Hokage's Office
Orochimaru and the rest of the Konoha High Command had gathered before the desk. Even Jiraiya, who had been absent for years, had returned. Everyone stared fixedly at the Land of Fire on the map spread across the desk, not saying a word.
Bang!!!
After an unknown length of time, Orochimaru suddenly slammed his hand on the desk and told them, "Begin the operation!!!"
Once the order was given, everyone in the office involuntarily smiled. Even Orochimaru, the normally unflappable Cold Lord, could no longer contain his excitement. For once, he wore a smile that looked distinctly sinister.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Several figures vanished from the Hokage's Office. Then the many clans mobilized in unison. Before long, thousands of ninja streamed through Konoha's gates, racing off in every direction and quickly disappearing from view.
The entire village machinery sprang into motion for this plan, which had been years in the making. Konoha, the beast that had slumbered in the shinobi world for years, finally bared its fearsome fangs.
The King of the Land of Fire Plan had officially begun!
Over the past three years, the shinobi world had undergone earth-shattering changes.
The first major event was Iwagakure and Sunagakure formally announcing their alliance. Although the two villages had never stated it outright before, anyone with discerning eyes had long since noticed the signs in their increasingly close relations. Apart from worrying the daimyo of the smaller nations, the announcement caused little stir.
The important development came shortly afterward, when the Land of Water announced that it was cutting off all contact with other nations. This was a major event that truly affected the balance of the shinobi world.
The Land of Water was the shinobi world's largest supplier of seafood. Half the seafood consumed across