Yako returned to two hours earlier.
Madara had chosen his timing perfectly—on the night of a full moon.
There were still two hours before the assault on Konoha. Yako had more than enough time.
[Arc of the Waning Moon activated!
The host has only one revival opportunity per month. Upon death, revival occurs on the previous full moon night.
Reward: One draw—
Secret Technique: Expansion Jutsu;
Secret Technique: Super Push;
Akimichi Military Rations.]
Now that his chakra reserves had reached their limit, chakra-related options no longer appeared.
Yako chose the Expansion Jutsu.
A Yang Release transformation—enlarging parts or the entirety of the body, dramatically increasing strength and size.
A technique with endless applications.
Kyoi and the others would certainly benefit from it.
Yako put on his mask and stood atop a rooftop, making a hand signal toward a treetop in the distance.
An ANBU hidden within the canopy vanished instantly, relaying the message to the White Ram squad leader—Vice Commander Fox was summoning him.
White Ram appeared before Yako in a flicker, nodding repeatedly as orders were issued one after another.
The entire ANBU force mobilized.
Off-duty ANBU received urgent summons. All idle operatives converged toward the ANBU base in the Forest of Death.
After arranging ANBU affairs, Yako turned to Kyoi.
"Kyoi, let's close the tavern early today. It's a full moon—we'll take the child out for a walk."
The night air in May was just right.
Rarely did Miqū show such interest. Holding the child, Kyoi left the tavern with Yako.
He had already chosen their destination.
They headed north—toward Hokage Rock.
Beneath the mountain and within its depths lay Konoha's evacuation shelters.
Thinking back to Madara's actions in the previous timeline, Yako was certain—
Even if all of Konoha were destroyed, the First Hokage's face would remain untouched.
If Madara attacked, Shelter No. 1 beneath Hashirama's statue would be absolutely safe.
Hashirama was dead.
But the bond between him and Madara still lingered, deeply influencing him.
After arriving beneath Hokage Rock, Yako spoke seriously:
"Kyoi, sit here on this bench."
"Tonight, someone will come to open the evacuation route."
"Remember what I'm saying. Once the route opens, go immediately to Shelter No. 1."
"Remember—Shelter No. 1."
Kyoi rarely saw Miqū this tense. She nodded quickly.
In the next instant, he vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
Konoha Hospital was nearby.
Yako arrived in an instant and pushed open Tsunade's office door.
He needed to stop her—make sure she stayed in the Senju compound to protect Kushina, instead of being distracted by the Susanoo outside the walls.
"Princess Tsunade! I've received intel—someone is planning to assassinate Princess Kushina tonight!"
Tsunade's breathing quickened, her chest rising sharply.
"What?! Who?! Who would target Kushina?!"
Several names flashed through her mind.
One stood above the rest.
Danzo.
So… you've finally made your move?
Kushina was the village's ultimate weapon. Danzo had always wanted control over her.
"Uchiha Madara."
Tsunade froze.
Madara?
She frowned.
"I've heard Madara treated the Uzumaki clan well. There's even a red-haired boy named Nagato Uzumaki who follows him."
"What is his stance toward the Uzumaki? Why would he want to kill Kushina?"
Yako replied:
"It's complicated. Princess Tsunade… please trust me."
"After tonight, I'll explain everything."
Tsunade nodded.
"I understand."
"Princess Tsunade, don't leave the Senju compound tonight. Protect Princess Kushina at all costs."
"If necessary, I'll head there as well."
"I'll take my leave."
Yako left the hospital and immediately headed for the Hokage Tower.
Half an hour had passed.
He still had an hour and a half left.
Enough time to evacuate the civilians.
Inside the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hatake Sakumo, Danzo, and the other high-ranking officials were locked in heated debate over the rotation system for the Guardian Captain.
Sakumo, normally not one for words, was forced to argue alone against several elders—trying to preserve fairness within Konoha.
Hiruzen was the first to turn his head, looking toward the window in confusion.
Black Ant slipped in through the open window with a Body Flicker, whispering to Yellow Dog:
"Lord Yellow Dog, Lord Fox has issued a full ANBU mobilization order. All off-duty ANBU are heading to the Forest of Death base."
Yellow Dog quietly relayed the message to the Third Hokage.
Hiruzen frowned.
As Vice Commander, Fox had the authority to mobilize ANBU—
But should he not at least inform the Hokage first?
The others fell silent.
Even Sakumo paused—he was exhausted from arguing.
If even Nara Shikakaku didn't support him, then his proposal stood no chance.
At that moment—
Yako appeared inside the office.
He immediately approached Yellow Dog and spoke in a low voice:
"Lord Yellow Dog! My Wood Release surveillance has detected a large number of Madara's subordinates gathering near Konoha!"
"Something's wrong—Madara may be preparing to attack!"
Yako glanced at the clock.
Still over an hour left.
There was time.
After hearing the report, Hiruzen immediately turned to Danzo.
