Just as Uchiha Yue led the Uchiha clan to strike like thunder, they executed the coup with precision, decapitating Sarutobi Hiruzen and swiftly seizing control over the entire Hidden Leaf Village.
What had occurred within Konoha's walls did not remain hidden; through the intricate web of spies embedded across the Five Great Nations, the news spread like wildfire, shocking every major shinobi village and various neutral factions alike.
Bang!
In the Raikage's office in Kumogakure, the Fourth Raikage, A, slammed his fist down, shattering the solid ironwood desk before him, his massive frame surging to a stand as the remnants clattered to the floor.
"Hahaha! So that decrepit Sarutobi Hiruzen finally died?" he roared.
"And not in battle or on a high note, but publicly denounced by his own village before being executed! Cut down like a traitor by those Uchiha upstarts! What a hilarious end for Konoha's so-called 'Professor.'"
His booming laughter echoed off the walls, wild and uninhibited, a reflection of the deep satisfaction swelling in his chest.
"Lord Raikage," Mabui said dryly from the side, her arms crossed and eyes slightly narrowed. "That's the fifth desk this month. July's not over yet."
She exhaled lightly, then added with a trace of irony, "As gratifying as Hiruzen Sarutobi's downfall may be—especially with those parasite advisors of his gone—the removal of such a long-standing Hokage may further destabilize Konoha. It weakens them internally… which, for us, is good."
A voice interjected with rhythmic cadence:
"Yo, yo, Sarutobi's fall, was long overdue, now Leaf's walls, are split straight through!"
It was Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, lounging nearby with his ever-present shades and a confident smirk.
"Haha, I get what you're saying," Raikage said, nodding to Mabui and Bee. "But think deeper—this is bigger than just a dead Hokage. Konoha's foundations are cracked wide open. Sure, Hiruzen still had some strength left despite his age—he held off Orochimaru and the Edo Kage years ago—but now he's gone, cut down in a single move. That's no small thing."
"Besides, intel confirms that Jiraiya, his student, has returned to Konoha. He might not have acted yet, but don't think he'll just accept this. Even if he's loyal to the village, he won't sit quietly under Uchiha Yue's rule."
Raikage's tone grew serious, contemplative.
"And let's not forget—Konoha's leadership has always suppressed the Uchiha. With them now in control after a bloody coup, there's no way their rise won't cause internal division. That Uchiha boy—Yue—might be powerful, but the village won't rally behind him overnight."
"In a way," he continued with a smirk, "Hiruzen's final act was to deepen Konoha's fracture. The perfect chance for us to strike."
"Understood, Raikage-sama. I didn't consider that aspect," Mabui replied respectfully, bowing her head. "Thank you for the insight."
Killer Bee added with a grin:
"Yo, yo, Leaf in pain, we stand to gain. Let's move fast—make our claim!"
"Haha! Then it's decided. Mobilize our forces immediately—move the army to the Fire Country border. If we don't use this golden opportunity to carve a chunk out of Konoha while they're off balance, we'll regret it!"
Raikage barked the order, slamming his hand on the armrest of his new chair—thankfully, it held firm this time.
"Lord Raikage," Mabui interjected again with a hint of concern. "According to intel, Uchiha Yue defeated Hiruzen with a single strike from a giant chakra construct—some kind of colossal Susanoo. If we go to war, we'll need proper counters."
Mabui's role as his chief aide wasn't just to manage logistics—she was also the Raikage's most trusted advisor on battlefield intelligence. Her concern was legitimate.
"Hmph. A giant made of chakra?" Raikage scoffed, waving it off. "I've fought tailed beasts before—don't talk to me about chakra constructs. If that's his trump card, it's not enough. Our intel says it barely moved after appearing—it probably burns a ridiculous amount of chakra."
His voice was sharp with confident analysis.
"That boy may have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, sure—but he's what, ten? Even with talent, there's no way he has the reserves to sustain such power long-term. It's all flash. At best, he's capable of short bursts—nothing more."
Raikage leaned back, arms crossed. "Even Mangekyō can't change basic biology. He doesn't have the body or stamina to match its power over time. Every fight he's won so far? Sudden, overwhelming, but brief. That tells me everything."
"Yo, yo, not impressed! Let me test this Sharingan pest!" Killer Bee chimed in, rising to his feet and flexing his muscles in rhythm.
"Good!" Raikage said, clapping his brother on the back. "Then you'll lead the operation. Let Uchiha Yue see what true shinobi power looks like—Cloud style!"
"Got it, Raikage-sama! I'll prep right away!" Mabui nodded and rushed out the door to coordinate the mobilization orders.
As Kumogakure began to stir with war preparations, similar tremors began to spread across the shinobi world. In the arid deserts of Sunagakure, the Kazekage's council met in secret, quickly choosing to abandon their prior alliance with Konoha in favor of seizing opportunity.
Kirigakure, under the watch of its reformed leadership, followed suit, deploying specialized hunter-nin units with renewed aggression.
But in the hidden mountain stronghold of Iwagakure, the aged Tsuchikage Ōnoki stood at a precipice of hesitation. Watching the shifting tides, he remained still… for now.
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