Kenya's words were little more than a bluff, meant to pressure Konoha's old elders. If he wished, it would have been trivial to make them vanish. With Kyōka Suigetsu's power, he could plunge the entire village into Complete Hypnosis, making everyone believe the elders had quietly passed away from old age or illness. After all, for people in their seventies, sudden death at home was hardly suspicious.
Yet Kenya saw value in keeping them alive, at least for the time being.
"You—!"
Koharu's face flared with fury. She stepped forward, ready to retort, but Homura's hand on her shoulder held her back.
"Homura?" Koharu blinked, startled.
Homura's expression was grave. "I understand. During this time, we shall… remain quietly at home. Minister Kenya, please focus on the front lines without worry."
Kenya's lips curved into a faint smile. "It would be prudent if the other two followed your example. In any case, I have matters of war to attend to. Please, all three of you—return home."
He never rose from his seat. With a single, casual gesture, he dismissed them as easily as one brushes away an insect.
Koharu ground her teeth, her jaw trembling, then spun on her heel and stormed out. Homura and Danzō followed silently, their faces unreadable.
Kenya reclined in his chair, amusement glinting in his eyes. "This Shimura Danzō… he is no fool."
In previous lives, many had believed Danzō a reckless schemer, one prone to losing control and relying on tricks. His infamous defeat at Sasuke's hands—even surviving ten uses of Izanagi—only reinforced that misconception.
But the truth was far different. Politically, Danzō's skill rivaled Hiruzen's. He understood that confronting Kenya directly would end badly. He had long suspected the truth behind Hiruzen's death, but lacking proof, he had kept silent. Now, with Kenya ascendant, he would bide his time, restrain himself, and wait for a true opportunity.
Nine days passed swiftly.
Jiraiya's summoned toad had returned with a message: the head of Rain Shinobi had agreed to allow Konoha and Sunagakure forces passage through their land. What startled him most was the change in leadership—no longer Hanzo of the Salamander, but a new, enigmatic figure calling himself Pain. Like Hanzo, he remained hidden; Jiraiya never saw him in person. He had wished to investigate, but Naruto's care took precedence.
Meanwhile, Konoha finalized its division of forces into three units: one remained behind to guard the village, while the other two marched alongside allied Sand and Mist shinobi to strike Rock and Cloud.
Tsunade remained in the rear, overseeing operations. Unless disaster struck, she would not need to leave the village. Kenya personally led the Mist-reinforcement unit against Cloud, taking command.
The other major brigade—reinforcing Sunagakure against Rock—was originally intended for Jiraiya, but the hermit refused outright. After heated debate, the responsibility fell to Hatake Kakashi.
Estimated strength:
Allied Forces (Konoha, Sand, Mist): 40,000
Enemy Forces (Rock, Cloud): 25,000–30,000
The scale of the operation was impossible to conceal. Tens of thousands of shinobi moving as one—anyone listening closely could hear their march.
Ōhnoki, wizened yet sharp even at nearly eighty, summoned Rock Shinobi's senior officers for a council.
"Tsuchikage-sama, intelligence reports indicate Konoha and Sand have united fifteen thousand men. There is no doubt—they intend to crush us!" one jōnin exclaimed.
"Master Tsuchikage, we must contact Cloud at once and form a coalition," another urged. "One village alone cannot withstand such an assault."
Ōnoki's brow furrowed. "Do you think I have not considered that? But that brat, Uchiha Kenya, is cunning. Before the war was even announced, he sent forces to sever our connection with Cloud. He planned this from the start!"
Having endured three Great Ninja Wars, Onoki had honed his instincts well. When he noticed the allied maneuvers of Sand, Konoha, and Mist, he had dispatched envoys to Kumogakure. Yet Kenya had moved faster, stationing Sand assassination squads along the route. Not a single messenger reached their destination.
As tension thickened, one advisor spoke hesitantly. "Lord Tsuchikage… what of the Akatsuki? Do they still accept contracts?"
A ripple passed through the room.
The mercenary group, Akatsuki, had been formidable during the last war, yet their fees were astonishingly low. During the Third Ninja War, Ōhnoki had employed them repeatedly—and each time, they delivered. Over a decade of peace had dimmed their memory, but now, in the shadow of a new conflict, their name resurfaced.
Ōnoki's eyes narrowed. "They may indeed be a suitable choice. Very well. I shall attempt to contact them once more."
As for the group's remarkable strength at minimal cost, he gave it no thought. Some things were better left unexplored.