He had previously ordered Danzo to use Wood Release to monitor Madara's movements.
And yet—
Danzo had detected nothing?
Hiruzen knew Danzo's Wood Release wasn't as refined as Fox's.
Still, this level of failure was disappointing.
Without hesitation, Hiruzen gave the order:
"This meeting is over!"
"Shikakaku—issue orders immediately. Conduct an evacuation drill!"
"Simulate a wartime attack—night evacuation of civilians!"
"Ensure all villagers enter the shelters as quickly as possible!"
Everyone stood up.
A drill… was merely a cover.
To avoid panic.
In truth—someone was about to attack.
Yako thought to himself—Hiruzen still had some decisiveness. He chose to trust him.
Shikakaku left immediately to coordinate the evacuation.
Only then did Hiruzen turn back.
"Fox. How confident are you?"
Yako didn't dare overstate.
If Madara sensed something and didn't attack tonight, this would become false intelligence.
"Seventy percent."
Hiruzen nodded.
"That's not small."
"No one leaves tonight. Stay on full alert."
"Black Ant—summon Orochimaru and Tsunade to the Hokage Tower!"
Only now did the others realize the severity of the situation.
Yako inwardly sighed.
'I just told Tsunade not to leave the Senju compound… and now you're calling her here.'
'Will she listen to you—or me?'
Outside, ninja hawks circled overhead, their cries sharp.
Shinobi leapt across rooftops, relaying Shikakaku's orders.
Suddenly—
Everyone in the office turned toward the window—
And vanished.
The next moment, they stood atop the Hokage Tower.
Konoha, shaped like a half-circle with Hokage Rock as its boundary—
Now, in the east, southeast, southwest, and west—
Four blue Susanoo had appeared.
They swung their serpent-like blades—
And shattered the walls.
Yako's heart sank.
No matter how early he warned them—
Once Madara realized Konoha was prepared, he would attack immediately.
Early warning meant nothing.
Madara would probably sneer—
As if ants resisting could ever disrupt his plans.
Evacuation?
Impossible.
A deafening explosion echoed.
Four Susanoo broke through the walls from all directions.
Hiruzen reacted instantly:
"Send someone to intercept the messenger for Orochimaru—tell him not to come here! Have him stop the southwest Susanoo!"
"Danzo! Take Root and intercept the western Susanoo!"
"Fox! Take several ANBU squads and stop the eastern Susanoo!"
"Where is Tsunade?! The hospital is only 300 meters away—why isn't she here yet?!"
An ANBU appeared.
"Hokage-sama! Princess Tsunade has returned to the Senju compound!"
"She said she will protect the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki!"
Hiruzen glanced toward the Senju compound.
Disappointment flickered in his eyes—
But he said nothing.
"Shikakaku! You can't remain in command!"
"Take the Ino–Shika–Chō formation! Use the Akimichi Expansion Jutsu to stop the southeast Susanoo!"
Shikakaku nodded.
He wasn't suited for combat.
But there was no one else.
Even if it cost their lives—
They had to hold it.
Danzo spoke coldly:
"The Uchiha must not make contact with Madara!"
"Keep them away from the Susanoo. Assign them to civilian evacuation!"
Hiruzen nodded.
If another Mangekyō awakened—
That would be disastrous.
He remembered the incident with Uchiha Gogo and Uchiha Tōka—
It must not repeat.
"Order the Police Force to evacuate civilians. No one is to approach Madara!"
"Yellow Dog—have ANBU monitor the village. Especially the Uchiha."
"No one is to take advantage of the chaos!"
Sakumo stepped forward.
"Hokage-sama! Let me go! This battle cannot proceed without me!"
"No."
Hiruzen shook his head.
"Madara would not return merely to break the walls."
"These Susanoo are powerful—but likely clones."
"His real body… is the key."
"You and I will remain here as reserve forces."
"We move only when the real Madara appears."
Sakumo nodded.
Yako moved fast.
Within a few leaps, he reached the eastern battlefield.
The Susanoo's glowing blade spun, carving a deadly circle.
Its brilliant blue light illuminated Hyuga Shin's face.
Terrifying.
This chakra giant—
His Gentle Fist was useless.
Just as he thought he would die—
A voice rang out.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Dense maple trees erupted in front of him.
The blade, which had just obliterated a watchtower squad—
Was now trapped within the forest.
A wooden dragon appeared overhead.
Hyuga Shin turned—
And saw the ANBU ninja in a white hood and fox mask.
"Evacuate the civilians. I'll hold it here."
He retreated with his squad.
As he looked back—
Two massive wooden dragons coiled around the blue skeletal giant—one from the front, one from behind.
In just over ten seconds—
The Susanoo weakened, unable to maintain its form.
So this—
Was the legendary Wood Release.
Konoha's greatest founding technique.
He would never forget this day.
Or the ANBU Vice Commander—
Fox.
Yako suddenly turned his head—
And saw it.
Within the Senju compound—
The Complete Body Susanoo had appeared.