Hokage Building
Top-floor strategic conference room.
The atmosphere was heavier than ever before.
Seated on both sides of the long table were nearly all of Konoha's current core leadership, as well as the clan heads or representatives of its major families:
Hokage Nangō Kumoi sat at the head of the table. To his left were senior advisors and department heads such as Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura;
To his right were ninja clan leaders including Kagami Uchiha, Hyuga Nitten, Nara Shikato, Torifu Akimichi, Yamanaka Gaku, the Hatake representative, and the Yūhi representative.
The lights clearly illuminated every solemn or tense face.
Without any unnecessary pleasantries, Kumoi rose directly to his feet. His gaze swept across the room, and his calm, clear voice broke the oppressive silence:
"We have gathered you here because we have received unequivocal, top-level intelligence.
It has been confirmed that the Four Kage of Lightning, Earth, Water, and Wind have reached a secret agreement and are about to launch a joint military strike against our most important ally—the Hidden Eddy Village of the Land of Whirlpools."
As his words fell, suppressed gasps and murmurs rose throughout the conference room.
Although some had vaguely caught wind of it already, confirmation from the Hokage himself carried an entirely different weight.
Kumoi continued, his tone growing firmer:
"The Land of Whirlpools is not only our blood-forged ally; the Uzumaki Clan is also the cornerstone of Konoha's barrier and sealing systems, as well as the clan of First Hokage's wife, Lady Mito.
By sentiment, by reason, and by strategic interest, Konoha absolutely cannot stand by and watch our ally suffer such a catastrophic disaster!
This operation is not merely about protecting the surviving strength of the Land of Whirlpools. We must also use it to make a