Closing In

Inside the Hokage Office, pipe smoke curled through the air. Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the densely marked reports of border clashes on the map, his brows locked in a deep frown. The two advisers, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, sat on either side of him, the atmosphere grave.

"Hiruzen, the wandering ninja and rogue ninja on the borders are getting more and more rampant, especially in the directions of the Land of Rivers and the Land of Rain. Friction is constant. If this continues, all-out conflict is only a matter of time," Mitokado Homura said in a low voice.

Utatane Koharu added, "The Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone have never stopped making little moves. We have to send capable personnel to stabilize the situation and deter them at the same time."

Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly exhaled a smoke ring, his gaze sharp. "We can't keep responding passively. We must take the initiative, wipe out the bandit threat, stabilize the border, and show the other villages Konoha's resolve and ability." He pointed at the map. "In the direction of the Land of Rivers, bordering both the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth, the situation is the most complicated. Orochimaru needs to take command there. In the direction of the Land of Rain, the main concern is guarding against the Hidden Stone. Mimura Hamaki is experienced and can handle that post. In the direction of the Hidden Cloud, Namikaze Minato is capable enough, but his seniority is still shallow. Have Uchiha Fugaku nominally lead the team, while Minato actually takes charge. That uses his talent and also reassures the clan. As for the Hidden Mist... Danzo is the most suitable person to handle it."

"Have Orochimaru leave the village? His research..." Homura hesitated.

"That is exactly why he must leave the laboratory," Sarotobi Hiruzen said meaningfully. "If he puts his energy into village affairs, perhaps he won't... stray too far. Besides, that child Uchiha Narong has followed him for some time. It's time he came out and experienced real storms. True powerhouses need to be tempered in the fires of war."

The orders were quickly issued. This order also meant that the First Hokage cell experiments Uchiha Narong had been conducting under Orochimaru were temporarily suspended. He was assigned to the unit heading to the border of the Land of Rivers and began his true combat career.

The Land of Wind, the Hidden Sand Village. Inside the Kazekage Office, the Third Kazekage looked at the intelligence in his hand regarding Konoha's troop deployments, his face dark. Sand beat against the windows, as if mirroring the unrest in his heart. Standing beside him were his capable assistant, the elder Granny Chiyo, who was proficient in puppet techniques, and her younger brother Ebizo.

"Konoha is moving quickly. Orochimaru... is a troublesome opponent." The Kazekage's voice was hoarse.

Granny Chiyo analyzed calmly, "The chaos on the border of the Land of Rivers has, in part, our tacit approval. It just happens to test Konoha's true strength. Orochimaru going there means Konoha takes it very seriously. Should we raise the stakes?"

Ebizo cut in, "Sister, caution comes first. Our resource reserves are not abundant. Once a great war begins, the consumption will be enormous. It would be better to continue using wandering ninja to wear Konoha down while stepping up communication with the Hidden Stone."

The Kazekage pondered for a moment. "Mm... Notify the border troops to raise their vigilance and temporarily avoid large-scale conflict with Konoha, but small-scale friction and intelligence gathering must not stop. Also, strengthen surveillance over the One-Tail Shukaku's jinchuriki, Bunpuku, and ensure nothing goes wrong." His decision was cautious and full of probing intent. Under the pressure of scarce resources, he wanted to seize benefits, yet still harbored fear of all-out war.

The Land of Earth, the Hidden Stone Village. The short but astonishingly imposing Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, floated in midair, listening to his subordinate Kitsuchi's report on Konoha's deployment.

"Hmph, that old fellow Sarutobi Hiruzen isn't slow to react. Orochimaru went to the Land of Rivers, and Mimura Hamaki went to the Land of Rain... Is he trying to suppress us on two fronts?" Onoki snorted coldly.

Kitsuchi answered respectfully, "Lord Tsuchikage, our activities along the border of the Land of Rain have recently met with some obstruction. In addition, reports say there seem to be unusual movements from the Hidden Cloud as well."

