The Calm before the Storm 20

As Sting left the Hokage's office to check on his son, Tobirama remained at his desk, his focus entirely on the sealed scroll in front of him. The room was quiet, save for the sound of papers shifting as he continued to decode the message Tetsuma had passed along. His sharp eyes scanned the intricate symbols, and the more he deciphered, the more his expression grew darker.

Tetsuma's report was clear, though the implications were deeply troubling.

"An Iwa spy..." Tobirama muttered under his breath as he pieced together the fragments of the message. According to the information, an agent planted within Konoha had learned of something even more disturbing—something that would surely shake the foundation of the village. The report stated that the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, had not been seen for over a year. Whispers of his health had circulated quietly for some time, but this report claimed that Hashirama was suffering from a rare bloodline disease. The disease was believed to be fatal, and it was expected to claim his life in the coming years.

Tobirama's jaw tightened as he read the rest of the message. The knowledge of Hashirama's condition would likely be used against them. The alliance between Iwagakure and Takigakure was no coincidence. If these two villages, once enemies of Konoha, were banding together, it could only mean one thing: war was imminent.

"The Land of Fire will be vulnerable," Tobirama murmured to himself, his mind calculating the next steps. The First Hokage's deteriorating health, combined with the looming threat from Iwagakure and Takigakure, created a perfect storm. This was no longer just a matter of protecting Konoha from external threats; it was about securing the future of the entire village and ensuring that no one knew about Hashirama's condition until it was absolutely necessary.

Tobirama took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair. His hands rested on the desk as he considered his next move. There was no way Konoha could afford to appear weak in the face of these revelations. He needed to act quickly, but he also needed to carefully navigate the information that had just come to light. Any misstep could cause irreparable damage to the village's standing in the world.

"I have to discuss this with the council... and the other clan heads," he said, his mind already formulating a strategy.

The pieces were falling into place, and Tobirama knew the stakes had just been raised. Iwa and Taki were already planning their alliance, and their target was clear. The Land of Fire was vulnerable, but Tobirama would ensure Konoha was ready for whatever came next. The only question left was how to act without tipping their hand to the other villages.

Tobirama stood, locking the scroll away in a hidden drawer, his mind still swirling with the possible ramifications. He would need to gather the most trusted individuals within the village—those who could help him assess the situation and prepare for the worst. It was a matter of time before this intelligence reached the ears of the wrong people. The sooner he acted, the better.

His fingers brushed the door handle, and as he stepped out of the office, he knew one thing for certain: the calm that had followed the First Shinobi War was over. A new storm was approaching, and Konoha would need to face it head-on.