"Sensei, wake up!"
"You can't pass out at a time like this!"
"What will happen to the Village if you're unconscious?"
"I still bear the mission of finding the Savior; I can't sacrifice myself for the Village yet!"
Jiraiya was stunned.
Watching Hiruzen Sarutobi collapse, he tried everything he could think of, yet still couldn't rouse his teacher.
Then…
He slumped to the floor, lost in turmoil.
What now?
His unconscious, blood-spitting teacher couldn't die for the Village, yet he himself had to stay alive to guide the Savior.
So… alas.
With a helpless sigh, Jiraiya rose and moved to the window, where he saw the remaining Anbu and Ninja of the Four Great Clans already arriving.
Only…
The gate guards and patrols seemed to have vanished; hordes of civilians were frantically fleeing Old Konoha.
In a flash he reached the Hokage Building's rooftop. Fires raged everywhere. Even with the Anbu and the clans joining in, they couldn't stop the panicked exodus—if anything, they only added to the chaos.
"All is lost."
"I have to keep my life to seek the Ninja World's Savior; I can't die here."
"Sensei…"
"You'll regret this."
With those words…
He leapt from the Hokage Building and headed for Uzumaki Naruto's home.
But, tragically…
Naruto was nowhere to be found; a quick sweep of the area turned up nothing.
"We're doomed!"
"This has to be New Konoha's scheme—someone's trading the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki for a better life over there."
"What do I do?"
"Minato, I've failed you."
With a final sigh, Jiraiya turned away.
Pain twisted his face; he should have foreseen this, but regret was useless now.
He knew he lacked the strength to storm New Konoha and take Naruto back.
So… alas.
Even if it meant letting Minato down, for the Great Toad Sage's prophecy he had to seek the Savior.
When he eventually reached the Pure Land, he would apologize to Minato then.
New Konoha's gates were sealed tight.
Old Konoha villagers arrived in waves; the Anbu stood vigilant, ready to stop any rioters from disrupting order inside.
Meanwhile, Fugaku's Police Force kept discipline outside the walls.
"Everyone, stay quiet!"
"New Konoha welcomes you, but first you must register."
"Only those whose identities are confirmed may enter and live here."
"Don't worry about food or safety while you wait—New Konoha will provide."
"Line up properly and obey the Police Force!"
Uchiha Fugaku roared the commands.
Countless Uchiha glared with Sharingan, watching every soul.
Yes…
New Konoha would accept the refugees, yet not blindly; at minimum they would screen and verify identities.
A full procedure was already in place.
Fugaku summoned Itachi and spoke with grim gravity.
"Quietly inform every officer: anyone who causes trouble is to be killed on sight—no questions asked."
"Those are the Hokage's exact words: harsh laws for chaotic times; stability above all."
"Anyone trying to incite unrest must be eliminated immediately."
"Families of Ninja who fought in the defense get first entry after verification."
"Next come ordinary Ninja, and finally civilians."
"While screening, root out the old thugs and troublemakers; deal with them in secret."
"New Konoha won't keep garbage."
"The Hokage has temporarily assigned a team of Nara clansmen. If there's no time to report, obey their orders."
Uchiha Itachi nodded solemnly.
Though not privy to the high council, he grasped the Hokage's intent the moment he heard his father's words.
The Uchiha had policed Old Konoha; they knew exactly who the deadbeats and malcontents were.
Their task: funnel people into the Village in batches, preventing a crush that would shatter order.
And to filter out the trash.
That was why this Anbu Member had been seconded here.
So…
Without a word he set to work. Thanks to the Nara, within half an hour order began to form outside the walls.
Of course, some were displeased; seeing the Uchiha, they immediately cried unfair.
"Why?"
"We're joining your New Konoha—honoring you with our presence!"
"Let us in!"
They felt no fear.
Back when the Uchiha policed the streets, they had often protested like this, and the Uchiha had never dared strike.
Hadn't they?
But, alas…
Before the shouter finished, an Uchiha stepped out and severed his head with a single slash.
Every refugee froze.
Finally…
The Uchiha flicked the blood from his blade and spoke coldly, "Leave if you don't wish to join—no one begged you."
"Go if you want. If you stay, obey."
"Make trouble—die."
After several such bloody examples, most grew docile.
Naturally…
Some stubborn few stalked away; the Uchiha did not stop them, so long as they caused no disturbance.
New Konoha—was not short of villagers.
Only after seven or eight such killings did order finally hold.
An hour later…
The gates opened; the first verified group stepped inside New Konoha.
Their entry gave hope to those still waiting, who now cooperated fully with the identity checks.
The Nara Clan moved briskly.
Every thirty minutes another batch was admitted.
However…
There were simply too many refugees: the team could process barely five hundred in half an hour, yet a thousand more arrived in that time.
There was no choice.
Uchiha and Nara alike were exhausted, but none dared slack; the Nara worked with scrupulous care, the Uchiha enforced Police discipline without mercy.
Cause trouble—and you were cut down where you stood