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In the 37th year of Konoha, the Second Ninja World War ended, and the shinobi world entered a period of relative peace.
The primary participants in the war—Amegakure, Konoha, and Sunagakure—began to recuperate, silently rebuilding after the devastation.
Despite the heavy toll on the three major villages, none of the other hidden villages attempted to take advantage of their weakened states.
At first, Uchiha Kiyo found this situation unusual. However, as intelligence from Ma Jia continued to arrive, the reasons became clearer.
Ma Jia had quickly gained recognition from his superiors in Sunagakure, allowing him access to sensitive information. With the war concluded and large-scale conflicts unlikely in the near future, previously classified information was gradually leaking out. This was how Ma Jia, now a newly promoted Jōnin, was able to acquire such insights.
A Fragile Peace
During the war between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain, other nations had not remained idle.
The Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning had engaged in prolonged border skirmishes, leading to losses on both sides. Although not catastrophic, these conflicts ensured that neither village emerged unscathed.
Iwagakure had also engaged in minor battles against the Land of Rain, seeking to assert its influence. Given its proximity to the conflict zone, it was inevitable that they would deploy forces.
Initially, the three great nations involved in the Land of Rain suffered relatively equal losses. However, the tide shifted during the decisive battle between Konoha and Amegakure. After the Land of Rain surrendered, it avoided further major conflicts, whereas Konoha suffered additional casualties.
Then came the war between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, which inflicted even greater losses on both sides.
While these battles raged, Iwagakure and Kumogakure engaged in small-scale confrontations. Though neither side suffered significant destruction, they were far from full strength.
Yugakure, too, had been weakened due to internal struggles. The turmoil caused by the Golden Horn and Silver Horn brothers had only recently been quelled by the Third Raikage, but the damage to the village's stability was substantial. The power struggles delayed Kumogakure's development, causing it to fall behind the other villages.
Moreover, just before the outbreak of the war, a massive chakra disturbance had been detected in Kumogakure. Reports suggested that the Third Raikage had engaged in a ferocious battle against the rampaging Eight-Tails. While the Raikage ultimately subdued the beast, the destruction it wrought left Kumogakure reeling.
Similarly, Kirigakure had suffered severe losses. Two years before the Second Shinobi War, the Mist Village had led an alliance of smaller villages in a campaign to annihilate Uzushiogakure. The Uzumaki Clan had resisted fiercely, inflicting heavy casualties before their eventual fall. However, this left Kirigakure in a weakened state.
With all five great villages nursing their wounds, none were in a position to capitalize on Konoha and Sunagakure's depleted forces.
Moving Forward
"The Five Great Shinobi Villages are all in a weakened state," Uchiha Kiyo mused. "That explains why no one has made a move after Konoha and Sunagakure's decisive battle."
With the war over, he could soon move freely across the shinobi world with only minor disguises.
His plans regarding Iwagakure and Onoki could also be set into motion.
"Oh, and there's also Danzo. I can't let him have his way."
Rumors suggested that Danzo had played a shadowy role in the war, possibly influencing Hanzo's actions. If true, this meant he had gained considerable favor from the Third Hokage, likely increasing his authority within Konoha.
The thought of Danzo regaining power so quickly after the trouble Kiyo had caused him was deeply frustrating.
"No, I can't let Danzo enjoy his success," Kiyo decided.
The next time he resurfaced, he would make sure to cause trouble for Danzo again.
And perhaps, while at it, he could steal the First Hokage's cells.
"Ah, Danzo acquiring the First Hokage's cells… I wonder how much damage that would cause if it were exposed."
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Tensions in Konoha
Though Konoha appeared peaceful on the surface, tensions simmered beneath.
The Senju Clan, still reeling from Danzo's manipulations, received no formal acknowledgment of their grievances from the Third Hokage. Tsunade, disgusted by the political games, withdrew from Konoha shortly after the war. Once the clan's mourning period ended, she departed with a young girl in tow.
Orochimaru, deeply affected by the war, had grown increasingly indifferent to human life. The battlefield had exposed him to the brutal reality of mortality, planting the seed of his obsession with immortality.
Upon his return, he devoted himself to research, a path eagerly supported by the Third Hokage. The village assigned him numerous scientific projects, providing funding and resources to further his studies. Orochimaru did not disappoint. His research prowess quickly became evident, earning him the village's recognition. In the eyes of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru's intellect was second only to his late teacher, Tobirama Senju.
Realizing his protégé's potential, Hiruzen granted Orochimaru more freedom, even allowing him to establish his first independent laboratory.
Meanwhile, Sakumo Hatake—Konoha's White Fang—had returned from the battlefield visibly displeased with Danzo's actions. Though he said nothing publicly, his silent resentment was apparent to anyone who observed him closely.
The legendary Sannin and Konoha's White Fang had earned unprecedented prestige in the war, but their growing disillusionment with the village leadership was a warning sign. That the Third Hokage chose inaction despite the mounting dissatisfaction only exacerbated the problem.
Two months after the war's end, the village began to hear unsettling whispers.
Uchiha's Discontent
Rumors regarding Uchiha Kiyo's demise spread among the Uchiha Clan.
"Kiyo was a genius of our clan! He reached Elite Jōnin strength at such a young age!"
"More than that! He even killed Elite Jōnin multiple times! He was among the strongest of his rank!"
"And yet, he died on the battlefield… What a tragedy."
A knowing voice interjected, "Are you sure it was just bad luck?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"I heard that Kiyo was sent on a direct mission by Konoha's higher-ups… a rescue operation. But guess what? A squad of Sand ninja was lying in ambush, waiting for him!"
Gasps echoed through the group.
"And that's not all. Within half an hour, hundreds of reinforcements arrived, all aiming to kill the 'Blood-Eyed Asura'!"
"How did they know he'd be there?"
"Exactly my point."
A heavy silence fell over the group before one ninja muttered, "Are you saying… Kiyo was betrayed?"
By the time Konoha's leadership and the Uchiha Clan elders caught wind of the rumors, they had already spread like wildfire. The Uchiha clan demanded answers, demanding that the Third Hokage bring the traitor to justice.
Uchiha Junsuke, an elder of the clan, was troubled by the unrest. He understood the villagers' anger but also knew they lacked the power to act.
"Uncle," Uchiha Fugaku asked, frowning. "Kiyo's death was clearly the result of a setup. That mission was a death sentence."
Junsuke sighed. "I know, Fugaku. Kiyo was one of our brightest talents, but we must be careful."
Uchiha's overall strength was formidable, but they lacked a true top-tier powerhouse. Without a Kage-level shinobi, any confrontation with the Hokage's faction could be disastrous.
If Uchiha openly opposed the Hokage, they would be provoked again and again—until their destruction was inevitable.
Junsuke did not realize that even if Uchiha had a Kage-level shinobi, the outcome might not change. Some forces would never tolerate their existence and would stop at nothing to eradicate them.
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