One month later.
Konoha — Hokage's Office.
Inside the office.
Orochimaru stood with heavy dark circles under his eyes, the unmistakable mark of sleepless excitement. In his hands were two items: a streamlined silver firearm with an unfamiliar structure, and a thin vest that faintly radiated chakra fluctuations.
A fanatical gleam flickered in his snake-like pupils, as though he were presenting his greatest masterpiece.
"Lord Tobirama! It's a success—an absolute success!"
His voice was hoarse with excitement, his tongue unconsciously licking his lips.
"By combining the Land of Snow's chakra amplification device with the Second Hokage's chakra-conducting metal technology, the first batch of Ninja Combat Armor and Scientific Ninja Tools has officially entered mass production!"
"How effective are they?"
Tobirama asked calmly, seated behind his desk as he casually turned over a highly concentrated chakra crystal produced during the experiment.
"Terrifyingly effective—revolutionary!"
Orochimaru pointed at the equipment, obsession burning in his eyes.
"Based on live combat tests, a freshly graduated genin, wearing this armor and wielding Scientific Ninja Tools, can easily kill a special jōnin—no hand seals, no complex chakra control required!"
"If used by a chūnin, relying on the armor's mobility, firepower suppression, and defensive capacity, they can overwhelm elite jōnin who rely solely on traditional ninjutsu!"
"And as for elite jōnin themselves…"
A sinister smile spread across Orochimaru's face.
"With this equipment, battles at the same level become outright massacres."
"And there's more."
He unsealed a scroll. With a burst of smoke, a massive weapon resembling a heavy cannon appeared in the office.
"The Chakra Annihilation Cannon. It takes three chūnin five minutes to charge. One shot is enough to erase an entire town the size of the Tanzaku Quarters."
Tobirama studied the weapons—each one radiating brutal efficiency—and nodded in satisfaction.
This was exactly the result he wanted.
Traditional ninja training was slow, and every fallen shinobi was an irreplaceable loss. But with these mass-produced war machines, as long as there was money and resources, Konoha could raise an endless army.
And money was the one thing Konoha lacked least.
"Well done, Orochimaru," Tobirama said without restraint.
"With this batch of equipment, Konoha's conventional combat power will surpass the other four great nations by an entire era."
"Double the funding for the Ninjutsu Development and Science Division."
"Thank you, Lord Tobirama!"
Orochimaru bowed deeply, elation clear on his face—though a hint of hesitation soon followed.
"What is it?" Tobirama asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's about the research on Hashirama cells and forbidden techniques…"
Orochimaru rubbed his hands together, greed and frustration mingling in his eyes.
"I've already analyzed most of the Second Hokage's forbidden jutsu archive. The theoretical framework is flawless. However, the rejection rate of Hashirama cells remains extremely high."
"Even with your guidance, we still require a large number of live experiments to collect sufficient data."
"The prisoners captured in the last war have already been… ahem, used up this month."
"At present, the laboratory is empty. Not even a white mouse remains. Progress has stalled."
Tobirama's fingers tapped lightly against the desk.
Experimental subjects were indeed a problem.
Using Konoha's own civilians was unthinkable—it would be like draining the pond to catch the fish.
Just then, a black messenger hawk landed on the windowsill.
Tobirama retrieved the intelligence scroll and skimmed its contents. A cruel, amused curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"How convenient," he said softly.
He tossed the scroll to Orochimaru.
"A gift from our old friends."
Orochimaru read it, his pupils narrowing.
The scroll detailed the strongholds, personnel distribution, and even the daily routine of the leader of the so-called Earth–Lightning Anti-Konoha United Resistance.
This disorganized force—made up of rogue ninja from Iwagakure and Kumogakure, along with wandering samurai—was hiding in a canyon within the Land of Birds.
Their numbers totaled nearly three thousand.
"Three thousand…"
Orochimaru licked his lips, his eyes glowing as if staring at premium materials.
"And more than half of them possess chakra. If it's these people, the Hashirama cell data will be more than sufficient."
"Well?" Tobirama asked flatly. "Enough?"
"Enough? More than enough!"
Orochimaru let out a sharp, delighted laugh.
"Lord Tobirama, please leave these batteries to me."
"Rest assured."
Tobirama rose, donning his Hokage robe, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.
"These rats have scurried around long enough."
"If they don't want to live, then they can at least burn brightly for Konoha's scientific future."
