her voice was hoarse, but steady.
"The grilled fish… it'll taste terrible if it gets cold."
"Eh?"
"And the miso soup. It'll form a film if you leave it."
She shifted slightly, testing the restraints.
"…Tch. These chains are solid."
Then she smiled faintly.
"Don't waste food."
"Eat."
"Only when you're full… can you fight back."
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