Konoha.
The entire village seemed shrouded beneath invisible storm clouds, thick with a suffocating atmosphere.
On Konoha's streets, the bustling scenes of old had grown much quieter. Passersby hurried along, occasionally whispering among themselves, but the moment they saw ANBU pass by, they immediately lowered their heads and left.
The whole of Konoha seemed as though someone had suddenly pressed pause, sinking into an eerie silence.
Yet many ninja knew full well that this was the prelude to a coming storm...
The Nara Clan compound.
Nara Shikaku gazed at the silent village beyond the courtyard. For the first time, his scar-covered face revealed tension and worry.
"Konoha is about to face a major crisis."
Nara Shikaku sighed anxiously.
Not long ago, the Third Hokage had sought him out once more and transferred away part of the Nara Clan's elite forces.
Ino-Shika-Cho were the Hokage faction's direct loyalists, practically advancing and retreating alongside the Hokage.
The Third Hokage's actions this time were undoubtedly a test of their loyalty as well.
If he had been unwilling, or even resistant, to having the clan's forces deployed, it would inevitably have aroused the Third Hokage's suspicions.
Where would those transferred clan members be used?
Konoha was not at war right now.
There was only one answer.
The Uchiha.
Everyone in Konoha knew that the Uchiha and the village were at irreconcilable odds.
Before this, however, the Uchiha could only passively defend themselves. Their clan's strength had steadily dwindled, and they had been driven in disgrace to the outskirts of Konoha.
But ever since Uchiha Mirai emerged, everything had changed.
Shocking incidents had occurred one after another.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's prestige within the village had plummeted.
Uchiha Mirai... had practically stepped on Sarutobi Hiruzen's head as he pushed the Uchiha Clan's reputation to unprecedented heights.
Especially