It was December of Konoha Year 51.
When frantic border couriers and agents still inside Earth- and Lightning-country suddenly flashed back with the same report—the two villages had formed an alliance and formally declared war on the Land of Fire & Konoha—everyone knew: the Fourth Great Shinobi War had begun.
The Hokage's office, of course, went into a full sprint. Within hours every senior in the village was packed into an emergency council to set the war plan.
Although Uchiha Yorin had already been hammering the table for a "strike first" doctrine—advocating proactive blows against both enemies—this time Konoha still chose a reactive, counter-punching defense.
Truth was, Konoha's economy was too good. In such times, when revenue swells day after day, the conservative bloc bloats too—nobody wants to bleed when life is sweet.
It was a helpless truth—especially to Yorin, who was already worrying that even if he unified the shinobi world and stabled the horses, a few years later the Ōtsutsuki would crash the party anyway. That would be a sight.
"Before we unify the world, I need to roll out an Ōtsutsuki-threat line," Yorin thought. "Keep people tense; keep rearmament rolling."
…
While Yorin was sketching post-unification problems, Minato was less cheery.
"This is… headache-inducing," Fourth muttered. "But fine—let's hear concrete proposals."
The first to leap up—he'd been coiled like a spring—was Uchiha Yorin. He clenched his fist and said to Minato:
"Hit hard. This isn't a border scuffle—this demands a heavy blow!"
He'd barely finished when the Inuzuka clan's hot-blooded matriarch snapped right in: "Exactly! Teach those Kumo and Iwa bastards who's boss!"
In peacetime, Konoha's loudest hawks are always the Inuzuka. Yorin sometimes thinks they all have rabies.
Snark aside, when you need someone to echo the call, Inuzuka Tsume delivers.
…
After those two, most of the room voiced the same: ready to fight.
Making money in peace is nice—but Konoha is still a military organization. When it's time, they don't flinch.
"In that case, I'll assign fronts—Yorin!"
Minato called Yorin first, and every head turned. No surprise—the Fourth's best friend, first on the board.
Those who disliked Yorin labeled him "a new Danzō," but anyone who'd seen his power knew: compared with this scythe-wielding Cheka chairman, old Danzō was a small fry.
"Coordinate with Mist to pincer Cloud," Minato said. "You take the entire northeastern theater!
Uchiha, Inuzuka, Hyūga, and Aburame will support your command. Konoha will detach fifteen thousand shinobi to your hand. Any issues?!"
"None. Then, Fourth—what strategic end-state do you want?" Yorin asked.
"As few dead as possible," Minato said. "At minimum, repel Kumo. If we can't, hold the line. Of course, you are overall commander—final calls are yours."
"So if I see the opening and wipe Cloud out in one stroke—that's allowed." Yorin's eyes flashed with excitement.
"If you can do it, do it," Minato answered gently—but firmly.
At that, the Third and several elders looked… constricted. In their day, throwing everything in just barely held the line. Yorin's first instinct was "erase a great village."
Normally they'd start lecturing—"don't be young when you're young" and such—but they couldn't say it now. In the Mist collapse war, Yorin had proved he could.
"Good. With Kumo in your hands, I can rest easy. As for Iwa…"
Minato hesitated. The Third and Jiraiya both unconsciously straightened—surely this command was theirs.
Then Minato stunned them:
"I'll personally take the Iwa front. Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, and Sarutobi will march with me."
"What?!"
"But—"
"Think twice, Fourth!"
A Hokage shouldn't leap onto the field lightly. Lose any Kage-class and it's bad; lose the Hokage and morale craters.
"Say no more, Jiraiya-sensei. This is also for Konoha," Minato said. "Against Iwa, I'm the best suited."
That point, no one disputed. His legend—one against fifty Iwa jonin—wasn't built on rumor. Even if Iwa jonin are "quantity over quality," they're still jonin.
"But," the Third pressed, "if you leave, who handles administration, logistics, and diplomacy?"
"Please take them, Lord Third," Minato replied. "While I campaign, you hold the rear. Pass diplomacy to me for decision."
"Frankly, I still think us old bones could swing a sword," Third muttered. "But if you insist—I'll guard the home front."
"If the enemy panics and strikes Konoha directly," Minato said, "we'll need you."
"Heh. If that happens, even with this old frame I'll make them stay," Third said—quietly certain. Even years later, in the Chūnin Exams fiasco, he went fifty-fifty with prime Orochimaru. Now, he was stronger.
"Then it's settled!"
Minato rose, bright with fire. "We'll strike back. No matter how many times they come, we'll crush them—Konoha stands!"
With his shout, the room rose roaring.
"For Konoha!"
"Make 'em pay!"
"Flatten them!"
"Heh-heh-heh—hah-hah-hah-hah-hah!"
And so, the Fourth Great Shinobi War formally began.
Unlike the anime's tidy one-on-one village wars, this time all five were dragged in. A global war—grand, devouring, reshaping the world.
~~~
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