First came the three from the Uchiha Clan.
Genya Uchiha, Uchiha Itachi, and Shisui Uchiha raced across the rooftops.
Their presence, their sheer intensity, even startled a cat sunning itself in a courtyard into leaping to its feet.
Then came Might Guy, the man who was always shouting about youth. Uncharacteristically silent, he swept across the rooftops.
His green figure streaked past like a meteor. No cries of youth, no thumbs-up. He simply passed by.
Last came the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. His expression was neither smiling nor stern, but the sort that made anyone who saw it think, Something big has happened.
At a tea stall, several middle-aged women sat together, cups in hand, their mouths never stopping.
"What do you think happened? Even Lord First has been called out?"
A woman in a floral apron lowered her voice, as though afraid someone might overhear.
"Could fighting have broken out somewhere?"
Another patron, a man wearing glasses, shook his head.
"Impossible. My cousin serves in the Anbu, and he hasn't mentioned any war."
"Then what is it? Three Uchiha, Lord First, and Might Guy? That lineup could wipe out a country."
"Who knows? Whatever it is, it's definitely no small matter."
"Do you think it could be the Akatsuki? I heard jinchūriki from other villages have been disappearing lately..."
Someone beside the speaker clapped a hand over their mouth.
"Shh, keep your voice down. You can't go around saying things like that."
They exchanged glances, each seeing the unease in the others' eyes.
Konoha had been peaceful for so long that they had forgotten the taste of war.
But seeing a force like that mobilize brought back some unpleasant memories.
Inside the Barbecue Restaurant, several chunin discussed the situation as they turned slices of meat.
"Lord First went too.