Naruto: Power in Play

Chapter 27

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat in his office, the weight of the village's recent tragedies etched deeply into his old features. Before him stood an Anbu operative, his armor bearing fresh scratches and his mask slightly chipped. Despite his stoic demeanor, there was urgency in the Anbu's voice.

"Hokage-sama," the Anbu began, bowing deeply. "A report from the southern outposts. Groups of ninjas bearing the Sky Village's marks has mobilized. Their forces are advancing toward Konoha as we speak. Initial scouts estimate their numbers to be in the hundreds."

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. The Sky Village, also known as Soragakure, was a remnant of the smaller shinobi factions that had struggled to find a foothold among the Great Nations. During the Second Great Shinobi War, they were infamous for their ingenuity, compensating for their lack of manpower with advanced technology and aerial combat techniques. Their use of flying platforms and mechanized weaponry had once threatened to redefine the battlefield, but the relentless might of the larger villages had ultimately crushed their ambitions.

After their defeat, the Sky Village faded into obscurity, falling into the dark and almost forgotten by history. Rumors of their demise had circulated for years, but their apparent reemergence now, after decades of silence, projected nothing good for Konoha. The timing was suspect, and Hiruzen's thoughts immediately turned to the broader geopolitical tensions brewing in the shadows.

"Call an emergency council meeting immediately," Hiruzen ordered, watching as the Anbu operative flashed out of the room.

"Monkey," he continued, "summon the jounin commanders without delay. Specter and Spider, form a strike team and deploy reinforcements to the southern outposts immediately. Cat, go to the general hospital and inform Yoshioka Yuji to prepare for a full-scale invasion. He'll know what to do."

Even without visible movement, Hiruzen sensed the operatives leaving, their presence fading like wisps of smoke. Alone now, he let out a slow, measured breath, the faint scent of tobacco curling in the air as he took a long puff from his pipe.

His gaze drifted to the shelves lining his office—books and scrolls containing decades of knowledge and history, some of which he had personally lived and helped write. Documents depicting his heroic feats from his youth. Back when Konoha still-

Hiruzen sighed, stopping the train of thoughts. Focus! He told himself. Stepping forward, he placed his palm against a discreet seal etched into a shelf. A faint pulse of chakra resonated under his touch, and with a soft poof of smoke, a set of armor materialized before him.

Hiruzen stared at the set armor with a conflicted expression, his fist clenching at his sides. He then slowly removed his hokage robe. His expression growing increasingly resolute as he donned the armor. Konoha needed him! His villagers needed him!

Minutes later, the Hokage's office was filled with Konoha's key leaders, along with most Clan heads who could make it in time. Shikaku Nara, ever calm, stood with arms crossed, his calculating eyes analyzing the written report of the Anbu. Hiashi Hyuuga and Inoichi Yamanaka exchanged tense glances, while Kakashi Hatake listened intently from the corner, mask hiding any hint of emotion.

Standing near the Hokage's desk was Tashiro Kyoko, codenamed Obsidian (Kokuyogan), the vice leader of the Anbu Black Ops. "Hokage-sama, our preliminary reports indicate that the Sky Village's tactics are highly coordinated, and somehow adapted to counter our initial responses. The Anbu commander, Dragon, is suggesting that they have studied our patrols and response times in advance."

Beside him, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, Hiruzen's former teammates and trusted advisors, frowned deeply at the report. Koharu stepped forward to address the information. "If they've chosen this moment to act, it's highly probable that there are other factions working with them. The Sky Village must have amassed forces in the dark. Otherwise, they would not be so bold as to launch an open attack like this."