After departing Root's hidden base, Sarutobi Hiruzen began covertly mobilizing trusted clan leaders and senior Anbu operatives. While the public believed the Hokage was preparing a diplomatic counter to foreign aggression, Hiruzen quietly enacted battle-readiness protocols.
Simultaneously, Shimura Danzo activated his contingency units. Every jōnin-level ninja under the Shimura banner, as well as Root's enhanced combat operatives—many subjected to brainwashing seals—were gathered. Though Root's full force exceeded this number, Danzo limited the strike group to around a hundred. Too large a movement risked exposure.
To further cover the operation, Hiruzen forged intelligence suggesting a looming multinational threat and called an emergency meeting with the clan heads of Konoha.
"Review these scrolls."
Anbu handed out documents fabricated with just enough truth to seem plausible. Border activity, unfamiliar chakra signatures, and intercepted coded transmissions—all suggested a coordinated mobilization.
"This isn't just probing. Are the villages aligning?" asked the Senju clan head grimly.
"It's possible," Hiruzen confirmed. "Iwa and Kiri have struggled to create stable jinchūriki. Their sealing methods remain crude."
Everyone knew the truth: without Uzumaki-level fūinjutsu, controlling a Tailed Beast was nearly impossible. The last war had proved that point.
Silence fell. No clan head wanted war. Losses were unavoidable, and for once, even the Uchiha appeared subdued.
"We can't allow war to reach the heart of the Land of Fire," Hiruzen declared. "We intercept and contain."
None objected. The ninja village system had been built on the principle of serving the nation. Protecting the Fire Daimyo's territories was non-negotiable.
"We'll deploy advance teams to secure chokepoints," Hiruzen continued. "Each clan will contribute specialized units. The Senju will head to the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass—your Earth and Water affinity will perform well there."
The Senju head nodded. Those terrains suited them. Their ancestral roots ran deep in that region, and Lady Tsunade's presence further anchored their confidence.
"Next, the Lightning front—Cloud ninja are known for their Lightning Release and high-speed assaults. The Sharingan can read and anticipate their movements."
The Uchiha head inclined his head. Lightning users, no matter how fast, couldn't deceive the eye that saw chakra flow.
"For Mist, the battlefield will likely be on water-locked islands or mist-heavy terrain. They'll deploy the Hidden Mist technique—ambushes and silent kills. The Byakugan of the Hyūga can pierce the haze and detect chakra over distance."
The Hyūga nodded firmly. Their field of vision and precision made them natural counters.
"As for Suna, I and the Shimura clan will defend that axis. We'll reinforce with additional units as needed."
That settled things. No clan leader wanted the Hokage to sit back while others bled. By involving his own Sarutobi and Danzo's Shimura, Hiruzen calmed potential dissent.
Some had feared the Hokage would withhold his own from the front. Now, those doubts were quelled.
...
Returning to their respective compounds, the clan leaders gathered their elders and combat commanders. Orders were passed, supplies readied, formations arranged. The next day, elite squads began quietly departing Konoha—disguised as merchant guards, postal runners, and even wandering monks.
They weren't meant to engage yet. Their job was to secure high ground, monitor enemy movement, establish temporary fortifications, and identify spies.
The task was relatively low-risk for now, which made the clans more willing. The full army would follow in stages. For now, the aim was defense—not confrontation.
But this sudden shift from Konoha sent ripples across the Five Nations.
...
"What's going on with Konoha?"
In Iwagakure, the Tsuchikage's council convened under heavy silence. The plan to strike the Uzumaki clan had been in motion. Their forces were in position—but hadn't yet moved.
"Maybe they caught wind of our target," Ohnoki muttered.
"But shouldn't they rush to the Whirlpool Country then? They're allies. Mito-sama was an Uzumaki."
His aide Zi frowned in confusion.
Ohnoki snorted. "That's politics, not sentiment."
He glanced at the man seated to his left—his wartime commander for the Uzumaki campaign.
"I don't like last-minute complications, but proceed. Assume Konoha is watching. If they aid Uzushiogakure, fine. If not, we seize what we need."
"Yes, Lord Tsuchikage," the commander—Xi Siren—replied with calm confidence. Several others around the room chuckled quietly.
"The mighty Hokage's mask is slipping."
"That 'strongest' reputation is overblown. Each of the current Kage are top-tier. Sarutobi's just better at propaganda."
"And sending the Senju west means they can't reach the Land of Whirlpools fast enough. Clever on our part."
...
As mocking laughter died down, Ohnoki's face remained stern. He turned again to Zi.
"You're coming with us. I want your Lava Release in reserve."
Zi frowned but didn't object. Though he often disagreed with Ohnoki, he couldn't deny the importance of the mission—or the risk. The Four-Tails' chakra was unruly, and his incomplete seal made him dangerous even to allies.
If Uzumaki methods could help stabilize that, it would be worth the bloodshed.
Suna and Kiri came to similar conclusions. Neither trusted the other, but both feared falling behind.
Rumors had spread: the Uzumaki had produced sealing methods that could contain even the Kyūbi without side effects. If one nation secured those secrets, the balance of power would tilt catastrophically.
Konoha already had a perfect jinchūriki in Mito Uzumaki—host of the Nine-Tails and wife to the First Hokage. The other villages had failed for years to replicate her success.
They needed the Uzumaki sealing arts. At any cost.