Soon, with Kakashi's deliberate arrangement, the news of the Third Hokage's defection spread across the ninja world.
The entire shinobi world was in an uproar, wondering what exactly had happened in Konohagakure.
For a moment, the clouds shifted in all directions.
The great villages of Iwa, Kiri, and Kumo immediately dispatched spies to sneak into Konoha and investigate.
The Daimyō of the Land of Fire also sent an urgent inquiry, while Sunagakure, as an ally, dispatched an envoy—Baki—to offer condolences.
In response, Minato arranged for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive the envoys of the Daimyō and Suna.
As for the enemy spies, Kakashi was ordered to keep them under strict surveillance. He had Anbu operatives disguise themselves as ordinary villagers, deliberately "letting slip" carefully selected pieces of information.
The spies, believing they had struck gold, quickly gathered what they could and fled Konoha to report back to their villages.
Watching from the shadows, Kakashi leaned against a wall, arms crossed, as two enemy agents scurried off into the night."Spies," he muttered under his breath. "They're like stray cats—you feed them once, and they come back with all their friends. At least cats don't trip over their own kunai trying to look inconspicuous."
His Anbu subordinates stiffened slightly at his tone but kept quiet. They had already learned: when their captain spoke like this, it was better not to ask.
...
Land of Earth, Iwagakure. Tsuchikage's Office.
A Rock ninja knelt, reporting to the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.
"Lord Tsuchikage, after repeated confirmation by our spies, the news of the Third Hokage's defection is true."
"Not only that, all members of the former Hokage faction—the Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane, and Mito clans—have been thrown into the Guard's prison and sentenced to life imprisonment!"
"What?"
"All arrested?"
Ōnoki frowned deeply.
As Hiruzen's old rival, he knew better than most. The four families behind Sarutobi were no minor powers.
Especially the Sarutobi clan—even during the Warring States period, they had been formidable.
And yet, the Fourth Hokage had been in office less than a year, already purging the Third's entire faction and forcing Hiruzen himself into defection.
It seemed that the "Yellow Flash," so famous on the battlefield, was equally adept at politics.
With such young talent, Konoha would become even harder to deal with in the future.
"What on earth is that old monkey Hiruzen doing?" Ōnoki muttered. "A dignified shinobi hero, brought this low by a junior…"
A pang of grief passed his face.
"Yes, I understand. Do not spread this news in the village. Have the Academy hold a special lecture on the Will of Stone, and send Anbu to watch those clans who keep too much to themselves. Report any unusual movements at once."
The defection of a village's Kage was unprecedented.
If such news spread to those with ambitions, unrest would be inevitable.
Especially in Iwa. Ōnoki had ruled for too long. Certain branch clans had already whispered about replacing him.
Now, after seeing what happened in Konoha, he would take no chances.
"Yes, my lord!"
...
Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
In the Raikage's office, the Fourth Raikage Ai burst into laughter when he heard.
Konoha had lost a Hokage-level force—excellent news.
But inwardly, he was cautious. Minato's decisive actions made him a dangerous opponent.
With such a man in power, avenging his father would not be easy.
...
Land of Water, Kirigakure.
Elder Yagura received the news in silence.
He immediately ordered the village sealed off and all communication with the outside world cut.
Kirigakure was already wounded, without a new Mizukage chosen. They could not withstand even the hint of another storm.
...
Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
The Fourth Kazekage Rasa praised Minato's actions openly.
From the day he had first met Minato, he had known the man was extraordinary.
And indeed, within half a year of becoming Hokage, Minato had achieved feats that left even older leaders awed.
Rasa, himself a young Kage, understood too well the frustration of being restrained and doubted.
To act so decisively where others faltered—this was a model for his generation.
He regretted only that village affairs kept him too busy to travel to Konoha. He longed to sit face-to-face with Minato and speak freely as equals.
...
Land of Rain, Amegakure.
Heavy rain poured over the steel jungle.
On the tallest tower, a man with lavender Rinnegan gazed down expressionlessly—Pain, the self-proclaimed god.
Three months ago, he had crushed Hanzō the Salamander. Since then, he believed utterly in the masked man's words, calling himself the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths.
From that day, he proclaimed himself a god.
Now, Pain had near-blind confidence in his power.
All things must move according to his will. Any who resisted would be destroyed.
Soon, a graceful figure with paper wings flew toward him. Konan descended, her beauty framed by the crimson clouds of Akatsuki's cloak.
The villagers bowed, whispering prayers of thanks to their "angel."
In a chamber within the tower, sheets of paper gathered, forming Konan's true body. Beside her sat Nagato, thin, crippled, confined to a mechanical chair.
"Nagato, I've confirmed the news. The Third Hokage has defected. Konoha has issued a red warrant."
Konan's eyes softened as they lingered on Nagato's wasted legs. Guilt and sorrow weighed heavily—if she had not been captured, Yahiko might still live, and Nagato would not suffer so.
"Konan," Nagato replied stiffly, though his voice carried concern, "leave such tasks to White Zetsu. You don't need to exhaust yourself."
Her heart ached. But she forced herself to stay busy, to drown her grief.
"By the way," she said softly, "since you wish to expand Akatsuki's power… why not recruit the Third Hokage? Betrayed by his own successor, surely he harbors hatred for Konoha."
Nagato's eyes narrowed.
"Very well. Let White Zetsu watch him. If his betrayal is genuine, then I shall meet him myself. If not… then God will end him."
To Nagato, Hiruzen was Jiraiya's master—his great-grandmaster, in a sense.
If the Third could be turned to Akatsuki, then when the time came to strike Konoha, it would be with a bitter irony indeed.