Konoha's Predicament and the Night Raid Squad

The sky was overcast, and the shadow of war hung heavily over Konoha. Not a trace of joy could be seen on the faces of passersby; they were filled with worry for the future.

It couldn't be helped. After the Uchiha Clan's rebellion and the Third Hokage's death in the Jashin Cult attack, Konoha's situation had taken a sharp turn for the worse.

Although the two-nation alliance formed with Sand Village had successfully defeated the Jashin Cult, they were betrayed afterward and lost several thousand shinobi in the Land of Rivers.

Then they had to face the Land of Lightning's massive offensive. Word was that just days ago, the Konoha army led by Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, had suffered another crushing defeat at the border.

The unrelenting blows had gradually caused Konoha's people to lose faith in the future. Some had even begun calling for peace in exchange for land.

However, all such voices had been forcefully suppressed by the Fifth Hokage, Shimura Danzō.

Unlike the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō was an unyielding, hardline advocate of war. Though he was willing to use any means necessary, he would never surrender easily.

At that moment, he sat in the Hokage's office, studying the document before him with a grim expression.

That was right. Danzō had already returned from the front.

The one who had replaced him at the border of the Land of Fields to confront the Fourth Raikage was another of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade.

This was one of the few fortunate developments Konoha had seen lately.

The intense shock of operating on Jiraiya had finally allowed Tsunade to overcome the hemophobia that had plagued her for so long. Her strength had officially returned, and she was fully capable of taking Danzō's place and standing on