The Hokage Tower.
Half a month had passed since Iwagakure's surprise assault on the Land of Fire's border. Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned at the battle reports streaming in from every front.
"Hokage-sama."
The office door opened and a figure stepped in.
"Higashino?"
Hiruzen's expression sharpened. This intelligence operative had marched with the reinforcements to the Land of Earth's border.
"How is the border with the Land of Earth? What about Mimura Yoken?"
Hiruzen asked at once. Of all fronts, the situation against Iwagakure was the most urgent, and Higashino was the first to return from that expedition. Danzō and Orochimaru had already departed for the front. As Hokage, Hiruzen was the village's anchor. He had to hold the rear and could not move unless the crisis demanded it.
"At the last moment, Lord Minato arrived and saved Mimura Yoken, but the defensive corps suffered catastrophic losses. Only... four survived."
Higashino's voice shook with grief. He would never forget the sight that greeted them on arrival, Konoha shinobi piled like trash.
"Only... four."
Hiruzen's voice was low, and a hot rage surged in his chest. He etched this blood debt into his heart. For a moment, he wanted to lead a force into the Land of Earth himself. Reason pulled him back. There were other fronts, and they needed his coordination and steadiness. He had to be responsible for every soldier.
"Lord Minato stabilized the situation with his unit. But Iwagakure's will to attack is very strong."
"Before I departed, they had already launched two large-scale assaults. Both sides took losses. Lord Minato judges the war may expand again."
"Given the terrain, a single battle might decide the campaign. He ordered me to return and request reinforcements."
Hiruzen fell silent, then began writing orders. He had not expected the clash with Iwagakure to turn white hot this quickly. Only a few days had passed. Wars were usually a grind of endurance and attrition, often lasting years. Iwagakure's tempo was unusual.
He sealed the orders and handed them to an ANBU. "Higashino, go with him, muster reinforcements, and return at once."
Higashino left with the ANBU. Not long after, another ANBU rushed in with a report from Orochimaru's sector. Hiruzen tore it open and read. With each line, his face darkened.
A roar thundered from the office. "Orochimaru, he would use methods this cruel?"
The report only voiced suspicion, with no conclusive proof. Yet Hiruzen knew Orochimaru's temperament. He could not take this lightly.
"Orochimaru, if you truly dare to experiment on human bodies, then I will end you with my own hands."
He set the letter down, closed his eyes, and let out a long, heavy breath. He hoped it was not true.
Another month passed.
In Shikkotsu Forest, a dark cave glowed with emerald chakra. Under relentless training, Uchiha Senya was about to break through the final sliver remaining in his Sage Body. For this last month, aside from occasionally sensing Obito's situation, he had given himself wholly to cultivation. He had not left the cave even once.
When chakra filled that last gap within the Sage Body:
CRACKLE CRACKLE!
Chiya's body rang like beans frying in a pan. A richer, more vibrant life chakra bloomed inside him.
"Ha..."
He exhaled with a forceful shout. Dense chakra poured from his mouth like breath made visible. In the next instant, the boulder sealing the cave mouth shattered to gravel. Chiya stepped into the light.
He felt better than ever. The perfected flow of the Sage Body made him feel as though his very life had molted and renewed. The change was not only strength. His state of mind had risen as well. With each breath, he sensed nature unfolding. He blended into it, feeling the tide of energy. In the language of the Dao, he had reached the state of following nature, hearing the rhythm of all things. Before, he could barely touch this state only by entering Sage Mode.
"At last, after more than ten years, the Sage Body is perfected."
He let himself marvel at the cost of the journey, then focused on the light cluster within his mind. It had turned active, ready to be invoked. Completion of the Sage Body had finally unlocked Wood Release cultivation.
"Good."
Joy flickered across his face, and he triggered the light. Knowledge of Wood Release hand seals and experience flooded into him, and he grasped it fully. Following the guidance in his mind, he attuned to his surroundings and drew his chakra.
He formed the seals and thrust both palms down.
"Wood Release..."