March, Konoha Year 46.
Pink cherry blossoms adorned the branches as scheduled. A gentle spring breeze blew, and sunlight filtered through clusters of flowery clouds, casting warm spots of light.
Within Konohagakure, a scene of tranquility prevailed. Children laughed on newly built swings, vendors hawked their wares enthusiastically along renovated streets, and the energetic shouts of young ninjas echoed from the training grounds.
However, beneath this peaceful facade, undercurrents were already surging.
Hokage Building, top-floor conference room.
The atmosphere was a stark contrast to the vibrant spring outside; it was so heavy it felt as if water could be wrung from the air.
On both sides of the long table, Konoha's current core high-level officials were gathered.
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in the main seat. To his left sat advisors Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado. Even Danzo Shimura, who rarely participated in such routine meetings, sat silently at the end of the table, shrouded in deeper shadows.
Homura Mitokado pushed up his glasses and spoke first: "According to the intelligence gathered from various sources, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Hidden Mist, and Sunagakure have all increased their procurement of strategic materials since the start of spring. Their movements are frequent."
"Of particular note is that the Hidden Sand Village, without any prior warning this month, approved the early graduation of a large number of academy students, spanning from the fourth to the sixth grades. Their intent is self-evident."
Utatane Koharu gave a cold snort: "Our 'good ally' is certainly staying true to their form."
The Third Hokage listened quietly without immediately offering an opinion, though the speed at which he puffed his pipe quickened slightly. He turned his gaze toward Danzo at the end of the table and said:
"Danzo, has Root detected any other movements?"
As the five great ninja villages were behemoths of the ninja world, any large-scale military movement could hardly be completely hidden from one another's spy networks; it was merely a matter of timing and detail.
What truly made him wary were the small countries and ninja villages surviving in the cracks. They seemed insignificant but could suddenly become restless due to shifts in the situation, or even be used as a fuse.
While their overall strength was far inferior to the five great nations, many possessed unique legacies or powerful leaders. Some of these figures acted with even less restraint and were harder to predict.
For example, the village led by the man known as the 'demi-god'—Amegakure.
Danzo slowly lifted his eyelids: "Regarding Amegakure, Hanzō has been very quiet. It seems that after the crushing defeat in the last war, his expansionist ambitions have been tempered by reality."
"According to my intelligence, his primary focus in recent years has been on internal reorganization, purging the opposition, and restoring the withered economy of the Land of Rain. He has shown little interest in intervening in external affairs, maintaining a conservative defensive posture."
"Kusagakure remains indecisive and is not a concern. Takigakure continues its policy of not offending either side, with no anomalies detected. Yugakure..."
Danzo relayed intelligence on the small ninja villages surrounding the Land of Fire one by one: "As for Takumi Village, they have recently received a large number of custom orders for weapons and ninja tools, far exceeding the usual quantity. The identities of the employers are heavily disguised and difficult to confirm directly, but based on logistics flow and raw material demand analysis, the highest probability remains Sunagakure."
At this point, Danzo spoke again, his voice low and cold: "Hiruzen, the situation is clear. When others have already begun sharpening their blades, if Konoha remains intoxicated by the false dream of peace, it will be the path to ruin! We must immediately begin comprehensive war preparations, mobilize all available resources, strengthen border defenses and intelligence networks, and expand our combat reserves as quickly as possible."
Hearing this, Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado both turned their gazes toward the Third Hokage in the main seat, awaiting his final decision.
The Third Hokage took a deep drag of his pipe, letting the acrid smoke swirl through his lungs before slowly exhaling.
He scanned every face present—some worried, some grim, some expectant—and finally spoke:
"Notify the logistics and equipment departments to immediately activate the contingency plans for the procurement, stockpiling, and distribution of combat materials. Homura, you will be fully responsible for coordinating and supervising this to ensure that channels for critical supplies remain open and inventory is secure."
"Regarding the Ministry of Education and the Ninja Academy, Koharu, you will personally handle the coordination. After the new term begins next month, immediately start a comprehensive assessment. From the fourth to the sixth grades, select a group of students with excellent grades, mature, and practical combat potential, and grant them early graduation."
"Complete their squad training as quickly as possible to fill the gaps in the lower-level ninja ranks. Be mindful of your methods to avoid causing unnecessary panic."
Finally, his gaze turned toward Danzo Shimura at the end of the table, his eyes becoming exceptionally deep: "Danzo, your intelligence network must operate at maximum intensity. Any abnormal signs, no matter how small, must be reported directly to me. We must ensure that Konoha does not fall behind in intelligence."
Outside the window, the cherry blossoms were still in full bloom, but the people in the meeting room knew that the peace under this warm spring sun had entered its countdown.
---
April, the new semester began as scheduled.
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, who would always attend and offer earnest words of encouragement to the new students in previous years, rarely failed to show up at the opening ceremony this time. Only a few school officials gave routine speeches.
Shortly after the ceremony ended, a notice jointly issued by the Ministry of Education and the Ninja Academy instantly ignited the enthusiasm of the campus, especially in the senior grade areas.
The notice read: To encourage outstanding students and provide opportunities to practice what they have learned earlier and contribute to the village, a special early graduation exam will be held in one week.
Open to all students in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, those who pass the exam will directly obtain Genin status and be officially assigned to mission squads!
"Early graduation!"
"Directly become a Genin!"
These two keywords were like gasoline dropped into boiling oil, causing the campus to explode with excitement.
After a brief moment of shock, the prevailing emotion was a near-boiling excitement and eagerness!
"Great! I finally don't have to take those troublesome cultural classes and memorize that damn theory anymore!"
"Hey, did you hear? Directly become a ninja! We can take on missions!"
"The graduation exam—I must pass it!"
"There's only one week left; I have to hurry and do some special training!"
In the hallways, by the training grounds, and in the classrooms, red-faced boys and girls could be seen everywhere engaged in heated discussions.
For many hot-blooded Ninja Academy students who had long grown impatient with dry theoretical study and yearned to perform missions and show their strength like the heroes in stories, this was undoubtedly a godsend!
Most of them did not look deeply into the urgent signals that might be hidden behind this early graduation; in their eyes, there was only the forehead protector within reach and a brand-new ninja career.
---
While the crowd of students was cheering for the early graduation exam, Higashino Shinichi was also making a quiet farewell in the interval after returning from a mission.
After the mission handover was completed, he and Maruboshi Kosuke had just walked out of the Hokage Building when they received a personnel transfer order.
"Senpai, thank you for your guidance and care over the past year." Holding the transfer order, Shinichi gave a solemn bow to the old man beside him, who carried a large pot and always had a slightly hunched back.
"When you get to your new team, stay safe. Get along well with your teammates and your new Jonin instructor. Your path is still long; Konoha needs more young people like you who have strength and know what they are fighting for."
Maruboshi Kosuke had a warm smile on his face, as if he had long expected this transfer order.