One month later
Team Eight was patrolling the eastern border of the Land of Fire, where the forests grew denser and trade routes became scarce.Since Pain's devastating attack, Konoha's orders had been clear: no weakness, no complacency. Even victorious, the Leaf could never afford to appear vulnerable.
Shino advanced at the front, silent, his insects scattered across several kilometers to detect any hostile presence. Hinata moved slightly behind him, her Byakugan activated intermittently, while Kiba brought up the rear, Akamaru alert to the slightest change in scent.
It was Hinata who stopped first.
"…There! …There are six of them."
Six silhouettes.On horseback.
They advanced without hiding, yet without making a sound—as if the ground itself refused to betray their passage. Their mounts were tall, slender, and seemed as ancient as their riders.
The first three were draped in long, richly crafted cloaks, each distinct. One was pure white, embroidered with delicate floral patterns; another, black, threaded with silver filaments evoking leaves or stars; the last, gray and austere, radiated a martial, restrained elegance.
But the remaining three completely altered the scene.
Two of them were heavily armored soldiers. Their armor was full plate, forged from pale metal with greenish reflections, engraved with ancient runes. Every piece seemed crafted both for war and for centuries of endurance. Their closed helms revealed no faces, and each carried a long elven spear and a sword at the hip.
They rode slightly behind.
Flanking the sixth figure.
She stood out immediately.
She was clad in a black robe, covered by a thick mantle and a dark veil that concealed her face, neck, and hands entirely. Not a single inch of skin was visible. Even her posture felt… restrained. As if something within her needed to be held back.
"These two…" Shino murmured. "They aren't here to protect her. They're here to prevent her from doing something."
They followed the group for several minutes, using the terrain, the trees, the shadows. A flawless pursuit—or so they believed.
Before the team could push their analysis further, a voice rose—clear and calm, devoid of aggression… yet impossible to ignore.
Then another voice followed, clear, gentle… and perfectly placed.
"Children, why do you follow us from the shadows?"
Team Eight froze.
The woman draped in white had spoken without turning around, her voice carrying effortlessly through the forest. No hostility emanated from it, yet something in her tone… demanded attention.
"Impossible…" Kiba muttered. "She couldn't have seen us."
They burst from cover at once, leaping forward to land before the group, kunai and shuriken in hand, chakra ready to surge.
"Defensive formation," Shino ordered.
The horses stopped on their own.
Shino stepped forward, gaze steady behind his dark glasses.
"Who are you, and what are you doing on the territory of the Land of Fire?"
One of the elven soldiers stepped forward, his hand tightening almost imperceptibly on his spear. The air suddenly felt heavier.
But a male voice—calm and ancient—rose from the figure draped in black and silver.
"Easy. They are not our enemies. At least, we do not wish them to be."
The veiled figure turned slowly toward the one in gray, as if silently asking his opinion. He gave a slight nod.
Then he spoke.
His voice was male, composed, possessed of an almost unreal elegance. It did not seek to dominate, yet every word seemed to carry greater weight than the last.
"Tell me… why do three Children of Men already bear the marks of so many battles?"
Hinata frowned slightly.
Children of Men?
It was neither an insult nor a provocation. It was… an observation. As if these strangers viewed their world from a far older vantage point.
"We are shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village," Hinata declared firmly. "You are approaching our homeland. Identify yourselves."
Silence followed.
Then the figure in white slowly raised his hands and lowered his hood.
An old man appeared. His hair and beard were pure white, his gaze clear and deep, filled with genuine kindness. Nothing about him suggested the cunning or lechery Konoha too often associated with powerful elders.
"Please forgive us if we have disturbed you," he said with a warm smile. "My name is Gandalf. These are my companions: Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel. The two soldiers are Erangen and Halanden… and as for her…"
He paused, casting a glance toward the veiled silhouette.
"Let us simply say her presence is necessary for the fulfillment of our mission."
