After years of uneasy peace, the great shinobi nations once again turn their eyes toward conflict. Hidden Cloud, Hidden Rock, and Hidden Sand have all begun to mobilize armies, and the storm of war begins to brew over the shinobi world. Meanwhile, deep within the Ryūchi Cave, Orochimaru senses a darkness approaching—a disturbance that will soon engulf both Konoha and the Whirlpool Country.
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Land of Lightning – Kumogakure
A massive army marched westward under the dark clouds above the Lightning Country. Thousands of shinobi advanced across the rugged terrain toward the frozen western regions known as the Ice Land.
High above them, Black Zetsu observed every movement from the shadows, his voice an echo of cold amusement. It was a scene that reminded him of the fall of Uzushiogakure—the destruction of the once-mighty Whirlpool Village.
But Kumogakure was not alone. From Iwagakure and Sunagakure, similar battalions began to move. Each village claimed its target was Konoha, yet their simultaneous timing hinted at a hidden hand behind the scenes.
And in the skies, far above the clouds, something vast stirred—a floating fortress built of steel and chakra, casting its shadow across the land like a herald of doom.
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Land of Fire – Hidden Leaf Village
Inside the Hokage's conference hall, the atmosphere was suffocating. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat at the head of the long table, pipe in hand, his brow furrowed.
"According to the latest intelligence gathered by Root," said Danzo Shimura, his tone grave, "a Kumogakure force of several thousand is preparing to cross the Frost Realm. Iwagakure and Sunagakure have also mobilized thousands. Their destination is unmistakably Konoha."
Hiruzen slammed a hand on the armrest, anger flashing in his eyes. "What are they thinking?! Have they forgotten the last war already? How many lives must be lost before they are satisfied?"
The elders, Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu, exchanged solemn glances.
"War is not something we can avoid simply because we wish to," Homura said quietly. "We must prepare."
Koharu nodded, her voice steady. "Kumo, Iwa, and Suna have seen our growth and now fear us. This is an act of jealousy as much as strategy."
Hiruzen exhaled heavily. "Then there is no choice. Summon every Jōnin. Prepare the clans. We defend Konoha at all costs."
Danzo's gaze darkened. "And what of Uzushiogakure? They are still our allies."
But Hiruzen shook his head. "This is Konoha's war. The Uzumaki have stood with us for generations. We cannot draw them into our battles again."
Even in the face of danger, the pride of the Leaf burned strong.
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War Preparations
The order spread like wildfire through the village. Armories opened, blacksmiths hammered day and night, and shinobi from every clan assembled. Young genin trembled beside their captains as banners were raised across the training fields.
Chiryu, a young jonin, secured his gear in silence. The last war's memories still haunted him—the screams, the smoke, the graves. Peace had lasted only a decade, and now the nightmare was returning.
Across Konoha, grief and determination mingled in every heart.
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Land of Rain – The Rebirth of a Nation
Far away, the Land of Rain had changed beyond recognition. In just two years, the White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company had transformed the once-barren country.
The White Snake Battery Factory and Hub Town now pulsed with life. Former shinobi worked in factories, channeling chakra into batteries under strict supervision to prevent exhaustion. Patrols ensured no one overworked themselves to death—a lesson learned from tragic mistakes early on.
Others joined the newly formed Police Department, using their skills to maintain peace. Hidden Rain Village had even reopened its Ninja Academy, training the next generation in a safer, steadier world.
At the heart of it all stood Hanzo, the man once called the "Demi-God of the Shinobi." Watching his people rebuild their lives brought him quiet pride—but also deep unease.
Reports had arrived from his scouts: Sunagakure and Iwagakure were mobilizing troops again. War was returning.
Hanzo clenched his fists. I cannot let this land fall back into chaos… not after everything we've endured.
He stepped into his sleek black vehicle—one of the advanced models developed by the White Snake Company. Chakra jets hummed beneath it as he ignited the engine. With a roar, the car launched into the sky, propelled by Wind Release chakra. Onlookers watched in awe as it vanished into the clouds, a symbol of the new era the Land of Rain had built.
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Land of Waves – White Snake Headquarters
At the company's central office, Kakuzu frowned at a parchment filled with intelligence reports.
"Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure are all mobilizing toward Konoha," he muttered. "But there's another movement beneath the surface."
Setsuryu, standing beside him, nodded grimly. "According to our latest surveillance, over a hundred elite shinobi are approaching Uzushiogakure. The Mist Village has stayed silent, but they're sending assassins through the Whirlpool Country."
Kakuzu's expression hardened. "So Uzushiogakure is the true target… not Konoha."
He remembered all too well the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki Clan—especially the one used by Orochimaru not long ago. That power alone could unbalance the entire ninja world.
