shadow hokage dark moon

Chapter 63: The Outbreak of the Second Shinobi World War

After completing their mission and gaining a deeper understanding of the shinobi world's political climate, Uchiha Tsukiko led Chinatsu and Ayane back to Konoha.

No sooner had he returned than he received shocking news from Tsunade—Kumogakure had attempted to kidnap Uzumaki Kushina, but she was fortunately saved by Namikaze Minato.

At Tsunade's residence, Tsukiko and Tsunade sat in the courtyard, sipping tea and chatting.

When Tsunade mentioned the incident, a flash of anger flickered in her golden eyes.

"Tsukiko, have you heard? Kumogakure actually dared to kidnap Kushina. If it weren't for Minato arriving in time, she might have been taken."

Tsukiko frowned, falling into deep thought before responding.

"Kumogakure has always been a village that only respects strength. They don't honor treaties out of goodwill, but because they fear retribution. If we simply seek peace through words, they will break their promises whenever it suits them. The only way to make them submit is to completely overpower them."

Tsunade nodded, contemplating his words.

She understood that Tsukiko had a point.

This attempted abduction was a blatant act of hostility, and if they got away with it, there was no telling who their next target would be.

"You're right, Tsukiko. If they dare to kidnap Kushina now, they might target someone else next. We need to make them understand—Konoha is not to be trifled with."

After a lengthy discussion, Tsukiko bid farewell to Tsunade and headed to the training grounds to continue perfecting his Flying Thunder God Technique.

A few days later, while he was engrossed in training, a startling announcement echoed through Konoha—Hanzō of the Salamander had declared war on both Konoha and Sunagakure.

The news spread like wildfire, plunging the village into tension.

"So, war is truly unavoidable," Tsukiko murmured, his gaze deepening.

He had long anticipated this outcome, but now that it was reality, he still felt the weight of the inevitable conflict looming over them.

At the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at his desk, his face dark with concern as he read the latest intelligence reports.

As the Third Hokage, he had spent years maintaining Konoha's stability and prosperity, yet now, a small village dared to provoke a war with one of the Five Great Shinobi Nations.

"Does Hanzō really think I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, am weak?" he muttered coldly.

This wasn't just a challenge to Konoha—it was a direct challenge to his leadership.

If he didn't respond forcefully, it could encourage other villages to follow suit, jeopardizing Konoha's dominance.

Thus, Hiruzen convened an emergency war council.

Seated in the room were Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and several other high-ranking officials.

Hiruzen relayed Hanzō's declaration of war and asked for input.

Danzō, always the hawk, was the first to speak.

"We must retaliate swiftly and decisively. If we don't crush Amegakure now, other villages will see Konoha as weak. A passive response will only invite more aggression."

Koharu agreed.

"This isn't just about pride, Hiruzen. If we hesitate, even the Daimyō may start doubting our strength. Konoha relies on missions to maintain its economy—if our reputation suffers, our mission assignments will decline, weakening the village long-term."

Homura added, "The balance of power in the shinobi world depends on Konoha's strength. We cannot allow a minor nation like Ame to undermine it."

Hiruzen listened intently, his expression unreadable.

After a long pause, he finally spoke.

"You're all correct. We cannot afford to show weakness. Konoha will retaliate—Hanzō must learn the consequences of challenging a Great Nation."

With that decision made, the room grew tense, as the next step was strategizing the counteroffensive.

After careful deliberation, Hiruzen declared,

"This war isn't just about punishing Amegakure—it's also an opportunity to forge the next generation of Konoha's shinobi."

His gaze swept over the council.

"Uchiha Tsukiko, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade will serve as our main field commanders."

Murmurs spread across the room.

Hiruzen continued,

"These young warriors are Konoha's future. They are immensely talented, but they also need real battlefield experience. This war will temper them into true leaders."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade were Hiruzen's own students, already recognized as rising stars in Konoha.

Uchiha Tsukiko, meanwhile, was a new-generation powerhouse, recommended personally by Uzumaki Mito.

With their inclusion, Konoha's warfront would be formidable.

Hiruzen finalized his orders.

"As for Konoha's defense, Hatake Sakumo will remain in the village to ensure security. His strength will deter any opportunistic attacks while our forces are engaged in Ame."

With that, the war council adjourned, and Konoha officially entered a state of war.

A few days later, as Tsukiko was training in the spatial properties of the Flying Thunder God, a masked ANBU agent appeared before him.

"Tsukiko-sama, the Hokage has issued an urgent summons."

Tsukiko opened the scroll handed to him.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he read.

"They're making me a frontline commander?" he murmured.

The scroll outlined Konoha's official response to Ame's aggression.

The primary forces were to be led by himself, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade, tasked with pushing into Amegakure's territory and engaging Hanzō's forces head-on.

Tsukiko's mind raced.

Being assigned a command role meant he was no longer just a powerful shinobi—he was being entrusted with the lives of his comrades.

Moreover, his fellow commanders were none other than Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru.

The dynamic between them would be crucial.

Jiraiya's carefree personality, Orochimaru's cold and pragmatic nature, and Tsunade's unshakable will—all three had distinct strengths and weaknesses.

Cooperating with them in a war scenario would be a new challenge entirely.

But rather than feeling daunted, Tsukiko felt a surge of excitement.

This was an opportunity.

Not just to prove himself, but to reshape the battlefield itself.

"So, this is the path I must walk."

Closing the scroll, Tsukiko's grip tightened.

This war would be the defining moment of their generation.

And he intended to stand at its forefront.

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