The Hokage Building's conference room was already packed when Tsunade and Hanekawa arrived. Most of the jonin had assembled, standing at attention as the legendary Sannin entered. The atmosphere shifted immediately—conversations died mid-sentence, and every eye tracked her movement. It was obvious to anyone paying attention that Tsunade was the favorite to become the next Hokage.
Hanekawa slipped in behind her, already forgotten. He didn't mind. These formal gatherings were tedious enough without the added burden of small talk.
Tsunade found the whole thing tiresome. She nodded curtly to the assembled jonin, accepting their greetings with barely concealed impatience.
At 8:30, Hiruzen Sarutobi entered with Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura. The room fell silent.
"We received word last night," Hiruzen began without preamble, "that our western defense force was attacked by a large contingent of Iwagakure ninja. Fortunately, Minato arrived in time to stabilize the situation."
Hanekawa's eyebrows rose slightly. This was familiar territory—the original timeline had played out much the same way. The western defense force was small, specialized in border patrol, and had been devastated in the initial assault. Only four survivors, until Minato's intervention.
But things were different now.
The butterfly effect of Tsunade's rising prominence meant Danzo had reassigned Minato to guard against Iwagakure threats. That proximity had saved lives this time. More than four had survived.
"The Iwagakure force numbers approximately fifteen hundred," Hiruzen continued. "They're the vanguard. Expect reinforcements. Tsunade, take two thousand ninja and reinforce them. Move as quickly as possible."
"Understood," Tsunade replied immediately. She'd been briefed on this already.
"If Iwagakure moves, Kirigakure won't stay idle for long," Utatane Koharu interjected, her tone worried.
Hiruzen nodded grimly. "A valid concern. We took the Seven Swordsmen's blades from them. Normally they'd negotiate for their return. The fact that they haven't..." He trailed off meaningfully.
"They want war," someone muttered.
"Hiashi," Hiruzen said, turning to the Hyuga clan head. "Your clan will monitor the Mist Village. The Byakugan is the perfect counter to their techniques."
Hiashi Hyuga straightened. "Understood, Lord Hokage."
Hanekawa filed away the information. This was likely when Ao of the Mist would steal a Byakugan. Not his problem, though. Interfering would only raise suspicion, and the Hyuga clan hadn't invested in him anyway.
"Don't be overly concerned," Hiruzen said, attempting to lighten the mood. "Konoha holds the advantage. Team Sakumo just dealt a significant blow to the Two-Tails jinchuriki."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Are these connected? Why would Iwagakure attack us while Kumogakure is already weakened?"
"You think they're coordinating?" Hiruzen's smile faded.
"I don't know," Tsunade admitted. "But we should prepare for that possibility."
Hanekawa kept his expression neutral. Tsunade's instinct was sound, but this time she was wrong. Iwagakure wasn't coordinating with Kumogakure—they were preparing a full-scale assault. The numbers alone told the story. From the Fourth Ninja War, he knew the five major villages could field roughly 15,000 ninja each at maximum capacity. Iwagakure sending 10,000 meant they'd mobilized almost entirely.
"I'll have ANBU investigate further," Hiruzen said wearily.
The meeting concluded shortly after. As the jonin filed out, Hanekawa caught up with Tsunade in a quiet corridor.
"Teacher," he said quietly, "I think Iwagakure's real target is Kumogakure."
Tsunade stopped mid-stride. "A feint? To distract Kumogakure while they strike elsewhere?"
"Exactly. The timing is too convenient. It's like they were waiting for Kumogakure to stumble."
Tsunade considered this, then nodded. "If that's true, it's good news for us. One less village to worry about."
Hanekawa agreed, though privately he knew the situation was more complex. Konoha had been surrounded by enemies in the original timeline. Now that pressure was shifting to Kumogakure. But the Mist Village was still a threat, and a three-front war was entirely possible.
"You know," Tsunade said, a wry smile crossing her face, "if you were ten years older, I'd have you help me campaign for Hokage."
