Under the cover of night, Konoha's streets had three times as many patrol squads as usual.
The composition of every squad was enough to make any infiltrator despair.
The combination of the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans had turned Konoha's defenses into an inescapable net.
The air was thick with a tense, murderous atmosphere.
Though ordinary villagers did not understand what was happening, the sight of these unprecedentedly powerful patrols instead gave them an inexplicable sense of security.
However, the sharp-nosed clans had already caught the scent of an approaching storm.
The lights in the Hokage Building remained lit throughout the night.
ANBU deployments had become unusually frequent. Dark figures moved silently across the rooftops, relaying unknown orders.
All of it foretold that something major was about to happen.
Inside the Hokage's Office.
"Shikaku."
Uchiha Yao spoke calmly.
Shikaku Nara, who had been standing in the shadows, stepped forward, a trace of weariness on his face.
"Hokage-sama."
"Have all the summons been sent out?"
"Yes."
Shikaku Nara answered respectfully.
"Following your orders, all jonin in the village, as well as the heads of every major clan, have received notice to attend the highest-level meeting in three days."
Shikaku Nara paused.
"Additionally, all jonin currently carrying out A-rank or lower missions have been ordered to return at top speed."
Uchiha Yao nodded.
"What about Jiraiya?"
"Following your instructions, Kakashi has already led two of the most elite ANBU squads to locate Jiraiya-sama."
Shikaku Nara wore his characteristic expression of finding everything troublesome.
"Still, you know how unpredictable Jiraiya-sama's whereabouts are. Finding him within just three days may be..."
"There is no need to worry. Kakashi knows where to find Jiraiya."
Uchiha Yao cut him off.
Shikaku Nara looked at the Hokage before him, who was far too young, and sighed inwardly.