Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi finally grasped the full picture, far across the sea in the Land of Lightning—
On the docks of the coastal city "Wavewatch Shore,"
a massive chakra-powered vessel rested against the pier.
It bore the single bold character "雲" — Cloud,
symbol of Kumogakure.
This was currently the most advanced chakra-engine vessel in the ninja world—
large enough to carry over fifty shinobi.
One helmsman steered it, while others infused chakra to adjust speed:
First Gear, Second Gear, Third Gear—
each higher gear requires another chūnin-level shinobi to fuel the core.
Without precise control, the engine could burn out or explode.
Now, standing aboard were dozens of Kumogakure shinobi—
some wearing blue-white combat vests,
others clad in heavy brown armor.
At their center stood a towering, muscle-bound man with wild hair, shirtless despite the cold spray of the sea—
surrounded by several elite jōnin.
"Destination—
The Valley Ridge Mountains."
"Yes, sir!" ×2
The Valley Ridge Mountains lay between Lightning and Water Country—a barren, jagged region where only shinobi dared tread.
Two small nations fought endlessly nearby, but this mountain range was perfect for secret negotiations.
At the order, the crew moved with practiced rhythm.
The chakra-engine roared to life, and the massive ship carved across the waves.
Meanwhile—
Kirigakure had dispatched a huge sail-ship of their own.
The Third Mizukage led his personal guard, advancing toward the same mountain range.
The fate of Uzushio would be decided by these two villages—
while Uzushio itself remained oblivious.
Half a month passed quietly.
The negotiations concluded.
Kumo and Kiri reached an agreement in the Valley Ridge:
"Whoever gets Uzushio's resources keeps them.
Neither side may attack the other during the operation."
Since the Fire Daimyō had already severed official ties with Uzushio,
Lightning and Water had no political constraints stopping them.
War was imminent.
Back in Konoha, a week earlier, Hiruzen had dispatched four elite jōnin on an A-rank diplomatic mission to Uzushio.
Today, they finally returned.
A scroll of fresh intelligence sat upon Hiruzen's desk.
Bang!
Hiruzen slammed the table.
"Shinichi… Clan Head Hizunori truly said that?!"
Before him, Hirata Shinichi bowed deeply.
Beside him stood three other clan-jōnin:
a Sarutobi, a Hyūga branch member, and Nara Kagiyoshi.
"Yes!" Shinichi replied loudly.
"What Elder Danzō did… was truly unacceptable."
Even he couldn't imagine how Danzō dared ask the Uzumaki clan for ten children—
just to raise as Root operatives.
"I see."
Hiruzen exhaled slowly.
"You four performed admirably. Without you, we might have broken our alliance entirely."
He turned to the others.
"Rōsuke, Kumo-ya, Kagiyoshi…
thank you."
The Nara jōnin—now both clan head and Hokage advisor—bowed stiffly.
His strength wasn't exceptional, but his strategic mind was unmatched.
"The rest of you may go. Kagiyoshi stays."
"Yes!" ×3
When the office door closed and their footsteps drifted away, Kagiyoshi straightened.
"Hokage-sama."
"The waters around Uzushio are crawling with shinobi from the Hidden Mist."
"It is highly likely…"
his voice darkened,
"…that the Uzumaki have been targeted exactly as the scroll described."
"So," Hiruzen muttered, "the former First Mizukage's aide wasn't wrong…"
"Truly cunning."
Kagiyoshi asked cautiously:
"What now? Do we alert the border forces? Reinstate the sea outpost?"
Hiruzen shook his head, face grim.
"If the prediction is correct…
Konoha cannot spare a thousand-nin strike force."
—Meaning a full army of chūnin and jōnin.
Kagiyoshi nodded.
"Uzushio only has five jōnin at most. Even if they're hiding a few, it won't change the result."
"And as for their chūnin… their combat awareness is far inferior to ours."
"Oh?" Hiruzen raised a brow. "How could you tell?"
Kagiyoshi grimaced at the memory.
"They're too pure. Too… untarnished."
"As if they haven't seen true war.
Or—more accurately—"
"They've never carried out killing missions."
Hiruzen closed his eyes.
He'd always known Uzumaki was weak militarily.
Once, he had even viewed that as a benefit—
a non-threatening ally.
But now, facing a joint assault from two great nations…
with their target being Uzumaki blood and sealing arts…
If the enemy obtained them, they could perfect their jinchūriki systems.
Hiruzen would sooner gouge out his own eye than willingly strengthen two rival villages.
After a long, heavy silence, he finally spoke:
"Inform Clan Head Hizunori."
"Tell him to evacuate Uzushio immediately."
"Or at least… send their non-combatants to Konoha as refugees.
Konoha will dispatch a reinforcement unit and attempt to hold the country for them."
Kagiyoshi's mouth twitched—
being a jōnin was truly hard labor.
Still, he accepted the downgraded A→B mission and headed out.
On his way home, he bumped into old comrade Yamanaka Kazushi—
and his squad, including their sons and Akimichi Dinhō's boy.
Perfect timing.
"You want us to deliver a B-rank diplomatic mission?!"
Nara Shikaku deadpanned, hands behind his head.
"We just got back from one! You're gonna kill us!"
His teammates—Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Chōza—nodded furiously.
They were one year older than Yūhi Ruyun and Shiranui Kumoma,
and had become chūnin early.
They handled A–C rank missions regularly.
"I'd rather not trouble my beloved son," Kagiyoshi said cheerfully.
"But right now… your squad is the only one with free time."
Shikaku groaned dramatically—
—then froze.
"…Wait. Isn't that last year's Team One over there?!"
He pointed across the street.
His eyes sparkled with wicked brilliance.
"Dad, they're perfect for this mission!!"
Kaito felt his danger sense explode.
His ear twitched.
Someone… somewhere…
was targeting him.
He turned.
At the end of the street stood Shikaku—
whispering conspiratorially to his father, grinning like a demon.
Nope.
Absolutely not.
Kaito immediately turned on his heel.
Time to escape.
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