After the brief hush—
Countless eyes fell on Shikaku, who was coordinating evacuations and overall command.
Feeling their gaze, Shikaku gave a wry smile.
After a short think, he spoke solemnly:
"The village gate matters, but what matters more right now is clearing every Mist, Sand, and Sound squad around the village center."
"Once the civilians in the rear are safe, we regroup—then support Hokage-dono and retake control of the gate."
His steady tone reached everyone's ears. Heads nodded all around.
It was, indeed, the most reliable path.
After all, their clan compounds clustered near the center; neutralizing threats there aligned with their own interests.
And with the main gate already fallen, rushing there immediately wouldn't change much.
As Shikaku finished, and with the Three-Tails no longer a factor here, everyone moved.
Choza released Chō Baika no Jutsu (Super Multi-Size Technique) and slumped to the ground.
Shikaku hurried over. One look told him Choza was merely overdrawn on chakra, and he let out a slow breath.
"What is it, Choza?"
He'd noticed the unusually grave look on Choza's face and couldn't help asking.
Choza braced on both hands, drawing a breath. "Something's off."
"Off?" Shikaku blinked, unsure what he meant.
"We fought the Three-Tails for a long time—and I realized it isn't a Jinchūriki (tailed-beast host)."
"If it's not a host, with a body that massive, how did it suddenly appear in the village center?"
"A tailed beast might compress its power, sure—but with their personalities, why would they ever do that?"
"And that person who popped up on its head—whatever he did, the Three-Tails headed straight for the village gate right afterward."
He took another breath, then fixed Shikaku with a solemn stare.
"When have you ever seen—or heard—of a tailed beast obeying a human?"
As Choza spoke, Shikaku's expression grew heavier.
It was all suspicious—but there wasn't enough intel. Even analysis would be groping in the dark.
Shikaku lifted his head, scanning the surrounding ruins. For once, a rare, deep worry showed in his eyes.
After hearing Choza out, an ill premonition only sharpened in him.
He offered a hand and hauled Choza up. Calmly, he said:
"Whatever the truth is, we proceed step by step. If there's a grand conspiracy here, the other side will slip sooner or later."
Choza nodded. There was nothing else to do.
With the Three-Tails gone, freed of that chain, the Leaf's shinobi rapidly swept the intruders from the village.
No matter how well hidden they were, the Hyūga's Byakugan (White Eye), the Aburame's kikaichū, and the Inuzuka's ninken flushed them out one by one.
With those three clans at full tilt, even a few undercover agents from the Cloud and Stone lurking among civilians were uncovered.
—On the main battlefield—
Seeing Isobu leave the center and thunder toward the gate, the grim set of Hiruzen's face eased a fraction.
Isobu had still inflicted heavy damage on the way out—but compared to what he could have done at the heart of the village, it was negligible.
"So they've read the board and chosen to fortify the gate first, then reassess?"
Hiruzen's voice was low.
On the surface the Leaf was on the back foot, but to Hiruzen only two threats truly stood out: Isobu's rampage earlier, and Orochimaru in the shadows.
The rest of the enemy forces didn't qualify as real threats in his eyes.
This was Konoha's home ground.
The Sand and the Mist had limited numbers inside the walls. The Leaf had reinforcements without end.
On home turf, a war of attrition? Hiruzen didn't believe he would lose.
As he fell silent, an Anbu behind him spoke respectfully:
"Hokage-sama, the fighting is stalemated. Shukaku's suppression is too great. Shall I move?"
The words brought Hiruzen out of his thoughts. He glanced back at the masked shinobi and smiled kindly:
"So it's you, Tenzo. I hadn't planned to expose you to the other villages this early."
"But it seems they've mistaken Konoha's kindness for weakness. Perhaps it's time to show a little of our strength."
The moment the Sandaime spoke, the Anbu nodded and stepped forward—
A hand came down lightly on his shoulder.
He halted. The mask hid his face, but confusion could be felt all the same.
"You bear Konoha's destiny. Since you've inherited that power, show the world."
"There will be no 'Tenzo' in Anbu after today. Your new name is… Yamato."
A unique light—tinged with weight—glinted in Hiruzen's eyes, though his smile stayed gentle. He reached up and slowly removed the mask.
A clean-cut young man with wide eyes stood revealed before him.
Yamato looked dazed, as if he hadn't quite caught up.
A new name?
Yamato?
So I'm no longer a shadow in the dark—am I allowed to stand in the sun openly now?
At that thought, a bright gleam sparked in his eyes.
"Go, Yamato."
Hiruzen's voice came again, firmer this time.
Just then, Shukaku leveled his muzzle at Hiruzen and fired a gale:
Fūton: Renkūdan (Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet)!
A giant cannonball of air screamed down.
Every gaze snapped toward the projectile streaming for the Third.
Several shinobi moved to intercept—
A shout split the air beside their ears.
"Mokuton: Mokujōheki (Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall)!!"
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