At the Uchiha Clan Compound, within the Police Force headquarters...
Shisui Uchiha looked out the window at the gradually brightening sky.
"It's almost time to depart. I'll request the Fourth Hokage to assign a team from the Uchiha clan to the border, ready to act under your command."
Yun nodded in agreement.
"Even if we're not sure war will break out, making preparations ahead of time is necessary. The Fourth Hokage must've already arranged everything last night."
After a pause, Shisui asked, "Back at the Nara clan grounds, Kakashi mentioned that the Fourth is prepared to go to war. Was that true?"
"Pfft."
Yun let out a sarcastic laugh.
"The Hyūga clan doesn't have that kind of pull. If all the village's clans hadn't stood together, this situation wouldn't have escalated. The Fourth is hesitant; he wouldn't start a war solely for the Hyūga."
"As for what Kakashi said, all he mentioned was that the Fourth had summoned one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, back to the village. Nothing more."
Yun turned to the window, looking out over Konoha.
"But because of Kakashi's statement, a political favor that should've belonged to us was split with the Fourth. From today on, the only ones who will completely follow his orders are his direct ANBU and the Sarutobi and Shimura clans."
"No, even his ANBU loyalty is halved. Because of what happened when Danzo was killed and the Orochimaru defection, people no longer trust him like before."
"The Fourth, huh…"
Shisui furrowed his brows, clearly troubled.
Yun clapped him on the shoulder with a smile.
"Don't overthink it. Starting today, the Uchiha have officially entered the village's inner political circle. With that footing, we're no longer isolated like before."
"No matter if it's the Fourth, the Third, or those two fossilized advisors, if they want to move against the Uchiha again, they'll have to think twice."
Then Yun stood and picked up his gear, which had already been prepared.
"If war breaks out, you need to formally request to join the front lines and use that as an excuse to reorganize the Police Force."
Shisui nodded. "Don't worry. I'll remember."
Swoosh
Yun vanished in a flicker, heading straight for the village gate. He had already said his goodbyes after returning from the Hyūga estate.
Though his mother didn't know that this mission could erupt into war at any moment, Yun was well aware, every time he went on a mission, his mother struggled to sleep at night.
It was Izumi who had told him that and reminded him to take care of himself during missions.
Swoosh,.
Appearing at Konoha's gate, Yun reported to the guards just as Kakashi arrived with two Cloud Village shinobi.
After completing formalities, the group departed Konoha.
Yun glanced at the two Cloud ninja ahead and whispered to Kakashi, "What about the body?"
Kakashi gestured toward them and replied in a low voice
"They sealed it in a scroll. Right after the incident last night, these two immediately sent a message to the Cloud."
"Then the Cloud responded using the Heavenly Transfer Technique, delivering a formal statement for them to hand to the Hokage."
Yun asked, "What kind of statement?"
Kakashi explained, "Citing classified Cloud Village secrets, they demanded Konoha return the body of the Cloud ninja supposedly killed by Hiashi Hyūga and forbade Konoha from using any secret techniques to probe his memories."
"They claim two other Cloud shinobi witnessed the Hyūga clan head kill their envoy after a verbal argument. So now, they're demanding that Konoha hand over Hiashi Hyūga."
"Pfft."
Yun let out a disdainful chuckle.
"So they're cutting off the only way we can prove innocence. That means whatever those two say is the official story?"
"If they claim the Hokage did it, does that mean the Hokage has to pay with his life too? Ridiculous."
Kakashi sighed.
"That's exactly why Sensei is making all these deployments. Cloud's intentions are already crystal clear, and so is our response…"
Just then, the two Cloud ninja ahead stopped and turned around.
One of them glared at Yun and Kakashi.
"The three of us came to Konoha as envoys to propose an alliance, and yet our comrade was killed by the Hyūga clan leader!"
The other added with feigned grief, "If Konoha refuses to hand over Hiashi Hyūga and give the Cloud an explanation, then there's no need to speak of an alliance. Lord Raikage will seek revenge!"
"…Tch."
Yun rubbed his forehead, then glared at them.
"You two know exactly what happened, so stop pretending to be heartbroken."
"Konoha doesn't fear war. As for you two… if you keep this up, don't be surprised if I cut you down right here. Once war breaks out, a couple extra dead won't matter."
The two exchanged glances in silence.
One then chuckled and said, "Regardless… if Konoha doesn't want war, you'll have to pay the price."
The other nodded and added, "And if you insist on fighting, Lord Raikage and Lord B will raze Konoha to the ground."
"…Heh."
Yun let out a dry laugh, looking at them in disbelief.
"Big talk for a couple of nobodies. Even Killer Bee wouldn't dare claim he could destroy Konoha. Do you think we're made of mud? Morons."
Beside him, Kakashi rolled his dead-fish eyes and said, "Those who ignite war lightly rarely see good endings. Between Cloud and Konoha, the outcome isn't so easily decided."
"As part of the younger generation, don't underestimate Konoha, or the cost of war."
The Cloud ninja scoffed.
"Whatever. When you meet Lord Raikage, let's see if you still have the guts to talk like this."
With that, the two resumed walking. Kakashi and Yun exchanged glances and followed.
As they moved through the forest, constant sounds echoed from both sides, shadowy figures flickered between the trees.
Kakashi explained, "That's the forward reconnaissance unit, a mix of ANBU loyal to both the Third and the Fourth. Since we just left the village, they didn't bother hiding their movements to reach the border quickly."
Yun whispered, "All this organized in just one night… impressive."
Kakashi shook his head.
"Not just ANBU. Right after the Hyūga clan leader informed Sensei, messenger hawks were dispatched to the border units with orders to raise alert levels."
"Some of the village's jōnin squads were also mobilized last night and are already en route to the border. If war starts, time will be everything."
Yun nodded.
'Indeed, only those who've experienced war can react this quickly.'
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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