A sharp glint flashed through Onoki's eyes. "Tell the people on the Land of Rain border to rein themselves in for now, but the infiltration must not stop. Konoha wants to steady public morale, so we'll make it chaotic! As for the Hidden Cloud... that brute A is not worth fearing. Our goal is to find an opportunity to bite a fat chunk out of the Land of Fire!" He was full of confidence in his Particle Style and the Hidden Stone's defensive strength. His attitude was forceful and aggressive, and he believed that a chaotic situation would benefit the Hidden Stone more.

The Land of Lightning, the Hidden Cloud Village. The Third Raikage, A, spoke in a voice like a great bell to his partner, the Eight-Tails jinchuriki Blue B—at this time Killer B had not yet become a jinchuriki—and his adviser Dodai. "Konoha has started sweeping the borders? Looks like they're feeling the pressure too."

Blue B replied steadily, "Lord Raikage, should we take the opportunity to..."

A waved a hand, battle intent burning in his eyes. "No hurry! Let the Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone hit the wall first. Our Hidden Cloud's blade either stays in its sheath, or draws blood when it is unsheathed! Pass down the order. Strengthen border patrols. If they encounter provocation, strike back decisively! Let Konoha taste the power of our Hidden Cloud too!" He looked at Dodai again. "Envoys for peace talks can be sent, but set the conditions sky-high! If talks fail, then we fight!" The Hidden Cloud's attitude was tough and confident, like a dormant thunder beast, ready to erupt at any moment.

The Land of Water, the Hidden Mist Village. The atmosphere inside the Mizukage Building was oppressive. The Third Mizukage listened to the ANBU report, no expression on his face. Genji stood below him, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Konoha sent Shimura Danzo to handle coastal affairs... Danzo of 'Root,' hmph..." The Mizukage's flat voice carried a trace of coldness.

Genji spoke cautiously. "Lord Mizukage, Danzo is full of schemes. We need to strengthen our guard. Also, within our territory, voices dissatisfied with the 'Blood Mist policy'..."

The Mizukage interrupted him. "Any act disloyal to the village must be eliminated! Proceed according to plan and strengthen control over the surrounding islands. As for Danzo... if he dares cross the line, let him taste the edge of the Hidden Mist's ninja blades." The Hidden Mist's attitude was closed, xenophobic, and filled with strangeness. Internally, it ruled through high pressure; externally, it was like a venomous snake hidden in thick fog.

The Cracks of the Land of Rain: The Demigod's Schemes and Akatsuki's Ideals

In the Land of Rain, rain fell in a steady patter. Hanzo of the Salamander, leader of the Hidden Rain Village, listened to his subordinate's report on the arrival of Konoha and Mimura Hamaki's unit, his eyes flickering.

"Konoha has sent people too... This pool of water is getting muddier and muddier," he muttered. His confidant asked, "Lord Hanzo, how should we respond?"

Hanzo sneered. "Let them fight! Tell the people below to avoid Konoha's edge for now, but as for the 'unstable factors' within our territory... for example, that 'Akatsuki' organization that has gained a bit of a reputation recently, we can 'help' Konoha clean it up." He wanted to kill with a borrowed knife and eliminate Akatsuki, the new domestic force that might threaten his rule.

Meanwhile, in a crude stronghold, the young Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan were holding a discussion. Yahiko was full of passion. "Hanzo and the great nations don't care whether the people live or die! We have to prove through action that Akatsuki's ideals are the future of the Land of Rain! We'll start by clearing out those wandering ninja who oppress the common people!"

Konan looked at Nagato worriedly. "But won't that be too dangerous?"

Nagato raised his face, determination in his Rinnegan. "Yahiko is right. If we don't act, nothing will ever change. We need strength... and we also need the outside world to see our conviction." At this time, Akatsuki still held the ideal of achieving peace through communication and understanding, but the cruelty of reality was closing in step by step.

Konoha's Response and Narong's Journey

Konoha's border troops quickly took their positions. On the border of the Land of Rivers, in Orochimaru's camp, Uchiha Narong received his first A-rank mission—to wipe out the Blood Wolf Gang, a rogue ninja organization that had been active in the border region for many years and possessed considerable strength. He led a temporarily assembled chunin squad into the danger-ridden jungle.

At the same time, Might Guy, Amamiya Ren, and the others each set off for different mission sites.