98: Konoha's tragedy

The war alarm tore through the morning tranquility of Konoha Village, a metallic wail so sharp it pierced the eardrums, replacing the usual birdsong and market clamor.

On the streets, panicked civilians scattered, the cries of children mixing with the shouts of adults.

The once bustling commercial street was deserted, leaving only overturned stalls and a few cabbages rolling on the ground.

Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi had not slept all night, his eye sockets deeply sunken; on the Ninja World map before him, the borderlines in all four directions were occupied by shocking red markers.

The air was filled with the scorching smell of tobacco mixed with ink.

An Anbu knelt on one knee, his voice hoarse: "Report! The western front is critical! Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, has personally entered the fray, and Dust Release has already torn through our third line of defense!"

Before he finished speaking, another Anbu appeared instantly: "Report! The northern front is critical! Ay, of Kumogakure, is leading his 'Lightning Release Iron Hoof' in a forceful charge, and regular troops cannot stop him!"

"Report! Eastern front! The Hidden Mist assassination unit has infiltrated, causing heavy casualties on our side, led by the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura!"

One bloody report after another made the solemn atmosphere in the room almost palpable.

"These bastards, did they make a pact to come have a party?!" The door was violently pushed open, and the dusty Jiraiya strode in, slamming his fist on the table, making the scrolls jump. "I just got back and they want me to work overtime, and it's a 'buy one get three free' super blessing! Old man, are you still going to be Hokage or not?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi pressed his pipe heavily onto the red marker on the western front of the map, the hot bowl directly scorching the paper with a soft sizzling sound, and the last wisp of smoke dissipated.

His voice was as hoarse as if it had been abraded by sandpaper: "Now is not the time for this."

His gaze did not leave the map, but his finger accurately pointed to the scorched mark: "Jiraiya, the western front. Only you can handle Iwagakure's Dust Release."

The anger on Jiraiya's face froze, then turned into an expression mixed with a headache and helplessness. He reached up and scratched his messy white hair: "Ha... that old stubborn Ōnoki. Straight to a king-on-king battle, he really thinks highly of me."

Changing the subject, he began to complain loudly again: "I just got back from collecting material in the Land of Hot Water, and I haven't even settled the bill for the hot spring inn yet! Now what? I haven't gotten my manuscript fees, but I might get my survivor's benefits first! Old man, this isn't worth it!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored his clowning, simply raising his bloodshot eyes and silently looking at him.

There was no command in his gaze, only an unspoken entrustment.

Jiraiya's complaints gradually died down, finally turning into a long sigh: "Got it, got it. Truly born to toil."

He turned and left without any delay. When he reached the door, as if remembering something, he suddenly turned back and grinned: "Old man, remember to pay for my travel expenses and emotional damages from your own private stash this time! Consider it an early bonus for me!"

Before he finished speaking, with a "bang," Jiraiya's figure vanished in a puff of smoke.

The office fell silent again. Jiraiya's half-joking remark seemed to still echo in the air, but it was crushed by the increasingly heavy atmosphere.

Hiruzen Sarutobi paid no attention; he didn't even look up.

The finger that had just scorched the western front of the map, with an almost imperceptible tremor, slowly but incredibly firmly, moved north.

Beneath his fingertip was the marker representing Kumogakure, and that red arrow, like a sharp sword, piercing deep into the Land of Fire.

Next, Ay. The man who had developed Lightning Release Armor to its extreme, whose speed and strength were superhuman.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips moved, the name he uttered sounding as if it was squeezed from deep within his throat.

"Minato!"

There was no wind, the windows were tightly shut. But a corner of the huge Ninja World map on the table inexplicably curled up, and the suspended ash particles suddenly froze for a moment before slowly falling.

Minato Namikaze's figure appeared silently in the center of the office, as if he had always been standing there.

He wore Konoha's standard Jonin vest, his golden hair still conspicuous in the dimly lit room, and there was no trace of panic in his azure eyes, only a profound calm.

He was ready.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze finally lifted from the map, meeting that of his most prized disciple.

He skipped all unnecessary pleasantries and motivational speeches, his voice hoarse as he went straight to the core: "Northern front, Kumogakure's 'Lightning Release Iron Hoof' has broken through the third outpost.

