Night settled over the Hokage Building, wrapping the village in uneasy silence.
On the second floor, inside the wide conference chamber, Konoha's shadow-level elites sat quietly. Hours had passed since the news of Uchiha Madara's return, and though the first wave of panic had dulled, fear still thrummed beneath the surface—
Because Uchiha Soren had not returned.
At the front of the chamber, Uzumaki Mito sat with her eyes closed, calm only on the outside. With a slow breath, her consciousness slipped inward, into the Eight Trigrams Seal carved into her soul.
Inside the Seal — Awakening the Beast
Golden chains clacked faintly as she descended into the darkness.
A pair of furious crimson eyes opened.
"Nine-Tails… Madara is coming."
The monstrous fox, bound by radiant Adamantine Chains, lifted its head lazily. Then its lip curled.
"Oh? And what of it?"
It could only sense the world vaguely through Mito, but it knew enough. Madara did not frighten it.
If anything, the fox hated the Senju and Uzumaki far more than it hated Madara.
If Madara came to destroy Konoha?
The fox would happily watch the spectacle.
"I will need your power," Mito said softly. "You and the Hokage will resist him together."
"No."
A blunt refusal.
Expected.
Mito opened her eyes calmly within the seal.
"That was not a request."
"Whether you agree or not…
you will be used."
"MITO!"
The Nine-Tails' killing intent burst outward like a firestorm—
The golden chains snapped tight, crushing its limbs and forcing its head down.
Mito's voice was cool.
"My Hokage has awakened the Mangekyō as well."
"This visit was merely courtesy."
Her projection faded.
The fox was left trembling with humiliation, teeth grinding.
Humans… "understanding," "harmony"… the Sage of Six Paths lied.
All lies.
Return to Reality
Mito opened her eyes.
At her right, Uchiha Shihō immediately leaned forward.
"Director Mito — did the Nine-Tails agree?"
"It did."
(…Or rather, it has no choice.)
Shihō exhaled hard.
"And the elders? Their stance on Madara's return?"
"Konoha's peace cannot be compromised," Shihō answered immediately. "Even for one who was once our legend."
Good.
Mito nodded. With Setsuna dead, the threat of internal Uchiha rebellion had evaporated.
She continued her report:
"Of the six advance operatives, only Inuzuka Jin remains capable of fighting."
"Among the Ino–Shika–Chō, the Nara patriarch can never serve again, Akimichi Chuya has died, and Yamanaka Bamboo may never awaken."
"Aside from myself and the Hokage, none present can endure direct combat with Madara."
A heavy silence descended.
Everyone understood:
Those below shadow-level would simply die on that battlefield.
Shihō bowed his head.
"The Uchiha clan will deploy all three-tomoe elites to assist."
"Your clan has my gratitude."
The room relaxed, just a little.
Only one thing was missing—
The Hokage's return.
The Hokage Returns
In his office, space twisted—
And Uchiha Soren stepped out of a Flying Thunder God seal.
Two voices called at once:
"Welcome back, darling!"
"Hokage-sama!"
Kagura, warm and cat-soft, pressed herself into him.
Uzumaki Minako, always composed, allowed relief to soften her eyes.
Soren stroked Kagura's hair.
"Sorry to make you worry. Things got… messy."
Minako caught the subtle wink he gave her and instantly shifted into professional mode, hiding her flush.
"Hokage-sama, the conference room is ready."
"Good. Kagura—stay here for now."
Kagura clung for one more heartbeat, then let go.
As she watched him leave—
Something awakened in her chest.
A longing.
Not for dominance.
Not for acclaim.
But to stand beside him.
And faintly—
Somewhere distant…
waves crashed in her mind.
Where is this sound coming from…?
Curious, Kagura unfurled a large map.
The Council Convenes
The elites stood as Soren entered the chamber.
Minako sat beside Senju Ying.
Kagura took her place beside Shihō.
Soren sat at the head of the table.
"Hokage-sama," Lady Mito said, offering a scroll, "this is the battle plan drafted during your absence."
Soren skimmed it, then spoke:
"Before anything else—one announcement."
The air tightened.
"The Hidden Cloud has been completely destroyed."
"Director Mito — notify the other three nations."
A shockwave of horror rippled through the room.
But no one celebrated.
Madara's shadow loomed too heavily.
Mito frowned.
"Provoking the other nations may be unwise. If their borders ignite, we cannot defend all fronts."
Soren leaned back, utterly calm.
"You and I will take the battlefield at the Valley of the End."
"Everyone else — reinforce the borders. After the battle, regroup."
Gasps erupted.
Shihō stepped forward urgently.
"Hokage-sama — Madara possesses the Eternal Mangekyō!"
Soren smiled slowly.
"I know."
His eyes glowed.
"Because so do I."
Silence — then uproar — then stunned awe.
Soren added, his gaze sliding toward Mito with a heat that made even the dignified elder's cheeks color—
"And what he does not have…"
"I do."
"This battle is ours."
Whispers filled the chamber.
Shihō's mind raced.
Mito simply stared, breath caught.
(Has the Young Lord… gained another Mangekyō??)
After deployments were finalized — including Uzumaki Minako and Senju Ying guarding the Land of Whirlpools — the council adjourned.
At Home — A Child's Resolve
As Minako and Kagura began preparing dinner, Uchiha Hikari approached, eyes firm.
"Hokage-sama… Brother… I request to join the battle."
A large hand dropped onto her head, mussing her hair into a hopeless nest.
"Battles are for adults."
"Kids don't get to join."
His tone was brusque.
To Hikari—
It was warm as sunlight.
She bit her lip, desperate.
"But I want to help you.
I also have the Mangekyō…"
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