Kiba tilted his head slightly.
"Gandalf-san… are you seeking our village to ask for help?"
"In truth," the old man replied, "we had hoped to offer you ours. This world is changing… and you now stand at the heart of that change."
That answer disarmed the team more effectively than any display of force.
Shino studied the travelers carefully. No detectable chakra. No hostility. And yet… an undeniable presence.
"In that case," he said at last, "you will need to be escorted before the Hokage. She alone can judge your intentions."
Gandalf inclined his head slightly.
"Your caution does you honor. Thank you, my children."
The old man smiled kindly, and—unlike a certain other white-haired elder—his gaze held nothing lecherous in it. It was the look of a gentle, caring grandfather.
Needless to say, this helped the three young shinobi relax, even smiling as they escorted the group, explaining certain aspects of their culture and society—without revealing too much, of course.
Hinata cast one last glance at the veiled figure.
She had not moved.She had not spoken.
Yet for a brief instant, Hinata felt the crushing certainty that something beneath that veil was looking back at her.
And that something… was not meant to be free.
...
The following day, at noon
Konoha – Hokage Tower
When the walls of Konoha finally appeared on the horizon—massive and reassuring—the travelers let out a sigh they did not even try to hide. The midday sun bathed the village in bright light, standing in stark contrast to the wild lands they had crossed.
The three shinobi of Team 8 understood that relief perfectly. After several weeks of patrol, even they felt that almost visceral need to return to a bed, a hot meal… and a semblance of normalcy.
Passing through the gates caused no incident. The guards, though surprised by the group's unusual appearance, allowed the visitors to enter under Team 8's official escort.
On the way to the Hokage Tower, several teams returning from missions noticed the strangers. The luxury of their cloaks, the confident stride of the heavily armored elves, and above all the closely watched veiled figure immediately sparked curiosity. Some teams decided to follow the procession, as they too were heading in to report.
Elrond slowed his pace. He raised his hand—a simple gesture, yet heavy with authority—and the group stopped at once. The murmur of the village suddenly felt distant.
His gaze turned toward the rear, where their veiled companion stood, draped entirely in black. The thick cloak absorbed the light, and the veil hid any trace of skin, as if the being beneath it did not fully belong to this world. At her side, the two elven soldiers stood straight, silent, alert to the slightest movement.
Elrond addressed them in the ancient Elven tongue, his voice low but perfectly controlled.
"Remain here. Watch over her while we meet with the Hokage."
The two warriors struck their fists against their breastplates in an ancient martial salute.
The veiled figure slowly inclined her head. No words passed her lips, yet the dark fabric trembled faintly, as if stirred by an unseen breath. Hinata felt an involuntary chill slide down her spine, her Byakugan reacting without being activated, unsettled by a presence she could not define.
Galadriel paused for a moment, turning toward the silhouette. Her gaze, filled with grave gentleness, shone with ancient vigilance.
"Patience can sometimes be a heavier trial than battle," she murmured. "We will return."
The silhouette did not respond.
Shino, the silent observer, noticed something unsettling: the shadows cast around the veiled figure seemed denser, as though the light itself hesitated to touch her.
Without another word, Elrond, Galadriel, and Gandalf passed through the doors, leaving behind the two elven soldiers and the veiled figure, motionless on the esplanade.
One of the elves discreetly rested a hand on the hilt of his weapon.
For both of them knew the truth: they were not there to protect her—but to watch her.
When the group finally arrived before the Hokage's office, Shizune looked up from her paperwork. Her face immediately brightened when she recognized the three young shinobi.
"Hinata, Shino, Kiba!" she exclaimed with a sincere smile. "How did your mission go? I hope the border patrol didn't give you too much trouble."
Shino adjusted his glasses.
"Nothing abnormal to report along the border," he replied calmly. "However, we encountered an unusual group of travelers. They wish to speak with the Hokage and claim they may be able to assist the village. We deemed it best to escort them here."
