Because the battlefield lay within the Land of Fire, Jiraiya's intel and urgent request made it back to the Hidden Leaf Village in under half a day.
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, still in his prime, sat behind his desk. A lit pipe rested between his fingers as he silently read the scroll before him, his expression somber.
"Something's happened, hasn't it, Hiruzen?"
A voice echoed as a man walked in, leaning on a cane, his head wrapped in bandages and his face cast in shadow. It was none other than Shimura Danzō.
He quickly noticed that two other elders were also present: a stern-faced middle-aged woman with her hair tightly coiled and eyes half-closed, and a spiky-haired man wearing glasses and a high white scarf.
These two were none other than Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, senior advisors to the Hokage and longtime comrades of both Hiruzen and Danzō.
(A side note: "Mitokado" is Homura's family name.)
Seeing the full council present, Danzō immediately felt a sinking sense of unease.
"Take a look for yourselves," Sarutobi said, puffing his pipe and handing over the report.
The moment their eyes scanned the document, the expressions of the three elders turned grave.
"Jiraiya has encountered a serious threat on the front lines — a Kirigakure shinobi named Mizunotsuki Yoru, an Ice Release user. Acting alone, he eliminated elite forces including Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Hyūga Hizashi, causing catastrophic losses to the front."
"His techniques are bizarre and unorthodox. His Shunshin no Jutsu surpasses even that of Uchiha Shisui. His kenjutsu is sharp and refined… Even Jiraiya has been unable to subdue him so far. And the most critical point—"
"He's still just a teenager."
Sarutobi exhaled deeply as his brows furrowed. Both Koharu and Homura looked equally disturbed.
The deaths of Shikaku and Inoichi were not just tactical losses. They were the clan heads of the Nara and Yamanaka clans — staunch political allies of the Hokage's faction.
Their deaths were tantamount to severing an arm from the Sarutobi administration.
Danzō's expression darkened even further. His perpetually shadowed face now looked outright stormy.
As the head of Root, Konoha's covert black-ops division, Danzō was privy to detailed intelligence on Kirigakure's bloodline clans, shinobi rosters, and tactical hierarchy.
And yet, he had never heard of a Kirigakure ANBU operative, hidden within the ranks, who possessed secret arts, mastery of Shunshin, and kenjutsu strong enough to match Jiraiya — and wield Ice Release on top of that!
"This is my oversight," Danzō admitted grimly. "I'll compile everything we have on Mizunotsuki Yoru — personally."
"You just returned from the Kumogakure front. This isn't your fault," Sarutobi reassured him, gently tapping his pipe. "I trust your ability, Danzō."
"But right now, our priority is Jiraiya's request for reinforcements."
Sarutobi's voice grew heavier.
"We've just signed a ceasefire with Sunagakure. The situation with Kumogakure and Iwagakure is improving, but Kirigakure must not be allowed to become a breakthrough point."
"If the Hidden Mist breaks the stalemate, then both Iwa and Kumo will likely pounce on us without hesitation."
Koharu and Homura both nodded in grim agreement.
Unlike Suna, which had surrendered due to repeated defeats, Kumo and Iwa had retained most of their military strength. They were holding back for strategic reasons — not because of weakness.
If Kirigakure broke through Konoha's defenses, the other two villages would retaliate immediately.
"What about sending Minato?" Homura suggested. "Didn't Jiraiya mention that this enemy's speed even outpaced that Uchiha kid? He specifically requested Minato to counter him. With Flying Thunder God, Minato should be able to suppress the threat."
"Minato would indeed be a suitable choice," Koharu agreed. "With his Hiraishin no Jutsu, containment shouldn't be an issue."
"No. Minato can't be moved."
Sarutobi shook his head slowly, taking another drag from his pipe.
"Iwagakure still hasn't been fully stabilized. Orochimaru alone isn't enough to keep Ōnoki in check. Only Minato — the Yellow Flash — can deter Ōnoki from making a move on our supply lines."
"Then should we transfer Orochimaru?" Koharu asked.
"That won't work either. If Minato is our blade against Ōnoki, Orochimaru is the general who holds morale at the front. If we remove him now, the entire Iwa front might collapse."
One by one, their suggestions were vetoed.
Silence fell over the Hokage's office.
For the first time, they were forced to confront a bitter truth:
The Hidden Leaf had no one left to send.
Back in the Second Shinobi War, Konoha had been a titan.
-Hiruzen Sarutobi was in his prime
-Danzō was feared as the "Darkness of the Shinobi"
-Sakumo Hatake's legend loomed large
-The Sannin were rising stars
-Brilliant talents like Kato Dan and Uchiha Fugaku were everywhere
-At that time, Konoha had too many cards to play.
Now?
"...If only Tsunade were still here," Sarutobi murmured.
He sighed, eyes heavy with regret.
But after losing both her younger brother Nawaki and her lover Kato Dan, Tsunade had developed hemophobia and left the village.
Even if he wanted to summon her back now, she would never return to this quagmire.
"Then let me go to the Mist front," Danzō offered grimly.
"Kumo has been quiet lately, and my intel indicates that the Fourth Raikage has just taken office. They'll need time to reorganize. I can spare the manpower."
"What if they act while you're gone?" Sarutobi countered. "Kumogakure isn't like the others. Their transitions are smooth — especially since the Third and Fourth Raikage are father and son."
Danzō fell silent.
Sarutobi wasn't wrong.
If anything, the Fourth Raikage might use a war victory to consolidate power. Leaving the front now would be dangerous.
The room fell silent once more.
Eventually, Sarutobi pulled out a roster from his drawer. He exhaled a long plume of smoke.
"...I'm considering sending Kushina to the Mist front."
"Absolutely not!"
All three advisors reacted instantly — voices raised, faces pale.
"No way! This can't happen!" Homura protested.
"I disagree, Hiruzen!" Koharu shouted.
Even Danzō, who rarely showed emotion, slammed his cane on the ground with a loud thud and locked his single eye on Sarutobi.
"Hiruzen — a Jinchūriki must never leave Konoha!"