Time passed. Beneath the surface calm of the Hidden Leaf Village, undercurrents grew ever more turbulent.
The reforms to the Military Police Force spearheaded by Uchiha Ling had begun to bear fruit. Elite shinobi from several minor clans and a group of promising civilian shinobi had been selected and recruited into the force.
Though the core of its power and most captain positions remained firmly in the hands of Uchiha Ling and his trusted followers.
This measure had nevertheless eased tensions between the Uchiha and the village's other factions to a considerable degree, and even won Uchiha Ling a few potential supporters.
Uchiha Ling had also cleverly used the resources and authority assigned to him to train these new recruits into reliable subordinates.
Under his control, the Military Police Force was running more smoothly than ever and growing in influence.
However, this hard-won easing of internal tensions was shattered by increasingly frequent clashes and rising tensions along the borders.
That day, Uchiha Ling was in the Military Police Force office reviewing reports submitted by Uchiha Tekka.
Suddenly, a commotion rose outside the window, along with the faint cheers of villagers.
"It's the Sannin!"
"Lord Jiraiya, Lady Tsunade, and Lord Orochimaru are back!"
"Looks like things really are bad along the borders. Even Lady Tsunade and the others have returned."
Uchiha Ling set down the scroll in his hand and went to the window. On the street, three shinobi of vastly different bearing, yet each radiating a powerful presence, were heading toward the Hokage Building.
Their return alone was a powerful signal.
The situation had grown serious enough that Konoha's top fighters had to return to discuss matters—or prepare to go on the offensive.
Uchiha Ling's gaze sharpened. He understood.
The storm of the Third Shinobi World War was finally coming.
This was both the crisis he had anticipated and the long-awaited opportunity to break the existing order and truly step onto the stage of the Shinobi World.
Meanwhile, inside the Hokage Office,
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his three beloved students, dusty from the road. There was little joy on his face; instead, it was etched with solemnity.
"Thank you for your hard work, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru. How are things along the border?"
Jiraiya's usual grin faded. He spoke first, his tone heavy.
"Old man, things aren't looking good. Sunagakure has been acting like mad lately. The number of patrols has more than tripled, and clashes are increasing rapidly.
"Our people captured a few prisoners and questioned them. Their answers were evasive, but they all pointed to the same thing—they're looking for something, or rather, someone."
Tsunade picked up where he left off. "We used every intelligence channel at our disposal, including some covert assets inside Sunagakure. In the end, we confirmed some shocking news: the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure has been missing for over a month!"
The news struck the Hokage Office like a bolt from the blue.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, usually so composed, tightened his grip on his pipe. His pupils contracted.
"The Third Kazekage is missing?!"
Hiruzen's voice was full of disbelief.
He was the Kazekage hailed as the strongest of his generation, possessing the terrifying Kekkei Genkai Magnet Release: Iron Sand. His strength was renowned throughout the Shinobi World.
How could a Kage-level powerhouse like him simply vanish without a trace?
Orochimaru added in his characteristic raspy, cold voice, "That's right, Teacher Sarutobi.
"Sunagakure has kept the matter secret, doing everything it can to cover it up. But the Kazekage's prolonged absence has already sparked suspicion and unrest within the village.
"Now they're searching frantically along the border and inside our Land of Fire, like headless flies. Their excessive behavior suggests they fear the Kazekage's disappearance is connected to Konoha—or another great nation."
Jiraiya scratched his unruly white hair and said irritably, "What's worse, once Sunagakure makes a move, the other great nations won't just sit back and watch.
"The stone-headed fools of Iwagakure, the hotheads of Cloud Village, and those vipers lurking beneath the water in Kirigakure have surely caught the scent, too.
"There are more spies along the borders now than flies!"
The atmosphere in the office plunged to freezing point.
The disappearance of a Kage—especially the Third Kazekage, renowned for his strength—was a bombshell powerful enough to shatter the balance of the entire Shinobi World!
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag on his pipe and slowly exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, trying to calm himself.
His keen gaze swept over his three students. "With the Kazekage gone, Sunagakure is bound to be unstable internally.
"To divert internal strife, or seize an advantage and resources amid the potential chaos, they may well choose to turn their weapons outward and start a war!"
It was the most logical conclusion, and the one most consistent with Sunagakure's current predicament.
The danger posed by a great shinobi nation with a powerful military, now thrown into disarray, was self-evident.
"Besides," Tsunade said, crossing her arms, her expression grave.
"If Sunagakure attacks Konoha, the other great nations watching us like hawks won't let the opportunity pass. The Third Shinobi World War may be unavoidable."
That conclusion weighed heavily on everyone present.
Never before had the shadow of war loomed so tangibly over Konoha.
"Summon the Nara, Hyuga, Uchiha, and all the other major clans' representatives at once, along with the two advisors and Danzo. An emergency meeting!"
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around, his voice low and resolute. "It's time for the village to prepare for the coming storm."
Emergency Meeting of the Senior Leadership
Before long, the atmosphere in the Hokage Building's confidential meeting room was even more oppressive.
The seats along both sides of the long table were filled with the leaders or key representatives of Konoha's major clans.
The Nara Clan Head furrowed his brow. The Yamanaka and Akimichi Clan Heads looked composed, but could not conceal their worry. Hyuga Clan Head Hyuga Sosuke sat upright, the veins around his Byakugan faintly bulging to show his unease.
Representatives from the Inuzuka and Aburame clans were also present.
Shimura Danzō sat near the Hokage, his single eye lowered as he pondered who knew what.
Uchiha Ling, representing the Uchiha Clan and serving as captain of the Military Police Force, sat beside Hyuga Sosuke. His youthful appearance stood out among the many clan heads, but no one dared underestimate him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not ask his students to repeat themselves. Instead, he personally delivered the newly confirmed news—in the briefest, most grave terms—to everyone present, a report that would shake the entire Shinobi World:
"It has just been confirmed: the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure has been missing for over a month."
"The Kazekage is missing!"
"Could the Third Shinobi World War be about to break out?"
Even the clan representatives, seasoned as they were, could not help crying out in shock. Their faces were filled with disbelief.
The meeting room erupted into an uproar.
Before you continue