Gandalf inclined his head slightly.
"Good day, miss. I can assure you that what we have to say concerns not only your village… but the entire world."
Shizune blinked, surprised by the old man's serious yet respectful tone.
"Oh… well… Lady Tsunade will likely appreciate a break from paperwork," she replied with a slightly nervous smile. "Please wait a moment."
She stood and opened the office door.
The room was spacious but overwhelmed by paperwork. A secondary desk on the side was literally buried beneath stacks of documents, behind which pink hair could be seen—Sakura working relentlessly. The main desk, more orderly, faced the entrance.
"Excuse me, Lady Tsunade?"
"Yes, Shizune?" came the familiar voice, slightly irritated but attentive.
"Visitors wish to speak with you. They are accompanied by Team 8."
"Very well. Let them in."
When the group entered the office, Tsunade looked up… and froze for a brief moment.
She stood, crossed her arms, and assessed the strangers with a professional gaze.
"Welcome to Konoha," she declared. "I am Tsunade Senju, Hokage of this village. What can I do for you?"
Gandalf offered a serene smile.
"Thank you for your welcome, noble lady. In truth, we are the ones who wish to aid you. I am Gandalf the White, also known as Mithrandir. This is Lord Elrond, and Lady Galadriel."
Elrond and Galadriel slowly removed their hoods.
The next instant, silent chaos erupted.
A wave of discomfort swept through the room. Every man present—Kiba, the shinobi behind him… even Shino—felt a sudden pressure in their noses. Some instinctively pinched them; others turned away.
Galadriel was… unreal. Her beauty was not merely physical—it emanated from her. A soft, almost luminous aura filled the room, as if the air itself became purer around her.
Tsunade, however, was not looking at Galadriel.
She was staring at Gandalf.
Then at Elrond.
Her expression changed. Slowly. Very slowly.
"If you'll allow me…" she murmured. "Your names are… strange for our land. Yet at the same time… terribly familiar."
Her eyes widened.
"Impossible…"
"Lady Tsunade, what's wrong?" her first apprentice asked.
The other shinobi looked just as confused.
"Shizune… when you were a child, do you remember the stories I used to tell you? The Legends of the First Ages?" Tsunade asked.
"Yes… the tales of the First, Second, and Third Ages… the stories of Sauron and… the One… the Ring…"
Her eyes widened in turn. The others still did not understand.
A puzzled Sakura asked, "Yes, we all heard those stories—our families told them to us. What are you getting at?"
"Indeed, the War of the Ring was a truly intense tale… the one where a small being called a Hobbit destroyed the One Ring, ending the Dark Lord Sauron!" Hinata recalled nostalgically.
"Hm… and?" Kiba added. "I don't see how a fairy tale could unsettle you, Lady Hokage."
Tsunade slammed her desk.
"Use your head, Kiba! What were the names of the White Council?!"
A silence of about five seconds followed—then everyone's eyes widened completely, locked onto the three visitors.
Another five seconds passed… and soon the entire village heard:
"WWWWWHHHAAAATTTTT?!?!"
At sunset
The orange glow of dusk filtered through the wide windows of the Hokage's office, casting long shadows across walls lined with scrolls and reports. Tsunade slowly rubbed her temples, as if simply putting her thoughts in order required a superhuman effort.
"So, if I'm summarizing this correctly…" she said at last, her voice heavy. "You are the heroes of the War of the Ring. Which means everything was true: elves, dwarves, wizards… They truly existed. They lived in the Undying Lands and the Timeless Halls, beyond the Western Sea."
She looked up at them. "Have I understood correctly so far?"
An almost reverent silence fell over the room.
Around her, the shinobi present—Sakura, Shizune, Team 8, as well as several jōnin summoned on short notice—wore the same expression: a blend of shock, confusion, and pure awe. The legends their parents had told them, the stories they had dismissed as children's tales, predated even the Sage of Six Paths… and yet here they were, standing before them.