Hanekawa grinned. "Just become Hokage first. Then you can support me."
Tsunade's glare was withering. "Go inform Kurenai and Rin. Meet at the village gate in two hours."
"Yes, Teacher."
---
Rin's face lit up when Hanekawa arrived at her door. "Happy New Year! I didn't expect—"
"We're being deployed to the Iwagakure front," he said gently. "Two hours."
Her expression shifted from joy to focus instantly. "Kakashi and Obito?"
"They're fine. Both strong."
Relief flooded her features. She nodded once and disappeared inside to gather her equipment.
Kurenai was less composed.
"Hateful!" she declared, kicking at the ground. "The New Year's ruined!"
"We'll beat them back," Hanekawa offered, ruffling her hair.
"Beat them back!" she agreed fiercely.
Yuhi Shinku emerged from the house, already in combat gear. "I received my orders. I'll be joining Tsunade's force as well."
Hanekawa excused himself and headed to the market. If he was going to war, Tsunade needed proper meals. He purchased vegetables, seasonings, cooking utensils, and dried goods—enough to fill a storage scroll. The merchant gave him an odd look, but money solved that problem.
By the time he reached the village gate, two thousand ninja had assembled. The sheer density of them was intimidating.
Yuhi Shinku gave Kurenai a few final instructions before departing to join his temporary team. War had a way of shuffling assignments.
Tsunade surveyed the assembled force, then called out: "Aburame Shiwei!"
A young man in white robes stepped forward, a gourd strapped to his back. Aburame Shiwei—Shino's father, and one of the Aburame clan's finest scouts.
"Scout ahead," Tsunade ordered. "We move at full speed. Target: the Land of Grass."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Let's move!" Tsunade raised her hand. "Full speed! Go!"
Two thousand ninja surged forward in perfect formation.
The Land of Grass lay between the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire—a buffer zone that had become a battlefield. The small Kusagakure Village wisely kept its head down, hoping to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
As they ran, Hanekawa's mind worked through the implications. Uchiha Madara was somewhere in the Land of Grass. That's how he'd saved Obito in the original timeline. The old man's power had faded significantly by now—he'd be dead within two years, once Sasuke was born. Nothing to worry about.
They made good time. By the afternoon of the next day, the force had reached the Land of Grass without incident.
"Shiwei," Tsunade ordered, "go ahead and meet Minato. Report back."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Aburame Shiwei and three clansmen vanished into the distance.
"Full army, rest here!" Tsunade called out.
Two thousand exhausted ninja collapsed onto the grass. They'd been moving almost non-stop for a day and a half, with only a brief sleep. Combat could erupt at any moment, and they needed to be ready.
Hanekawa handed Tsunade a water bottle. She drained half of it in one gulp, as if it were soda.
He settled beside her, closing his eyes to practice his perception ninjutsu. It was simpler than wind-style techniques, and he wanted to master it before moving on to synthesizing his "Almighty Jonin" entry. Both perception and wind-style would feed into that A-rank ability.
An hour later, Aburame Shiwei returned.
"Lady Tsunade," he reported, "we found Minato. They've just finished a fierce engagement. Heavy casualties on our side."
"The Iwagakure force?"
"Retreated. They likely learned of our approach and didn't want to be surrounded."
Tsunade nodded. "Take us to the camp."
The two thousand ninja resumed formation and marched toward the Konoha position. Thirty minutes later, a familiar figure appeared ahead—Minato Namikaze, his blonde hair unmistakable even at a distance.
"Lady Tsunade!" Minato's relief was palpable. "Thank goodness you arrived when you did!"
The battle had been brutal. Iwagakure had pressed their advantage hard, but halfway through the engagement, they'd suddenly withdrawn. Minato had assumed it was a trap until Aburame Shiwei appeared with news of reinforcements.
Now, with Tsunade's two thousand ninja at his back, the balance of power had shifted decisively.
The war for the Land of Grass had truly begun.