Sunagakure was obviously dead set on dumping all the blame onto Konoha.
Unless Konoha surrendered outright, a shinobi world war was inevitable.
"Haaah…!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi collapsed back into his chair, exhausted.
Why did he ever become Hokage…? Why did so many disasters keep happening during his tenure?
The Second Shinobi War had just ended — and now the Third was about to ignite?
Couldn't he just live peacefully for a few years?
"…Let's talk first," he muttered.
If he could avoid it, Hiruzen absolutely did not want another war.
He was already preparing to compromise, and even Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado didn't object.
After all, they didn't want to go to war either.
That was Konoha's higher-ups for you: fierce when scolding their own people, barking loudly at outsiders…
But when a real disaster arrived?
Before Hiruzen could issue any orders, an Anbu suddenly appeared in the Hokage office.
"Lord Hokage! Sunagakure has unilaterally declared war on us!"
"Nani!?"
Hiruzen's eyes widened, disbelief written all over his face.
Koharu and Homura froze as well.
What was this situation!?
They hadn't even begun negotiations and Sand already declared war!?
…Are you Sunagakure or Kumogakure!?
You're declaring war before even sitting down to talk!?
Can you at least pretend to follow basic ninja etiquette!?
The news struck them so suddenly that even the usually composed Hiruzen was caught off guard.
But before he could even breathe...
Two more Anbu flickered into the office.
"U-Uh…"
Seeing two more show up at once, Hiruzen felt his stomach twist.
A terrible premonition crept up his spine and reality proved him right.
"Lord Hokage! Thousands of Iwa-nin have appeared at the border! They're advancing toward the Land of Fire!"
"Lord Hokage! Thousands of Kumo-nin have also assembled at the Land of Lightning's border!"
The moment the two reports landed, Hiruzen and the advisors went completely blank.
This was bad.
Really bad.
"Damn it! What are they planning—are they trying to start a joint war!?"
The gentle Third Hokage was gone.
What stood now was a furious beast, eyes filled with rage.
Three Great Villages moving at the same time—
This wasn't a joke.
A single misstep and Konoha could be erased from the map.
Koharu and Homura understood this too.
The two exchanged a glance… and immediately chose silence.
"Ahem! Our clan still has some matters to deal with at home, so we'll take our leave first."
"Yes, yes. Something… urgent has come up. But if war breaks out, our families will support Konoha from behind!"
In other words:
As long as they themselves didn't have to step foot on the battlefield.
After tossing that "encouraging" line, Koharu and Homura decisively turned and left.
This place was too dangerous.
Better to go home and stay put.
With Hiruzen around, surely Konoha wouldn't lose… right?
"…"
Watching their backs fade, Hiruzen's expression darkened completely.
"Useless."
Loud when nothing's happening,
but the moment a true crisis comes, they run faster than a rogue ninja.
The more he thought about it, the more Hiruzen missed Shimura Danzo.
"Ahh… if only Danzo were here."
At least Danzo never backed down when war arrived.
Even if his personal strength wasn't remarkable, he was still firmly pro-war and would never flee like a coward.
"…Go," Hiruzen finally ordered. "Summon the clan heads and the elite jonin."
Sunagakure declaring war so boldly could only mean one thing...
They had checked with Kumogakure and Iwagakure beforehand.
This was far beyond something Hiruzen could resolve alone — he needed all of Konoha assembled.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
The Anbu bowed and prepared to leave—
"Wait."
Hiruzen suddenly remembered something, his voice firm.
"Bring Shiki here.
Use whatever reason you need. Understand?"
"Yes!"
The Anbu vanished immediately.
Left alone, Hiruzen sat silently in thought.
He didn't get along with Shiki, but he wasn't blind.
A powerhouse of Shiki's caliber could change the course of an entire war.
This upcoming battle would absolutely require his strength.
…
Meanwhile, Shiki had no idea Hiruzen was preparing to drag him into the war.
At that moment, all he heard was Tsunade's incredulous shout echoing through his courtyard:
"Oi! Shiki! The Third Shinobi World War is REALLY about to start!?"
They didn't have the official declaration of war yet.
But the disappearance of the Third Kazekage had spread across the nations, and anyone with half a brain could see the chain reaction forming.
That disappearance would become the fuse.
Tsunade stared at Shiki in disbelief.
She originally didn't believe in the Third Shinobi War… but now she was convinced.
"Shiki! You're amazing!"
She didn't think he could see the future, but she was clearly impressed.
Shiki only gave her a casual, smug smile.
"Well, I am amazing. Not like this is news to you."
"…"
Tsunade rolled her eyes.
Here she was talking seriously, and this idiot was still flirting.
"I'm sure the real fighting will start within a few days."
"Yeah. Hiruzen's probably already summoned all the clans by now."
Shiki nodded lightly.
As a Reincarnator, he knew exactly how terrifying this war would become — far more brutal than anything Tsunade imagined.
This wasn't just Sand, Rock, and Cloud.
Even Kirigakure would join the war.
Four major villages versus Konoha.
This was the war that established legends —
the Yellow Flash Namikaze Minato,
Uchiha Shisui the Body Flicker,
Might Guy the Blue Beast,
Hatake Kakashi the Copy Ninja.
The war that defined a generation.
"Lord Shiki! Lady Tsunade!"
An Anbu suddenly appeared in the courtyard.
"I know," Shiki said before the Anbu even opened his mouth, waving his hand dismissively.
If Anbu appeared now, it could only mean one thing.
The meeting was starting.
"Then I'll take my leave," the Anbu said politely and disappeared.
The moment he vanished, Tsunade turned to Shiki with wide, sparkling eyes.
"Be honest—can you actually predict the future?"
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