"Ugh!"
His face was filled with shock. Could such a thing really happen?
The Ninja of the Sarutobi Clan were all dumbfounded.
"Orochimaru-sama?"
Unable to get a response from Tsunade, they could only turn their pleading gazes toward Orochimaru.
But Orochimaru merely smiled faintly, his expression calm and indifferent.
"Speaking of which, my relationship with Ryuyun-kun is also quite good."
"..."
No more words were necessary. It was clear that support was absolutely out of the question.
Tsunade and Orochimaru — two of the Legendary Sannin — stood together, watching them silently.
The Sarutobi Clan Ninja didn't even dare to utter a single word of complaint.
After one final glance at the two, they quickly turned and left the tent.
"Tch! If they weren't from the Sarutobi Clan, this old woman would've arrested them on the spot as spies!"
Tsunade's face was full of disdain as she spoke.
Orochimaru merely shrugged, unconcerned.
He couldn't care less about the Sarutobi Clan.
Moreover, Orochimaru didn't believe that Hiruzen Sarutobi would remain Hokage once the Third Shinobi World War ended.
Because before the war had even begun, Aoyama Ryuyun had already predicted the possibility of the Hidden Mist Village declaring war on Konoha.
At that time, however, Hiruzen Sarutobi completely ignored the warning — a clear strategic blunder.
If it were dismissed as a small oversight, it might be forgiven.
But if it had been intentional, then combined with other questionable actions, it would be enough to force Hiruzen Sarutobi to step down.
Ryuyun-kun… is this part of your plan?
Orochimaru smiled slightly, saying nothing more.
---
Several days later, on the Hidden Mist Village battlefield—
Hiruzen Sarutobi had finally arrived.
"One year?"
Upon hearing the report from Aoyama Ryuyun's subordinate, Hiruzen Sarutobi froze in disbelief.
So you're really treating me like a fool, huh?
Don't think I can't see what's happening on the Hidden Cloud front.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was certain: if Aoyama Ryuyun truly got serious, he could wipe out the Cloud forces within a month — maybe even less.
To say it would take a year was nothing short of mockery.
"Aoyama Ryuyun!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered the name through gritted teeth.
But there was nothing he could do. Aoyama Ryuyun refused to send reinforcements, and persuasion was meaningless.
He could understand why Jiraiya couldn't leave the Iwagakure front.
As for Tsunade and Orochimaru at the Sunagakure front… Hiruzen remained silent for a long moment, before sighing bitterly.
"Alas… Orochimaru, so you chose to side with Aoyama Ryuyun after all."
He wasn't surprised that Tsunade supported Ryuyun — their closeness was well-known.
But for Orochimaru to align with him as well… that was unexpected.
Just as Hiruzen fell into silence, Uchiha Fugaku — serving as the deputy commander — hurried over.
"Hokage-sama! Fourth Mizukage Yagura Karatachi has already mobilized his forces toward us!"
"What?"
There was no time to think.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face stiffened in disbelief.
I just arrived, and they're already attacking?
No greetings, no diplomacy — just straight to battle?
What happened to martial ethics?!
"Hokage-sama?"
Uchiha Fugaku looked at the stunned Hiruzen in mild confusion.
To him, this was normal. This was war — you strike, or be struck.
"Cough, cough!"
Realizing how awkward he looked, Hiruzen quickly cleared his throat and straightened up.
"Give the order! Assemble all available Ninja and prepare to engage the Hidden Mist forces!"
"Yes!"
Uchiha Fugaku didn't hesitate and immediately departed to carry out the command.
"Alas…"
In the now-empty meeting room, Hiruzen's weary sigh echoed quietly.
If he had a choice, he would rather not be fighting at all.
---
Meanwhile, on the Hidden Mist Village side—
At the front stood the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, personally leading the army.
Beside him were the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist,
the fierce Kaguya Clan,
the Mizunaki Clan of Ice Release,
and the Hōzuki Clan, known for their Hydration Technique.
At this time, the Hidden Mist Village had not yet entered its infamous Bloody Mist era.
Their combined strength was easily that of a top-tier Great Ninja Village.
Yagura Karatachi stood at the head of the formation.
His small stature made him look like a child, but in truth, Yagura was already an experienced warrior — and a perfect Jinchūriki of the Three-Tails.
His power ranked among the top of all Kage-level shinobi.
Yet at that moment, Yagura's eyes gleamed with calm wisdom as he silently awaited Konoha's approach.
The Seven Swordsmen beside him whispered quietly among themselves.
"I say… doesn't Mizukage-sama seem even more intimidating than usual today?"
"I thought it was just me!"
"To be honest, he's always been terrifying, but today there's something… different. Colder."
"This Mizukage-sama gives me chills."
"A little scary, yeah — but somehow more trustworthy, too."
Their hushed chatter continued until one of them — the eldest among them, Hōzuki Jingo — finally snapped:
"Shut up! It's wartime. Of course Mizukage-sama's being serious!"
At his rebuke, the others fell silent immediately.
At this time, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had not yet suffered defeat — neither by the "Azure Beast" of Konoha nor through internal strife.
They were united, loyal, and fiercely devoted to both the Hidden Mist and their Mizukage.
Then, Yagura — who had been standing quietly with his eyes half-closed — suddenly looked toward the distant Konoha forces.
"They're here."
Led by the Third Hokage, with Uchiha Fugaku assisting, more than a thousand Konoha Ninja appeared before the Hidden Mist army.
So that's Tobirama's student, Yagura thought, his gaze narrowing.
For an instant, his pupils flickered — a brief reflection of the Uchiha's three-tomoe Sharingan.
It was clear: Yagura Karatachi had already fallen under Uchiha Madara's genjutsu control.
His gaze lingered coldly on Hiruzen Sarutobi's position.
As for Uchiha Fugaku, standing right beside the Hokage—
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