Chapter 27
"Hokage-sama," the Anbu began, bowing deeply. "A report from the southern outposts. Groups of ninjas bearing the Sky Village's marks has mobilized. Their forces are advancing toward Konoha as we speak. Initial scouts estimate their numbers to be in the hundreds."
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. The Sky Village, also known as Soragakure, was a remnant of the smaller shinobi factions that had struggled to find a foothold among the Great Nations. During the Second Great Shinobi War, they were infamous for their ingenuity, compensating for their lack of manpower with advanced technology and aerial combat techniques. Their use of flying platforms and mechanized weaponry had once threatened to redefine the battlefield, but the relentless might of the larger villages had ultimately crushed their ambitions.
After their defeat, the Sky Village faded into obscurity, falling into the dark and almost forgotten by history. Rumors of their demise had circulated for years, but their apparent reemergence now, after decades of silence, projected nothing good for Konoha. The timing was suspect, and Hiruzen's thoughts immediately turned to the broader geopolitical tensions brewing in the shadows.
"Call an emergency council meeting immediately," Hiruzen ordered, watching as the Anbu operative flashed out of the room.
"Monkey," he continued, "summon the jounin commanders without delay. Specter and Spider, form a strike team and deploy reinforcements to the southern outposts immediately. Cat, go to the general hospital and inform Yoshioka Yuji to prepare for a full-scale invasion. He'll know what to do."
Even without visible movement, Hiruzen sensed the operatives leaving, their presence fading like wisps of smoke. Alone now, he let out a slow, measured breath, the faint scent of tobacco curling in the air as he took a long puff from his pipe.
His gaze drifted to the shelves lining his office—books and scrolls containing decades of knowledge and history, some of which he had personally lived and helped write. Documents depicting his heroic feats from his youth. Back when Konoha still-
Hiruzen sighed, stopping the train of thoughts. Focus! He told himself. Stepping forward, he placed his palm against a discreet seal etched into a shelf. A faint pulse of chakra resonated under his touch, and with a soft poof of smoke, a set of armor materialized before him.
Hiruzen stared at the set armor with a conflicted expression, his fist clenching at his sides. He then slowly removed his hokage robe. His expression growing increasingly resolute as he donned the armor. Konoha needed him! His villagers needed him!
Minutes later, the Hokage's office was filled with Konoha's key leaders, along with most Clan heads who could make it in time. Shikaku Nara, ever calm, stood with arms crossed, his calculating eyes analyzing the written report of the Anbu. Hiashi Hyuuga and Inoichi Yamanaka exchanged tense glances, while Kakashi Hatake listened intently from the corner, mask hiding any hint of emotion.
Standing near the Hokage's desk was Tashiro Kyoko, codenamed Obsidian (Kokuyogan), the vice leader of the Anbu Black Ops. "Hokage-sama, our preliminary reports indicate that the Sky Village's tactics are highly coordinated, and somehow adapted to counter our initial responses. The Anbu commander, Dragon, is suggesting that they have studied our patrols and response times in advance."
Beside him, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, Hiruzen's former teammates and trusted advisors, frowned deeply at the report. Koharu stepped forward to address the information. "If they've chosen this moment to act, it's highly probable that there are other factions working with them. The Sky Village must have amassed forces in the dark. Otherwise, they would not be so bold as to launch an open attack like this."
Homura adjusted his glasses, his expression grim. "Another possibility is that they've found a way to replicate their technology on a larger scale. It's hard to say which one poses a more significant threat for us..."
As the conversation between the counselors became heated, the knocking sound of a cane bradually made itself known.
The room fell silent as all eyes shifted to the closed door of the hokage office. Slowly, Danzo Shimura entered, his presence commanding immediate attention. Though technically not part of the Hokage's active council, the War Hawk, along with his extensive intelligence network, was indispensable in moments of crisis.
His lone eye swept the room before settling on the Hokage. "Hiruzen, forgive me for the lack of formalities. But this is an urgent situation. I have gotten reports that the attack at the east of our borders may actually be a simple diversion. Something bigger is coming."
The tension in the Hokage's office was palpable as Danzo Shimura's measured words hung in the air. The cane in his hand tapped softly against the wooden floor as he stepped closer, his gaze fixed on Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. "A diversion?" he repeated, his voice steady but edged with concern. "What evidence do you have, Danzo?"
"Intercepted transmissions and patterns in troop movement suggest that the forces attacking our eastern border are expendable. The Sky Village isn't aiming for a decisive victory there. Instead, they're buying time and drawing attention. The real threat lies elsewhere, perhaps targeting a critical village asset or bypassing our defenses entirely."
Obsidian nodded in agreement. "Hokage-sama, Dragon mentioned similar concerns. We've detected minor irregularities in troop composition at the eastern front—no key commanders, and their tactics, while effective, seem intentionally… crude. It's as though they're baiting us."
Shikaku, who had been silently analyzing a map spread across the Hokage's desk, finally spoke. "If this is a diversion, their primary goal could be striking at vulnerabilities we wouldn't expect. We have to secure our strategical points first. But without more information, moving our forces recklessly could leave us exposed to the diversion itself."
