Three Inches of Humanity, United Against a Common Enemy!

Overnight, four cities under the Ninja Kingdom's command were struck.

The enemy was Shin Uchiha's Clone Legion. At nearly the same time, they launched attacks from the east, south, west, and north, striking the gateway cities surrounding the Ninja Kingdom. Before reinforcements could arrive, they vanished without a trace using methods similar to White Zetsu's underground movement.

The city attacked in the east was Wutan City, the gateway city of Hidden Rock Village's tributary state.

The city attacked in the south was Sarutobi City, the gateway city of Konoha's tributary state.

The city attacked in the west was Quicksand City, the gateway city of Hidden Sand Village's tributary state.

The city attacked in the north was Water-Mirror City, the gateway city of Hidden Mist Village's tributary state.

Hidden Rock Village suffered the most severe losses. Wutan City was utterly wiped out. From ninja to civilians, not a single person survived. The city had become a living hell. Tangled trees pierced through broken walls and ruins, covering every corner of the city. Flesh and blood seeped from the gaps between the wood, leaving nowhere to step. Many of the ninja assigned to clear away the bodies suffered mental breakdowns afterward and required psychological treatment.

Konoha suffered the fewest casualties. Nearly half the civilians and ninja of Sarutobi City managed to escape, but the city lord, Takitsubo Sarutobi, and the Sarutobi Clan under his command were completely annihilated. Only the young Konohamaru survived.

"How could this happen?!" Hiruzen, who had remained in Feather Emperor City ever since his resurrection, sighed bitterly upon hearing the terrible news. In a single night, he seemed to have aged ten years.

The following day, the conference room of Feather Emperor City hosted the gathering of the Four Kage from the tributary states.

Unlike the relaxed atmosphere