In the southeastern border of Konoha, inside the hotel room arranged by Sarutobi Hiruzen for the Sand Shinobi delegation, the atmosphere was heavy with unspoken tension.
Aizen stood at the windowsill, gazing quietly at the vast and prosperous Konoha Village.
Behind him, the Sand Shinobi Jōnin—including Naluo—knelt respectfully on one knee upon the tatami floor.
"With Konoha's arrangements, everything is proceeding smoothly."
Aizen smiled faintly, keeping his back to Naluo and the others, before asking, "How are Lord Kazekage and Pakura preparing?"
Pakura was in charge of commanding the Sand Shinobi forces hidden along the Fire Country's border. Once Aizen's people within Konoha sent the signal, she would lead the army in a surprise assault.
"Yes, Lord Kazekage's arrival date for Konoha has already been fixed. As for Lady Pakura, she has assured us there will be no problems. Please rest easy, Lord Aizen," Jinnaruo replied quickly.
"This operation will not only change the destiny of the Sand Shinobi, but also the fate of the entire Land of Wind. Its importance goes beyond words. Do you understand this?"
Aizen's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight.
"Yes, Lord Aizen!"
Jinnaruo and the others nodded firmly.
"Good. Now go and rest. Until the operation begins, do not draw unnecessary attention from Konoha."
With Aizen's final instructions, the Sand Shinobi departed swiftly, leaving the room in silence.
A few moments later, Aizen ran his left palm across his face, erasing the disguise, and returned to his original form—Kenya. His gaze shifted toward the Sarutobi clan's compound visible in the distance.
Although Hyuga Hiashi liked to proclaim that "the Hyuga are the strongest in Konoha," Kenya couldn't be bothered to argue. Since Sarutobi Hiruzen's rise as the Third Hokage, true control of the village lay firmly in the hands of the Sarutobi clan.
The Hyuga were a powerful family in name, but in practice they were little more than an investigative branch. In contrast, until Kenya killed Sarutobi Shinnosuke four years ago, most of Anbu had been filled with Sarutobi loyalists.
Hiruzen, unlike the arrogant Uchiha of the past, kept his clan discreet and disciplined, forbidding them from flaunting their influence. Many in the village didn't even know that Sarutobi Asuma was the Hokage's son.
Kenya acknowledged the man's political foresight, though he also knew Hiruzen had a talent for making the worst possible choices when it mattered most.
"You'll soon be nothing but history," Kenya murmured to himself.
Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen once justified Uchiha's downfall as the price for Konoha's peace, so too would the Sarutobi clan be erased once Kenya consolidated his power.
Five days later.
A knock came at the door.
Kenya pressed his left palm to his face, assuming his "Aizen" guise. "What is it?"
"Lord Aizen," Nara's voice called from outside, "Konoha's shinobi are waiting below. They request that the instructor of Gaara and his team accompany them to Training Ground Forty-Four, where the second exam is being held."
Aizen slipped into his coat and descended the stairs.
In the lobby, Kakashi, Kurenai, Shiranui Genma, and Might Guy were waiting—the instructors of Konoha's new generation.
"Forgive the suddenness, Lord Aizen," Kakashi said with a polite bow. "Since too many candidates passed the second test, an additional round is required before the finals. We ask you to accompany us to Training Ground Forty-Four, where the participants are gathering."
Though Aizen held the position of Sand's Minister of Shinobi—second only to the Kazekage—Kakashi was merely a Jōnin with no political standing. Respectful formality was only natural.
Aizen gave a small smile. "So many talented candidates this year… Very well, lead the way."
As they departed, Kurenai's eyes subtly swept across the Sand Shinobi in the lobby, trying to guess which one was Kenya in disguise. Yet no matter how hard she searched, the thought that he might be the commanding figure standing before her never crossed her mind.
Instead of taking the long trek through the Forest of Death, Kakashi and the others led Aizen to a sealed chamber within Konoha's ninja headquarters. Strange markings, like tadpoles etched in black ink, formed a teleportation array upon the floor.
"This is…?" Aizen asked with interest.
"This is the Flying Thunder God array, invented by the Fourth Hokage," Kakashi explained. "Through these seals, transportation between marked points across Konoha becomes possible. Lord Fourth passed down fragments of the technique, allowing us to activate this."
Aizen chuckled. "Impressive. Konoha truly nurtures extraordinary talent. Pity those talents rarely remain for long."
The remark darkened Kakashi's expression, but he held his tongue.
"Let's go," Genma said, forming the final seal.
In a flash of light, they reappeared within the central tower of the Forest of Death. At their feet was the same Flying Thunder God array.
"Please, this way," Kakashi said, leading Aizen toward the examination hall.
Inside, the remaining candidates stood assembled in formation.
"Lord Aizen!" Temari whispered excitedly upon spotting him.
"Compose yourself, Temari," Kankurō muttered.
"Shut up!" she snapped back, cheeks turning pink.
The proctor, Moonlight Gekkō, glanced at the arriving instructors. "Guides, please take your places on the observation platform."
Aizen's eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed the disguised Orochimaru among the Sound's instructors. Their gazes met briefly; Orochimaru's lips curved into a faint smile.
"This snake…" Aizen thought, dismissing him with disinterest as he strode up to the platform.
On the screen behind the arena, the next match lit up in glowing letters:
"Uchiha Sasuke vs. Yoroi Akadō."