Year 30 of Konoha was a year the entire shinobi world would remember. That year, uneven economic development among the Five Great Nations gradually brought warmongers to the fore, intent on changing the status quo and securing greater benefits. Outside the prosperous Land of Fire, their voices grew ever louder.
Kazemori Masaki had anticipated this and already made preparations for border defense. Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō guarded the Coast defensive line to prevent an invasion from the Land of Water and protect the people of the Land of Whirlpools, using the opportunity to bring the Uzumaki Clan to Konoha Ninja Village. Kagami Uchiha, who had experience fighting Sunagakure Ninja Village, headed to the Land of Rain to discuss establishing a defensive line against the Lands of Wind and Earth with Hanzō. He also wanted to see his daughter—
As for the remaining nation, the Land of Lightning, Kazemori Masaki intended to prioritize preserving their alliance. He therefore sent Torifu Akimichi, a stern-looking but kindhearted man, to guard the border. If they could not delay an attack, Masaki would go there himself to intercept it. His proficiency with wind release chakra made him the bane of Kumogakure Ninja Village, and he was confident he could kill the Third Raikage in a single decisive strike and cow the village.
Deep down, he did not particularly want that outcome. His experiences back then had left him with some affection for Kumogakure Ninja Village. Of course, if the village still intended to start a war, he could only apologize and then do what had to be done. After all, his roots lay in Konoha Ninja Village.
Every day, Kazemori Masaki reviewed the intelligence sent from the borders and assessed the other nations' movements. One day, he determined that the Land of Wind was