Beings who had walked a world that existed before chakra.
"You are correct, Lady Tsunade," Elrond replied calmly. "Everything we have said is true. And I fear that further proof would be… unnecessary."
There was no arrogance or pride in his tone—only an ancient, weighty certainty.
Tsunade nodded slowly. She could feel that arguing would be pointless. As she was about to speak again, Gandalf took the floor.
His expression changed.
The old man's kindness faded, replaced by something graver, harder—the gaze of one who had seen too many wars, too many worlds on the brink of annihilation.
"As for the reason we have come," he said, "I am certain you have already guessed it…" He paused. "Just as our enemy has."
A shiver ran through the assembly.
Tsunade straightened slightly, resting her elbows on her desk.
"Are you speaking of Sauron?"
Gandalf nodded without hesitation.
"But according to the legends," Tsunade continued, her voice firmer, "Frodo destroyed the Ring. Sauron was annihilated. His generals, his armies… everything vanished with him."
Elrond closed his eyes briefly, as though gathering a painful memory.
"It is true that the Enemy was defeated," he said. "But Aragorn, in his wisdom, asked me a question we ourselves had not dared to voice."
He looked Tsunade straight in the eyes.
Had we forgotten someone?
A palpable unease settled over the room.
"The answer to that question was… terrifying."
Everyone held their breath.
"Do you remember the name Celebrimbor?" Elrond asked.
Glances were exchanged. The shinobi searched their memories.
"Wasn't he…" Sakura ventured, "the elven master smith? The one who created the Rings of Power?"
"Indeed," Elrond confirmed. "It was a historic moment… but also a tragic one. Celebrimbor, like so many others, was deceived by the Dark Lord, who presented himself in a benevolent form. He called himself Annatar, the Lord of Gifts."
"Sauron taught, advised, and shared his knowledge," Elrond continued. "He used the skills of the greatest craftsmen of every race to create the Rings. Then, in secret, he forged the Master Ring, becoming the Lord of the Rings."
"But he was destroyed, wasn't he?" Hinata asked, her voice almost pleading.
The silence stretched.
"He was defeated," Gandalf replied. "His spirit can no longer interfere directly with this world."
"But…" He drew a deep breath. "Celebrimbor did not vanish."
An uneasy murmur rippled through the room.
"During his final contact with the One," Gandalf explained, "his spirit was corrupted. Not by darkness… but by light itself. He became a Lord of Light, consumed by his own pride."
The words landed heavily.
"A being who proclaims himself a savior," Gandalf went on, "yet imposes order through absolute domination. In truth… he would be even worse than Sauron ever was."
Even Tsunade felt an icy shiver run down her spine.
"Has he already tried to act upon the world?" she asked.
"Yes," Gandalf answered without hesitation.
"He learned from Sauron's mistakes. He does not need conquest by force alone. He invades minds. He brands souls. And when he acts… his victims remember nothing."
A horrified silence followed.
"He can force allies to turn on one another," Gandalf continued. "Destroy nations from within—without leaving a single trace of his hand."
Sakura's heart clenched at the thought that any of her friends could be a traitor without ever realizing it.
Then a gentle voice echoed in her mind.
"Calm your heart, my child."
Sakura startled and turned toward Galadriel.
The elven queen was looking at her with infinite compassion.
"I sense your turmoil," Galadriel continued, speaking within her thoughts. "What you carry within you… we will speak of it. I promise."
Strangely, Sakura felt her tears recede.
"Celebrimbor spent long years at Sauron's side," Elrond concluded. "They forged together… until Celebrimbor betrayed him and secretly entrusted the Three Rings to the Elves."
At the earlier mention of the name Annatar, Tsunade suddenly remembered a gift offered by a man several months ago.
"Impossible…" she murmured.
Before anyone could react, piercing screams rang out from outside.
Then came a crash.