---
Ten minutes later.
Konoha — High-Level Meeting Room.
The atmosphere was heavy with killing intent.
Seated around the long table were Konoha's current pillars of power. Aside from Madara, who was away on a mission, Tsunade, Sakumo Hatake, Uchiha Setsuna, Hyuga Hiashi, Shinku Yuhi, and others were all present.
"Everyone," Tobirama said from the head of the table, wasting no words.
"Merchant caravans have been repeatedly attacked. Resource losses are severe."
"That so-called Earth–Lightning Resistance is as irritating as flies."
"Our profits have suffered. We are earning less."
"Tell me—what should be done?"
"Kill them!"
Uchiha Setsuna slammed his palm on the table, murderous intent surging.
"To touch Konoha's money is to touch the Uchiha's lifeline! Lord Patriarch, let me lead the forces and wipe them out!"
"The Hyuga Clan supports this."
Hyuga Hiashi spoke coldly, the light of the Byakugan faintly visible.
"Our caravans have also suffered losses. These bandits must be made an example of."
"I agree," Tsunade added, arms crossed, snorting lightly.
"Konoha is in a phase of expansion. This thorn must be removed. Besides, Orochimaru is short on manpower, isn't he?"
The decision passed unanimously.
Konoha had become a massive web of shared interests. Anyone who interfered with its profits was the enemy of every clan.
"Very well."
Tobirama nodded and issued orders without hesitation.
"This operation is not merely extermination—it is troop training."
"It will also serve as a live-fire test of our new Scientific Ninja Tools."
His gaze shifted to the silver-haired man carrying the White Fang short blade.
"Sakumo Hatake."
"Present!"
"You will lead the ANBU elites as the First Unit. Equip them with the latest chakra armor and Scientific Ninja Tools."
"You will act as the spearhead, punching straight through the enemy's defenses. I want to see whether the White Fang of Konoha can be even faster with new equipment."
"Yes! I will not fail!"
Tobirama turned to the right.
"Shinku Yuhi."
"Present!"
"You will command the Second Unit—chūnin proficient in genjutsu and sensory techniques, equipped with Scientific Ninja Tools."
"You are responsible for perimeter control and long-range suppression."
"Capture enemies alive whenever possible—especially rogue ninja with kekkei genkai. Orochimaru needs them."
"Understood!"
Finally, Tobirama looked to Hyuga Hiashi.
"Hyuga Hiashi."
"Present!"
"You will lead the Third Unit, composed of Hyuga clansmen."
"Sweep the battlefield and eliminate all stragglers. Do not let the Byakugan disappoint me."
"Even if a mouse is hiding beneath the ground in the Land of Birds, dig it out."
"Yes! The Hyuga Clan will give everything!"
With all arrangements complete, Tobirama rose to his feet. The four large characters for Fourth Hokage on his back gleamed beneath the lights.
"According to intelligence, their base lies within the Land of Birds."
"Three units—depart immediately."
"There is no bounty for this mission."
"All spoils of war, except the captives, belong to whoever claims them."
"Go. Teach them fear."
"YES!"
The unified roar shook the room.
---
One hour later.
Konoha Gate.
Three fully armed ninja divisions stood assembled.
Gone were the days of simple tool pouches and kunai. The current Konoha forces were armed to the teeth.
The vanguard wore streamlined chakra armor and carried Scientific Ninja Tool firearms. With only a small amount of chakra input, they could unleash powerful preconfigured ninjutsu. Sealing scrolls containing stored techniques hung at their waists.
The fusion of killing intent and technology stunned the watching civilians into silence.
"Move out!"
At Sakumo Hatake's command, thousands of ninja surged forward like arrows loosed from a bow, vanishing into the depths of the forest.
Tobirama stood atop the Hokage Building, watching the departing forces. Beside him stood Uchiha Hikari, newly awakened and dressed in a maid outfit.
"So this is… what war looks like now?"
Hikari murmured, eyes unfocused as she stared at the unfamiliar weapons.
In her era, battles were fought with blades and the occasional ninjutsu.
"Yes," Tobirama replied, resting an arm around her shoulders, confidence evident in his smile.
"The old Will of Fire has passed."
"What comes next is the new Will of Fire."
"Konoha will use overwhelming firepower to erase the enemy's will."
"Watch closely. After this battle, the word 'resistance' will cease to exist in the ninja world."