Old Konoha, night.
The Village, which appeared peaceful, was actually surging with hidden currents.
In a room on the outskirts of the Village, six or seven people had gathered. Everyone's expression was icy cold and filled with killing intent.
"Everyone, remember this!"
"Whether our operation succeeds fundamentally depends on tonight's actions."
"If we can throw the Village into chaos, then we will have succeeded halfway."
"Who dies tonight, and who gets to see the sun rise on a new day in New Konoha tomorrow—that depends on each of your luck."
"One last question: Does anyone regret this?"
The person leading them wore a Konoha forehead protector and had a huge scar across his face. He spoke cautiously.
However... his tone was quite cold.
As he spoke, another person's face was filled with disdain.
"Relax, it's just risking our lives, isn't it?"
"Even if we stay in this rotten Village, we will eventually be squeezed dry until we die!"
"As Ninja, when are we not fighting for our lives? Who can guarantee they'll see the sun the next day?"
"Even if I die tonight, if I can secure a future for my wife and children..."
"That's enough!"
Following his words, the others also spoke up.
Everyone had the same idea; they were practically all prepared to fight to the death.
Nonsense!
The fact that they could be recruited by New Konoha proved that they had already completely despaired of Old Konoha.
They weren't afraid, even of death!
Because the condition for New Konoha recruiting them was that upon success, they would be given a certain amount of wealth and social status in New Konoha.
Even if they died tonight, their children would be taken care of by New Konoha.
As for whether there was a trick involved? They never doubted it!
On one hand.
They had personally witnessed the prosperity of New Konoha over the past two years.
On the other hand.
The promise of the Uchiha—that was a thousand-year-old guarantee!
And the people in this room were virtually the planners of tonight's operation; they held some status in Old Konoha and were key figures in various departments.
"Good, in that case."
"Ogawa and Takahashi's people, at exactly ten o'clock tonight, mobilize as many villagers as possible to cause trouble near the Hokage Building."
"The bigger the scale, the better. If the scale is small, the Anbu will suppress it immediately."
"Therefore, you must remember this point!"
"Even for the lives of your own families, you must gather as many people as possible, no matter the cost."
"Taniguchi, Nakayama, Yamamoto, Kurokawa, Ishida."
"You are all Anbu personnel responsible for tonight's patrol and Village gate security. Once the entire Village falls into chaos, use your men to kill the staunch loyalists of the old Sarutobi thief, and then completely control all the key nodes of the Village."
"Furthermore, these actions must be completed within half an hour."
"That means by 10:30 PM, you must have complete control and ensure the pathways are clear!"
"Finally, at 10:40."
"Fujii, Okada, and I will take the families of all participating Ninja and be the first wave to rush out of the Village. During this time, we will try our best to create chaos and sweep up more people to rush outside."
"Does anyone have any objections to this?"
Yano Ryoichi, the leader, asked with a serious tone.
In response.
Everyone's tone was serious, cold sweat dripped from their foreheads, but no one spoke further.
There was no alternative!
This operation was already quite perfect. If it still failed, it would only prove their incompetence.
Success or failure—depended on this single action!
If they still failed like this, they could only blame fate.
Finally.
Following Yano Ryoichi's single word, "Disperse," everyone quietly left the room and headed towards various parts of Old Konoha, ultimately vanishing into the dark night.
Old Konoha returned to peace once more!
But this moment of calm was brief; it was the gathering of strength for the imminent explosion.
As time passed, it quickly reached ten o'clock at night.
Organized groups of villagers began rushing out of their homes, holding up signs that read 'Jiraiya Resign,' 'Severely Punish Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Utatane Koharu, and Homura Mitokado,' and 'We Want Compensation,' quickly heading toward the Hokage Building.
The vigilant Anbu were instantly stunned.
What should they do?
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had secretly ordered them long ago to kill any villagers who dared to shout or act recklessly without needing permission.
But, goddammit.
There were too many people!
While the Anbu were momentarily stunned, tens of thousands of civilians had already gathered on the streets. Did they really dare to kill all ten thousand people?
So they understood that tonight's incident was huge!
They even started to lose hope that Old Konoha could withstand this calamity. Some Anbu who saw the situation deteriorating began quietly hiding in dark corners, and some who were orphans even prepared to flee the Village during the chaos.
But more of them headed home.
They wanted to use the chaos to settle their parents and family, as hardly anyone who could join the Anbu was a fool.
Such a massive movement—and to say there was no organization behind it?
Heh heh.
Do you think they believed that?
Coupled with their own lack of confidence in the Village's future, the thoughts of most Anbu who witnessed this scene naturally became less pure; almost all of them were thinking of seizing the chaos to escape.
As for those who reported to the Village high command?
None!
Not a single one!
Because the people of the Four Sarutobi Clans had long been corrupt. Even though Hiruzen Sarutobi had assigned them to the Anbu and various major departments, they considered themselves superior to the civilians. Perhaps initially, under the pressure of New Konoha, they were willing to work diligently and stay vigilant.
But what happened later?
After two full years without action from New Konoha, they had grown completely complacent.
Nowadays, difficult tasks like guarding the gates or patrol duty had long been handed over to those truly from the lower ranks. At this moment, the clan members were probably tucked away somewhere enjoying themselves.
As for whether the Four Sarutobi Clans lacked smart people?
They did!
And quite a few of them!
But those smart people had already been entrusted with important responsibilities and would not be assigned to the lower ranks of various departments. After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was desperately short of personnel, so how could reliable clan members not be heavily promoted?
Thus, the current chaos, which was not detected or suppressed initially, instantly began to sweep across the entire Village.
Fifteen minutes later.
By the time Hiruzen Sarutobi realized something was wrong, there were already thirty thousand people on the streets venting their dissatisfaction, and amidst such a massive movement, some people had even begun seizing the opportunity to smash things.
Almost instantly.
The entirety of Konoha had descended into chaos!