Main World.
Winter, Year 29 of Konoha.
Hokage Office.
Thick clouds blocked the sunlight outside the window, leaving a pallid light, the kind of brightness without warmth peculiar to winter. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood before the map with his hands behind his back, wearing the Hokage hat and a white Hokage Ceremonial Robe. His hands were shaking, not from cold, but from anger.
Mitokado Homura stood behind him, holding a newly delivered intelligence report. His face was pale, his lips pressed into a thin line. He had been standing in the office for an hour without sitting down, drinking tea, or saying a single unnecessary word. Because every word in that report was anything but unnecessary.
"The Land of Lightning has declared war on the Land of Fire," he said quietly.
"I know." Hiruzen Sarutobi did not turn around.
"Kinkaku said he would slaughter every shinobi in Konoha to secure living space for the Land of Lightning."
"I know that too." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was calm, but anyone could hear what lay beneath that calm.
Mitokado Homura took a deep breath.
"The report says Kumogakure's shinobi... no... its army... is strictly disciplined."
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to look at him.
"How disciplined?"
Mitokado Homura fell silent for a moment.
"Their evil is institutionalized. From top to bottom, they are united in the evil of destroying Konoha."
The corner of Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched.
"So they've become more efficient at doing evil."
Mitokado Homura did not respond. This was no joke, nor was it something he could respond to.
Orochimaru stood by the window, his back against the wall and his arms folded. A cold curve formed at the corner of his mouth.
"Sensei, in the Land of Lightning now, the nation is the army. There are no civilians, only combatants and noncombatants.