In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen was buried in a stack of documents.
"Lord Hokage, something urgent has happened in Kirigakure!"
A member of the Anbu knelt before him.
"A serious matter?"
Orochimaru, sitting nearby, raised a brow in curiosity.
Sarutobi's expression hardened. "What is it?"
"Jiraiya-sama failed to intercept the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. They've moved west."
"West?" Hiruzen muttered, frowning as he turned to the map. His eyes widened suddenly.
"Damn it! They actually let the Seven Ninja Swordsmen escape?!"
His sudden outburst carried such weight that even the Anbu operative trembled.
Orochimaru leaned back, listening with interest.
"Yes, Hokage-sama… Jiraiya-sama was caught off guard."
This was bad. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen—elite jōnin directly under the Mizukage's command—were infamous for their combined strength. Together, they could erase an entire battalion overnight.
And now, their path led toward the mountain forests where Terumi was believed to be hiding—exactly the same direction Ryoma had taken.
If they clashed there, and something happened to Ryoma, it could trigger a disaster for Konoha.
But it might already be too late.
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed. "So Jiraiya realized too late that he'd been deceived? There's no chance of fixing this?"
"Jiraiya-sama has already sent Minato, the fastest shinobi we have, to intercept."
Orochimaru's lips curled faintly. "Still, far too easy to manipulate."
"The fault lies with the Intelligence Division!" the Anbu insisted hastily.
"Who handled this intelligence?" Hiruzen demanded.
"It was processed by Ryosuke Mitokado and Shuto Utatane."
Hiruzen's eyes blazed with fury. "Ryosuke Mitokado and Shuto Utatane? What are they playing at?!"
Koharu… Homura… is this how you protect the Will of Fire?
Do you not understand how vital Ryoma is to the legacy left by the First Hokage? And yet, you plot against him so recklessly?
Hiruzen drew in a slow breath, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Even with Ryoma and Minato's strength, facing the Seven Ninja Swordsmen head-on would bring heavy casualties to their allies.
And to think—the Mitokado and Utatane clans had schemed behind his back, targeting Ryoma for their own petty rivalries. They had ignored the Hokage's authority entirely.
"Summon them to me—"
Bang! Bang!
Before Hiruzen could finish, the doors opened. Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane entered, each accompanied by their sons, Ryosuke and Shuto.
"Hokage-sama," they greeted calmly.
Hiruzen's gaze turned icy. He cast a sharp glance at Orochimaru.
"Stand guard at the door. Homura, Koharu, sit. Everyone else—leave us."
"Yes, sensei."
Orochimaru smirked faintly as he ushered the others out.
The office fell silent. Only three remained—Hiruzen, Homura, and Koharu.
The air grew heavy, like a storm about to break.
Hiruzen studied his two former classmates in silence.
The tension was suffocating.
At last, Homura broke it. "Sarutobi, this was a mistake, nothing more. We didn't intend it."
"Is that so?"
"Don't be angry, Sarutobi," Koharu added. "Ryoma's origins are shrouded in mystery. For all we know, he could be a hidden danger. Everything we've done is for Konoha's sake."
"It's only a warning," Homura pressed. "He must not think he can do whatever he pleases in this village."
Hiruzen knew the truth.
Not long ago, when Danzō returned with the Two-Tails' jinchūriki and the Six Treasured Tools from Kumogakure, most of the credit had gone to the three great clans—Shimura, Mitokado, and Utatane.
They had secured an alliance with Hanzō of the Rain, a so-called "demigod," and with the vast resources their families had accumulated over the years, their influence had only grown.
Now, they sought to test him—to see whether Sarutobi would side with Ryoma, or bow to the power of their clans.
The message was clear.
The Mitokado and Utatane clans would not be ignored.
They hadn't gone so far as to eliminate Ryoma outright. Instead, they sabotaged his first mission—just enough to deliver a warning.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane had made their stance perfectly clear. Their veiled words carried another message as well: if Sarutobi chose to blame them, he would not just face their clans, but other powerful families in Konoha would rise against him too.
Hiruzen remained silent, his face unreadable.
The corners of Homura and Koharu's lips curved in faint, knowing smiles.
"Hiruzen," Homura said calmly, "Ryoma will be fine. What matters now is welcoming back Danzō."
"This time, smoothing over the troubles caused by his return will require your intervention," Koharu added smoothly.
Hiruzen's cold gaze cut across the two of them—but before he could speak, Orochimaru's voice came from outside the door.
"Teacher, Minato has returned."
"Let him in," Hiruzen ordered.
The door opened, and Namikaze Minato stepped inside. His blue eyes flicked briefly toward Homura and Koharu before he bowed. "Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen's tone softened. "I'm relieved to see you safe, Minato. Where is Ryoma?"
Minato dropped to one knee. "I returned ahead with the wounded, Hokage-sama. Ryoma is still in the Land of Water."
"What happened?" Hiruzen demanded.
"During the battle, there were casualties. I sent the injured back immediately while Ryoma remained behind to finish the mission."
Homura and Koharu exchanged a faint smile at this. They had heard Ryoma was fiercely protective of his squad—the Seventh Team—and that this mission had taken a heavy toll.
Hiruzen's brows furrowed. "Casualties, and yet he continues the mission?"
Minato bowed his head respectfully. "Yes, Hokage-sama. Ryoma has already defeated the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Only one of our shinobi was injured."
"…What?"
The words froze the room into silence.
Every expression turned rigid with shock.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen—obliterated. And Konoha had suffered only a single wounded shinobi.
It almost sounded… as if Ryoma had crushed them single-handedly.
...
TN:
🦊 Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin (+30 Chaps)