Tension in the Leaves

Two weeks had passed since the mission with Sakumo and Minato. Two weeks since we discovered the infiltrators and learned the truth, the attackers weren't from Sound as we first suspected. They came from the far west, rogue mercenaries linked to the Land of Stone, possibly backed by Iwagakure.

And now… the border was slowly falling apart.

Reports kept pouring in, missing patrols, injured shinobi, and rising tension in the western villages. War wasn't declared, not yet.

I stood alone in the woods behind the training grounds, kunai in each hand, slicing through the air in sharp, precise arcs. The tree trunks around me bore deep cuts from the past hour. Sweat ran down my neck, but I didn't stop.

Every movement had to be perfect.

A war was coming.

And I need to be ready.

The rustle of leaves behind me barely reached my senses before I heard a soft voice.

"Izuna…"

I turned, instinctively flipping a kunai in my hand, but relaxed the moment I saw her.

Kurenai stood at the edge of the clearing, her crimson eyes wide with concern. She wore a light training vest. Her hair shimmered in the sunlight peeking through the trees.

"You always train this hard when the world's falling apart?"

"Only when I want it to stop falling apart," I replied, slipping the kunai back into my pouch.

She stepped closer, her boots crunching over fallen leaves. Her eyes searched mine, not just looking at me, but into me.

"They're saying it in the village, the elders… shopkeepers… even the academy teachers. They say war's coming. Real war."

I could see the fear in her, even though she tried to hide it. The kind of fear only someone still clinging to peace feels.

"Kurenai, you don't need to worry. War doesn't start just because people talk."

"Do you believe that?"

"…No," I said after a pause. "But I believe we'll be ready."

She looked away, but her voice trembled. "What if you don't come back? What if they send you to the frontlines?"

I smirked. "You'll have to visit my grave and pretend to cry."

She punched me lightly in the arm. "You're such an idiot."

"I'm your favorite idiot."

She didn't deny it. Just stood quietly. Close enough for our arms to brush.

"I'll be okay, Kurenai, and so will you. No matter what happens, I'll protect this village. I'll protect you."

Her cheeks reddened slightly, but she didn't move away.

"…You'd better."

—

The next morning, the Hokage summoned me again.

This time, the mood in his office was colder. Tighter. Less political and more… military.

Minato was already there, arms crossed, his calm eyes hiding what I could sense as unease. Shikaku Nara stood beside him, rubbing the back of his head and sighing in that tired way he always did when he didn't like the odds.

Hiruzen didn't waste time.

"There's been movement. We have intel that a forward enemy camp has been established just a few miles beyond our border. Not a full army… but likely the first stage of something larger."

Minato frowned. "How certain are we?"

"Certain enough that I'm sending the three of you to verify. This is a stealth reconnaissance mission. No engagement unless necessary."

"And if we're discovered?" I asked.

"Escape with the information. And if escape isn't possible…You know what must be done."

My stomach didn't flinch. But my heart felt heavier.

Shikaku exhaled. "What a drag."

Minato turned to me. "We move at dawn."

—

The forest was quieter than usual.

As the sun rose, casting long shadows over the land, we moved like phantoms, silent, swift, and unseen. Minato led us with his Flying Raijin markers placed carefully along the trees. I covered the rear, Shikaku mapped out our routes, eyes constantly scanning the terrain.

After hours of tracking, we found what we were looking for.

From a high cliff, we spotted a small camp. Hidden within a valley, surrounded by traps and seals.

Tents. Supply crates. Roughly fifty shinobi are moving with discipline. Their headbands were unmarked, but their tactics and style screamed Earth-style users. No doubt, Iwagakure shinobi in disguise.

We studied them from afar. Shikaku memorized everything: positions, supply movements, and chakra signatures.

"Not scouts," he muttered. "They're establishing a foothold."

"Which means the main force isn't far behind," Minato added grimly.

Suddenly, a rustle. A shift in the trees.

We froze.

Three enemy shinobi emerged from the trees below, headed toward our cliff, their route not random. They were following a trail.

My trail.

"Shit, I left a mark behind."

"We're compromised," Minato said immediately. "Shikaku, fall back. Izuna—"

"I'll cover the retreat."

Before he could argue, I jumped down silently, landing behind the advancing shinobi. My chakra flared.

"Fangs of the Thunder God!"

Two kunai enveloped in lightning screamed through the air, striking the first enemy in the shoulder and leg. He screamed too loudly.

The others turned, but Minato was already behind one with his Flying Raijin kunai, knocking him out with a swift chop to the neck.

The third lunged at me. I caught his blade with mine, sparks dancing between us.

"You're fast," he whispered. "Too bad you're gonna die here."

"I get that a lot."

I twisted, disarmed him with a sudden pivot, and slammed him into the tree with a palm strike reinforced with chakra.

The silence returned.

Minato frowned. "We can't risk more enemies following us. Let's move."

—

We returned to Konoha by dusk.

The Hokage listened to our report in silence. When we were finished, he turned to the map and pressed a marker onto the valley.

"So it begins…"

I felt the weight of the words settle across the room.

Minato asked, "What now?"

"We mobilize," Hiruzen said. "I'll begin preparations to send reinforcement units. We'll send a message to Iwagakure, but I doubt it will change anything."

He turned to Shikaku. "Prepare battle simulations. Defensive formations. I want our outposts reinforced by week's end."

Then, Hiruzen's expression darkened. He gestured toward the shadows in the corner of the room.

Danzo stepped out, as if he'd been there all along.

"With your permission," he said quietly, "I'll deploy two ANBU squads tonight. They will eliminate the camp before dawn. No survivors."

Hiruzen looked tired. "No bloodshed unless necessary."

Danzo's tone remained flat. "It is already necessary."

When I saw him I wanted him dead

—

Later that night, I sat on a rooftop watching the stars blink into life.

The village below me was calm, unaware of the storm that loomed.

Minato joined me, his expression unreadable.

"Do you think we did the right thing?" I asked.

"Reporting the truth? Always."

"I meant… not wiping them out when we had the chance."

Minato stayed silent for a moment. Then he said, "The war is coming no matter what we do. But at least now… we know it."

"You scared?"

"No. Because you'll be there,"i said

"You're a good leader, Izuna. Even if you pretend not to be."

He stood, gave a nod, and vanished with a yellow flash.

I looked back up at the stars.

A war was coming.