"The main Kumogakure forces are not at the border at all."
"The enemy's main forces have already entered the Land of Fire."
Arashi's words exploded in everyone's minds like a thunderclap.
The entire office fell into stunned silence.
"How could this be... how could this be..."
Minato stared blankly at Arashi, his eyes lifeless, lips trembling as he muttered to himself.
Shame, fear, and the rage of being deceived surged through the Konoha higher-ups present.
Shikaku stared at the two contrasting battle reports, his mind going completely blank.
Cold sweat soaked his back.
They had actually believed such blatantly false reports.
And even felt proud of them.
While everyone was still reeling from the realization, Arashi stepped forward.
Ignoring their shock, he quickly moved to the large map of the Land of Fire.
The sound of his boots tapping against the floor was the only noise in the room.
Everyone held their breath as their eyes followed the young Daimyo's every move.
Unconsciously, he had already become the center of this temporary war command center.
Arashi's gaze swept swiftly across the map.
In his mind, the Land of Fire's geography, military deployments, and intel network were all mapped out with clarity.
The south. The Fire Capital?
He sneered inwardly.
His high-profile departure had been the biggest smokescreen. The enemy wouldn't be foolish enough to attack the capital when the Daimyo wasn't there.
As long as he remained safe and Konoha was under his control, even if the capital was reduced to rubble, it could be rebuilt.
Kumogakure attacking the Fire Capital would be a waste of effort.
Rejected.
The north.
The supply lines and border troops were tightly integrated, with two thousand elite shinobi stationed in layers, forming a tight defense.
For Kumo's main force to sneak in from here would be a fantasy.
The east.
It had been thoroughly searched, yet no signs were found.
This could only mean the enemy had never been there to begin with.
Having ruled out the south, north, and east, only one answer remained.
Arashi's sharp gaze fell on the wide, sparsely marked region of the map.
The western Land of Fire.
The terrain was rough. Mountains and valleys dominated the area, and the population was sparse.
It was the perfect place to hide troops.
It was also the weakest point in Konoha's current defense system.
In previous wars with Sunagakure, enemy forces had typically moved northeast after entering the Land of Fire.
That path had access to more villages and easier supplies.
But the west, even the southwest, was often overlooked.
With this realization, Arashi turned around, his cold gaze sweeping across the room, falling on everyone present, including Minato.
"Shikaku."
"Here."
Shikaku immediately stood straight, his posture tense.
"Dispatch all search units in the western region." Arashi issued the order directly. "Focus on this mountainous valley. I want a full sweep."
His finger traced heavily across the continuous ridgelines of the western region on the map.
"Not even a mouse should slip through."
"Understood."
Shikaku did not hesitate and immediately turned to deliver the command.
"Wait."
Arashi called out again.
He pointed to the area between the Fire Capital and Konoha.
"Send a team to sweep this zone as well."
"I want absolute certainty."
"Understood."
Shikaku nodded firmly, veins rising on his forehead.
He understood what Arashi was thinking.
Not only had the Daimyo identified the enemy's likely location, he was also guarding against the possibility of an ambush close to home.
A tactic akin to hiding in plain sight.
Such precise thinking made even Shikaku, proud of his intellect, feel a sense of shame.
"Minato."
"My Lord."
Minato stepped forward solemnly.
All his pride as Hokage had faded, replaced by deep concern for the village's safety.
From the moment Arashi arrived, to exposing the false battle reports, then calmly locating the enemy's position, only half an hour had passed.
In that time, he had done what should have been the Hokage's responsibility.
Now was not the time for emotion.
Arashi said bluntly, "From this moment forward, all intelligence in Konoha is to be reported directly to me."
"The authority to deploy all units will also be temporarily handed over."
His voice was calm but firm.
"Any objections?"
Minato knelt down on one knee without hesitation and bowed his head.
"Konoha will fully comply with Daimyo-sama's command."
That kneel marked the formal transfer of the Hokage's authority in this crisis.
That kneel also meant the entire Village would now follow the command of the young Daimyo during this unprecedented threat.
The other shinobi in the office, upon seeing the Hokage kneel, also followed in unison.
"We respectfully obey Daimyo-sama's command."
Their voices echoed together in the chamber.
But Arashi's face remained composed.
He turned back toward the map.
Kumogakure's surprise attack had disrupted his original plans.
Annexing the Daimyo Manor. Subduing the Twelve Guardian Ninja. Gradually eroding Konoha's inner power.
All of that was meant to be done steadily, with patience.
But reality had struck him hard.
A sharp, humiliating slap.
His knowledge of the future had lulled him into arrogance.
He had assumed the world would follow a script.
He forgot that every decision he made after arriving in this world was a butterfly flapping its wings, changing everything.
He had become too confident.
This was a painful reminder.
A lesson paid for with the risk of Konoha's annihilation.
This world was no longer the anime world he remembered.
Where the plot would flow safely toward its destined outcome.
Kumogakure.
Arashi's eyes narrowed coldly.
They had taught him an unforgettable lesson, using a bold and vicious gamble.
Then, the price of that lesson... would be repaid with the Raikage's head.
Night fell.
Orders spread swiftly through the Village.
Countless Anbu silhouettes darted over rooftops and vanished down alleyways.
The Uchiha compound, the Hyūga, Sarutobi, Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka clans, even civilian shinobi spread throughout the Village, all received the same order.
An order from the Daimyo.
Yuhi residence.
Warm light filled the house. The atmosphere was peaceful.
Kurenai sat with her father, happily recounting her experience at the Fire Capital.
"...Father, the Fire Capital is so prosperous. Way livelier than Konoha..."
"And the Daimyo's Manor, you wouldn't believe how magnificent it is."
Shinku smiled gently, patiently listening to his daughter's excitement. He was just about to respond when—
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Heavy, urgent knocks interrupted the moment.
Shinku's smile faded.
That knock... it was Anbu.
He stood up immediately and moved to the door.
Outside stood an Anbu in a tanuki mask.
"Jōnin Yuhi Shinku."
Shinku frowned.
"What's happened?"
"The Daimyo has issued an order."
The Anbu's voice was devoid of emotion.
"You are to proceed to the Hokage Building immediately for a meeting. No delays permitted."
Daimyo's order?
Shinku's pupils contracted.
"Understood."
He turned and reentered the house, his expression turning grim.
He looked at Kurenai and barked a command.
"Kurenai, return to Daimyo-sama's side now. Immediately. Go."
Without waiting for protest, he donned his gear and pulled his daughter out the door.
Tonight, no one in Konoha would sleep.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)