"During the battle with Kirigakure, the Fourth Mizukage appeared on the frontlines and launched a surprise attack. the Uchiha and Hyūga clan leaders led the rear guard to cover our retreat. They returned to camp severely wounded… and died of their injuries soon after."
The words landed like blows.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was drawn, his voice heavy.
"The other clan leaders who followed also suffered casualties. This… was my failure. I did not think far enough ahead."
"What?!"
"Father!"
Uchiha Fugaku and Hyūga Hiashi's composure shattered. Shock and grief cut through their voices.
Shisui, Gen, Hizashi, and other senior members of both clans stood rigid.
For some, it was personal grief. For Gen… not so much. He had no fondness for the old clan leader — but performance was everything. His expression was the right mix of solemnity and loss.
Around the room, jōnin faces hardened.
The Fourth Mizukage himself on the battlefield meant one thing, Mist's Anbu and elite units had also joined the fight. The frontlines had shifted fast, and dangerously so.
"Hiruzen, you cannot bear this burden alone," Koharu Utatane said, narrowing her eyes from her seat. "At the last meeting, we all agreed Kirigakure would withdraw to defend the Land of Whirlpools once their own clans were exhausted. No one expected them to be this ruthless... or this greedy."
Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses, voice grave. "The Mizukage's personal intervention shows their resolve. A hard battle is inevitable. If we want them gone, we must cripple them first."
Danzo leaned back, his tone deceptively calm. "Our priority is to name a new commander for the Mist battle-front and organize reinforcements. Reflection can wait until victory."
Inside, Danzo was almost… pleased. His original aim had been to bleed Konoha's major clans on the Mist front. The deaths of both the Uchiha and Hyūga leaders, shinobi close to Kage-level, exceeded his expectations.
Gen kept his head down, lips curling slightly in contempt.
Collective decision? Sure. The four of you decided together. Which means no one takes the blame.
Hiruzen's voice cut through the tension.
"Yes. We will strike back with full force. Apart from essential personnel here in Konoha, this reinforcement will be the elite of the elite. Twenty-five jōnin. One hundred five chūnin. Five hundred genin. Tsunade, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Minato will all deploy."
His gaze swept the front row. "With this strength, combined with the remaining forces at the front… can we break Kirigakure?"
"Yes," the four replied without hesitation.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the ranks. Twenty-five jōnin — nearly half of Konoha's remaining number after years of war — and four Kage-level shinobi in one strike. The Hokage was sending a message.
Who would command such a force? All four leaders were qualified.
"Tsunade will take command," Hiruzen announced. "Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Minato will be deputy commanders."
No one argued. Tsunade's status, power, and neutrality between the clans made her the obvious choice.
"Yes," the four said in unison.
"Prepare now. We depart in one hour."
Orders rippled outward. Tsunade, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Minato quickly selected their senior officers. Rosters came out, listing rank, specialties, missions completed. In less than thirty minutes, 675 shinobi were chosen.
The rest of the hour was a blur, gear were packed, families were visited, and last words were spoken.
Fifty-five minutes later, the strike force stood fully armed at Konoha's gates.
At Tsunade's signal, they set out at speed. Minato was already gone, his yellow flash carrying him to the frontlines far ahead. His task: stabilize the situation and blunt Mist's momentum.
As Orochimaru's student, Uchiha Gen was, of course, part of the force. Team 7, under Minato's direct command, came too.
They pushed hard, resting only once.
By nightfall, they reached the southeastern front. The genin were exhausted, chūnin and jōnin worn, but the Sannin remained battle-ready. Tonight was for rest and regrouping.
Minato's earlier strike had hit Mist hard, buying breathing room. Tsunade toured the camp, her chakra shielding her senses from the stench of blood. Her presence alongside the other two Sannin and the Yellow Flash rekindled morale.
The defeat felt distant.
In the shadows, Mist spies sent word back to their camp.
That was the point. Tsunade knew the spies were there, just as Mist had Konoha's in their ranks. The news would change Mist's tactics, buying Konoha's weary troops time.
In the Mist camp, Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, convened his top officers. Their nerves showed. Four Kage-level opponents — all legends — at once? It was a nightmare match-up.
Yagura didn't risk a direct fight. He doubled down on a different plan: defend, delay, and quietly prepare a tailed-beast assault on Konoha itself. When that attack succeeded, the counteroffensive would follow.
Orders went out.
Mist's aggressive push shifted overnight to a full defensive posture.
Kiri's shinobi were confused; yes, they'd taken losses, but this retreat seemed cowardly. Still, they followed orders, working through the night.
The upper ranks kept quiet. Morale was a resource; better to spend it later.
In the Konoha camp, the new arrivals ate and rested.
For Gen and Shisui, one duty came first, paying their respects to the fallen Uchiha leader.