"Mm!"
In the following days, the Ninja World remained peaceful.
Tsunade even began to doubt whether the Shinobi World War would truly happen.
But just then, a shocking piece of news spread from Sunagakure, stunning the entire Ninja World:
The Third Kazekage — hailed as the strongest Kazekage in history — had gone missing!
A Kage disappearing without a trace was eerie enough on its own,
but what truly sent shockwaves through every village was that Sunagakure
was now accusing Konoha of orchestrating his disappearance.
It was as if Konoha had somehow made the Kazekage vanish.
In an instant, the previously peaceful Ninja World grew thick with killing intent.
"How dare they! Those dog-like fools from Sunagakure!"
Inside the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his desk in fury.
Dog-like fools—what does your Kazekage's disappearance have to do with us?
If I truly had the power to make your Kazekage disappear without a trace,
would I still leave your Sunagakure standing?
"Hiruzen, now is not the time for such talk."
A calm but grave voice interrupted him.
"A war is about to begin."
The two elders, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, stood nearby.
Though neither possessed great strength, they were not fools.
Sunagakure was clearly determined to pin the blame on Konoha.
Unless Konoha made major concessions, a Shinobi World War was inevitable.
"Sigh…"
At their words, Hiruzen Sarutobi slumped back into his chair, his face heavy with exhaustion.
Why did all these crises have to happen during his tenure as Hokage?
The Second Shinobi World War had barely ended,
and now a Third Shinobi World War was already looming.
Couldn't he live out his old age in peace for once?
"Let's try diplomacy first," he muttered.
If possible, Hiruzen truly didn't want another war.
He was even willing to make some concessions to prevent one.
Koharu and Homura remained silent. They, too, preferred peace —
after all, war didn't suit their age or abilities.
These were Konoha's higher-ups: fierce in internal politics,
but timid as old dogs when it came to foreign threats.
Before Hiruzen could issue an order,
an Anbu suddenly appeared and knelt before his desk.
"Hokage-sama, Sunagakure has unilaterally declared war on us!"
"Nani!?"
Hiruzen's eyes widened in disbelief.
Even Koharu and Homura were stunned.
What? They hadn't even begun negotiations yet.
Was Sunagakure truly that reckless?
…
Are you Sunagakure or Kumogakure?!
We haven't even spoken, and you've already declared war on Konoha?
Can't you at least show a shred of honor?
The news of Sunagakure's declaration of war caught Konoha's leadership completely off guard.
But before Hiruzen could react further,
two more Anbu appeared in a blur of movement.
"Uh…"
Seeing them, Hiruzen's gut sank — a terrible premonition filled his chest.
And sure enough—
"Hokage-sama! Thousands of Iwagakure shinobi have been sighted advancing toward the Land of Fire border!"
"Hokage-sama! Thousands of Kumogakure shinobi have also mobilized near the Lightning–Fire border!"
As the two Anbu delivered their reports,
the three elders of Konoha — already shaken — fell completely speechless.
It was a true case of misfortune never coming alone.
"Damn it! What are they trying to do? Go to war together!?"
At this moment, all traces of Hiruzen's usual calm, grandfatherly demeanor vanished.
He looked like a raging beast, fury burning in his eyes.
The combined might of three Great Nations was no trivial matter.
If Konoha wasn't careful, it could be destroyed.
Koharu and Homura exchanged nervous glances, their faces pale.
"Cough, cough! Hiruzen… our families still have some matters to attend to,"
Koharu said awkwardly.
"So we'll be taking our leave for now."
"Y-Yes! Something urgent just came up," Homura added quickly.
"But rest assured — if war truly breaks out, our clans will support the effort!"
As long as we don't have to step onto the battlefield ourselves, everything's fine.
Leaving those words behind,
the two elders hurriedly turned and left the Hokage's Office.
This was no place to linger. Better to go home and stay out of it.
With Hiruzen around, they believed Konoha would survive anyway.
"…"
Watching their retreating figures, Hiruzen's expression darkened completely.
"Useless trash…" he muttered.
When there's no danger, they bark louder than anyone.
But when real trouble comes, they hide like frightened rats.
The more Hiruzen thought about it, the more he found himself missing Danzo Shimura.
"Sigh… If only Danzo were here."
At least Danzo never flinched from war.
Even if his methods were harsh, his resolve was absolute.
"Go," Hiruzen said at last, waving his hand weakly.
"Summon the clan heads and the Elite Jōnin."
He finally understood why Sunagakure had dared to declare war so suddenly—
because they had the support of both Kumogakure and Iwagakure.
This was no longer a situation he could resolve alone.
He had to gather Konoha's strongest.
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
The Anbu bowed, ready to depart.
"Wait."
As if recalling something, Hiruzen spoke again.
"Invite Aoyama Ryuyun as well — no matter what excuse you use. Understood?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
The Anbu vanished in an instant,
leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi alone in his dimly lit office, lost in thought.
Though they had been at odds,
Hiruzen knew Aoyama Ryuyun's strength could sway the tide of war.
This battle would need his power.
…
Meanwhile, in a quiet courtyard elsewhere in Konoha—
Tsunade's incredulous voice shattered the silence.
"Oh my! Liu Yun… the Third Shinobi World War is really about to start!"
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