War Begins

"Alright, stop!"

A voice suddenly rang out, interrupting the discussion. Everyone fell silent and turned to look at the speaker.

It was the head of the Uchiha Police Force—Uchiha Fugaku.

Fugaku's gaze was sharp as fire as he swept his eyes across the clan members present and said in a deep voice:

"War is cruel, but it is also unavoidable. As the guardians of Konoha, the Uchiha Clan has the responsibility and duty to fight for the village."

"We must seek opportunities in war to strengthen our clan."

"Chief Fugaku is right. We must display the strength of the Uchiha Clan in this war and show those who look down on us that we are not easy to bully."

An Uchiha clansman with Three-Tomoe Sharingan said excitedly.

"But Clan Head, we also need to consider the safety of our people. We cannot allow them to make needless sacrifices."

An older clansman offered a reminder.

Fugaku nodded and said:

"Of course I understand that. I will suggest to the Hokage that the Uchiha Elite Squad be sent to the front lines to win glory."

"The Police Force will also heighten its vigilance to prevent the village from being ambushed. I will discuss it with the Third Hokage and strive to secure greater protection for our clan members."

"Clan Head, when will we depart?"

A young clansman asked impatiently.

Before Uchiha Fugaku could speak, Uchiha Setsuna, the Great Elder, directly interrupted:

"Don't be hasty. That Third Hokage monkey has not yet issued the final order. We should make our preparations first and remain ready at all times."

"Everyone, go back and prepare yourselves well. Improve your strength, and do not bring shame upon the Uchiha Clan."

"As for the members of the elite squad, we will discuss it with Fugaku before making an announcement."

"Fugaku, have the Police Force start moving as well. Search the village thoroughly for spies."

"Got it, Setsuna-sama!"

The others all nodded in understanding.

Looking at his clansmen, Fugaku silently made up his mind. He would protect the Uchiha Clan during the war, while also seizing the chance to elevate the clan's standing in Konoha.

Throughout the meeting, Uchiha Ran, who had remained an unnoticed bystander, did not say a single word. After all, it was not his place to make decisions.

Over the next period of time, the residents of Konoha began to feel a trace of unease.

The prices of goods such as food and ironware began to rise, while demand for shuriken and Explosive Tags surged dramatically.

Konoha's patrol forces conducted rounds until the early morning every day, and ANBU ninja could occasionally be seen darting through the streets and across the rooftops.

Many active-duty combat ninja were also continually being recalled.

Moreover, D-rank missions such as finding cats and dogs became fewer and fewer in the mission hall, while combat-oriented missions such as eliminating bandits and gathering military intelligence increased.

The people of Konoha were not fools. Many of them had family members who were ninja, and they quickly sensed what was coming.

Because all these signs pointed to one thing—war was coming!

As the clouds of war hung over Konoha, the villagers' hearts grew ever heavier.

The streets' usual clamor and liveliness were gradually replaced by tension and unease.

The laughter of children diminished, replaced by adults' hushed conversations and worried looks.

In the village's central square, an old man sat on a bench, gazing into the distance with unfocused eyes.

His grandson sat beside him and asked softly:

"Grandpa, why is everyone so nervous?" The old man sighed, gently stroked his grandson's head, and said:

"Child, war is coming. You may not understand yet, but war takes many lives and tears apart many families."

"Our Konoha has already endured too many wars. Everyone is afraid of falling into that pain again."

Not everyone was Uchiha Itachi, contemplating war and life at the age of six.

The old man's grandson was only three. His childish face wrinkled into a frown, and confusion appeared in his eyes.

"Is war that scary? Why does it happen? Why does it take people's lives?"

The old man fell silent for a moment before slowly answering:

"War is a conflict between nations, fought over resources, land, and power. Ninja charge at the front, fighting to protect their village and families."

"But war is cruel. It takes many lives, including those of brave ninja."

Along the way, he saw many ninja hurrying about, seemingly preparing for the coming war.

Many Konoha villagers also felt uneasy, though they were even more concerned for the village.

Just as Konoha was organizing its forces and preparing for war, there was a Konoha border outpost within the Land of Rivers, between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.

Konoha ninja were stationed there.

That was right. Konoha ninja from the Land of Fire were stationed within the Land of Rivers, guarding against Hidden Sand ninja who were likewise stationed on the opposite side within the Land of Rivers.

It might have seemed absurd to others, but in the Naruto World, it was perfectly normal.

Although the Land of Rivers was not small, it had no ninja village power. Or rather, Konoha and Hidden Sand would not allow the daimyo of that country to establish a ninja village.

After all, the Land of Rivers lay between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, while also sitting south of the Land of Rain.

Under the shadow of the great nations, the Land of Rivers had little room to develop independently. Its fate was often shaped by the policies and strategies of those powers.

Forget about a ninja village. If the daimyo of the Land of Rivers dared to gather more than a hundred rogue ninja,

the next day, he would discover that those rogue ninja had been jointly eradicated by Konoha, Hidden Sand, and Amegakure.

And the daimyo would even have to thank them for helping his country eliminate those "unstable elements."

Konoha: Little brother, be sensible. Do you not understand why the Land of Rivers is allowed to exist?

Hidden Sand: If not for the Land of Fire and Konoha, we would have swallowed you long ago. And you still dare to raise ninja? You are not even allowed to have that thought!

Hanzō of Amegakure: Damn it, being surrounded by Konoha to the east, Hidden Sand to the west, and Iwagakure to the north is already irritating enough.

And you want to establish a ninja village? You want me surrounded on all four sides? Enough talk. Take a General Yu's Flying Kick first!

Inside the outpost.

The quiet before the war did not soothe anyone. Instead, it left those stationed there tense and unsettled.

At that moment, even the slightest disturbance could make everyone instantly raise their guard to the utmost.

The atmosphere was so oppressive that the stationed ninja hurried back and forth...

But what they did not know was that, in a forest not far away, ninja from the Sunagakure Ninja Village moved silently like ghosts in the desert.

Baki, Hidden Sand's Elite Jonin, stood at the front of the group. His eagle-sharp gaze swept over the Konoha border outpost ahead.

Behind him stood a group of well-trained Hidden Sand ninja, wearing windbreakers with ninja tools at their waists and solemn expressions on their painted faces.

Every one of them understood the importance of this mission.