As a Kage-level powerhouse like Konoha's Duohui, the pressure of war slightly diminished, but the overall situation in Konoha remained grim.
Facing simultaneous offensives from Kumogakure and Sunagakure, even the addition of another Kage-level shinobi wasn't enough to turn the tide. The village was being stretched thin on all fronts. To make matters worse, Iwagakure and Kirigakure were biding their time, watching from the sidelines like vultures circling a weakened prey.
Despite a recent skirmish between Iwagakure and Kumogakure, the outcome hadn't resulted in substantial casualties on either side. Their forces remained intact and still capable of full-scale war. The Fire Country, being the most resource-rich region in the elemental nations, naturally drew the ambitions of others. This had been the case since the First Great Ninja War—especially for the Wind Country, whose harsh environment left it perpetually resource-starved. The Land of Fire's riches had long drawn covetous eyes, dating back to the First Kazekage.
Other motives also drove the conflict. Konoha had long been revered as the strongest of the five great shinobi villages, a status solidified under the First Hokage. Though the gap in power had narrowed since Hashirama's death, Konoha still retained its symbolic dominance—breeding resentment among the other villages. Its central location, bordered by the other four great nations, only amplified its strategic vulnerability.
In this era of chaos and shifting alliances, Konoha found itself most exposed. Iwagakure and Kirigakure had yet to make overt moves, but the mounting pressure was undeniable. One misstep could bring about complete disaster for the village.
Desperate for support, the Third Hokage looked beyond the great powers to the smaller nations. But those nations—cautious and fearful—remained neutral. Aligning with Konoha risked retaliation from stronger adversaries if the Leaf lost. Though Konoha had a reputation for magnanimity, not all of its would-be allies were confident that kindness would protect them in the aftermath of defeat.
Still, one minor nation stood out—the Land of Rain.
Though small in size, it had historically punched above its weight. Not only did it possess Kage-level strength, but its leader—Hanzo the Salamander—was once regarded as a demigod. The Land of Rain had even ignited the Second Great Ninja War, proving its capacity for decisive impact. Though their strength had waned due to subsequent suppression, Hanzo remained a formidable force.
Of all the smaller countries, only the Land of Rain had both the courage and strength to influence the outcome of the current war. Konoha, recognizing this, had sent several envoys to Amegakure to negotiate an alliance against Sunagakure. Yet Hanzo had neither accepted nor rejected these overtures.
As negotiations dragged on, the war raged relentlessly. Konoha's forces were stretched on both fronts, barely managing to hold the line.
Another year passed, bringing them to the 48th year of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Konoha was approaching its limits.
"Danzo, I'm entrusting the Rain negotiations to you," said the Third Hokage.
After a year of deadlock, Hiruzen Sarutobi had aged visibly. His hair had grayed, and fatigue lined his face. Though both fronts were holding thanks to the valiant efforts of rising stars like Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Hui, the looming threat of Iwagakure and Kirigakure weighed heavily on him. This wasn't a war ignited by ideology or revenge—it was a war for resources, power, and dominance. And Konoha was the most profitable target of all.
Konoha's war expenditure had reached a critical threshold. A shift was necessary—one battlefield needed to be resolved quickly.
If they could secure an alliance with the Land of Rain and push back Sunagakure, they could then refocus their forces to deter Iwagakure and Kirigakure. With the Uchiha and Hyuga clans still strong, there was hope of turning the tide if even one front could be stabilized.
Hiruzen had personally led the earlier negotiations with Hanzo to no avail. Reluctantly, he decided to hand the task to Danzo, hoping his... unique approach might succeed.
"There are two Orochimaru," Hiruzen muttered, "It's time for them to prepare."
Though it had only been a year, Hiruzen felt as though decades had passed. The thought of stepping down as Hokage now loomed larger in his mind with each passing day.
"Perhaps... the time is near to name my successor."
Ten days later, a surprising breakthrough occurred.
Somehow, Danzo succeeded where Hiruzen had failed. The long-stalled negotiations with Hanzo came to fruition. An agreement was signed: Amegakure would support Konoha against Sunagakure. The terms of this alliance were known only to Danzo and Hanzo.
Land of Rivers Frontline
At the command post, Namikaze Minato sensed two powerful chakras approaching. He looked up and was surprised by who entered.
"Sensei? You're both here?" he asked, blinking at the sight of Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
Following the successful alliance with the Land of Rain, the Third Hokage wasted no time. He deployed both Sannin to the front immediately, with all preparations completed within a single day.
Unaware of this shift, Kumogakure assumed that Konoha still had two Kage-level fighters on its side. Caution rooted in bitter experience held them back—especially after Uchiha Hui had killed three of their elite jōnin in a single battle. Over the following year, Hui had continued to use advanced tactics and forbidden jutsu to eliminate over a dozen more high-level Kumo shinobi.
Now, even when Konoha's intel suggested vulnerability, Kumogakure hesitated. They had learned to suspect that it might all be a trap orchestrated by Hui. His mere presence sowed doubt and gave Jiraiya and Orochimaru the cover they needed to move undetected.
Hui's efforts were not solely for Konoha's sake.
After the Immortal Organization's dramatic public appearance, it had become a prime target for every major shinobi village. Hui's objective now included weakening the great powers from within, all without drawing attention to the Organization. Fighting under Konoha's banner provided a perfect cover.
By helping Konoha cripple Kumogakure, he advanced his own hidden goals.
Still, Hui was calculating the risks. If his identity were to be exposed, the Organization's already damaged reputation could take a final hit.
He stared silently in the direction of the Land of Rivers.
"Should I make a move while the opportunity is ripe?" he pondered.
Orochimaru's deployment had been coordinated with him. Hui was aware of their objective and predicted that a decisive clash with Sunagakure was imminent—likely within the next two days.
The Second Battle of Fire and Wind was upon them.
The very next day, Konoha's army fully assembled on the frontline. Their intent was clear.
"A final showdown?" mused Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, as he read the report. His lips curled into a sinister smile.
Konoha had been enduring under pressure from both Kumogakure and Sunagakure. Rasa had expected their eventual desperation, but was impressed they had lasted an entire year.
Now, it was time to crush their hopes once and for all.
He began preparations for a surprise counteroffensive.
Elsewhere on the battlefield, one of Hui's clones—Ma Jia—sat in quiet meditation.
His eyes suddenly opened.
"A war is coming," he muttered.
Among the clones, Earth and Stone had executed their infiltration into Iwagakure flawlessly. They even acquired the corpse of the Third Raikage—an invaluable asset. Though they used extreme methods, the results were undeniable. Hui's operations in the Land of Lightning had also severely weakened Kumogakure's military strength.
For now, the infiltration and sabotage missions within Kumogakure had to be paused. The Organization would lie low for a while.
Ma Jia, meanwhile, had a different mission—one of personal importance.
He was tasked with protecting Rin.
Having taken her as a disciple, and with Hui preoccupied, Ma Jia—the most versatile and mobile clone—had assumed the role of her guardian. While she had survived in the original timeline, this world had changed drastically due to Uchiha Kiyo's interventions. Trusting canon events was no longer an option.
With Hui's rise to Kage-level, the chessboard had been irrevocably altered.
Konoha's fate now hinged on the next few days.