But was the destruction of an entire clan worth igniting another world war? Or was something even darker at play?
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Ryūchi Cave – The Serpent's Lair
Deep underground, within the ancient caverns of Ryūchi Cave, Orochimaru stood surrounded by colossal serpents. Only Manda, Blue Snake, and Shinza dared spar with her; the rest slithered away in fear, knowing that even their mighty coils could not withstand her ambition.
The White Snake Sage watched in quiet astonishment. No human had ever inspired such instinctive terror among the Great Serpents before.
Orochimaru dodged a flurry of strikes, her movements fluid and deadly. Finally, she exhaled and raised a hand. "Enough."
Shinza hissed mockingly. "Tired already?"
Blue Snake tilted its head. "Master Orochimaru, is something wrong?"
Orochimaru's golden eyes flickered. "The outside world… something's happening."
Through the residual connection of her shadow clones and informants, she had already pieced it together: the simultaneous movements of the three Great Villages, the sudden quiet of the Mist, the growing tension near Whirlpool Country.
It was a distraction—an elaborate feint to pull Konoha's attention away. The real strike would fall elsewhere.
Uzushiogakure is in danger.
If the Sky Ninja were to attack Konoha at the same time, the Leaf would have no time to aid anyone.
Orochimaru turned sharply. "I must leave Ryūchi Cave."
From behind her, Ichikishimahime appeared like a shadow, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You've trained here for years. What troubles you now?"
Orochimaru's voice was low but resolute. "The world is shifting again. I have to move before it's too late."
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The Deception Unfolds
Just as Orochimaru predicted, the joint movements of the three Great Villages were a ruse. Their massive armies advanced to the borders of the Fire Country, but when confronted, they did not attack.
Instead, they camped—waiting.
Konoha's forces, fully mobilized, quickly realized something was off. Thousands of enemy shinobi had come to their borders, yet none crossed the line.
Reports flooded in: "The enemy shows no intent to fight. They're… watching us."
Confusion spread through Konoha's command posts.
Meanwhile, hidden within the mist and whirlpools of the sea, elite teams from the Great Villages slipped silently toward Uzushiogakure.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's instincts screamed at him. "It's a diversion," he muttered. "Their true target… might be the Whirlpool Country."
But before he could act, the sky itself began to darken.
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The Air Fortress Descends
A colossal shadow spread across the skies of Konoha. Civilians stopped in the streets, staring upward in horror as the sun disappeared behind a massive floating citadel.
From within the fortress, engines roared, and countless winged figures poured out—Sky Ninja, long believed extinct.
Orochimaru's warnings came too late.
The airborne soldiers spread in formation, dropping waves of explosive tags that rained destruction upon the Leaf.
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
Flames and smoke rose through the village as homes and towers collapsed. Panic swept the streets.
In the command center, Hiruzen and the elders watched the chaos unfold.
"Are we under attack?!" Koharu shouted.
Danzo's eyes widened in disbelief. "The Sky Ninja… after all this time!"
"Evacuate civilians to the shelters!" Hiruzen ordered. "Engage the enemy! Find their base and destroy it!"
Chakra flared as the old Hokage stood. "Koharu, Homura, Danzo—let's move!"
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Konoha's Counterattack
The Uchiha Military Police, still stationed within the village, were the first to respond. Fire techniques lit the skies like a sea of burning wings.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Bomb!"
Sky Ninja dove and weaved, but the relentless flames consumed many.
Ninja from every clan joined the battle—Hyuga releasing bursts of chakra to deflect bombs, Nara shadow-binding enemy pilots, Inuzuka and their hounds leaping from rooftops.
Even civilians worked together to guide the wounded to safety.
From atop the Hokage Tower, Hiruzen called forth his partner. "Enma! Transform—Adamantine Staff!"
The mighty monkey appeared in a cloud of smoke, turning into an unbreakable staff that Hiruzen swung through the air, smashing Sky Ninja from the skies like swatting flies.
All around, the battle raged. The Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere techniques of the Sarutobi clan joined the inferno of Fire Release attacks, tearing through the invaders' formations.
Despite their aerial advantage, the Sky Ninja were overwhelmed by the sheer fury of Konoha's defense.
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Epilogue – The Sky Burns
As the fortress began to retreat into the clouds, its engines sputtering from damage, the people of Konoha looked up through the smoke and ruin. The sky glowed orange with fire.
Hiruzen lowered his staff, breathing heavily. "The war… has begun again."
Far away, in the mist-shrouded Whirlpool Country, the sea churned violently. Dark ships approached from every horizon. And deep within Ryūchi Cave, Orochimaru stepped into the light, cloak billowing behind her, whispering to herself—
"Hold on, Uzushiogakure. I'm coming."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)