Konoha Hidden Village, Hokage Building.
Ripples spread through space as three figures appeared out of thin air.
"We're here."
Tobirama released his hold on the two girls, his expression calm and indifferent.
Behind him, the newly arrived Uzumaki Kushina stared wide-eyed, curiously taking in the office that symbolized the pinnacle of power in the ninja world.
Young Karin, meanwhile, clutched the hem of Tobirama's robe tightly, hiding behind him like a frightened little quail.
"So this is Konoha…" Kushina murmured. Though she didn't want to admit it, the village's prosperity far surpassed that of the Land of Whirlpools.
"You're back pretty quickly."
Behind the desk, Tsunade set down the documents in her hands. The instant her golden eyes landed on Kushina's signature red hair, they narrowed sharply.
Danger.
An extremely dangerous signal.
As Uzumaki Mito's granddaughter, Tsunade was far too sensitive to red hair. What's more, the girl before her was young, fiery, and already well-developed—exactly the type that would appeal to a certain shameless man.
"What's this?" Tsunade sneered coldly. "You just finished eating at home, and now you've brought back two more desserts?"
Her grip tightened around the pen with a sharp click.
"Uchiha Tobirama, are your tastes getting more and more twisted?"
"Cough."
Tobirama cleared his throat and said solemnly, "Tsunade, this is for the future of the village."
"I was planning to have you make arrangements for them—"
"I won't arrange anything!"
Tsunade slammed the stack of documents onto the desk, crossed her arms, and snapped, "I'm busy managing wartime logistics. I don't have time to take care of your disciples—and I certainly don't have time to raise your little lovers!"
"Handle it yourself! There are still empty rooms in your disciples' residence, aren't there?"
The air was thick with unmistakable jealousy.
Tobirama's eyelid twitched.
Ever since last night, this woman's temper had gotten noticeably worse.
"…Fine. I'll handle it myself."
Tobirama chose to retreat decisively.
Arguing with a woman who had the upper hand was something only an idiot would do.
"Kushina. Karin. Come with me."
Shun!
The Flying Thunder God activated.
Tobirama and the two red-haired girls vanished instantly, leaving Tsunade stomping her foot in frustration.
"Damn it! He runs faster than a rabbit!"
…
Konoha's back mountain, the Hokage's disciples' exclusive training grounds.
This area had been personally designated by Tobirama as the residence and cultivation grounds for his direct disciples.
Quiet, elegant, and scenic, it could easily be called Konoha's own private garden.
"Gather."
Tobirama landed with the two girls and spoke calmly.
The next instant—
Shun! Shun! Shun!
Several figures appeared from all directions.
The lineup was luxurious enough to make any man in the ninja world drool.
Konan, aloof and elegant.
Manju, Pakura's disciple, dressed in a Sunagakure combat outfit, sharp and heroic.
Rin Nohara, gentle and graceful, with the familiar markings on her face.
Kurenai Yūhi, her crimson eyes deep and ethereal, now fully blossomed into a mature beauty.
Yūgao Uzuki, long sword on her back, purple hair flowing, cold and refined.
Uchiha Izumi, the Uchiha clan's genius girl, her eyes bright and expressive.
And Inuzuka Hana, wild and spirited, standing beside her ninja hound.
Seven stunning girls stood in a row, all smiling brightly the moment they saw Tobirama.
But when their gazes shifted to the two red-haired newcomers behind him, every smile froze at once.
The air fell deathly silent.
Kushina swallowed hard, instinctively sensing the hostility in the room.
So many beautiful women… and the way they looked at Tobirama—
It was as if they were staring at a heartless scoundrel.
"Ahem."
Tobirama forced a smile and broke the silence.
"Let me introduce them. This is Uzumaki Kushina. And this is Uzumaki Karin."
"From today onward, they are also my direct disciples and will be living here. As senior sisters, you're to take good care of them."
"Disciples?"
Konan, clearly the eldest among them, tilted her head slightly. A trace of resentment flashed through her otherwise calm eyes.
She stepped forward, her tone gentle but sharp.
"Teacher, wasn't your trip meant to unify the ninja world?"
"Is bringing back another village's princess standard practice in the Land of Whirlpools?"
"Or…" Her gaze flicked to Kushina's figure. "Do you feel we're no longer sufficient, and you needed some fresh blood?"
"Heh."
Kurenai covered her mouth with a soft chuckle, though her eyes held no warmth.
"Teacher really is kind. How many is this now? At this rate, we may need to expand the residence."
Uchiha Izumi walked straight up, grabbed Tobirama's arm, and shook it lightly.
"Lord Tobirama, didn't you say you liked Izumi's eyes the most? Is red hair really more attractive than red eyes?"
Kushina was completely stunned.
Is this really a proper teacher-disciple relationship?
Just how many girls has this man dragged into his mess?!
"T-That is…"
For the first time in a long while, Tobirama felt a chill crawl up his spine.
On the battlefield, he was decisive and ruthless—but faced with these women, he felt a powerful urge to use the Flying Thunder God and escape.
"Enough!"
He straightened his expression and adopted the demeanor of a strict instructor.
