On the plaza in front of the Hokage Tower, Konoha's ninja forces gathered in silence.
Among them were genin, chunin, jonin, civilian ninja, clan ninja, and ANBU operatives—a total of roughly one thousand.
No one whispered or chatted; the atmosphere was somber. The looming enemy attack pressed down on everyone like a massive stone. While it didn't suffocate them, the weight was undeniable.
One thousand ninja wasn't a lot; Konoha's main forces were tied up on the four external fronts, leaving the village itself defenseless.
This was the consequence of fighting a war against four major hidden villages simultaneously. With resources and manpower stretched thin, Konoha was in a precarious position. Reinforcements from the borders couldn't arrive in time.
If not for the animosities and distrust among the four enemy villages preventing them from fully uniting, Konoha might have already fallen.
On the rooftop of the Hokage Tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared. Wearing the Hokage's ceremonial robe and hat, he stood tall, his fifty-something figure still vigorous and commanding.
In the world of ninja, being in one's fifties wasn't considered old. Thanks to the nourishment of chakra, Hiruzen was at the peak of his physical and mental faculties, unlike his elderly self depicted in the original story. By then, Hiruzen had been far past his prime, relying solely on his experience.
Taking a deep breath, Hiruzen removed his Hokage hat and bowed deeply.
This surprising gesture shook the gathered ninja to their cores. Only a few, such as Uchiha Gen, remained unmoved.
"It was due to my misjudgment," Hiruzen began, his voice steady yet filled with remorse, "that Kumogakure and Sunagakure managed to breach the Fire Country's borders and pose an unprecedented threat to Konoha. This is my failure, and I bear full responsibility."
"I am aware that a mere apology cannot undo the consequences of my errors. Thus, I hereby promise to resign from the position of Hokage after this war ends, to make way for new leadership to guide Konoha into the future."
"Though my life may hold no worth, I implore all of you to give your utmost to protect our home. We cannot let the legacy of our ancestors be destroyed in our hands!"
"Please, I beg of you!"
Hiruzen's voice, amplified with chakra, resonated across the plaza. After his words, he bowed again, this time staying in the position for a long moment.
The solemn display quelled much of the dissatisfaction simmering within the ninja ranks.
In general, Konoha ninja, raised in the ethos of duty and loyalty, had relatively straightforward mindsets. Seeing their leader accept responsibility so openly reassured them.
Even Uchiha Gen, a skeptic by nature, found himself partially placated.
Gen personally disliked leaders who fixed their mistakes only after disaster struck. What had they been doing before?
Nevertheless, Hiruzen's acknowledgment of his failure—whether genuine or politically motivated—was a step in the right direction.
After all, a late apology was still better than none.
"Swear to defend Konoha!" a ninja suddenly shouted.
The cry quickly rippled through the crowd.
"Swear to defend Konoha!"
"Swear to defend Konoha!"
The chant grew louder, more unified, transforming into a thunderous roar. Many ninja found their blood boiling with resolve.
Not wanting to stand out, Gen joined the chorus, mimicking the fervor around him.
Defend Konoha to the death? Hardly.
Gen valued his own survival above all. If the tide of battle turned too dire, he had no qualms about retreating. While he knew Konoha would likely emerge victorious in the end, self-preservation always came first.
Once the shouting subsided, Hiruzen issued his orders.
"Everyone, follow Shinnosuke to the southeast of the village and set up defensive positions. I will join you after changing into my battle attire."
Shinnosuke Sarutobi, the ANBU commander and Hiruzen's son, stepped forward to lead the assembled forces.
"Yes, sir!"
With that, the ninja dispersed, moving swiftly toward Konoha's southeastern edge. Like fleeting shadows, they traversed steep cliffs and dense forests with ease, their numbers thinning as they dispersed into formation.
After crossing the ancient Kikyo Castle ruins on Konoha's northeastern perimeter, they reached Kikyo Mountain. There, four ANBU operatives approached Hiruzen, who had just arrived in his combat gear.
Dropping to one knee, the ANBU squad leader—a figure clad in a white animal mask and white cloak—reported grimly: "Lord Hokage, the enemy forces from Kumogakure and Sunagakure are now less than forty kilometers away."
"What? That fast?"
Hiruzen's expression darkened.
"Damn it!"
"Relay this order immediately: Jonin and special jonin are to establish defensive positions here on Kikyo Mountain. Send a unit to intercept and delay the enemy's advance. Avoid unnecessary losses—withdraw when the situation becomes untenable."
"Understood!"
The ANBU operatives vanished like phantoms, leaving only Hiruzen and his closest aides on the mountainside.
Looking out over the sea of trees stretching into the horizon, Hiruzen's face hardened. The enemy's speed left little time for preparation, but Konoha could not afford to falter.
No matter the cost, the enemy had to be stopped here. Konoha's survival depended on it.
Under the jonin and special jonin's guidance, the ninja quickly turned Kikyo Mountain into a fortified battlefield. Barriers were erected, and traps were laid with precision and speed honed by years of war.
Despite the tension, the ninja worked methodically, keeping their fear at bay.
In the Uchiha clan's designated zone, a field of tall grass swayed as ninja moved to and fro. Uchiha Hachidai, a senior member of the clan, suddenly stopped Uchiha Gen as he was about to depart.
"Gen, stay behind for a moment."
"What can I do for you, Captain?" Gen asked, his tone calm yet respectful.
"You'll be sticking close to me during the battle," Hachidai said flatly.
Gen immediately understood the implication: Hachidai intended to protect him personally.
So this was what being a genius entitled you to?
It wasn't a bad deal, but having Hachidai nearby might interfere with some of Gen's plans. After all, the chaos of war was the perfect opportunity to claim souls from enemy ninja without hesitation or oversight.
"Thank you for the concern, Captain," Gen replied. "But I assure you, I can take care of myself."
"I'm an Uchiha, after all. Fear isn't in my nature. I will survive this battle on my own strength!"
Gen's resolute tone and confident demeanor earned a nod of approval from Hachidai, who took his response as a sign of courage.
"Very well," Hachidai said after a pause. "I'll assign you to act independently."
"Yes, Captain. I will not let you down."
With that, Gen bowed slightly and disappeared into the distance.
It was time to choose his own battlefield—one where he could hunt without restraint.