Hiruzen persuaded me to die

Iwagakure – Tsuchikage's Office

Ōnoki was silent for a long time, hands behind his back as he stared at the rocky mountains beyond his window.

Then he asked coldly, "What's the current status of Kumogakure? Who's leading them now that the Fourth Raikage is dead?"

Kurotsuchi flipped through the latest reports and replied, "According to our spy network, Cloud's former Raikage assistant, Dodai, has assumed temporary leadership as acting Raikage."

"Dodai?" Ōnoki's brow furrowed, then he gave a small nod. "I remember him. He was already assisting the Third Raikage in the previous war… a Lava Style user."

"Yes," Kurotsuchi said. "But he doesn't seem to intend on permanently taking the title of Raikage."

That didn't surprise either of them.

Iwagakure had its own Lava Style users—his own daughter, Kurotsuchi, being among them. But every user's Lava Release was unique. While Kurotsuchi's was like cement, Dodai's was rubbery and elastic—more defensive than destructive.

"That kind of ability isn't well-suited for someone expected to lead from the front," Kurotsuchi added.

"Cloud's rebuilding," he continued, turning another page. "They've accelerated the training of their younger generation, hoping someone can soon qualify as the Fifth Raikage."

Ōnoki's expression darkened.

"What about casualties? From their battles with Konoha?"

Kurotsuchi's voice dropped with weight.

"During the Fire Country raid, Cloud sent around 3,000 troops. Only two members of the AB combination survived, and the Two-Tails Jinchūriki was captured."

"In the final defense of Kumogakure… estimates suggest more than 1,000 shinobi were involved. Very few survived."

Ōnoki closed his eyes briefly.

"Three thousand... wiped out."

The old Tsuchikage exhaled sharply. His decision was made.

"Prepare our forces. We march for Kumogakure."

Kurotsuchi's eyes widened. "Father! You mean to invade?"

"If Konoha's Fifth Hokage, Hyūga Naraku, truly possesses strength on par with the legends of old... then we may not have long before that power turns toward us."

"But if we seize what remains of Cloud—its techniques, chakra research, scrolls—we could tip the balance in our favor. Strike while they're wounded."

He turned away from the window, voice steeled with resolve.

"And don't even suggest an alliance. Cloud's always had knives pointed at our backs."

Kirigakure – Elder's Compound

At the other end of the continent, Terumi Mei stood with her arms folded, brows knit in deep frustration.

She had just finished her report.

"Hyūga Naraku is officially Konoha's Fifth Hokage," she said slowly, the words still strange to her. "They've issued a formal notice demanding we surrender Sarutobi Hiruzen, whom they declare an S-rank traitor."

She glanced sideways, her voice tinged with bitterness.

"He's eighteen. Same age as me. And yet... he's already done what most Kage couldn't dream of."

Even with her powerful mastery of Boil Release and Lava Release, she knew she couldn't even touch Yagura, the current Mizukage and Three-Tails' perfect Jinchūriki.

So how had someone her age flattened an entire village?

Beside her, the aged Master Ao, still bearing his signature Byakugan implant under a black blindfold, stood solemnly.

And seated near the window, Elder Genji, one of the oldest still-active shinobi in the Mist, muttered the name slowly.

"Hyūga Naraku…"

His tone was thoughtful—haunted.

Like Ōnoki, Elder Genji had seen the peak of the Warring States Era. He knew what true power looked like. He had fought on the same battlefield where Hashirama and Madara reshaped the land with every clash.

But even he couldn't yet believe this boy had reached such heights.

"Has the Fourth Mizukage issued a response?" he asked.

Terumi Mei shook her head. "Nothing. Officially, there's no confirmation that Hiruzen is even here. But Konoha insists he fled to us after the Cloud debacle."

Her voice twisted with disbelief.

"When did we start harboring Kage-level fugitives?"

Genji's eyes narrowed.

"And that secret strike team… the one Yagura sent?"

"A thousand shinobi," Terumi Mei said, nodding. "Sent under the cover of darkness, no formal declaration of war, no council consultation. Just... gone."

Ao answered grimly, "Only a few dozen returned. All scattered, all fleeing on their own."

"Kisame Hoshigaki survived," Terumi Mei continued. "And so did the Blowfish Demon, the previous wielder of Samehada. But only one came back."

"Yagura publicly declared the Blowfish Demon a deserter and executed him. Samehada was passed down to Kisame, who now serves under Anbu."

Ao clenched his jaw. "Too many secrets. Too many missing pieces. The Fourth hasn't made a public appearance in weeks."

"He didn't even personally announce the execution," Terumi Mei added.

The room fell quiet.

"Is... is Yagura even still alive?" Ao finally asked aloud what many were thinking.

"Anbu still acts under his name, but—" he touched the edge of his Byakugan— "I haven't laid eyes on him once. If someone wanted to impersonate the Mizukage… keeping him hidden would be essential."

Elder Genji folded his arms.

"It's not just suspicion anymore," he said gravely. "I believe the Fourth is being controlled."

"Controlled?" Ao's voice rose. "But he's a perfect Jinchūriki. Immune to genjutsu!"

"Normally," Genji replied, eyes narrowing. "But if someone powerful enough manipulated him through means beyond standard illusion—something tied to tailed beasts or ancient chakra techniques—"

He let the thought hang.

Ao's fingers twitched toward his eye.

"If he's being kept from public view... if they're hiding his chakra..."

Genji nodded. "And if Konoha declares war over Hiruzen, we'll be drawn in. Ready or not."

He looked directly at Ao.

"If it comes to that—you must confirm the truth about the Fourth. See him with your own eyes. Use that Byakugan. If he's not himself… we act."

Terumi Mei's fists tightened at her sides.

Too much was happening.

And in all of it, Kirigakure remained confused and blind.

But soon… they would have to choose a side.