When Lock received the Hokage's urgent summons, he knew it wasn't ordinary business.
Unlike most of the shinobi being gathered, he was ordered to report directly to the Hokage's office.
When he entered, he immediately sensed the gravity in the room.
The Third Hokage stood behind his desk, pipe set aside, eyes sharp beneath his shadowed brow.
Around him stood several of the village's most powerful figures — Tsunade, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, the newly appointed Hyūga Hiashi, and the Ino–Shika–Chō trio.
Alongside them were clan representatives and elite jonin. Including Lock, there were fourteen people gathered.
Only he and one other wore masks — the other being the silent, mysterious Head of the ANBU, whose identity even Lock, an ANBU operative himself, did not know.
The Third Hokage exhaled slowly.
"Everyone, thank you for coming on such short notice. What I'm about to tell you concerns the entire shinobi world."
He paused, letting the silence weigh heavily before continuing.
"Moments ago, intelligence from our border arrived — Iwagakure and Kumogakure have launched full-scale invasions into the Land of Fire. Iwa forces are advancing from the Land of Grass, while Kumo's army moves through the Land of Valleys."
The words dropped like a thunderclap.
Several of the elders gasped, and even seasoned jonin stiffened.
The Third's two advisors exchanged uneasy glances — even they hadn't received word of this yet.
"Lord Hokage," Homura asked, his voice grave, "when did this begin?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone grew heavier.
"The reports came directly from Orochimaru and Jiraiya through emergency channels. Jiraiya's unit has already suffered major losses — the enemy moved faster than anyone anticipated. In a single night, they breached two of our forward bases on the border."
He took a long breath.
"Orochimaru is holding his line for now. Kumogakure's troops are further away, but they're advancing steadily. The most urgent front… is Jiraiya's."
Tsunade crossed her arms and scoffed, though her concern was clear. "That idiot Jiraiya can't even hold the line?"
The Hokage shook his head. "It's not his fault. According to his message, Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage himself, is leading Iwa's army — nearly a thousand shinobi. Even a commander as skilled as Jiraiya can't repel that alone."
The room erupted in alarm.
"A thousand ninja?" one of the clan heads muttered in disbelief. "That's… that's an entire army."
Konoha had rebuilt quickly after years of peace, but even now, the total number of active shinobi — from genin to jonin — barely exceeded two thousand. For Iwagakure to send half that number in a single strike was staggering.
Everyone understood what that meant:
This was no border skirmish. This was war.
The Third Hokage nodded grimly.
"I've gathered you all because we must act immediately. If we lose the border, Konoha will be exposed on two fronts."
Koharu spoke first, her voice tight. "We can't afford to let the border fall. Reinforcements must be dispatched at once. Jiraiya's line takes priority, but we mustn't ignore Orochimaru's front either. Yunyin's forces have been harassing our scouts for months — this is no coincidence."
Homura added, "Agreed. Yanyin and Yunyin attacking at the same time can't be a coincidence. If Sand or Mist decides to join them, Konoha will be surrounded. We must prepare for a multi-front war."
The words sent a chill through the room.
It had been years since the Second Great Ninja War, but everyone still remembered its cost.
Konoha had technically "won" that war, yet the village's casualties had been heavier than any other — the loss of the Second Hokage, countless jonin, and entire clans scarred.
Now, with Iwa's numbers and Kumo's aggression, they were facing an even greater threat.
Sarutobi's gaze swept over them. "I've considered that possibility. For now, we'll focus on the current threat. Suna and Kiri have yet to move — and even if they do, we'll adapt when it comes. Our priority is to stabilize the border and protect the Land of Fire."
His tone hardened. "I've already spoken with Danzo. He will oversee covert operations and intelligence disruption. Orochimaru will hold the eastern front, and I'll assign reinforcements under his command.
As for Jiraiya's sector…" He turned his eyes toward Lock. "…that will fall under your support."
Lock straightened, expression hidden beneath his mask, but his tone was calm. "Understood, Lord Hokage."
The Third Hokage nodded in approval, then addressed the rest. "Tsunade, you'll remain here to lead the Medical Corps and oversee all casualties. Koharu, Homura — stay and coordinate mobilization. Everyone else, prepare to move. You'll receive your deployment orders outside."
Chairs scraped, and sandals shifted as the assembled ninja bowed and filed out, their faces grim.
Just as Lock turned to leave, the Hokage's voice stopped him.
"Lock," he said quietly, "you stay."
Lock froze mid-step, then turned back toward the Hokage's desk, the atmosphere suddenly heavier than before.
Whatever the old man had to say now — it wasn't for everyone's ears.
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