"Cultivation is like rowing upstream—if you don't advance, you fall back! Look at yourselves. What kind of behavior is this?"
"Kushina and Karin are under your care now. If even a single hair on their heads is harmed, I'll hold you all responsible."
After saying that—
"Ahem. I still have military matters to handle at the front."
"I'll be leaving now."
Buzz!
Space twisted.
In a textbook display of tactical retreat, Tobirama vanished.
He ran.
He actually ran.
"Tch."
The seven girls clicked their tongues in unison.
Then, all seven pairs of eyes turned toward Kushina and Karin.
Kushina stiffened under their gaze and forced an awkward smile.
"H-Hello… senior sisters?"
Konan sighed, the coldness on her face fading into helpless resignation.
"Forget it. Since you're here, you're family now."
"That perverted teacher is beyond saving anyway."
"Come on. I'll show you to your rooms."
…
One week later.
News of the Land of Wind's complete surrender spread across the ninja world.
Konoha's border.
Jiraiya and Sakumo Hatake stood before a massive campaign map.
"The Land of Wind surrendered way too fast," Jiraiya complained, lips pursed. "They didn't even leave us a proper fight."
Despite his words, he was secretly relieved.
"Now that the Land of Wind is settled, our objective has changed."
Sakumo drew the White Fang short blade from his back and pointed to the smaller nations on the map—the Land of Rivers, the Land of Grass, and others.
"Lord Tobirama's orders are clear."
"Advance inch by inch."
"All surrounding minor nations must raise the Konoha banner within one week."
"Let's go teach them a lesson."
…
At the same time.
The headquarters of the anti-Konoha coalition lay on the border between the Land of Fields and the Land of Fire.
This was where the last resistance of the ninja world had gathered.
Despite calling itself an alliance of forty-five nations, the camp was a mess. Shinobi from different countries distrusted one another, even fighting over supplies.
Just then, the command tent was pushed open.
Several Kumogakure ANBU escorted in a disheveled old man wearing a straw hat.
"Report to the Commander-in-Chief! We captured a suspicious old man on the outskirts!"
"He claims to be a rogue ninja from Konoha and says he has vital information!"
The Fourth Raikage, Kitsuchi, and the others paused their argument and turned to look.
The old man slowly removed his straw hat, revealing a face etched with hardship and exhaustion.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi?!"
The Fourth Raikage's eyes went wide. "Tobirama's former Hokage?!"
That's right.
The man before them was the former Third Hokage—now an S-rank rogue ninja, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He looked far older than he had six years ago, his back hunched, eyes cloudy, like a stray dog cast aside by fate.
"Everyone… it's been a while," Hiruzen rasped.
"I'm here to show you a way to survive."
"A way out?" Kitsuchi sneered. "What right does a traitor hunted by Konoha have to guide us?"
"Because I understand Konoha."
Hiruzen slowly raised his head, hatred flashing in his eyes.
"And because I hate Uchiha Tobirama."
"He slaughtered my entire clan, killed my closest friend, and stole everything I had!"
"I'm willing to give anything to kill him!"
"I know all of Konoha's weaknesses—their defenses, their supply routes, everything!"
The leaders exchanged glances.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
And Hiruzen Sarutobi had ruled Konoha for decades. No one understood the village better than he did.
"Good!"
The Commander-in-Chief, Genshi, tapped his cane, his eyes lighting up.
"Since Sarutobi-dono has shown such sincerity, the Allied Forces naturally welcome you."
"I promise that once we win this war and destroy Uchiha Tobirama…"
"You, Hiruzen Sarutobi, will become the Fifth Hokage of the new Konoha."
"We can even help revive the Sarutobi clan."
At the words "Fifth Hokage," Hiruzen's heart skipped.
Such tempting conditions.
Six years ago, he might truly have been swayed.
But now…
Hiruzen bowed deeply, his voice filled with apparent gratitude.
"You have my thanks. I will serve the Allied Forces with absolute loyalty."
Yet the instant he lowered his head, mockery and sorrow flashed through his eyes.
A bunch of fools.
They have no idea how terrifying Tobirama has become.
Alliances, strategies—none of it matters before absolute power.
Tobirama's cold instructions echoed in his mind.
"Go, Sarutobi."
"Infiltrate their leadership."
"When the final battle begins, I want you to personally send them off."
"This is your last chance at atonement."
Hiruzen clenched his fist until his nails bit into his flesh.
He wanted revenge.
But every time betrayal crossed his mind, he thought of his sons… and his grandchildren.
And more than anything—
He knew this very well.
This ship called the "Anti-Konoha Coalition" was doomed to sink.
He would simply be the one to pierce the hole in its hull.
"Now that Sarutobi-dono has joined us, our chances are even greater!" the Fourth Raikage laughed, clapping Hiruzen on the shoulder hard enough to nearly break his bones.
"Now let's discuss our next move!"
"We should strike their supply lines first—" Kitsuchi began.
"No! We charge straight in!" the Raikage roared.
As the command tent erupted into another argument, Hiruzen quietly retreated to a corner.
Looking at this chaotic rabble, only one thought crossed his mind.
Is this really the final resistance of the ninja world?
…How laughable.
This war had been decided from the very beginning.