Year 46 of Konoha, March.
Scarlet cherry blossoms bloomed on schedule, adorning the branches. The spring breeze was gentle, and sunlight filtered through clusters of blossoms, scattering warm patches of light.
Within Konohagakure, the scene was one of tranquility. Children laughed on newly built swings, vendors called out enthusiastically along freshly repaired streets, and from the training grounds came the spirited shouts of young shinobi brimming with vigor.
Yet beneath this facade of peace, undercurrents had already begun to stir.
Hokage Residence, top-floor conference room.
The atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the spring outside the windows, heavy enough to feel as though it could be wrung into water.
Seated along both sides of the long table were Konoha's current core leadership.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat at the head. To his left were the advisors Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura. Even Shimura Danzō, who rarely attended such routine meetings, sat in silence at the far end, where the shadows were somewhat deeper.
Homura adjusted his glasses and spoke first. "According to the compiled intelligence analysis from various sources, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure have all increased their procurement of strategic materials since the beginning of spring. Their movements have been frequent."
"What is especially noteworthy is that Sunagakure, without any prior warning this month, approved the early graduation of a large number of academy students, covering fourth to sixth years. Their intentions are self-evident."
Koharu let out a cold snort. "Our so-called good ally truly remains consistent in its conduct."
The Third Hokage listened quietly without immediately expressing an opinion. Only the rhythm at which he exhaled smoke quickened slightly. Turning his gaze toward Danzō at the far seat, he said: "Danzō, has Root detected any other movements?"
As colossal powers within the shinobi world, the Five Great Ninja Villages could hardly conceal any large-scale military mobilization entirely from one another's intelligence networks. At most, it was a matter of timing and the level of detail obtained.
What truly kept him wary were those small ninja villages that survived in the cracks—seemingly insignificant, yet liable to grow restless with shifting circumstances, or even be used as a fuse.
Their overall strength was indeed far inferior to the Five Great Nations, yet among them were those with unique inheritances or formidable leaders. Some of those individuals acted with fewer scruples and were far more unpredictable.
For example—the village led by the man hailed as a demigod: Amegakure.
Danzō slowly lifted his eyelids. "On Amegakure's side, Hanzō of the Salamander has been very quiet. It seems that after the crushing defeat in the last war, his ambitions of expansion have been worn down considerably by reality."
"Based on my intelligence, over these years his main focus has been on putting his internal affairs in order, purging opposition, and restoring the Rain Country's withered economy. He has very little willingness to involve himself in external matters, showing a conservative, defensive posture."
"Kusagakure remains the same as ever—wavering back and forth, not worth worrying about. Takigakure maintains its usual policy of offending neither side; there have been no anomalies. Yugakure…"
Danzō laid out the intelligence on the small ninja villages around the Land of Fire one by one. "As for Takumi Village, they have recently received a large number of custom orders for weapons and ninja tools—far beyond the usual volume. The employer's identity has been disguised through multiple layers, making it difficult to confirm directly. But based on logistics flow and raw material demand analysis, the greatest possibility is still Sunagakure."
At this moment, Danzō spoke again, his voice low and icy. "Hiruzen, the situation is already clear. When others have begun sharpening their blades, if Konohagakure is still intoxicated by a false dream of peace, that is the road to death! We must immediately begin full-scale war preparations—mobilize all usable resources, strengthen border defenses and the intelligence network, and expand our reserves of combat power as soon as possible."
Hearing this, Koharu and Homura both turned their eyes toward the Third Hokage at the head seat, waiting for his final decision.
The Third Hokage drew in a deep breath of smoke, letting the pungent haze circle through his lungs before he slowly exhaled.
He swept his gaze across every face present—some anxious, some grim, some waiting—and finally spoke: "Notify the logistics and equipment departments. Effective immediately, activate the procurement, stockpiling, and allocation contingency plan for war supplies. Homura, you will have full responsibility for coordinating and supervising this. Ensure that channels for key materials remain unimpeded and that inventory is secure."
"As for the education department and the ninja academy, Koharu, you will personally coordinate this. After next month's term begins, immediately conduct a comprehensive assessment. From the fourth through sixth years, select a group of students with outstanding results, mature temperament, and some real combat potential, and approve them for early graduation."
"Complete team training as soon as possible to fill the shortage of rank-and-file shinobi. Pay attention to methods and approach, and avoid causing unnecessary panic."
At last, his gaze fell on Danzō in the shadowed far seat, his eyes turning especially deep. "Danzō, your intelligence network must keep operating at the highest intensity. If there is any abnormal sign—no matter how small—report it to me directly. We must ensure Konohagakure does not fall behind on intelligence."
Outside the window, the cherry blossoms were still in full bloom, yet everyone in the conference room knew that the calm beneath the spring sunshine had already entered its countdown.
...
April—the new term began as scheduled.
In previous years, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, would invariably attend and offer earnest words of encouragement to the new students. This time, however, he was notably absent from the entrance ceremony; only several senior members of the school delivered routine speeches.
Not long after the ceremony concluded, a notice jointly issued by the Education Department and the Ninja Academy instantly ignited the campus—especially among the upper grades.
The notice stated: in order to encourage outstanding students and provide them with the opportunity to put what they have learned into practice earlier and contribute their strength to the village, an early graduation examination would be held one week later.
Open to all fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-year students, those who passed the assessment would directly obtain the rank of genin and be officially assigned to an operational squad.
"Early graduation!"
"Directly becoming genin!"
These two key phrases were like cold water poured into boiling oil, exploding across the campus.
After a brief moment of astonishment, the prevailing emotion was excitement and eagerness that nearly boiled over.
"That's great! Finally no more of those troublesome academic classes and memorizing those damned theories!"
"Hey, did you hear? We'll become real ninja! We can take missions!"
"I have to pass the graduation exam!"
"There's only one week left—we've got to train hard!"
In the corridors, beside the training grounds, and inside the classrooms, flushed-faced boys and girls could be seen everywhere, engaged in heated discussions.
For many hot-blooded academy students, long impatient with tedious theoretical study and yearning to carry out missions and display their strength like the heroes in stories, this was undoubtedly a heaven-sent opportunity.
Most of them did not look deeply into the urgent signal that might be hidden behind this early graduation. In their eyes, it was as though only the forehead protector within reach and a brand-new ninja career existed.
While the academy students were brimming with excitement over the early graduation examination, Shinichi, in the interval after returning from a mission, was carrying out a quiet farewell.
After completing the mission handover, he and Maruboshi Kōsuke had just walked out of the Hokage Residence when they received a personnel transfer order.
"Senpai, thank you for your guidance and care over the past year and more." Holding the transfer order, Shinichi solemnly bowed to the elder beside him, who carried a large pot on his back and always stood with a slight stoop.
"When you join the new team, be careful. Get along well with your teammates and your new jōnin instructor. Your road is still long, and Konoha needs more young people like you—those who possess both strength and an understanding of what they fight for."
A gentle smile appeared on Kōsuke's face, as though he had long expected this transfer order.
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