Ay's speed and destructive power cannot be matched by regular troops."

He paused, as if gathering his last strength.

"You are the only one who can catch him and stop him."

Minato Namikaze did not immediately say yes.

His gaze fell on the map, lingering for a moment on the glaring red arrow, as if instantly constructing the entire battlefield situation in his mind.

Then, he looked up, his tone calm but with an undeniable reliability.

"Hokage-sama, you look very tired; please take care of yourself."

This sudden concern caused a slight loosening in Hiruzen Sarutobi's taut nerves. He shook his head, the bloodshot veins in his eyes appearing even more pronounced: "There's no time for that now."

"I understand." Minato Namikaze bowed slightly. "The northern front, leave it to me, Hokage-sama."

There were no grand words, no passionate assurances, just a calm statement.

The next moment, a golden light suddenly erupted in the room, so bright that Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively squinted.

The light flashed and vanished, incredibly fast, as if it were merely an illusion.

The office was once again left with only the old man, with only a faint, peculiar scent lingering in the air, as if space itself had been torn.

Minato's figure had disappeared, leaving only that resolute promise slowly settling in the heavy air.

"Leave it to me."

"Shikaku!"

Nara Shikaku emerged from the shadows in the corner, yawning, with an expression of "what a pain": "Hokage-sama, the Hidden Mist in the east, leave them to us, Ino–Shika–Chō. But I must warn you, their actions are too organized, almost like they're copying from a standard answer key; there's something not simple behind this."

"Just hold them for now!"

"Understood."

Orders were issued one after another, and Konoha's top combat forces were all dispatched.

The office instantly became empty. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood alone before the map, gazing at the names of those heading to the distant front lines.

The Village's internal defenses, at this moment, became unprecedentedly weak.

...

Western border, the junction of the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire.

The earth was covered in giant craters and scorch marks, the air thick with the smell of sulfur.

"Summoning Technique: Gamabunta!"

Jiraiya bit his finger, formed hand seals, and slammed his palm onto the ground.

A massive sealing formula instantly unfolded, accompanied by a pillar of white smoke, and the toad boss, whose size was comparable to a small mountain, appeared with a roar, still clutching his iconic short sword in his mouth.

"Jiraiya! What the hell are you doing?!" Gamabunta's first words were authentic street profanity. "I was just boasting to the little toads on Mount Myōboku, why did you summon me? Who's the idiot this time?"

Jiraiya jumped onto his head, pointing at the small old man floating in the distance, occasionally rubbing his old back: "See that, that's him. The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki."

Gamabunta squinted: "An old man floating in the sky? Do you want me to slash at air?!"

"Less talk! Use your Water Gun to blast him down!"

High in the sky, Ōnoki complained while rubbing his back: "Really, an old bag of bones like me still has to do this kind of physical labor... Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"

A translucent cube instantly formed in his hand, pressing down towards the ground.

Everything in its path, whether giant rocks or surviving trees, decomposed silently, disappearing, turning into the most primitive dust.

"Damn it! This old man doesn't play fair! Gamabunta, quick, dodge!"

...

Northern border, a battlefield flickering with lightning.

"Lightning Release Armor! Speed is power!"

Ay's body was enveloped in violent blue electrical arcs, and he transformed into a blue lightning bolt, too fast for the naked eye to track, brutally crashing through Konoha's defenses.

Any Ninja who stood in his way was directly sent flying before they could even react, the sound of bones shattering echoing endlessly.

"Too slow! Too slow! Are Leaf Ninja snails?!"

Just as he was about to smash through the last line of defense, a golden light flashed past him.

Ay's unstoppable punch heavily struck a wooden stake.

The stake exploded in response, with a special kunai stuck in it. A small piece of paper was attached to the handle of the kunai, with a line of text: [You're too slow~]

"Bastard!" Ay roared, turning behind him, only to see another golden light flashing in the distance.

Minato Namikaze's figure appeared for a moment, even waving at him.

Ay's rage was completely ignited. He abandoned his straight charge, his body glowing even brighter with lightning, drawing irregular zigzags across the battlefield, attempting to capture that golden light with high-speed area movement.

"Get out here!"