Hiruzen nodded, acknowledging the words. "That puts us in a passive position. We need to assess their capabilities and motives swiftly. Shikaku, begin devising countermeasures for their aerial tactics. Hiashi, ensure some of your clan members are deployed on our borders for reconnaissance. Ibiki, prepare the Intelligence Division for interrogation and information extraction. And Inoichi, gather your clan members and start working on establishing an internal communication network immediately."
The Hokage's office buzzed with tense energy as Konoha's leaders prepared. The Sky Village's strength lay in their aerial dominance, and Hiruzen knew that countering them would demand innovative and daring tactics.
Hiruzen tapped his pipe against the ashtray, his brow furrowed in thought. "Danzo," he said with a firm voice, "your hawk summons—can they counter the enemy's aerial forces?"
Danzo's expression remained unreadable, though his lone eye gleamed. "They can. My hawks are faster than most airborne constructs and adept in sky combat. They can disrupt formations, intercept high-value targets, and open opportunities for snipers."
Hiruzen nodded. "Deploy them immediately. Pair them with Anbu teams skilled in ranged combat. They'll need to adapt to aerial engagements."
Hiashi Hyuuga stepped forward. "In the air, precision is paramount. My clan can track enemy movements from afar and relay exact positions to snipers and long-range teams on the ground. Let us serve as your forward observers."
"The Takemori clan can also help with its long-range attacks, our Seikyū Shageki Style (Silent Bow Style) is well suited for this kind of task." Hisanobu Takemori voice with a resolute tone. She followed Hiashi's example and volunteered her clan's resources.
"So does our Kazehara Clan, lord Hokage, please, allow us to assist in this matter." Arashi Kazehara added. Stepping forward to join Hisanobu.
The Takemori and Kazehara clan heads exchanged a brief nod of solidarity. Though their clans were small, moments like these demanded they rise to the occasion. Their contributions, however modest, would prove their worth to the village.
"Agreed," Hiruzen said. "Takemori and Kazehara, coordinate your efforts with the archer units and kunai launchers. Equip them with chakra-infused projectiles for extended range and power. Hiashi, your clan will provide the tracking and relay support."
Shikaku glanced up from the map. "The hawk summons alone won't be enough. We also need shinobi capable of flight. Do we have anyone with appropriate techniques?"
Danzo's tone was clipped. "There are few, but we have some. Wind-affinity users can propel themselves and disrupt enemy maneuvers."
Obsidian added, "We also have genjutsu specialists who can trap enemies from range. Targeting their leaders with illusions could buy us critical time."
"Good," Hiruzen said. "Long-range ninjutsu will be essential. Fire and lightning techniques can neutralize groups of aerial units. Wind jutsu can destabilize their flight patterns, even if grounding them is difficult."
Shikaku leaned forward. "While we counter their aerial forces, protecting the village itself is paramount. Reinforce barriers around critical locations—the academy, the hospital. Patrols must be alert for infiltrators or third parties exploiting the chaos."
Hiruzen turned to Tsume Inuzuka. "Tsume, your ninken will patrol the outskirts. Track and eliminate any intruders attempting to breach our defenses."
Tsume grinned, baring her teeth. "My pack's ready. Anyone who sneaks in won't make it out."
Finally, Hiruzen addressed the room with a commanding voice. "The Sky Village's strength is their mobility. Our strength is our unity and adaptability. Coordinate with precision and focus. Protect your comrades and the village above all else."
The room fell silent as his words hung in the air. The leaders dispersed; their roles clear. Outside, Konoha buzzed with activity, its shinobi and civilians preparing for the storm. Hiruzen observed it from the window of his office. Savoring the last few moments of calm he possessed before the incoming storm. He took one long puff of his pipe as he turned his eyes towards the Hokage monument, eyes locked on the 4th head etched on the mountain with a inscrutable look in his eyes.
The stillness in the room shattered as a member of the surveillance team burst into the Hokage's office, his face pale and drenched in sweat. "Lord Hokage! Surveillance has detected an extremely dense amalgamation of chakra approaching the village at high speed!"
The room froze for a moment as the weight of the words sank in. Hiruzen's sharp gaze turned to the messenger. "How much time do we hav-"
Before Hiruzen could respond, the sky itself seemed to explode. A deafening roar reverberated through the village as a shockwave of energy tore through the Hokage's office. The western wall of Konoha erupted into flames and debris, the iconic Hokage Monument collapsing in a cascade of shattered stone and dust. A singular, blinding beam of energy hovered ominously above the monument before dissipating into nothingness.
Screams and chaos erupted as villagers scrambled for safety. Hiruzen turned to the window, his face a mask of grim determination. Rising above the smoke and ruin was a colossal shadow—an airborne fortress unlike anything Konoha had seen. The vessel's metallic surface bristled with glowing seals, and its monstrous form radiated menace. Smaller birdlike constructs swarmed around it in perfect formation, their movements unnervingly synchronized.
"Alert the village!" Hiruzen roared, his voice cutting through the chaos. "All forces, mobilize! Defend Konoha at all costs!"
The battle had begun.
AN: I bet none of you have seen this coming XD