CHAPTER 25

At the same time, inside the Hokage's Office in Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk in deep turmoil.

The words echoed relentlessly in his mind:

"Konoha will be attacked."

He hadn't expected it.

Payne—that man from Akatsuki—daring to attack Konoha?

Unthinkable.

Sarutobi's aged fingers trembled slightly. A powerhouse of Payne's caliber, if he were to infiltrate quietly, the damage he could do would be catastrophic.

Unless—unless he attacked directly and exposed himself from the beginning.

But that was foolish. An organization like Akatsuki doesn't make brainless moves. Their leader wouldn't charge from the front without reason.

For now, Hiruzen could only pray that the sensory-type ninja stationed around Konoha would detect any signs of invasion before it was too late.

His eyes drifted down to the emergency response list.

First on the list was himself.

Even though he was old, he still bore the title of Hokage and would fight if necessary. But he knew deep down—his strength wasn't what it used to be.

Hatake Kakashi?

No good. His Sharingan constantly drained his chakra. At best, he could stall one opponent, not win.

Then there was Might Guy.

Hiruzen's mind lingered there.

Guy's strength came from a forbidden taijutsu—The Eight Gates Technique. He remembered how Guy's father, a mere Genin, had once slaughtered most of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—all elite Jōnin. The same seven who, armed with terrifying chakra blades, had been feared across nations.

And yet, that lone Genin... broke them.

Some never returned to being shinobi.

Yes, Guy was strong. That was why he held a Jonin title despite lacking some of the usual qualifications.

But... Payne wasn't a mere elite ninja.

He had the Rinnegan. Seven bodies. Godlike powers. A true shadow-level threat.

Even Deidara—unstable as he was—sweated in Payne's presence.

Could Guy be the answer?

Hiruzen shook his head.

"No... the greatest possibility is..." he muttered.

"The Fourth Hokage's resurrection."

Naruto Uzumaki?

He didn't even consider it.

The boy still fumbled with the Clone Technique.

A disaster waiting to happen—if he weren't the son of Minato and Kushina, if he weren't the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, he wouldn't have made it past the academy's front door.

Hiruzen's eyes glanced at the paperwork on his desk. One file stood out:

Naruto Uzumaki's graduation approval.

Smack!

The old man jolted upright.

"Damn it!"

Cold sweat dripped from his temple.

How could he forget something so important?!

Swish!

In a blur, the Third Hokage vanished through the office window.

From the shadows, two Anbu appeared behind him in black cloaks and animal masks.

"Where's Naruto?!" Sarutobi barked. "Where is he now?!"

"Near the village gate. We have a team monitoring him."

---

Meanwhile, in the Raikage's Office of Kumogakure…

BOOMING LAUGHTER filled the hall.

"Ha ha ha! Look at that! That disgrace of a village—Konoha!"

The Fourth Raikage, A, slapped the table hard, veins bulging in his arms.

"Oh, Sarutobi... if only I could see your wrinkled old face now! Still call yourself the Number One Hidden Village?! Don't make me laugh!"

He could already imagine it—the Akatsuki leader appearing in Konoha's center, tearing the city apart with godlike power. A village bathed in flame, Hokage Mountain crumbling.

Yes... he wanted to see it. He needed to see it.

"Heh," Raikage cracked his knuckles. "If that Payne flattens your whole village, I might finally get some peace."

He grinned wickedly.

"Darui!" he called.

"Yes, Lord Raikage?"

"When I crush that guy, Might Guy, I'm gonna say it—'Konoha's warriors are just birds and dogs wearing leaf stickers!'"

Darui blinked. "…If you say that, the other taijutsu clans might challenge you."

"The Hyuga?"

A scoff. "Their Jūken? That soft, feminine technique won't save them from my fists! Let them come! They'll fall just like the rest."

The Raikage clenched his fists again, electricity crackling around his arms.

"Just like that rogue from Iwagakure once said—

'I am the peak of body technique. The sky bows to me. I am the thunder that splits the earth.'"

---

Back in Konoha

Hatake Kakashi had already tracked down Might Guy and explained everything.

Guy, unsurprisingly, agreed. He was Kakashi's eternal rival. If Obito was in danger, then it was his duty as a friend—and as a shinobi—to help.

"I'll go report to Lord Hokage," Kakashi said.

Guy nodded, scratching his head.

Kakashi had never been the type to beg for help. This must be serious.

Kakashi quickly returned to the Hokage's Tower—only to find the office empty.

"Hokage-sama isn't here," the guard informed him.

"Where is he?"

"We... don't know."

Time was running out.

Kakashi made a decision and darted toward the Nara Clan residence.

If Hiruzen couldn't help, maybe someone smarter could.

When he arrived, he found Nara Shikaku sweeping the yard with his young son, Shikamaru.

"Kakashi?" Shikaku blinked. "What brings you here?"

"No time to explain. I need your help. It's about Uchiha Obito."

He explained the plan quickly, his breath short. But when he looked up, Shikaku's smile had faded.

"Kakashi," he said quietly, "have you told Lord Hokage?"

"…No. I couldn't find him."

Shikaku sighed. His voice softened, but it was also distant.

"Then I'm sorry. I can't help you."

He turned around and gently pushed Shikamaru back toward the house.

"Come, Shikamaru. Let's go inside."

Slide.

The shoji door closed between them.

Kakashi stood motionless for a long time.

Inside, behind the door, Shikaku released a deep breath. His shadow flickered faintly under the paper screen.

"Kakashi... this is all I can do for you."

Little Shikamaru looked up at his father.

He didn't say anything, but his eyes were watching.

Always thinking.