Surrounded by dense forests stood the strongest power in the Shinobi World today—Konoha.
Located at the very center of the Ninja World continent, they occupied the most fertile land and naturally drew the covetous eyes of the other four great shinobi villages.
Konoha was blessed with outstanding people and rich resources. The First Hokage had once been invincible, the Second Hokage had governed with great care, and now the Third Hokage was more than capable of preserving what they had built.
Though Konoha's title as the number one shinobi village had been challenged many times, they had ultimately relied on their deeper foundations to hold firmly onto their position.
Early in the morning, amid the chirping of birds, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat alone in the Hokage's office, fiddling with his beloved Crystal Ball. His expression was rather... difficult to describe.
"Lord Hokage! Urgent intelligence has arrived from Kirigakure!"
An Anbu ninja wearing a mask knelt on one knee at the entrance to the Hokage's office.
"Come in!"
An aged yet vigorous voice rang out. The Third Hokage set down the Crystal Ball in his hand and accepted the scroll from the Anbu while smoking his pipe.
"This is a message sent back by Jonin Yoshi. He has probably already..."
"Yoshi Kumade? He was also a hero of the village. It is because people like them keep burning themselves that Konoha can shine so brightly!"
The Third Hokage sighed softly, then unfurled the scroll.
"What? Kirigakure has sent envoys to Cloud Village?"
He removed the pipe from his mouth and lightly tapped it twice against the desk. After a brief moment of thought, he ordered:
"Go summon the three advisors, as well as Orochimaru."
"Yes!"
"What do you all think about Kirigakure sending a delegation to Cloud Village?"
Leaning back in his