Hokage's Office
Hiruzen Sarutobi was reviewing documents when a masked ANBU suddenly appeared.
"Lord Hokage, something has happened in the Land of Water!"
"Something serious?"
Orochimaru, who had been seated nearby, turned his head with interest.
Hiruzen frowned slightly.
"What is it?"
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were not intercepted. Jiraiya-sama failed to stop them. They headed west."
"West?"
Hiruzen muttered as he stepped toward the wall map.
Then his eyes widened.
"That's Kazuki's route…"
His expression darkened instantly.
"You failed to intercept the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?!"
The killing intent that burst from him made the ANBU tremble.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, curious.
"Yes, Lord Hokage… Jiraiya-sama was misled by false intelligence."
It was over.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were the Mizukage's elite strike force.
Together, they could wipe out an entire region overnight.
And they were heading toward the forest where Terumi was believed to be hiding.
The same place Kazuki had gone.
If something happened to Kazuki—
Konoha would shake to its core.
Orochimaru spoke calmly.
"Jiraiya knows he was deceived. Has he taken countermeasures?"
"Yes. He sent Minato Namikaze ahead at full speed."
Orochimaru's lips curled slightly.
"To be fooled so easily…"
The ANBU hurriedly added,
"The Intelligence Division made an error."
"Who handled the intelligence?" Hiruzen asked coldly.
"Mito Ryosuke and Utatane Madō."
Hiruzen's eyes widened in fury.
"Ryosuke? Madō? What are they playing at?!"
Homura… Koharu…
Is this how you guard the Will of Fire?
Kazuki carried the bloodline legacy of the First Hokage.
And they dared manipulate intelligence at a time like this?
Hiruzen's gaze turned icy.
Even if Kazuki and Minato were strong—
The others with them would suffer heavy casualties.
This wasn't a mistake.
This was political pressure.
A warning shot.
Before Hiruzen could issue orders—
Knock. Knock.
The door opened.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane entered.
Behind them stood two young shinobi—Ryosuke and Madō.
"Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen's eyes were glacial.
"Orochimaru. Guard the door."
"Yes, Sensei."
Orochimaru exited with a faint smile.
The office fell silent.
Only three remained.
Hiruzen. Homura. Koharu.
The tension felt like a thunderstorm about to break.
Finally, Homura spoke.
"Sarutobi… this was a mistake."
"Not intentional."
Koharu added calmly,
"Kazuki's origins are mysterious. We don't know if he's a hidden threat."
"Everything we do is for Konoha."
"It was simply a warning."
"A reminder that he cannot act unchecked."
Hiruzen understood perfectly.
Danzo had just returned from Kumogakure with the Two-Tails and several artifacts.
The Shimura, Mito, and Utatane factions were flexing their influence.
Resources.
Alliances.
Political weight.
This was a message.
We matter more than your golden prodigy.
And they hadn't gone "too far."
Just disrupted Kazuki's first mission.
Just enough to remind him who held power.
If Hiruzen punished them—
The political backlash would be severe.
The silence stretched.
Homura's lips curved faintly.
"Kazuki will be fine."
"More importantly, we should prepare to welcome Danzo's return."
Hiruzen said nothing.
Then—
Orochimaru's voice came from outside.
"Sensei. Minato Namikaze has returned."
"Send him in."
Minato entered, kneeling respectfully.
"Lord Hokage."
He hesitated slightly upon seeing Homura and Koharu, but continued.
"It's safe to report."
"And Kazuki?" Hiruzen asked immediately.
"I returned first with the wounded. Kazuki is still in the Land of Water."
"What happened?"
"Casualties required immediate evacuation. Kazuki-sama remained behind to secure the mission."
Homura and Koharu exchanged faint smiles.
They had heard Kazuki went all out protecting his students.
Heavy casualties, perhaps?
Hiruzen frowned.
"There were casualties, and he still continued the mission?"
Minato spoke clearly.
"Yes."
"Kazuki-sama has already defeated the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
"One of ours was injured."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Defeated.
And Konoha had only one injured shinobi?
Homura's faint smile froze.
Koharu's expression stiffened.
Orochimaru, standing at the door, slowly opened his eyes wider.
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened.
"Repeat that."
Minato nodded.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
"Kazuki-sama eliminated the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
"We sustained only one injury."
The air in the Hokage's office felt completely different now.
Not tension.
Shock.
Pure shock.