In the spring of Konoha's 50th year, Shisui Uchiha, Fugaku Uchiha, and Jiraiya each set out from Konoha with a force of four hundred shinobi, heading for the Land of Fire's borders to face the Three Great Shinobi Villages: Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure.
On the day they departed, Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze came in person to see the forces off. Former Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was there with him.
With Konoha's very survival at stake, Hiruzen had long since let go of his last lingering attachment to power. He had begun to serve as Minato Namikaze's dependable right hand.
"Shisui, Clan Head Fugaku, Jiraiya-sensei..."
As he watched the three men and their respective forces depart, Minato Namikaze felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier. He was responsible for recruiting additional troops within the village, while Hiruzen Sarutobi, with his far greater experience in war, would handle the supply lines.
Half a month later, in the northeastern part of the Land of Fire.
"Lord Shisui, we've found traces of an unfamiliar group of shinobi ten kilometers ahead. They're likely the vanguard of Kumogakure's forces."
The one reporting on the enemy was a shinobi dressed in a white, high-collared coat, wearing green sunglasses, with a massive canister strapped to his back. His outfit made it clear that he belonged to the Aburame Clan.
Shisui stood on a tree branch, gazing in the direction of the enemy.
"Good work, Muta. Keep tracking them, and send Itachi Uchiha to see me."
The Aburame shinobi was named Muta Aburame. He was not yet twenty and was a rising star of the Aburame Clan.
The Aburame Clan's insect-control abilities gave them an unparalleled advantage in reconnaissance across the forests that covered much of the Land of Fire.
"Yes, Lord Shisui."
Konoha had prepared a force of