However, no matter how fast he was, a golden light would always appear a step ahead of him on his path, leaving behind a new kunai and another wooden stake shattered by his fury.

Minato Namikaze, holding his Flying Thunder God kunai, calmly analyzed the battle situation.

The opponent was the epitome of strength and speed; head-on confrontation was the worst strategy; he had to use his brain.

This battle was a duel of speed against speed, and even more, a contest of brute force against wisdom.

...

Eastern border, a forest shrouded in mist.

"Shikaku! Thirty meters ahead to the left, three of them, forming hand seals for Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique! Recommend using Super Human Bullet Tank!" Inoichi Yamanaka's voice resonated directly in Nara Shikaku's mind.

"Received. Choza, it's up to you!"

"Understood!" Akimichi Choza roared, "Super Human Bullet Tank!"

It perfectly blocked the surging water flow.

Amidst the rising steam, Shikaku's shadow twisted and extended eerily.

"Shadow Imitation Jutsu, successful!" His shadow instantly extended, firmly pinning three Hidden Mist Ninja behind him. "Inoichi, read their battle plan! Choza, use Human Bullet Tank to clear out those sneaky guys on the right flank!"

"Human Bullet Tank!"

"Mind Transfer Jutsu!"

The Ino–Shika–Chō trio's coordination was seamless, operating like a precise war machine, efficiently running on the chaotic battlefield.

But the unease in Shikaku's heart grew heavier and heavier.

He looked at the Hidden Mist Ninja bound by his shadow; there was no panic on their faces, no fear, not even a trace of emotional fluctuation.

Numbness!

These Hidden Mist Ninja were fearless, precise in their actions, yet like a group of emotionless puppets.

...

Only the southern border had the most bizarre atmosphere.

Kakashi Hatake, with his silver hair, looked at the Hidden Sand Village's position ahead.

It was called a war, but the Sand Ninja on the other side were less like attackers and more like they were on an armed parade.

The kunai they threw had such a crooked flight path they could circle the earth.

The Ninjutsu they released, Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, produced winds weaker than Kakashi's yawn.

Kazekage Rasa stood on a distant sand dune, arms crossed, his expression cold, looking like he was supervising the battle.

But Kakashi, with his Sharingan, could clearly see that the veins on his forehead were twitching, one after another, as if he was trying his best to endure something.

"Hey! Leaf Ninja on the other side!" A Sand Jonin bravely rushed out and shouted at Kakashi, "You are surrounded! Surrender quickly!"

Kakashi's gaze shifted from his book and he glanced at him.

Seeing this, the Sand Jonin gritted his teeth, as if having made a huge decision, pulled a smoke bomb from his Ninja pouch, and slammed it onto the ground.

With a "bang," thick smoke billowed.

From within the smoke came the Jonin's shrill scream: "Ah! I fell for it! Konoha's trap is too despicable! Brothers, retreat!"

Then, a large group of Sand Ninja just... retreated haphazardly.

Kakashi stood rooted to the spot, bewildered by the wind.

"...Is surrendering this elaborate now? Do they even need to provide their own sound effects?"

...

On the huge map in front of Tang Yan.

"Perfect chaos... is the best cover."

His gaze finally fell towards the center of the map, inside Konoha Village, that black area representing the Uchiha.

And at this moment, in the Uchiha Clan compound.

Fugaku stood at the highest point of the Naka Shrine, gazing at the faint fires and smoke rising from the Village center and the border.

The night wind blew through his robes, bringing a hint of the scorched smell of war.

He knew the time given by that mysterious person had come.

Behind him were the elites of the entire Uchiha Clan, all eyes fixed on him, a red ocean formed by Sharingan, suppressed, angry, and resolute.

The air was filled only with heavy breathing and the faint rustle of armor.

The Uchiha had no retreat.

Fugaku slowly drew the long sword from his waist, the blade reflecting a chilling light in the candlelight.

He did not look back, only feeling the burning gaze of his clansmen behind him.

He swung the sword forward sharply, the blade cutting through the air with a clear ringing sound.

"Move out!"

"For the future of the Uchiha!"

With his command, the vast Uchiha Clan, like a long-accumulated black undercurrent, silently poured out of their compound, along the most weakly defended route, beginning their deadly migration towards Konoha Village's gates.