"So that's the situation. Unless something changes, within three days, the four great ninja villages will launch an assault on Konoha."
In the Hokage's office, Hui relayed the intelligence he had extracted from Kinkaku to Tobirama Senju.
After listening to the report, Tobirama's expression grew cold and solemn.
"All four great villages, together against Konoha? And just to see you dead?" Tobirama's voice held a note of resolve as he spoke.
"Then we'll face them head-on! Four villages? It's not like we haven't beaten them before."
Though Tobirama wasn't young, he was still every bit the formidable Senju he'd always been.
He hadn't yet reached old age, and even if he had, he would never become like the ageing Hiruzen Sarutobi in his twilight years.
"What a pity. If only I had a few more years to grow…" Mochizuki Hui murmured, his tone regretful.
With just a little more time, he was confident he could reach the level where he alone could suppress the entire ninja world.
"There's no need for regrets," Tobirama replied, his gaze steady.
"You're already outstanding. Hui, this battle will cement your legacy and will serve as proof of your worthiness to become the Third Hokage."
He made no attempt to hide his intentions. It was a clear signal to Hui: he was to be Konoha's next Hokage.
"I understand," Mochizuki Hui said, his eyes steady. "I'll make sure the four villages remember this battle. I'll make them feel the pain of crossing us."
"Good! Send out the order. Let's gather the council," Tobirama commanded.
If the four great villages were moving against Konoha, they couldn't afford to be idle. There was much to prepare.
"Understood!"
Mochizuki Hui vanished on the spot, moving quickly to summon Konoha's leaders.
Thirty minutes later, the high-ranking officials of Konoha were assembled in the council room, waiting for the meeting to begin.
Closest to the Second Hokage's seat was Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Jonin commander and head of the Sarutobi Clan.
Beside him were the clan heads of the Senju, Uchiha, Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho, Shimura, Inuzuka, and Aburame clans. Each of these individuals was a high-level Jonin or even Kage-level ninja.
"This is quite the gathering," said the Akimichi Clan head to the Nara Clan head, an instinctive move despite already having his suspicions. Even after forming his own opinions, he always sought the input of the Nara.
The Yamanaka Clan head, too, looked to the Nara for insight. Ever since the Warring States period, the bond among the Ino-Shika-Cho had been strong, and now in Konoha, they were closer than ever.
"Yeah, I'd say so," replied the Nara Clan head, deep in thought. What could be so pressing as to warrant the attendance of every major figure in the village?
Rumor had it that ANBU Commander Mochizuki Hui had recently been out on a mission… Could it be…
As the clan heads speculated about the purpose of the meeting, Tobirama Senju and Mochizuki Hui suddenly appeared in the room.
"Lord Hokage!" The high-ranking officials all rose, greeting Tobirama with respect.
"Sit."
Tobirama nodded and took his seat, with Hui standing at his left.
Once everyone was seated, Tobirama surveyed the room with a penetrating gaze before he spoke.
"According to reliable intelligence, the villages of Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure have formed an alliance. Within three days, they will attack Konoha."
His words fell like thunder in the chamber.
"What?!"
"That can't be!"
The council members shot to their feet, expressions of disbelief plastered across their faces.
"Lord Hokage, is this information truly reliable? Four villages joining forces against Konoha... It seems absurd!" someone questioned, struggling to make sense of the situation.
"Hui," Tobirama said, turning to Mochizuki Hui.
Hui stepped forward, recounting the events that had led to the impending attack.
When he finished, the room fell silent as the gathered leaders absorbed the explanation. Gradually, comprehension replaced their shock.
"If that's the case, it does make sense," Hiruzen spoke up, his voice calm. "And the fact that Kinkaku and Ginkaku's unit was sent to ambush you lines up with this explanation."
"But all this… just to kill Mochizuki Hui?" another elder asked, his tone skeptical. "I mean no disrespect, but it still feels far-fetched."
"If Mochizuki Hui were a ninja from Iwagakure, I might also feel compelled to ally with the other villages to deal with him," the Hyuga Clan head interjected, casting a deep look at Hui.
He hadn't had much interaction with Mochizuki Hui, nor had he ever fought him. But with his Byakugan, he could sense the terrifying chakra and natural energy inside Mochizuki Hui—a presence that made his skin crawl.
When he looked at Mochizuki Hui, it was like staring into the eyes of a Tailed Beast.
"It's not entirely about him," said the Nara Clan head, his words cutting to the heart of the matter.
"Killing Commander Mochizuki is indeed one of their primary objectives, but there's also another—eliminating Konoha itself.
"Konoha controls the richest land and the most abundant resources in the ninja world. The four great villages have long coveted the Land of Fire. After all, wasn't the last Ninja World War caused by that exact reason?"
He continued, "This time, they're using Commander Mochizuki as a pretext. On the one hand, they're afraid of his growth; they think he might become the next God of Shinobi. But on the other hand, they aim to seize the Land of Fire.
"In fact, that may be their main goal. Talented ninja are common. Until Commander Mochizuki actually becomes the God of Shinobi, he is, at the end of the day, just another threat. So even if he didn't exist, this war would happen sooner or later."
"Then let's fight them. Konoha doesn't fear war," declared Shimura Danzo, the head of the Shimura Clan.
Though the Danzo of the original series was often detestable, this Danzo was different. Here, he was still a passionate man with dreams of becoming Hokage.
He had yet to become the "root" of Konoha, and he hadn't descended into the darkness, transforming into a leader who would stop at nothing—even underhanded means—to achieve his goals.
"War? To the Uchiha, the battlefield is nothing more than a stage to perform," the Uchiha Clan head said confidently.
From the Warring States period to the present, the Uchiha had seen every type of warfare.
To fight on the battlefield was to see the Uchiha at their finest—a terrifying sight for the ninja world.
The Uchiha head glanced briefly at Hui. This was a man worth investing in. Judging by his potential, Mochizuki Hui was on par with the renegade Uchiha Madara himself.
join my patreon for 80+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/HyppoTL