Shinobi World No. 1.
Konoha Year 43, autumn.
Konoha Headquarters, Hokage Office.
Minato Namikaze stood by the window, looking out at the village dyed red by autumn. The wound Madara Uchiha had left at his waist had healed, but it still ached faintly on cloudy days. He had survived. Might Duy had survived. Konoha had survived too-at least, for now.
But the war was far from over.
Sunagakure and the Jashin Cult in the south had been driven back for the time being, but everyone knew it was only a respite. Danzo was frantically expanding his army, Orochimaru was mixing potions in his laboratory day and night, and Hashirama Senju's reanimated body roamed between the front lines like a ghost that never tired. To the north, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained locked in a stalemate with Kumogakure, and casualty reports arrived every day. Now, trouble had broken out in the east as well.
"Lord Fifth."
Shikaku Nara pushed open the door and walked in. His face wore its usual languor, as though he could never quite wake up, but his eyes were unusually grave. He held an urgent war report that had just arrived.
"Kirigakure has declared war."
Minato's pupils contracted slightly.
"Declared war?"
"Yes." Shikaku handed him the report. "The Third Mizukage gave the order personally. Kirigakure's main fleet has already left the Land of Water and is moving toward the Land of Fire's eastern coast. Their vanguard has already exchanged fire with our coastal patrols."
Minato took the report and skimmed it. His expression grew grimmer and grimmer.
"Why would Kirigakure declare war now? Haven't they been watching from the sidelines all this time?"
"We don't know." Shikaku shook his head. "Perhaps they think Konoha is at its weakest now. Perhaps Sunagakure and the Jashin Cult gave them confidence. Perhaps-the