The cool breeze whispered, and the gentle murmur of flowing water resonated through the land. The Naka River, winding through much of the Land of Fire, meandered quietly through Konohagakure. Its waters had nurtured countless lives on this land, witnessing its rise and fall over centuries.
Today, however, the usually tranquil atmosphere seemed to hum with an undercurrent of excitement. Still, the river itself remained serene, unperturbed, as trees along its banks swayed gently in the breeze. There was calmness, but also a subtle hint of discontent woven into the air.
At the Naka Shrine, a secluded chamber was illuminated by rows of flickering torches, casting dancing shadows that mimicked a pair of performers in motion. The faint warmth they provided softened the otherwise somber atmosphere of the room.
Beneath the dim light stood a towering black monument, its origin shrouded in mystery, known only to have been left by Uchiha ancestors. Before the gravestone, Uchiha Madara silently polished his iconic gunbai. Each stroke of the cloth against the fan produced a distinct, metallic sound that reverberated through the chamber.
Madara's gaze remained fixed on his weapon—a steadfast companion since the Warring States period, one that had been by his side in countless battles, carving his legend into history. Yet now, as he examined it, he noticed faint traces of rust marring its surface—something he had never encountered before.
As Madara attended to his fan, three Uchiha clan members stood behind him, led by Uchiha Akira, who had come to discuss urgent matters.
"Clan Leader, have you heard? The entire village is buzzing with rumors."
"They say the Kage of the other four great villages will soon gather in Konohagakure for the first-ever Five Kage Summit."
"They claim it's a diplomatic meeting, but we know the truth. They're after the tailed beasts—our tailed beasts, which you personally captured!"
"Clan Leader, we can't just hand them over without compensation!"
Madara continued his methodical movements, flipping the gunbai to polish the opposite side, seemingly unmoved by their passionate words. Finally, he spoke, his voice calm yet commanding.
"So, you've heard the news. Tell me—what do you propose we do?"
Hearing their leader's response, Akira and the others seemed reinvigorated. They stepped forward, fists clenched, eager to share their plan.
"Clan Leader, the other villages have spread baseless fears about Konoha to create a false narrative of threat. We can't let this stand!"
"If they want the tailed beasts, then let them pay a steep price—resources, land, wealth, even forbidden jutsu!"
"Exactly! Clan Leader, we must assert our place in Konoha. This is an opportunity to show the entire village that the Uchiha are indispensable."
Their fervor was palpable, yet it was abruptly silenced when Madara let the gunbai fall heavily to the ground with a resounding clang. The sharp sound cut through the room, and the younger clan members froze, their eyes shifting to their leader.
Madara slowly rose, slinging the gunbai onto his back. As he turned, his Sharingan activated, transforming into the fearsome Mangekyō Sharingan. His presence shifted—gone was the composed figure polishing a relic, replaced by the battle-hardened warrior of the Warring States period, radiating an aura of cold decisiveness.
He walked past the stunned group, his voice echoing as he spoke words they could not fully grasp.
"Those who are content with fleeting peace will never achieve true harmony."
A faint, enigmatic smile played at his lips as he left the shrine, disappearing into the night. Behind him, the clan members stood bewildered, unable to decipher his parting words.
Meanwhile, in the heart of Konohagakure, the village bustled with unprecedented activity. The fertile lands, lush greenery, and vibrant community made it a beacon of prosperity, flourishing even in the brief years since the end of the Warring States period.
Politically, economically, and militarily, Konoha had ascended to the pinnacle of the shinobi world. None of the other great nations could compare.
The streets were livelier than ever, filled with villagers mingling with "outsiders" dressed in peculiar attire. This influx of foreign visitors was not merely a result of Konoha's open policies but a consequence of the upcoming Five Kage Summit. Leaders from the five great nations were converging to discuss matters that would shape the future.
The historic nature of the event drew countless onlookers, eager to witness history or at least catch a glimpse of the powerful figures attending. However, the increased activity also posed challenges for Konoha's security forces.
Though unlikely, the idea of anyone daring to disrupt the village during its prime was almost laughable. Konoha was fortified by some of the strongest clans—the Senju, Sarutobi, Shimura, Ino-Shika-Chō, Hyūga, and many others. Any would-be troublemaker would find themselves subdued in moments.
More importantly, any act of sabotage during this critical juncture would be tantamount to shaming their own village, undermining their position in the negotiations.
Those from other villages visiting Konohagakure knew better than to cause major disturbances—anyone with half a brain could figure that out. But minor mischief? That was fair game. And it was precisely those smaller acts of trouble that tested Konoha's defense capabilities.
At the gates of Konoha, the ever-stoic Senju Tobirama stood vigil, his expression as unchanging as a carved mask. Beside him were several representatives from Konoha's various ninja clans, stationed there as the "faces" of the village. Their presence served dual purposes: to extend a warm welcome to visitors and to handle special arrivals.
However, with Tobirama's stern, debt-collector face greeting newcomers, one might question whether he was there to welcome guests—or scare them off.
"Hey!" Tobirama's gruff voice broke the silence as he turned toward Kakuzu, who was lounging on the ground, absorbed in a book. "Don't you think me standing here at the gate is... a bit much?"
Kakuzu shut his book with a quiet snap, stretched lazily, and shot a sidelong glance at Tobirama.
"You're a Senju, an assistant to the Hokage, and the face of Konoha. If not you, then who?"
"If anything," Kakuzu continued with a smirk, "I'm the one who doesn't belong here. I was perfectly content in my lab, and you dragged me out here for this? What's the meaning of this, Tobirama?"
Tobirama shoved his hands into his pockets and gave Kakuzu an unimpressed look.
"Quit pretending. You know the village's defenses are stretched thin right now. If something serious happens, I couldn't care less about the other villages losing face—but Konoha? That's non-negotiable. We need top-tier shinobi on guard. Otherwise, I wouldn't have called you out here."
"Hm." Kakuzu nodded thoughtfully, his expression suddenly serious. "That's a decent attempt at flattery. Fine, I'll give you that."
"Hmph." Tobirama let out a small, prideful scoff. "Good. I'll be stepping away for a bit. While I'm gone, you're in charge of keeping an eye out. Don't let any suspicious individuals slip through."
No sooner had Tobirama finished speaking than Kakuzu promptly sat back down, book in hand.
"What the hell is this?" Tobirama's brow twitched, but he forced himself to hold back his irritation.
"We agreed on this already! I'm paying you one-and-a-half times your usual rate to help out. Isn't that enough?"
Kakuzu's eyebrow arched, and his gaze sharpened. "Oh, so you do understand. I'm here to help with the work—not to take responsibility for it. You're telling me to watch over the gate, but if something goes wrong, won't the blame fall squarely on me?"
Tobirama's patience was wearing thin.
"What do you want, then?"
Standing up and tucking his book away, Kakuzu raised three fingers.
"If you want me to take responsibility, it's going to cost you. Triple the pay."
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