Morning mist still lingered at the main gate of the Konohagakure.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the front in his full Hokage robes and hat, his expression solemn. Flanking him were the three senior advisors—Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura—while the clan heads of the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Aburame, and Inuzuka families waited a respectful distance behind.
They occupied the street directly in front of the gate. On both sides, a massive crowd had gathered, shoulder to shoulder and buzzing with excitement. Even with the Konoha Military Police Force working to keep order, more villagers kept streaming in, filling every available space.
"Clan Head."
A member of the Uchiha clan named Uchiha Hachidai appeared in a flicker beside Uchiha Fugaku. He frowned slightly at his leader's somewhat rearward position among the other clan heads, then lowered his head and reported calmly, "Everything is arranged."
Uchiha Hachidai wore the standard black uniform of the Military Police Force beneath green sleeveless flak armor, the Konoha Police emblem stitched prominently on both shoulders.
Uchiha Fugaku, by contrast, was dressed in a deep-blue formal kimono bearing the Uchiha clan fan crest on the back, making it clear he was here as clan head rather than captain of the police.
"Good. Maintain strict order. There must be no mistakes whatsoever, or the entire clan will lose face."
Uchiha Fugaku's face was hard and serious. He gave the brief instruction with a slight turn of his body, then faced forward again.
His gaze settled on Hiruzen Sarutobi at the head of the line, and he couldn't help sighing inwardly.
"Once the alliance treaty with Kumogakure is signed, the Third's popularity in the village will only grow. I wonder whether that's truly a good thing."
The Konoha Military Police Force had been established by Tobirama Senju, with most of its members drawn from the Uchiha clan. Their primary duty was to uphold internal security, enforce village laws, maintain public order, and arrest any shinobi or civilians showing criminal intent—except those under the direct command of the Hokage's Anbu.
Tobirama's original intention in giving the Uchiha control of the police had been positive. Though he viewed the Sharingan-bearing clan as a potential source of instability, he had worked throughout his life to integrate and guide their power into the village's benefit.
Yet after Hiruzen Sarutobi became the Third Hokage, the Anbu—along with Danzō's Root—had gradually taken over certain security functions, creating overlapping authority and frequent friction with the police.
It was almost as if the old friends Hiruzen and Danzō had each quietly built their own personal guard units.
The Anbu's full name was the "Special Assassination and Tactical Squad." Their role was strictly reconnaissance, assassination, protection of the Hokage, and defense against external threats.
Most Uchiha, however, were straightforward and uncompromising by nature. Compared to the more flexible Anbu, the villagers they disciplined rarely appreciated their strict methods. Conflicts between the two organizations over law enforcement were common.
Hiruzen's firm but seemingly impartial handling of these disputes had only deepened the Uchiha clan's resentment toward the Third Hokage. Even the usually composed Uchiha Hachidai had been affected by the growing discontent within the clan.
Whenever these matters crossed his mind, Uchiha Fugaku felt a headache coming on. He sometimes found himself missing the days when Minato had been the Fourth Hokage.
It wasn't only because he and his wife had been close friends with the Fourth and his wife. The Uchiha had genuinely respected the Hokage who had risen from civilian roots.
Hiruzen had already stepped down once, yet after the Fourth's death he had taken the position again with no apparent interest in finding a successor. The whole situation left a bad taste.
"I'll wait until after the treaty is signed, when the Third is in a good mood, and raise the suggestion then," Fugaku decided, eyes still fixed on Hiruzen.
At that moment, the Third Hokage was indeed in excellent spirits. He listened to the excited chatter and praise from the villagers behind him with deep satisfaction, completely ignoring Danzō's sour expression beside him.
His peripheral vision, however, caught the empty space in the line. He frowned slightly.
"Has Hyūga Hiashi still not arrived?" Hiruzen asked without turning around.
Nara Shikaku, standing just behind him, gave a mental sigh and stepped forward. "We sent a messenger half an hour ago to remind them, but…"
Before he could offer any polite excuse for the Hyūga clan, an Anbu operative appeared beside Hiruzen and whispered a report in his ear. Shikaku caught only the words "today is the third birthday of the Hyūga main family's eldest daughter" before letting out a deep, silent sigh.
The Hyūga clan's behavior today was foolish.
They might be better than the Uchiha at playing it safe, but neither clan possessed much political wisdom—as this incident clearly showed.
Hiruzen's eyes flickered with displeasure that vanished almost instantly.
As both father and clan head, Hiashi could be excused for his absence. But if the Hyūga clan truly cared about the occasion, they could have sent a senior main-family elder in his place. Their no-show made their priorities obvious.
In their eyes, the third birthday of the main family's daughter represented the clan's future and outweighed a "minor matter" like the alliance between the Konoha and Kumogakure.
What Hiruzen hated most was any shinobi clan placing its own interests above those of the village.
The Uchiha did it. The Hyūga did it too.
"The Hyūga clan has important clan matters that prevent them from attending," Hiruzen said calmly, though irritation simmered beneath the surface. "Fill the gap and prepare to receive the delegation from Kumogakure."
Several people present reacted with surprise. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura frowned. Danzō let out a faint, derisive snort—whether intentional or not—and Hiruzen's expression darkened.
Still, Danzō had earned real credit for this treaty. It would be poor form to show open anger toward him, so the Third simply added the grudge to the Hyūga clan's account.
"They're here! They're here!"
A child who had climbed a tree for a better view suddenly shouted from the crowded street. The noisy throng erupted into cheers.
In the distance, several figures escorted by Konoha shinobi stepped through the village gates. The three lead Kumogakure ninja wore their village headbands, their rugged, dark features standing out sharply against the people of the Konoha.
Women leaning out from the upper floors of nearby buildings began scattering flower petals from baskets, letting them drift down like colorful snow.
Amid the crowd, Hyūga Kumokawa watched the spectacle with a calm expression, a cold smile hidden in his heart.
What a perfect picture of prosperity at its peak.
The louder they cheered now, the deeper their terror would be later.
Peace bought through compromise?
That chance was gone.
The world was already filled with enough secrets. Why create more layers of confusion?
There were far too many hidden truths in the ninja world—more than enough for him to work with.
But only by stirring these stagnant waters into chaos would he have the chance to fish in the turmoil.
And so, he would make sure war came early.
***
If you want to read up to 25 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron: pat reon . com / XElenea (remove space)